The Imitation
30Apr
Anonymous
My current job allows me to work from anywhere I have an internet connection. For the most part, I can work whenever I want as long as the work gets done. Sometimes this means that I end up finishing late at night when everyone else is asleep. When the weather is nice, I usually finish work and then chill out on my back patio for a bit before heading up to bed.
It was one of the first cool fall days last October. It was cold enough to close all the windows but nice enough to sit outside with a jacket. At about 11PM I made a cup of chamomile tea. While the tea was brewing I went upstairs to check on my husband and daughter. They were both sound asleep so I grabbed my tea and headed outside.
I was standing next to a tree about the same height as me (five and a half feet) and about the width of your average dining room chair. I was just standing, looking at the stars, and drinking tea. Next to me was a tree, about my height (about 5'5") and two-feet wide.
That's when on the other side of the tree I heard a voice say, "Mom."
I jumped. I was sure there was someone there.
It was a weird voice – flat, expressionless, quiet. It sounded like someone who'd never heard a child's voice before but read a description and was trying to imitate one. Without thinking, I took a step to look around the tree.
Nothing was there.
My next thought was my daughter, but then I realized the windows and the back door were closed so she'd have to be yelling or at least speaking loudly for me to hear her. Plus, it sounded nothing like her or any real kid I'd ever heard.
Next, I thought it must be a toy left outside so I went on the other side of the tree to look. I used the flashlight on my phone but I couldn't find anything. I thought maybe it was a crow, an escaped pet parrot, or another bird that could imitate people. I tried to look in the trees but I didn't see any birds.
At this point I decided it wasn't worth my time and I'd just go inside. I thought, "Screw this, I can't catch a bird in the dark if it's a pet parrot and if it's a toy it can wait until morning." I was a little bothered by the fact that my daughter was too old for "talking toys" and didn't have any anymore, and the neighborhood kids were her age or older.
I went back inside and noticed our cat (RIP, Battle Cat) pacing on the counter next to the back door. It was odd because she was 18-years-old so she wasn't a big jumper any more. I thought that she must know something was up which turned into, "Oh, God, what if there's a kid or an adult that's really hurt?"
It's hard to explain how creepy the voice was.
First, I went upstairs to check hoping that might have an explanation so I wouldn't have to go back out. Both my husband and my daughter were still fast asleep. There was no TV or music playing to explain things.
The voice was so real I felt I had to make sure someone wasn't out there and in trouble.
I went back down, past the pacing cat, and out the door. I had picked up a better flashlight from the kitchen drawer but I felt nervous when I realized I'd left my phone inside to do that.
I searched the backyard and the trees, then the side yard by the corner where the voice had come from. I didn't hear or find anything.
After an exhaustive search, I decided this was stupid and went back to my bird theory. Turning to go back inside, I heard it.
Right in my ear.
As if someone was almost touching me, leaning in.
I heard, "Mom. Come."
The voice was the same, but louder and more forceful. I felt cold all over my back as if I was standing in front of an open freezer.
I had two really powerful instincts at that moment. First, I had to get away. Second, I couldn't show any fear or things would get worse. I walked inside at a normal pace trying to project confidence. It took everything in me not to start running.
When I finally got inside Battle Cat's fur was all puffed up and she was making this low growling sound.
I have not been able to find a rational explanation for this, though I've tried many times. My husband said he's never had anything like this happen to him.
Nothing strange or spooky has happened since then and nothing feels weird or off. None of our cats have ever freaked out like that again. If there was something there, I think it is gone.
I hope it doesn't come back.
Image: "Night time experimental-23" by jhartshorn is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 
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