Portents of Fear is a horror fiction podcast
which is intended for mature audiences. Discretion
is advised. Welcome, fearlings, to another weird
and horrifying tale made just for you. I am your
host, Mashulu, and I'll be your guide into the
macabre and mysterious. Tonight's story makes
us wonder if we can trust our senses in Eyeless
Stare. Before we get started... Take a moment
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The nightmare began with a frantic phone call
from his sister Kate at 3 o 'clock a .m. Luis's
parents had burned alive in a huge house fire.
The funeral was full of tension. Luis's wife
Anne looked at her watch every five minutes.
She didn't deal with emotion well and never really
got along with Luis's family in the first place.
Kate felt like she was being disrespectful. and
Luis had to run interference all day. Meanwhile,
he knew what the real issue was, why his sister
was on edge. Sure, she thought Anne was a cold
-hearted jerk, but it was their father that Kate
was thinking about. The last six months of his
life, he had become abusive. He would rave about
a thing following him. He'd black out and not
remember what he had done, but refuse to get
help. They begged their mom to leave him. She
wouldn't. Several weeks after the funeral, The
fire department report was released. The bed
was set on fire with Luis's mom still in it.
His father was found a few feet away. It was
all too much. Luis went into a deep depression.
He didn't tell Anne about any of it and made
Kate swear not to tell her. He knew Anne would
leave him. Anne was cold. She had life goals
and she wasn't going to let emotions, family
drama, or mental instability get in the way.
She did love Luis, but she loved her work more.
He was expected to keep it together. To her,
people made choices. Luis's mother could have
left, but she didn't. That was on her. Anne wasn't
going to feel sorry for not wanting to waste
a whole day at a funeral when there was work
to do. One year after the funeral. Wake up! Time
for work, Anne said while prodding Luis with
an aggressive index finger. You can't be late.
Okay, okay, I'm up. Jesus. He sat up. I had a
strange dream, like someone was watching me.
Ever have that feeling? Luis threw the covers
off and got out of bed. She was right, though.
He had a marketing meeting on the third quarter's
earnings reports that he was running. No, she
replied flatly. She was already dressed in a
pencil black skirt, light blue blouse, and black
heels that Luis felt were too high for office
work but did make her look amazing. He tried
to hug her, but she walked away. I'm going. We're
talking to Court and Technologies about their
case today. I'll be home around eight. She headed
for the door. Okay, I'll have dinner ready. No
need. Isaac and I'll grab something while we
work. Again? Luis had been hearing that name
a lot lately. Yes, he's a partner in the firm.
We work together, and I'm not a fan of the jealous
tone. Bye. The door shut. Love you, he sighed.
As Luis showered, his mind wandered to the strange
dream last night. It felt like someone was watching
him. Or was it a something? The feeling had started
after the funeral. He'd started going to therapy,
something he hid from Anne for fear of what she'd
think. Luis thought about his father, not the
man he had become the last six months of his
life, but the one who raised Luis. The two would
go to baseball games, watch movies, and talk
all the time. His heart hurt thinking about those
times. None of it felt real. The water had gone
cold. It had been 45 minutes. Stepping out of
the shower, he saw something on the floor behind
the trash can. It was the shiny gold edge from
a condom wrapper. His heart sank. Anne was on
birth control. They didn't use condoms. In the
bedroom, he started pacing. It's Isaac. It must
be. She spends all her time with him at work,
and I guess in our house when I'm gone. Is she
leaving me? We haven't had sex in at least six
months, but she never wants to talk about it.
He became agitated, and then he thought he had
caught a face watching him from the corner of
the room. But when he looked, there was nothing
there. His phone rang. Hi, Luis. Where are you?
The meeting was supposed to start ten minutes
ago, Helen, his boss, asked. What time is it?
10 .30? Are you okay? No, I'm fine. I'm fine.
