Narrator: A MAN DEVOTES HIS LIFE TO DEFEATING A DEMON.
Bob: I STARTED DOING EVERYTHING I COULD
TO GET THIS THING OUT OF THE HOUSE.
Narrator: BUT WHEN OLD MEMORIES ARE AWAKENED...
...NEW TERRORS COME TO LIFE.
Bob: I ALWAYS HAD THE FEELING THAT
WHENEVER IT WAS THERE, IT WAS GONNA HURT ME.
Narrator: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CHILDHOOD SCARS
TURN INTO LIVING NIGHTMARES?
IN AMERICA, THERE IS REAL EVIL.
IT LURKS IN THE DARKEST SHADOWS IN OUR MOST ORDINARY TOWNS.
BETWEEN THE WORLD WE SEE AND THE THINGS WE FEAR,
THERE ARE DOORS.
WHEN THEY ARE OPENED,
NIGHTMARES BECOME REALITY.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
WHAT'S BEHIND THIS DOOR?
THE CELLAR.
WE NEED TO GO DOWN THERE.
WE DRIVE YOU FROM US, WHOEVER YOU MAY BE.
NO, BISHOP, WAIT!
[ GRUNTS ]
Narrator: BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, 1962.
[ SINGING TOGETHER ] * RING AROUND THE ROSIE *
* POCKET FULL OF POSIES *
* ASHES, ASHES *
* WE ALL FALL DOWN! *
[ LAUGHTER ]
Narrator: DOROTHY BAKER AND HER FAMILY
ARE LIVING IN A HOUSE
BUILT FOR THEM BY HER UNCLE AND FATHER.
OH, YOU GUYS ARE MY BABIES. YOU KNOW THAT?
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.
OH, COME ON.
[ Whining ] MOM. MOM.
[ Laughing ] WHAT?
I'M NOT A BABY ANYMORE.
OH, I KNOW YOU'RE NOT.
I JUST LOVE YOU SO MUCH, BOBBY.
GUYS, HELP ME WITH THE LAUNDRY.
ROBIN, WILL YOU GRAB THE BASKET?
MM-HMM. THANKS.
Narrator: FOR DOROTHY AND HER HUSBAND, FRANCIS,
OWNING A HOUSE IS A DREAM COME TRUE.
Dorothy: MY MOM AND DAD GIFTED ME WITH THE LAND,
THEN AFTER THAT,
MY PARENTS BUILT THEIR HOUSE RIGHT NEXT DOOR,
WHICH MADE IT VERY CONVENIENT AND VERY NICE.
YOO-HOO!
OH, HI, BOBBY.
[ LAUGHTER ]
BOBBY.
Narrator: DOROTHY IS A HOMEMAKER,
AND FRANCIS IS AN EX-MARINE.
HE MAKES A LIVING WORKING FOR AN AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER
IN STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT.
MOM? YES?
CAN WE GO OVER TO GRANDMA AND GRANDPA'S?
Narrator: WITH A HOUSE IN THE SUBURBS,
TWO HEALTHY CHILDREN,
AND A LOVING HUSBAND,
DOROTHY HAS EVERYTHING SHE'S EVER WANTED.
Dorothy: I WAS JUST THRILLED TO PIECES
TO HAVE MY OWN HOME AND HAVE A YARD
AND BE ABLE TO PLANT FLOWERS
AND HAVE A PLACE FOR THE KIDS TO PLAY.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO.
Narrator: BOBBY AND HIS SISTER, ROBIN, ARE VERY CLOSE.
OUR FAMILY WAS VERY TIGHT-KNIT EARLY ON, IN THE EARLY YEARS.
WE WERE JUST LIKE YOUR TYPICAL FAMILY
THAT YOU WOULD FIND ON ANY STREET, U.S.A.
Robin: BOBBY!
BOBBY!
BOBBY, I TOLD YOU TO WAIT UP!
COME ON, ROBIN.
STOP BEING SUCH A GIRL.
Narrator: BOBBY AND ROBIN
SPEND MOST OF THEIR DAYS ENTERTAINING THEMSELVES.
AND THIS AFTERNOON SEEMS LIKE ANY OTHER.
HEY, ROBIN.
WHO'S THAT MAN OVER THERE?
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
THE MAN NEXT TO THE TREE.
Bob: I THOUGHT IT WAS A REAL MAN AT FIRST.
THERE'S NOBODY THERE.
BUT THEN I REALIZED THAT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO SAW HIM.
Narrator: BOBBY CAN'T EXPLAIN IT,
BUT THE IMAGE OF THE MAN TERRIFIES HIM.
Bob: HE DIDN'T THREATEN US OR SAY ANYTHING TO US,
BUT I JUST KNEW THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING BAD ABOUT HIM.
RUN!
BOBBY!
FASTER! RUN!
MOM! MOM!
WAIT, I THOUGHT YOU GUYS
WERE HEADED TO GRANDMA AND GRANDPA'S HOUSE.
WHAT HAPPENED?
BOBBY CHICKENED OUT.
DID NOT.
DID, TOO.
YOU WERE AFRAID OF SOME INVISIBLE MAN.
Bob: THAT WAS VERY FRUSTRATING
BECAUSE I WAS THINKING THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE HIM,
AND I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY COULDN'T.
OKAY.
ENOUGH WITH THE INVISIBLE MAN, YOU TWO.
LET'S GO WASH UP AND GET READY FOR SUPPER.
Dorothy: MY THOUGHTS WERE, AT FIRST, HE'S JUST LITTLE.
HE'S PLAYING AND JUST MAKING BELIEVE.
IT WAS JUST A STRANGE THING TO ME,
BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF CHARACTER FOR HIM.
Narrator: LATER, THAT SAME AFTERNOON...
Bob: [ MIMICKING GUNFIRE, EXPLOSIONS ]
SURRENDER!
[ Deep voice ] I SURRENDER!
[ MIMICKING CONTINUES ]
I SURRENDER!
[ MIMICKING CONTINUES ]
[ Normal ] DIE! DIE! DIE!
[ High-pitched ] NO! DON'T KILL ME!
[ MIMICKING CONTINUES ]
MALE VOICE: Bobby.
Bobby.
WHEN I HEARD THE VOICE COMING FROM THE VENT,
I WAS CURIOUS,
BUT I WAS ALSO AFRAID AT THE SAME TIME.
Play with me.
WHERE ARE YOU?