I'm sorry. I'll be there in 15 minutes. Please
get here. We'll talk after the meeting. Yes,
I'm sorry. Leaving now. He threw on some clothes,
shoved the condom wrapper in his pocket, and
ran out the door. At the office, he launched
into his presentation, apologizing profusely
for his extreme tardiness. It went well, and
Luis sighed in relief. Afterwards, he went to
Helen's office. He hoped his presentation would
make her less upset. Please, Louise, sit. You
did great in there as usual, but you've been
late more often. Now, I know you lost your parents,
so I'm willing to be flexible if you need more
time. But if you say you're going to be here,
I need you to be here, Helen said calmly. I know,
and I'm so sorry. Thank you for the compliment.
I will be here on time from now on. I'm going
to hold you to that. Now, I don't mean to pry,
but you sounded upset on the phone. Everything
okay? I think Anne is cheating on me. Oh, I...
That's horrible. Sorry, I shouldn't dump personal
stuff on you. I'll deal with my private life
on my own time. Helen sat silently thinking.
She liked Luis and wanted to be helpful, but
also didn't want to cross a professional line.
Helen was a tall, muscular woman with dark brown
skin, light brown eyes, and braids that went
down her back. Her features were stunning, and
she would often catch men staring at her. Luis
never did, though. He always looked her in the
eye. She liked that about him. Luis thought Helen
was a fair boss, never asking anyone to do anything
she wasn't willing to do herself. She never raised
her voice. She just commanded respect through
her vibe. Luis looked up to her. Maybe that's
why he told her about Anne. He wasn't sure. She
recovered from her initial shock. Jesus, Luis,
you drove to work with that on your mind? We
could have rescheduled, she said. It's okay.
I'm okay. I... Damn, I don't know. I'm trying
to keep it all together, to be honest. He felt
eyes on him from the corner, but nothing was
there. He ignored the feeling as best he could.
Luis, no, that's not... We don't need to talk
about this. I shouldn't have told you, really,
Luis said as he squirmed in his chair. Luis,
I know we only have a professional relationship,
but I think we respect each other. I agree, he
looked at his knees. My job, as I see it, is
not just making sure the company is doing well.
but that my employees are doing well. This kind
of news would be a blow to anyone's mental health,
and you know it. I think you should take some
time off. He felt like the eyes in the corner
were now closer. It felt like someone was right
next to him. He looked. There was nothing there.
I don't want to go home right now. I need the
distraction. I need to figure out what I'm going
to say. How do I even ask? You've never met Anne.
She's hard to read. Plus, what if I'm wrong?
I can't just accuse her of cheating. What proof
do you have? I found part of a condom wrapper
on the bathroom floor, Luis said. She's cheating.
God damn it, Luis folded into the smallest version
of himself possible. I'm sorry, that was harsh.
Maybe I'm wrong. Helen felt she had been too
personal and tried to adjust. No, you're right.
I knew it when I saw it. I don't want to go home
and sit in an empty apartment and think about
what she did with him. If you want to stay and
work, I understand. But if you need to leave,
let me know, she said smiling. Thank you, he
said while quickly leaving. That was awkward,
he thought. He went back to work. He was lucky
to have his own office. While typing, he felt
it again. Something was watching him from the
corner. He looked and there, just for a moment,
was a creature with a white, wax -like face.
It had an unnerving grin and two black pits where
its eyes should have been. The creature's body
floated a full two feet off the ground. It had
no legs, its torso was covered in gray rags,
and it had four skeletal arms. Luis screamed.
His co -worker Rob rushed through the door. Are
you okay? Luis was breathing heavily when he
looked back to where the creature had been. It
was gone. Yeah, I'm... I'm fine. Sorry, I need
to head out. Can you let Helen know? Tell her
I'll call her later. Yeah, sure, man. You sure
you're all right? Rob inquired. Luis just nodded
as he headed out the door. Luis called his therapist
from the elevator. Hello, Connie. I need to see
you right away. He arrived at Connie's home office
30 minutes later. Connie was Japanese in her
late 60s and stood about 5 feet 4 inches tall.
She had long white hair that she put up in a
bun. and sported colorful, large -rimmed glasses.
Her office had a glass sliding door that went
to the backyard. Thank you for working me in,
Luis said as he took a seat. Of course, what's
going on? Where to start? Anne is cheating on
me, and I saw a weird creature that just stares
at me. Then he proceeded to explain everything.
Connie wrote in her little notebook. When he
was done, she put it on the table and paused
for a moment. Normally, I'd say you should talk
to Anne. Find out exactly what's going on. Communication
is key. But we need to find out why you're seeing
this creature. You say the last time you saw
this thing was in your office, she asked. No,
it's outside your window right now. He pointed
to the sliding glass door. Connie turned and
looked. There was nothing there. I don't see
anything, Luis. I think you need to spend a day
or two at a hospital so we can run some tests.
It's important we pin this issue down. I can't
do that. If Anne finds I'm seeing a therapist,
she'll leave me for sure, he protested. Anne
doesn't know about any of this? Connie asked,
surprised. No, she's not good with emotions.
She thinks therapy is for broken people, Luis
replied. I see. We'll need to unpack that later.
For now, your well -being is my main concern.
You need to be at a hospital so we can find out
what's going on. Who's your psychiatrist again?
Dr. Giorgio, he replied. The entire time, the
wax -faced creature stared at him with an eyeless
gaze and a contorted smile. It never moved. What
if I'm just seeing things? No one just sees things.
Sure, you might see something out of the corner
of your eye for a second, a trick of the light,
but that's not the same as seeing a creature.
We need to find out what's causing these hallucinations.
It could simply be stress, but we need to run
tests and observe you. I'm going to call Dr.
Giorgio and get his opinion, okay? She asked.
Okay. An hour later, Luis checked into the Silent
Springs Medical Center. He called Helen to let
her know he was going to be out for a few days.
He didn't say why. He left a message for Anne
saying there was an issue at the Wisconsin plant
and that he had to go. He wouldn't be back for
a few days and he'd stay with his sister Kate.
He wasn't happy about lying, but he didn't see
Anne understanding. That night, after the blood
tests and dinner, he called his sister to let
her know what was going on. Hey, I'm staying
with you right now if Anne calls. She already
did, and I told her you hadn't arrived yet. You
need to call me before you lie to your harpy
of a wife, snapped Kate. Stop. Why do you have
to be so hostile towards her, he responded. I
told you from day one she's no good. She's cold,
and now we can't even bring up what really happened
to mom or dad around her? You can't even tell
her you're on medication? She's terrible, and
you deserve better. She's my wife, and we love
each other. You're her doormat, Kate replied.
She had enough of Anne. Look, I don't want to
argue, Louise pleaded. And that right there is
your issue. Look, little brother, I know you
think you caught a big fish in Anne, but she
has the personality of pond scum. Big boobs sag,
good looks fade, but bitch is forever. Kate,
please. It's been a long day. I appreciate you
covering for me, but... Let's stop arguing. He
loved his sister, but she always came on too
strong, like he wasn't an adult. Why am I covering
for you, she pressed. I started seeing things,
and my therapist and doctor want me to be observed.
Holy hell, are you okay? Yeah, I've felt like
the problem all day, he said. Kate sighed. You're
not a problem. You're a good person. And being
depressed and having anxiety isn't a character
flaw. The fact you hide it to hang on to Anne
is, well, insane. The depression and anxiety
are not what I'm worried about. What if I'm like
Dad? He had that shift in his personality and
was never the same, he asked. You're not. He
wouldn't get help. You are. It's going to be
okay. What if he had schizophrenia? What if I
do? What if I start blacking out? His tone began
to wobble. It was all too much. That's a lot
of what -ifs, little brother. Let's see what
the tests say and go from there. Just because
Dad had issues doesn't mean you will. You're
not a perfect copy of him. Whatever it is, we'll
work through it. You'll be okay. Also, you need
to tell Anne about all this. She's not worth
your love if she can't love all of you, Kate
said gently but firmly. I know. I just don't
know how. I gotta go, he replied. Call me tomorrow.
I love you, idiot, Kate reminded him. Love you
too, jerk. He hung up. At midnight, Luis bolted
upright in bed. He felt its unyielding stare.