AND I WOULD START TALKING BACK TO IT,
'CAUSE AT THAT AGE, YOU DON'T REALIZE
YOU SHOULDN'T BE TALKING TO SOMETHING
TALKING TO YOU FROM A HEATER VENT.
Play with me.
WHERE ARE YOU?
Down here.
I AUTOMATICALLY ASSUMED THAT
THAT WAS COMING FROM THE BASEMENT.
HOW DID YOU GET DOWN THERE?
I live here.
YOU DO?
Want to be my friend?
SURE.
BOBBY, WHO WERE YOU JUST TALKING TO?
MY FRIEND.
Dorothy: I FELT UNEASY ABOUT IT,
BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A KID THING.
Narrator: TO DOROTHY,
HER SON'S BEHAVIOR IS UNDERSTANDABLE.
SHE BELIEVES HER SON HAS AN OVERACTIVE IMAGINATION.
OKAY, SWEETIE.
WELL, WHY DON'T YOU TELL YOUR FRIEND
THAT YOU'LL BE BACK IN JUST A LITTLE BIT.
GRANDMA'S ON HER WAY OVER.
COME ON.
Dorothy: I THOUGHT HE WAS JUST A LITTLE BOY
FOOLING AROUND, PLAYING GAMES.
I THOUGHT IT WAS KIND OF CUTE.
Narrator: THAT DAY, DOROTHY'S MOTHER ARRIVES
TO GIVE HER A HAND WITH THE CHILDREN.
HONEY? I'M HERE.
Bob: MY FATHER WORKED ALL THE TIME, SO HE WAS NEVER HOME.
MY MOTHER AND MY GRANDMOTHER PRETTY MUCH TOOK CARE OF US.
Narrator: FRANCIS HAS RECENTLY TAKEN ANOTHER PART-TIME JOB
TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY
LEAVING DOROTHY WITH THE EXTRA RESPONSIBILITY AT HOME.
SHE'S HAPPY HER MOTHER LIVES NEARBY.
MY GRANDMOTHER WAS LIKE A SECOND MOM TO US.
SHE WAS THERE FOR US ALL THE TIME.
TELL US A STORY, GRANDMA.
ALL RIGHT.
COME, CHILDREN. GATHER 'ROUND.
CAN I GRAB YOU A CUP OF COFFEE, MOM?
THANK YOU.
OH, THANK YOU, DEAR.
DID YOUR GRANDFATHER EVER TELL YOU THE STORY
ABOUT THIS VERY HOUSE?
WELL, A VERY LONG TIME AGO,
BEFORE YOU WERE EVEN BORN,
YOUR GRANDFATHER PURCHASED THIS LAND.
WHEN IT CAME TIME TO BUILD THE HOUSE,
HE HIRED A FEW CONTRACTORS TO COME DIG UP THE PROPERTY.
ONE OF THE CONTRACTORS NOTICED SOMETHING UNUSUAL.
WHAT WAS IT?
HUMAN BONES.
Dorothy: THEY DECIDED THAT
THEY WERE GOING TO NOT CALL THE AUTHORITIES,
BECAUSE IT WOULD JUST
TIE UP CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPERTY, THE HOUSE,
AND THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO POUR THE FOUNDATION
BECAUSE IT'D BE AN INVESTIGATION.
SO, THEY LEFT THE BONES WHERE THEY WERE, INTACT,
AND POURED THE FOUNDATION OVER TOP.
Bob: THEY FIGURED THE PERSON WAS DEAD
SO THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT.
SO THEY JUST LEFT IT AS IT WAS
AND PUT THE FOUNDATION ON AND THEN BUILT THE HOUSE.
YOU GOT TO UNDERSTAND.
WINTER WAS COMING ON,
AND THEY HAD TO LAY THE FOUNDATION
BEFORE THE GROUND FROZE.
[ GASPS ]
REALLY, GRANDMA?
WAS THE SKULL THERE, TOO?
[ Chuckling ] I'M NOT SURE, HONEY.
YOU'LL HAVE TO ASK YOUR GRANDFATHER ABOUT THAT.
MOM, THAT STORY'S AN OLD LEGEND.
[ CHUCKLES ]
YOU'RE GONNA GIVE THEM NIGHTMARES.
IT'S OKAY, ROBIN.
OKAY, NO MORE SCARY STORIES FROM GRANDMA.
ALL RIGHT.
I'VE GOT ONE POINT,
BUT NOW IT'S YOUR TURN, OKAY?
Narrator: OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS,
BOBBY CONTINUES TO INTERACT WITH HIS IMAGINARY FRIEND.
Dorothy: I GOT ACCLIMATED TO
HEARING HIM TALK AND WATCHING HIM PLAY.
AND I DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH OF IT.
AND IT'LL JUST KEEP ON SPINNING FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.
[ LAUGHS ]
IT JUST WON'T STOP.
[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]
HELLO, BAKER RESIDENCE.
[ Garbled audio, static ]
HELLO?
BOBBY?
[ CHUCKLES ]
ARE YOU PLAYING HIDE-AND-SEEK?
BOBBY?
HONEY, WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING DOWN HERE?
[ Panting ] HIDING.
WHAT ARE YOU HIDING FROM?
MY FRIEND.
Narrator: BOBBY NO LONGER ENJOYS HIS FRIEND'S COMPANY,
BUT WHY?
COULD THERE BE A LINK BETWEEN
THIS FRIEND AND THE MAN IN THE YARD?
Dorothy: HE WAS AFRAID OF HIS FRIEND.
THIS FRIEND HAD SUDDENLY TURNED FROM SOMEONE THAT WAS PLAYFUL,
AND NOW IT SEEMED LIKE HE WAS BEING SCARED BY THIS.
AND IT FRIGHTENED ME.
I ALWAYS HAD THE FEELING THAT
WHENEVER IT WAS THERE, IT WAS GONNA HURT ME.
I JUST ALWAYS FELT THAT
IT WAS TRYING TO PUSH ME TOWARDS DOING BAD THINGS.
Narrator: BUT BOBBY CANNOT HIDE FROM
THE HORRIFIC THINGS THAT ARE ABOUT TO HAPPEN.
[ THUNDER CRASHES ]
[ WIND HOWLING ]
HELP!
GET IT OFF OF ME!
Narrator: YOUNG BOBBY BAKER
IS EXPERIENCING THE FIRST IN WHAT WILL BE
AN ENDLESS SERIES OF TERRIFYING NIGHTMARES.
HELP!
GET IT OFF OF ME!
HELP!
MALE VOICE: Bobby.
GET IT OFF OF ME!
AAH!
WHEN THE SHEET CAME DOWN ON TOP OF ME,
IT WAS SO TIGHT THAT IT WOULD CUT OFF MY BREATH
AND I COULDN'T MOVE AT ALL.
HELP!
GET IT OFF OF ME!
HELP!
GET IT OFF OF ME!
BOBBY, HONEY, IT'S OKAY.
MOM. IT'S OKAY.
IT'S OKAY, SON. WE'RE HERE NOW.
IT'LL BE FINE.
HONEY, IT'S OKAY. NO.
IT'S OKAY, SON. WE'RE HERE NOW.
Dorothy: WE TRIED TO REASSURE HIM
THAT IT WAS ONLY A BAD DREAM
AND ALL PEOPLE HAVE BAD DREAMS NOW AND THEN.
Narrator: BUT WAS THIS REALLY JUST A DREAM?
Dorothy: I COULDN'T REALLY FIGURE OUT
WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH HIM.
IT BOTHERED ME, BECAUSE HE WAS CHANGING.
Narrator: THE FOLLOWING MORNING, DOROTHY CALLS IN A DOCTOR.
SHE SUSPECTS THERE MAY BE A MEDICAL CAUSE
FOR BOBBY'S PROBLEMS.
SO, YOUR MOM TELLS ME YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING?
WELL, THEN LET'S JUST CHECK A FEW THINGS HERE.
THIS IS GONNA BE JUST A LITTLE BIT COLD.
Bob: MY PARENTS WERE BRINGING ME TO THE DOCTOR
BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY ENERGY.
I WAS CONSTANTLY DRAINED ALL THE TIME.
I WASN'T SLEEPING PROPERLY, ALWAYS TIRED.
GOOD.
OKAY.
WELL, HIS VITAL SIGNS ARE JUST FINE,
AND SO ARE HIS REFLEXES.
WELL, SEE, THE THING IS IS HE'S BEEN HAVING NIGHTMARES.
AND TO BE HONEST,
I'M JUST REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT
THIS, UM, IMAGINARY FRIEND OF HIS.
HE'S NOT MY FRIEND.
NOW, MRS. BAKER.
THERE'S NO NEED TO WORRY.
Dorothy: SHE SAYS, "THERE'S NOTHING
PSYCHOLOGICALLY WRONG WITH THAT,"
AND SAID HE WAS FINE.
HE WAS PHYSICALLY FINE, MENTALLY FINE,
ALERT, EVERYTHING THAT SHE WAS LOOKING FOR.
HE SIMPLY HAS AN OVERACTIVE IMAGINATION.
THAT'S ALL.
[ SIGHS ]
OKAY. THANK YOU.
I WAS NOT PERSONALLY RELIEVED WITH HER DIAGNOSIS
BECAUSE I NEVER FELT THAT SHE REALIZED
THE INTENSITY OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO HIM.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Narrator: ALTHOUGH DOROTHY IS STILL CONCERNED,
SHE IS HOPEFUL THAT THIS PHASE WILL SOON PASS.
BUT SEVERAL WEEKS LATER,
BOBBY'S BEHAVIOR BECOMES EVEN MORE DISTURBING.
THANK YOU, ROBIN, HONEY.
MAKE SURE THE TOPS ARE ON REAL TIGHT, OKAY, LOVE?
YOU KNOW, BOBBY,
IT LOOKS LIKE I'M GONNA NEED A FEW MORE OF THESE JARS
TO FINISH UP THIS JAM.
CAN YOU PLEASE HEAD DOWN TO THE CELLAR
AND GRAB A FEW AND BRING THEM UP?
BOBBY, I AM NOT GOING TO ASK YOU AGAIN.
Narrator: FOR WEEKS,
BOBBY HAS BEEN TERRIFIED OF THE CELLAR.
MOM?
I REALLY DON'T LIKE IT DOWN THERE.
DOROTHY'S PATIENCE IS WEARING THIN.
BOBBY, THIS HAS GOT TO STOP.
YOU'RE TOO OLD FOR THIS NONSENSE,
AND THERE'S NOTHING DOWN THERE.
GO ON.
[ DOOR CREAKS OPEN ]
Bob: I OPENED UP THE DOOR TO THE BASEMENT
AND LOOKED DOWN THE STAIRS.
I COULD SENSE THIS BEING BEING NEAR ME,
EVEN WHEN I COULDN'T SEE IT.
MALE VOICE: Bobby.
I RECOGNIZED THE VOICE RIGHT AWAY.
I KNOW THAT IT WAS THE THING
THAT WAS TALKING TO ME THROUGH THE HEATER VENT.
Narrator: BOBBY DECIDES IT'S TIME TO STAND UP TO HIS "FRIEND."
I'M NOT AFRAID OF YOU ANYMORE.
Bob: THE DAY FINALLY CAME WHEN I FINALLY
GOT SICK AND TIRED OF THIS THING BEING IN MY LIFE.
I DON'T WANT YOU IN MY LIFE ANY LONGER.
I ALWAYS FELT THAT
IT COULD EASILY DO THE SAME THING TO MY FAMILY
THAT IT WAS DOING TO ME.
GET OUT.
DID YOU HEAR ME?
I SAID GET!
AFTER FINALLY STANDING UP TO IT, I FELT FANTASTIC.
BOBBY, SWEETHEART, WHAT HAPPENED, HONEY?
I HEARD GLASS BREAKING! ARE YOU OKAY?!
YES, MOM. I'M FINE.
OKAY, ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.
YOU SURE YOU'RE OKAY?
YES, MOM. HE'S GONE.
WE'RE FINE.
Narrator: THIS IS THE LAST TIME
BOBBY EVER SEES OR HEARS FROM HIS "FRIEND" IN THE BASEMENT.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
LET'S GO UPSTAIRS, OKAY?
Bob: IT'S EXACTLY LIKE BEING BULLIED.
FINALLY, YOU HAVE YOUR DAY
WHERE YOU STAND UP TO THE BULLY AND THE BULLY BACKS DOWN.
I BASICALLY TOOK THE HOUSE BACK.
Narrator: FROM THIS POINT FORWARD,
BOBBY LIVES A NORMAL CHILDHOOD.
FORGOT SOMETHING.
THANKS, DAD.
ALL RIGHT.
SHOW ME WHAT THEY'VE BEEN TEACHING YOU
OUT THERE AT LITTLE LEAGUE.