His heart pounded fiercely when he finally looked
at it. The thing gazed at him from a moonlit
corner. Luis froze. It slowly floated towards
him. Tears poured from Luis's eyes. Its waxy
white face never changed expression. It still
had that tortured smile and eyeless stare. It
came within an inch of Luis's face. Luis could
see nothing but an eyeless abyss. It felt like
he was falling into them. There was something
familiar about it, like he knew this thing. It
radiated hate. Luis blacked out. He woke to a
man entering his room. Hi Luis, I'm Isaac. We
haven't met yet, but I'm banging your wife, he
said with a smile. What the hell are you doing
here? Luis's blood boiled. No need to get angry,
friend. Just checking in on you. I wanted to
say thank you. Your low skill in the bedroom
has Anne thinking I'm a god. Did you know that
she can have orgasms for, like, hours? Course
you didn't. I can drive her nuts. The room started
to spin. Luis was starting to lose control. He'd
never been this mad. Now that you're in the loony
bin, she's mine 24 -7. Isaac's words were drenched
in smug superiority. Luis flew from the bed,
crashed into Isaac, and started beating him senselessly.
His fists landed with explosive force. The sound
of bones breaking and screaming rage alerted
the hospital staff. Three nurses rushed in to
restrain him, plunging a needle into his neck.
Luis collapsed. Three months later, Luis sat
in court. Isaac was never in his room at Silent
Springs. The whole interaction was a hallucination.
He had attacked a nurse named Peter and almost
killed him. Though the tests were inconclusive
about what was causing these illusions, He was
sure it was the same thing his dad had. He pleaded
guilty to battery and waived his right to a trial.
Helen had to let him go. He could tell she didn't
want to, but her hands were tied. Anne ghosted
him, ignoring his calls. After a week, he gave
up. She was a lawyer. He was sure she knew all
the details. Kate flew out several times. He
could tell she was worried. Luis was the last
family member she had. He told the court about
the hallucinations, his parents' deaths, and
that he needed help. He apologized to Peter and
his family for the attack. He felt so ashamed.
He wanted to be put away until he knew it would
never happen again. The judge agreed with him
and was merciful. She concluded that Luis would
be better served in a state mental institution
rather than prison. He was given three years.
Arriving at his new home, he was asked to speak
with the head of the facility, Dr. Birch. I know
this is your first day, but I'm afraid I have
some bad news. The doctor passed a folder to
Luis. What's this? I believe it's divorce papers.
I'm sorry to have to be the bearer of bad news.
Luis had known this was coming. He knew she would
leave him. There was a letter. Luis, it seems
like your years of violence have come to a head
and you're where you should be. I thought I was
the only one who knew your rage. I wish I had
been brave enough to stand up to you, but I wasn't.
Because of that, you've hurt someone besides
me. I've left the details of your behavior out
of the divorce papers. But if you do not sign,
I will be forced to say something. Please, if
you love me at all, never contact me again. Serve
your time, become a better person, and pay your
debt to society. Once, I loved you. And that
love is why I'm not going to take this further.
But again, only if you get help. All the details
are below. Goodbye. Anne. All the color drained
from Louise's face. How could she lie like that?
I've never... It doesn't matter, he thought.
It was over. Nothing to do but let her go. Again,
I'm sorry, Luis. I've been divorced twice. It's
not easy. Do you have a pen, he asked. Dr. Birch
paused, wondering if a pen was about to be used
as a weapon. He'd been in more than his share
of tussles with disoriented patients. Um, yeah,
here. Luis signed it. With a wave of the pen,
he was divorced. I finally lost everything, he
thought. He got situated to his new life at the
facility, going to sessions, taking tests, and
downing pills. It was like he had been reborn
into a life not his own. It all felt alien. The
creature would appear every night, staring at
him. One night, after six months, he had enough.
What do you want? What the hell could you want?
You come here every night. Why? He yelled. It
did nothing. It just smiled and stared. You're
not real. I know it. I'm not going to let you
ruin my life anymore. It just kept smiling and
staring. If your plan is to kill me, do it already,
Luis demanded. It didn't respond. It just floated
there. Luis snapped, jumped out of bed, and ran
headlong into the creature. It grabbed Luis easily
with its forearms, keeping him at bay, then vanished.