Bob: I STARTED PLAYING LITTLE LEAGUE.
I STARTED GETTING INVOLVED IN SPORTS,
DOING BETTER IN SCHOOL.
EVERYTHING IMPROVED IN MY LIFE.
Dorothy: IT WAS A TOTAL TURNAROUND.
IT WAS A JOY TO SEE HIM BACK TO HIMSELF.
A POINT CAME WHERE I PUT ALL THIS BEHIND ME,
AND I JUST LET IT GO.
I BASICALLY JUST BLOCKED IT ALL OUT,
WENT ON WITH MY LIFE, AND THAT WAS IT.
ALL RIGHT. RIGHT IN THE GLOVE.
Narrator: FOR THE NEXT 40 YEARS,
BOB NEVER FULLY UNDERSTANDS
WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM ALL THOSE YEARS AGO.
HE HAS GONE ON WITH HIS LIFE
TO BECOME A CHILD SAFETY SPECIALIST.
Bob: YOU WANT TO SCREW IN
ANY FURNITURE MORE THAN 30 INCHES TALL
WITH WALL RESTRAINTS.
I BELIEVE THAT ALL STEMS FROM MY CHILDHOOD.
EVERYTHING I DO IN LIFE
IS REGARDING THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN.
[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]
CONNECTICUT PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS.
THIS IS BOB.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
Narrator: WHILE BOB WORKS AS A CHILD SAFETY SPECIALIST BY DAY,
BY NIGHT, HE INVESTIGATES THE PARANORMAL.
Bob: AS I BECAME OLDER,
I GOT INVOLVED MORE IN THE PARANORMAL
AND STARTED TO REALIZE THAT
MAYBE WHAT I EXPERIENCED AS A CHILD REALLY WAS TRUE.
AND WHEN DID THIS START?
Narrator: SIX YEARS AGO,
BOB FORMED CONNECTICUT PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS.
Bob: I INITIALLY GOT INVOLVED IN PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION
MAINLY BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ME.
I WANTED TO HELP PEOPLE.
I KNEW I COULD HELP CHILDREN OUT
THAT WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING.
OKAY, GREAT.
I'LL SEE YOU THEN.
Narrator: AS AN ADULT,
BOB CONTINUES TO VISIT HIS PARENTS REGULARLY.
HIS MOTHER AND FATHER
STILL LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE IN WHICH HE GREW UP --
THE SAME HOUSE WHERE HIS NIGHTMARES BEGAN.
LATELY,
HE'S BEEN HELPING DOROTHY TAKE CARE OF HIS FATHER.
HI, DAD.
HOW YOU DOING TODAY?
FOR NEARLY 10 YEARS,
FRANCIS HAS BEEN SUFFERING FROM
PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA.
THERE WE GO.
Bob: INITIALLY, WHEN A PERSON SUFFERS FROM DEMENTIA,
YOU'LL NOTICE A STARE.
LET'S GET YOU DOWNSTAIRS.
Narrator: FRANCIS' CONDITION
HAS RECENTLY TAKEN A TURN FOR THE WORSE.
Bob: MY FATHER WAS A STAFF SERGEANT IN THE MARINES,
SO HE WAS ALWAYS THAT TOUGH GUY.
AND, SO, HE STARTED TO DECLINE, AND THAT WAS TOUGH TO WATCH.
IT WAS A SLOW DECLINE.
DAD?
WHAT'S WRONG? WHAT IS IT?
Narrator: ARE THESE FIGURES PURELY AN ILLUSION?
WHAT IS IT?
OR IS THE FAMILY HOME STILL REALLY HAUNTED?
THE TRUTH WILL BE REVEALED,
AND IT'S NOTHING ANYONE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED.
Narrator: BOB'S AILING FATHER
COMPLAINS ABOUT FIGURES NO ONE ELSE CAN SEE,
A SIGHT SO TERRIFYING IT SHAKES HIM TO THE CORE.
NO.
NO!
WHAT -- WHAT IS IT?
Bob: HE WOULD TELL US THAT THE PERSON WAS SITTING THERE
AND TELL US NOT TO SIT DOWN,
SO THAT WAS QUITE DISTURBING.
[ SIGHS ]
OKAY.
OKAY, DAD. IT'S ALL RIGHT.
JUST, WE'LL SIT OVER HERE, THEN.
Dorothy: HE WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED
OF WHAT HE WAS SEEING.
YOU COULD SEE THE FRIGHT IN HIS FACE.
HE'S TERRIFIED OF EVERYTHING LATELY.
HE WON'T EVEN GO NEAR THE CELLAR.
Narrator: BOB ATTRIBUTES HIS FATHER'S VISIONS
TO HIS ADVANCED CONDITION.
WE DISCUSSED THIS WITH HIS DOCTOR,
AND HE SAID THIS HAPPENS A LOT IN PATIENTS THAT HAVE DEMENTIA,
WHERE THEY'LL START SEEING THINGS THAT AREN'T THERE.
Narrator: INEVITABLY, THE DISEASE TAKES ITS TOLL
AND FRANCIS PASSES AWAY.
AFTER NEARLY A HALF A CENTURY OF MARRIAGE,
DOROTHY LIVES ALONE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
[ INDISTINCT WHISPERS ]
Dorothy: AT FIRST, I STARTED HEARING A DISCUSSION GOING ON
ON A RADIO OR ON THE TV,
BUT IT WAS AT SUCH A DISTANCE THAT YOU COULD BARELY MAKE OUT
THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF VOICE THERE.
Narrator: DOROTHY WONDERS
IF HER HUSBAND IS TRYING TO CONTACT HER FROM THE AFTERLIFE.
I MISS YOU, FRANCIS.
MY HUSBAND TOLD ME WHEN HE WAS SICK
THAT HE WOULD NEVER LEAVE.
I ALWAYS FELT LIKE THE STUFF I WAS EXPERIENCING IN THE HOUSE
WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO MY HUSBAND'S SPIRIT.
[ CRICKETS CHIRPING ]
Narrator: BUT DOROTHY'S MIND IS ABOUT TO CHANGE.
Dorothy: I FELT THE STRENGTH FROM IT,
AND THE STRENGTH WAS VERY FRIGHTENING.
[ THUDDING ]
[ WOOD CREAKING ]
Dorothy: I COULD FEEL THE PRESSURE IN THE MATTRESS
FROM SOMEONE ACTUALLY SITTING ON THE FOOT OF THE BED.
AND EVERY TIME I LOOKED, THERE WAS NO ONE THERE.
Narrator: DOROTHY SOON REALIZES
THAT THE SPIRITUAL PRESENCE IN HER HOUSE
IS NOT HER HUSBAND.
IT'S SOMETHING ELSE, AND IT FEELS EVIL.
THE NEXT MORNING,
DOROTHY CALLS HER SON BOB IN TEARS.
SHE IS TERRIFIED OF SOMETHING IN THE HOUSE
AND ASKS HIM TO COME OVER AND INVESTIGATE.
OH, BOBBY.
BOBBY, IT'S BEEN HELL AROUND HERE.
SOMETHING'S HAPPENING.
Dorothy: BOB HAD THE ABILITY TO WALK INTO A HOUSE
AND BE ABLE TO TELL WHETHER THERE WAS A PRESENCE THERE.
Narrator: TO PUT HIS MOTHER'S FEARS AT EASE,
BOB AGREES TO INVESTIGATE.
I'LL COME VISIT MORE, AND ROBIN WILL, TOO.
I BASICALLY DID IT TO APPEASE HER.
I WAS HOPING THAT IT WOULD CALM HER DOWN.
SHE WAS PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT SCARED TO BE LIVING ALONE.
BOBBY.
BOBBY, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.
SOMETHING WAS HERE LAST NIGHT.
I FELT IT.
IT PUSHED ME!
OKAY, MOM.
JUST CALM DOWN.
I'M HERE TO HELP.
Narrator: BOB ATTEMPTS TO
COLLECT EVIDENCE OF THE PARANORMAL
USING A DIGITAL AUDIO RECORDER.
IS THERE ANYTHING HERE?
IS THERE ANYTHING IN THIS ROOM WITH ME?
CAN YOU MAKE YOUR PRESENCE KNOWN?
Bob: INITIALLY, WHEN I WAS IN THE HOUSE,
I DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING GOING ON.
IT JUST FELT BENIGN.
TELL ME SOMETHING.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE?
CAN YOU MAKE YOUR PRESENCE KNOWN TO ME?
[ THUDDING ] I ACTUALLY HEARD FOOTSTEPS
COME ACROSS THE FLOOR TOWARDS ME.
I COULD FEEL IT IN MY CHEST.
I COULD FEEL IT IN MY FACE.
I FELT WEAK IN THE LEGS.
I ACTUALLY FELT NAUSEOUS.
AND I FELT SOMETHING, A PRESENCE, IN FRONT OF ME.
AND AT THAT VERY MOMENT, I REVERTED BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD.
MALE VOICE: Bobby.
Want to be my friend?
SURE.
I FELT ALL THE TERROR THAT I FELT WHEN I WAS A CHILD.
EVERYTHING CAME RIGHT BACK TO ME.
Narrator: FROM HIS EXPERIENCE,
BOB BELIEVES HIS MOTHER IS DEALING WITH A DARK ENTITY.
I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE THIS HOUSE BLESSED,
JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE.
Bob: I DIDN'T WANT TO RELAY MY FEARS TO MY MOTHER
BECAUSE SHE WOULD PROBABLY BE VERY AFRAID,
AND I DIDN'T WANT TO DO THAT TO HER.
A-AND I'M GONNA BRING IN MY TEAM, TOO.
JUST, YOU KNOW, AS A FOLLOW-UP.
Dorothy: I HAD THE IMPRESSION THAT
BOB WAS KEEPING SOME OF THE STUFF AWAY FROM ME.
I LOVE YOU.
THANKS FOR COMING, BOBBY.
IT'LL BE ALL RIGHT. YES.
Narrator: SHORTLY AFTER,
BOB ARRIVES WITH A TEAM OF INVESTIGATORS.
HERE I AM, AFTER, YOU KNOW, ALL THESE YEARS,
BACK IN THE SAME PLACE WHERE I HAD PROBLEMS
AND SETTING UP FOR AN INVESTIGATION.
IT WAS JUST STRANGE TO ME.
Narrator: BOB HAS WORKED WITH HIS COLLEAGUE JOE MEYERS
FOR MANY YEARS.
HE'S ALSO ASKED MARY CURIAN TO ASSIST IN THE INVESTIGATION.
LIKE BOB, HER CHILDHOOD WAS PLAGUED BY THE PARANORMAL.
Curian: I GREW UP IN A HAUNTED HOUSE, MYSELF.
I WAS JUST TERRIFIED AS A CHILD.
I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT.
NOBODY WOULD REALLY BELIEVE ME.
SO THAT KIND OF GAVE ME THAT BASIS TO TRY TO HELP PEOPLE,
BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GOING CRAZY.
Narrator: MARY IS A SENSITIVE
WHO POSSESSES THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH SPIRITS.
Curian: I'LL GO IN AND FEEL, AND I CAN MOST LIKELY TELL YOU
IT'S NEGATIVE, IT'S NOT NEGATIVE,
THERE'S NOTHING THERE, THERE'S SOMETHING THERE,
RUN.
WHATEVER IT MAY BE, I'M KIND OF LIKE THE RADAR.
AND THEY SEND ME IN FIRST.
I DON'T WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE CASE.
I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE INFLUENCED
BY ANYONE'S STATEMENTS OR ANYTHING,
SO I GO IN BLIND.
Bob: WE CAME OUT WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE HAD.
WE SET UP IN THE HOUSE
TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THIS THING WAS
AND WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO TO GET RID OF IT.
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS ]
Narrator: WITHIN MINUTES OF ENTERING THE HOUSE,
MARY PICKS UP ON THE SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY.
BOB.
I'M SENSING A MAN AND A WOMAN.
WHERE?
HERE.
Curian: I SENSED A LOT OF SPIRITS IN THE HOUSE.
THERE WAS A MAN AND WOMAN IN PARTICULAR.
Narrator: BOB WONDERS IF THIS IS THE MAN AND WOMAN
THAT HIS FATHER IDENTIFIED BEFORE HE PASSED.
Bob: UNFORTUNATELY, I MISSED THAT OPPORTUNITY
TO HELP MY FATHER OUT
WHEN HE WAS SEEING THESE ENTITIES IN THE HOUSE.
I WASN'T THERE FOR HIM,
AND I REALLY FEEL BAD ABOUT THAT.
Narrator: COULD THESE SPIRITS
BE THE BODIES BURIED UNDER THE HOUSE?