Luis fell to the floor crying. He had tried ignoring
it, but those eyeless holes bore into him. He
had to tell someone he needed help. That's it.
Everything since the day I found out Anne was
cheating on me, Louise said. Dr. Murphy wrote
in his notebook, Why not just tell us that you
started seeing the creature again? It's been
in your room every night? Yes, every night. I
attacked it last night and it disappeared. It's
real. I think it's what was haunting my dad,
Louise explained. You don't know what your dad
was going through mentally, and guessing is not
going to help. We can't help you if you don't
tell us everything. I know. This creature is
a hallucination. It's a manifestation of your
guilt for not saving your mom, your parents'
deaths, losing a father you idolized to a mental
breakdown, and your ex -wife's infidelity. It's
all tied together. I promise you it's not real,
even if it seems like it is, Dr. Murphy said.
No, you're not listening to me. It's real. You
just can't see the damn thing for some reason.
But it's right next to you, Louise pointed. Dr.
Murphy looked. There was nothing there. No, it's
not. See? The doctor waved through the creature.
It shimmered for a moment. I would have hit it
if it was real. What you are seeing is just in
your head, Luis. Look, this was a good start.
We'll build on the work you did today. Dr. Murphy
closed his notebook. I knew you wouldn't believe
me. I believe you see a creature, but I know
it's a hallucination. I promise we will help
you, the doctor assured him. And so it went.
Every day, Luis went to therapy, and after a
few months, the creature finally disappeared.
Dr. Murphy was right. It was all in his head.
Three years of his life were gone. Just days
before he was released, Helen visited. She had
been to see Luis several times to give support.
It was nice having a friend. She listened, never
passing judgment. In the end, he told her everything.
Hey, you look good. It's the final week. Are
you excited? She asked. Yeah, but also nervous,
to be honest. I'll be starting from scratch.
Well, not completely. That's why I'm here today,
she said with a smile. What do you mean? How
would you like your old job back? I don't know
what to say. Are you sure you want me back? Yes,
a lot has changed. I'm now the CEO, the company
has grown, and I need your experience to take
things to the next level. I know you're the right
person for the job. Luis was full of excitement.
It was the first good news he'd had in what felt
like forever. Yes. Thank you, Helen. You're amazing.
You're welcome. Oh, here. She handed Luis an
envelope. It's a signing bonus. Help you get
back on your feet. Call me when you get settled
and we'll get you into your new office. Again,
thank you. It's more than I deserve. You need
to stop thinking that way. You deserve this.
She shook his hand and left. He couldn't believe
it. In fact, he waited to see if the creature
was going to appear. The creature is not real,
he repeated to himself. He moved into a small
apartment and started rebuilding his life. Luis
even got a cat he named Senor Snuggles. Things
were good. Another year passed. Luis was working
late at the office looking over files for the
next project. Suddenly there was a knock on his
door. Helen stood at the opening with a concerned
look on her face. Anne is here. Do you want to
talk to her or should I send her away? It's okay
if you want to send her away. What? I can send
her away. You don't have to talk to her, she
said. No, I'll talk to her. A few moments later,
Anne walked in. She had changed. It had been
almost five years. She looked tired, like the
last five years had added ten years to the bags
under her eyes. He wasn't sure he would have
recognized her if they passed on the street.
Anne, it's been... Why are you here? I'm sorry
to just appear after all that's happened. I wanted,
no, have to apologize. She continued to stand
by the door. I'm so sorry I cheated on you. I'm
so sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm so sorry
I served you divorce papers I knew you couldn't
fight. I'm sorry I lied in that letter. Jesus
Christ, I've been carrying this around for years
now. I've made so many mistakes. You were the
best person I've ever had in my life and I messed
it up. She walked a few steps into the room.
Isaac left me. He started sleeping with his assistant
a month after we moved in together. She sat down
across from him. Tear -driven mascara trails
ran down her face. I can't accept your apology.