Bob: IT KIND OF HURT KNOWING THAT ALL THIS
WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY NOSE ALL THE TIME
AND I WAS CHOOSING TO IGNORE IT INSTEAD OF DEALING WITH IT.
IS THIS YOUR BEDROOM?
YEAH.
Curian: WHEN I WENT INTO BOB'S OLD BEDROOM,
THERE WAS, LIKE, THIS HEAVINESS IN THE AIR.
IT WAS HARD TO BREATHE.
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS ]
Narrator: MARY IMMEDIATELY PICKS UP ON AN EVIL PRESENCE.
OH!
[ SHUDDERS ]
WHAT'S WRONG?
Curian: THE STRONGEST FEELING I GOT
IS THIS ONE DARK ENTITY WAS KIND OF KEEPING THEM THERE.
THEY WERE KIND OF BEING HELD CAPTIVE.
WE NEED TO INVESTIGATE THE CELLAR.
[ BREATHING SHAKILY ]
[ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS ]
Narrator: BOB LEADS MARY DOWN INTO THE CELLAR,
HOPING TO BATTLE THE DARK ENTITY ONCE MORE.
Curian: THE FURTHER I WENT DOWN INTO IT,
YOU COULD FEEL THE OPPRESSION.
IT WAS GROWING THICKER AND THICKER.
IT FEELS REALLY HEAVY DOWN HERE.
IT FEELS AS THOUGH SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPENED.
Narrator: WITHOUT ANY PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOUSE'S HISTORY,
MARY SENSES A TRAGEDY THAT OCCURRED ON THE PROPERTY.
Curian: I FEEL AS THOUGH THE SPIRITS
ARE NOT REALLY ATTACHED TO THE HOUSE, BUT THE LAND.
I REALLY FEEL SOMETHING TRAGIC HAPPENED ON THE LAND
THAT KIND OF DREW THIS NEGATIVE ENERGY IN.
[ CRICKETS CHIRPING ]
I HAD A VISION OF A BODY BEING CARRIED
AND DUMPED ON THE PROPERTY THERE.
Narrator: WHY WERE THESE BODIES BURIED UNDER THE HOUSE?
THEY MAY NEVER KNOW THE ANSWER.
BUT WHEN THE DARK ENTITY APPEARS BEFORE HER,
MARY KNOWS THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.
Narrator: AFTER MARY RECEIVES A SIGN FROM THE DARK ENTITY,
SHE REALIZES THAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH
A FORCE OF PURE EVIL.
IT ABSOLUTELY WANTS TO GET YOUR ATTENTION
BY THE PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS IT'S DOING.
BOB!
THERE'S A NEGATIVE ENTITY IN HERE WITH US.
THE THING THAT STOOD OUT THE MOST
WAS THE BLACKNESS OF IT AND THE HOOD
AND THE FEELINGS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
YOU SAW IT?!
WHERE?!
IT WAS RIGHT OVER THERE.
IT WAS STANDING IN THE CORNER.
Narrator: BOB CAN FINALLY CONFIRM WHAT HE SUSPECTED AS A CHILD.
THAT'S -- THAT'S WHAT I USED TO SEE.
THIS IS THE EXACT DESCRIPTION OF
THE ENTITY HE SAW IN THE BASEMENT MANY YEARS AGO.
I NEVER DESCRIBED TO MARY BEFORE WHAT THIS BEING LOOKED LIKE.
SO, TO HAVE SOMEBODY, FINALLY, AFTER ALL THESE YEARS,
SEE EXACTLY WHAT I SAW AS A CHILD
WAS SUCH A RELIEF TO ME.
Narrator: THE TEAM STICKS IT OUT THROUGH THE NIGHT,
HOPING TO CAPTURE VIDEO EVIDENCE OF WHAT IS HAUNTING DOROTHY.
WHILE DOROTHY SLEEPS, THE TEAM ANALYZES
THE PHOTOS BOB TOOK DURING THE INVESTIGATION.
DINING ROOM.
HERE'S MY ROOM.
ANYTHING THERE?
NO.
YOU SURE?
[ INDISTINCT WHISPERS ]
THERE'S MY ROOM.
ANYTHING THERE?
NO.
Meyers: WAIT. WAIT. WAIT.
GO BACK. GO BACK.
WHAT?
WHAT'S THAT?
Narrator: JOE IDENTIFIES AN ORB,
WHICH IS OFTEN CONSIDERED
EVIDENCE OF SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATION.
Bob: MOST OF THE TIME,
ORBS ARE NOTHING MORE THAN WATER VAPOR OR DUST,
SO IT'S SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH.
Narrator: BUT WHEN HE LOOKS CLOSER,
BOB MAKES A DISTURBING DISCOVERY.
A FACE IS REVEALED
ON ONE OF THE ORBS CAPTURED IN A PHOTO.
Bob: THIS FACE WAS THE SAME DEMON
THAT I SAW IN THE HOUSE AS A CHILD.
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO THINK AT THAT POINT.
JUST KNOWING NOW THAT I HAVE PROOF IN A PICTURE
WAS SUCH A RELIEF TO ME.
Narrator: BUT CERTAINLY NOT A RELIEF TO HIS MOTHER.
[ WOOD CREAKING ]
Dorothy: I WOKE UP TO BEING PUSHED ON MY BED
AS THOUGH SOMEONE HAD BOTH THEIR HANDS ON MY BACK.
I WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED.
[ GASPS ]
[ Crying ] BOBBY!
Narrator: BOB IS NOW CERTAIN THAT THE DEMON HAUNTING DOROTHY
IS THE SAME ONE THAT TORMENTED HIM AS A CHILD.
Dorothy: I REALIZED I'M LIVING IN THIS HOUSE
WITH SOMETHING THAT COULD HURT ME.
I DIDN'T WANT TO BE THERE ANYMORE.
I JUST WANTED OUT.
Bob: I WAS ABSOLUTELY CONCERNED FOR MY MOTHER'S SAFETY.
I WAS AT THE POINT WHERE I JUST FELT
SOMETHING WAS GONNA HAPPEN AT ANY SECOND THAT WAS BAD.
SO I DECIDED TO MOVE HER OUT OF THE HOUSE,
AND SHE MOVED IN WITH ME.
GET ME OUT OF HERE, BOBBY!
[ DOORBELL RINGS ]
HI.
Narrator: BOB AND THE TEAM BELIEVE SOLVING THE DEMONIC PROBLEM
IS BEYOND THEIR CAPABILITY AS INVESTIGATORS.
THEY DECIDE TO BRING IN BISHOP ROBERT McKENNA.
Bob: BISHOP McKENNA IS A PRIEST AND A WORLD-RENOWNED EXORCIST.
AND KNOWING THAT WE HAD HIM ON OUR TEAM
WAS A GREAT BENEFIT TO US,
AND WE KNEW WE HAD A FIGHTING CHANCE
WITH HIM BEING THERE.
I'D LIKE TO START THE BLESSING HERE IN THE LIVING ROOM.
WHEN THE BISHOP ARRIVES, HE GOES RIGHT TO WORK.
HE DOESN'T WASTE ANY TIME.
Narrator: BISHOP McKENNA BEGINS WITH THE EXORCISM PRAYER
AND BLESSES EACH ROOM IN THE HOUSE.
Curian: WHEN BISHOP McKENNA ENTERED,
I FELT A LOT MORE SPIRIT ACTIVITY
GOING ON IN THE HOUSE.
YOU COULD TELL THERE WAS AN AGITATION.
OF BLESSED MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,
OF THE BLESSED APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL
AND ALL THE SAINTS,
AND POWERFUL,
AND THE HOLY AUTHORITY OF OUR MINISTRY,
WE CONFIDENTLY UNDERTAKE TO REPULSE
THE ATTACKS AND DECEITS OF THE DEVIL.
Narrator: BISHOP McKENNA IS DRAWN TO THE CELLAR.
Curian: MAYBE HE HAS HIS OWN SIXTH SENSE ABOUT IT.
HE COULD FEEL OUT WHERE IT WAS.
WE NEED TO GO DOWN THERE.
Narrator: SUDDENLY, MARY RECEIVES A SPIRITUAL WARNING.
MALE VOICE: The stairs!
NO, BISHOP, WAIT!
Curian: THE VOICE I HEARD
WAS DEFINITELY A MOCKING WARNING,
AND I FELT IT WAS FROM THAT DARK, TALL FIGURE.
[ GRUNTS ]
WHAT'S BEHIND THIS DOOR?
THE CELLAR.
WE NEED TO GO DOWN THERE.
WE DRIVE YOU FROM US, WHOEVER YOU MAY BE.
MALE VOICE: The stairs!
NO, BISHOP, WAIT!
[ GRUNTS ]
Narrator: AFTER THE DEMON ATTACKS THE BISHOP,
THE TEAM REALIZES THIS ENTITY IS OUT TO KILL.
Bob: IF THE DEMON'S CAPABLE OF
PUSHING A BISHOP DOWN THE STAIRS,
IT'S CAPABLE OF DOING ANYTHING.
THE DEMON'S HERE.
I CAN FEEL HIM.
Curian: HE WAS THE BIG GUN.
HE WAS OUR ACE IN THE HOLE,
AND NOW HE WAS JUST SUBDUED.
GOD THE FATHER COMMANDS YOU.
GOD THE SON COMMANDS YOU.
GOD THE HOLY GHOST COMMANDS YOU.
CHRIST, GOD'S WORD MADE FLESH...
Bob: THE MORE NOISE THAT YOU HEAR,
THE MORE YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE DISTURBING IT.
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.
YOU'RE LOOKING TO GET UNDER ITS SKIN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE,
'CAUSE YOU'RE LOOKING TO RID IT FROM THE HOUSE.
WE WERE DETERMINED NOT TO STOP NO MATTER WHAT THIS THING DID.
IT WAS TRYING TO DO THINGS TO SCARE US,
BUT IT WASN'T WORKING.
EVERYBODY STOOD THEIR GROUND.
LET US PRAY TOGETHER.
Narrator: BUT THEN,
THE DEMON SUDDENLY MAKES MARY ITS NEXT VICTIM.
McKenna: [ RECITING IN LATIN ] SHOULD WE STOP?
NO. WE NEED TO SEE IT THROUGH TO THE END.
Curian: WE RESOLVED TO STAY AND FINISH
BECAUSE NOW, IF YOU HAD ANGERED IT,
IT WAS GONNA BE WORSE --
WORSE FOR DOROTHY, WORSE FOR BOB,
WORSE FOR ANYONE THAT WENT INTO THAT HOUSE.
SO IT HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE VERY LIMIT.
WE COULDN'T GIVE UP.
Narrator: AS THE BISHOP CONTINUES IN LATIN,
THE DEMON GROWS ANGRY.
IT REFUSES TO LEAVE WITHOUT A FIGHT.
Curian: I FELT THE STRENGTH OF THAT DARK ENTITY.
I DIDN'T FEEL IT WEAKENING.
I FELT MYSELF WEAKENING,
AND ALL THAT I COULD THINK IS,
"I DON'T THINK THIS IS GONNA WORK.
I REALLY DON'T THINK THIS IS GONNA WORK."
McKenna: [ CONTINUES RECITING IN LATIN ]
AMEN.
Bob: AS FAR AS I WAS CONCERNED,
AT THE END OF THE EXORCISM, WE THOUGHT WE HAD A SUCCESS.
YOU OKAY? [ SHUDDERS ]
WE THOUGHT FOR SURE WE HAD GOTTEN RID OF IT.
Narrator: THAT NIGHT,
BOB THINKS HE CAN REST KNOWING THAT THE DEMON IS GONE.
BUT IS IT?
HEY!
AAH!
STOP!
GET IT OFF ME!
AAH! STOP!
GET OFF ME!
AAH!
[ GASPING ]
Narrator: THE NIGHTMARE THAT HAUNTED BOB AS A CHILD RETURNS.
Bob: ONCE I STARTED HAVING THE DREAMS AGAIN,
I KNEW WE PROBABLY WEREN'T SUCCESSFUL.
Narrator: OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS,
BOB AND HIS TEAM WORK TIRELESSLY TO FIGHT THE DEMON.
Bob: WE DECIDED TO TRY
A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF BLESSINGS IN THE HOME.
WE TRIED EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE,
AND NOTHING SEEMED TO WORK.
Narrator: BISHOP McKENNA REALIZES THAT PRAYER ALONE HAS FAILED,
AND HE RETURNS FOR
A SECOND ASSAULT AGAINST THE DEMON.
USING HOLY INCENSE,
THE BISHOP HOPES TO PURIFY THE HOUSE
BY FILLING EVERY INCH OF IT WITH SMOKE.
HOLY INCENSE IS USED WITH THE BELIEF THAT
IT WILL AFFECT THE DEMON,
IT WILL FORCE IT OUT OF WHEREVER IT IS.