I loved you with all my heart and you betrayed
me. As for Isaac, if he was willing to sleep
with a married woman, did you really think he'd
be faithful to you? She looked away from his
gaze. I understand, and you're right. What I
did was unforgivable. I just had to let you know
that I was sorry. She stood up and walked to
the door. Not looking back, she continued. I
didn't know what we had till it was gone. That's
on me. Enjoy your new life, Luis. Then she was
gone. That's when he saw it. The creature was
in the hall across the way. Its eyeless stare
boring right into Luis's soul again, mocking
him. Luis went into a rage. Hijo de puta, he
screamed as he bolted into the hallway, punching
the creature straight in its grinning face. It
fought back, clawing at his flesh. Luis didn't
care. He kept throwing punches at the grinning
whore's wax -white head until a crack formed
down the center. Blood was cascading from dozens
of wounds all over his body, but the adrenaline
fury fueled his attack. With one final punch,
he broke the creature's face in two. There was
nothing behind the mask. Its gray, rag -covered
torso fell to the floor. Two arms grabbed him
from behind and pulled him away. Stop, Louise!
Stop! Anne screamed. Louise finally stopped attacking.
What have you done? I'll call 911. Louise started
to calm down and looked at the creature. It had
changed. He looked closer. It was Helen. She
lay on the floor gasping for air. Blood sputtered
from her lips with each strained breath. I'm
sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please. I thought
you were... Please, God, no. Anne, hurry, Anne.
She's dying. Tears streamed down his face. There
was a gentle tapping at the window. He knew what
made the sound. It's not real. It's not real.
God, please help me, please. Helen grabbed Louise's
hand. She tried to say something. Helen, don't
try to talk. Help is coming. I'm so sorry. Finally,
he looked up. The creature floated just outside
the window. They were ten floors up. Its hideous,
eyeless, wax -like face stared back at him. He
knew what he had to do. Grabbing a nearby letter
opener, he ripped his eyes out and screamed,
No! as he plucked them out of his skull. Time
passed. Louise sat in a room, glasses covering
his eyeless stare. Helen met Anne at the door
to Louise's room as she watched him. Any change?
Helen had evidence of the attack scrolled across
her face. No. The doctors say his brain is functioning
normally. He just won't respond to stimulus.
Whatever happened that night, it broke something
that won't heal. She turned towards Helen. How
is physical therapy going? Slow. Can't wait to
ditch this cane. Have you talked with Kate? I'm
not her favorite person, so I keep my distance.
I know she was here yesterday. I need to ask,
after everything, why come here? And why are
you nice to me? I drove him to this. Luis is
my friend. He needs me. As for you, I don't think
you made this happen, though you didn't help.
I also think you've changed, so I'm giving you
a chance. She looked back at Luis. I can't help
but feel like you both need a friend right now.
I appreciate that. She looked back at Luis, just
sitting in a chair, not responding to the world
around him. Helen continued. I believe Luis was
attacking whatever was haunting him, not me.
I watched him tear his eyes out when he stood
up. Then he lifted them up in the air like an
offering. It's burned in my brain. He didn't
scream or flinch or anything. He stood there,
eyeballs in hand. That's when I passed out. Helen
looked back to Anne. While he was in the hospital,
he told me that he hallucinated like his dad.
He said there was a creature or ghost that taunted
him every night. I think they were both being
haunted by the same thing. When his dad died,
it moved to Luis, she said with confidence. Anne
looked at Luis again. She wanted to know what
he was thinking. She replied to Helen, I just
remember screaming when I saw what he was doing.
Everything else is a blur. You really think a
ghost drove him to do all this? Yes. Otherwise,
they would have found his eyes. Wow. I didn't
see that coming. Tell me, do you think ghosts
are real? Be sure to tell us in the comments.
If you liked this Portents of Fear tale, consider
joining our Patreon. There's a link in the description
below. Want more horrific stories? Click on one
of our other episodes on your screen now. Good
night, Fairlings. Sleep well, if you can. Wow,
I didn't see that coming. Tell me, do you think
ghosts are real? You laughed. You like the delivery
on that one? Yeah, I did.