Curian: PERSISTENCE WAS OUR OBJECTIVE
IN TRYING TO GET RID OF THIS THING.
I THINK ANYTHING THAT WE COULD HAVE PUT OUR HANDS ON,
WE WOULD HAVE DONE AT THAT POINT.
I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.
YOU'RE MOST WELCOME.
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU.
[ SIGHS ]
I HOPE IT WORKED.
NO OFFENSE, BOB.
YOUR MOM'S GOT A BEAUTIFUL HOME,
BUT I HOPE TO NEVER STEP FOOT IN IT AGAIN.
THIS IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST FORCES
THAT I'VE EVER HAD TO DEAL WITH IN ALL MY YEARS OF DOING THIS.
WE LEFT THERE FEELING PRETTY POSITIVE
IT WAS GOING TO BE A GOOD THING, A GOOD OUTCOME.
Narrator: A WEEK LATER, THE SMOKE COMPLETELY CLEARS.
BOB AND JOE RETURN TO THE HOUSE TO HOPEFULLY CLOSE THE CASE.
WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DEMON WAS GONE.
Narrator: THEY COMPARE NOTES BEFORE THEY INVESTIGATE.
[ THUDDING ]
Bob: WE HAD BEEN IN THERE FOR QUITE SOME TIME
TALKING AND DISCUSSING THINGS,
AND WE ACTUALLY HEARD FOOTSTEPS IN THE LIVING ROOM,
THE FLOOR CRACKING AGAIN.
WHAT'S THAT?
[ FOOTSTEPS ]
[ WOOD CREAKING ]
[ FOOTSTEPS QUICKEN ]
[ FOOTSTEPS ]
[ WOOD CREAKING ]
WHAT'S THAT?
Narrator: FOR BOB AND JOE,
IT BECOMES QUICKLY OBVIOUS
THAT THEIR INVESTIGATION IS NOT READY TO BE CLOSED.
[ FOOTSTEPS QUICKEN ]
WHA-- AAH!
[ GROANS ]
[ GASPING ]
[ GROANS ]
Narrator: THE SPIRITUAL ATTACK
ROBS BOTH MEN OF THEIR ABILITY TO BREATHE
AND DELIVERS HEART-ATTACK-LIKE CHEST PAINS.
Bob: IT FELT LIKE AN ELEPHANT SITTING ON YOUR CHEST.
YOU COULD NOT BREATHE AT ALL.
[ BOTH GROANING, GASPING ]
WE RAN FOR OUR LIVES.
IT WAS THAT BAD.
[ GROANING, GASPING CONTINUES ]
Narrator: FOR BOB,
THE NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE IS ENOUGH TO CALL IT QUITS.
[ BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY ]
YOU ALL RIGHT?
WE CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.
THAT THING... IS STRONGER THAN US.
I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.
Bob: I'M A FIGHTER.
I WANT TO KEEP GOING BACK AT IT AND KEEP DOING WHAT I DO,
BUT I FINALLY REALIZED IT'S JUST TOO STRONG.
THIS THING IS SO STRONG
THAT IT COULD PROBABLY ACTUALLY KILL US.
Narrator: BOB KNOWS THAT HE CAN NO LONGER FIGHT THIS DEMON.
HE VOWS TO NEVER RETURN TO THE HOUSE AGAIN.
Dorothy: I'M VERY PROUD OF HIM,
BECAUSE HE TOOK ON A BIG FIGHT, A BIG BATTLE.
HERE YOU GO, SWEETIE.
HE KEPT FIGHTING AND FIGHTING AND FIGHTING,
AND I THINK WITHIN HIMSELF, HE CONTINUES TO FIGHT.
[ SIGHS ]
I'M SORRY I LET YOU DOWN, MOM.
OH.
I KNOW YOU DID YOUR BEST, BOB.
SOMETIMES, YOU JUST --
YOU JUST HAVE TO WALK AWAY.
I KNOW.
Bob: THE HARDEST PART OF THIS EXPERIENCE FOR ME
WAS HAVING TO WALK AWAY FROM MY MOTHER'S HOUSE
KNOWING THAT I HADN'T HELPED HER
AND KNOWING THAT I HAD TO GIVE IN.
AND I FEEL DEFEATED BY THAT.
Narrator: NEITHER BOB NOR DOROTHY
HAS EVER SET FOOT IN THE HOUSE AGAIN.
NO ONE HAS.
Bob: WHEN YOU INVESTIGATE YOUR OWN HOME,
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO REMAIN OBJECTIVE.
YOU CAN'T HAVE AN OPEN MIND
'CAUSE YOU'RE SO CLOSE TO THE ACTION.
YOU'RE ACTUALLY BEING AFFECTED BY WHAT'S GOING ON,
SO YOU CAN'T MAKE PROPER DETERMINATION
AS FAR AS WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
AND WHAT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
I SHOULD HAVE STEPPED BACK, LET SOMEBODY TOTALLY HANDLE IT,
BECAUSE YOU BECOME
EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED TO EVERYTHING,
AND IT'S JUST HARD TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS
WHEN YOU'RE DOING THAT.
YOU'RE GONNA MAKE MISTAKES.
Narrator: TODAY, THE HOUSE REMAINS EMPTY,
STILL IN THE SAME CONDITION AS IT WAS LEFT.
Bob: TO ME, IT'S HEARTBREAKING
BECAUSE MY GRANDFATHER OWNED THIS LAND,
HE ALLOWED MY PARENTS TO BUILD A HOME ON IT,
WE GREW UP ON THIS PROPERTY.
MY MOTHER STILL WANTS TO LIVE THERE SOMEHOW,
BUT I KNOW THERE'S NO GOING BACK.
Curian: WHAT I WOULD SAY TO A SKEPTIC
IS GO INTO THAT HOUSE.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT CAN PRESENT ITSELF,
BUT MORE SO, I WOULD SAY TO THE SKEPTIC,
LOOK AT THIS WOMAN.
SHE'S LEAVING HER WHOLE LIFE BEHIND.
ALL HER MEMORIES --
HER MARRIAGE, HER CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOOD.
THIS HOUSE WAS BUILT FOR THEM.
AND LEAVE ITS CONTENTS THERE.
SOMETHING HAD TO TERRIFY HER ENOUGH TO GET HER TO LEAVE.
UNFOUNDED FEAR?
I DON'T THINK SO.
WALK IN HER SHOES.
[ MALE VOICE LAUGHS EVILLY ]