Alone at Home: 10 Spine-Chilling True Stories from Internet Users

These stories will make you want to secure every door and window before bedtime.

A Reddit thread sparked a wave of chilling confessions when user @Joobanbooban asked people to share their most frightening experiences while home alone. We've compiled the most unsettling and unexpected encounters.

1. One morning, I was watching “American Dad” in bed before getting ready for work when the back door slammed. We used that door often, but no one was supposed to be home. Suddenly, I heard footsteps on the stairs leading to my second-floor bedroom. I called out, “Mom, is that you?” No response. Then a man’s head—about 30 years old with unkempt hair—appeared in the doorway, surprised to see me sitting there in just my underwear. He asked if this was the (family name) house. I said no, and he left. Later, a family friend who works in law enforcement told me this guy was known for breaking into homes in nearby towns when no one was around. — DaleDofront

2. I was 21 or 22, living alone, and had left my window open because the weather was lovely. Even though I lived on the first floor, the window had a sturdy grate that was hard to remove, and the neighborhood was very safe. I awoke to the smell of smoke in the middle of the night and reached for my bedside lamp—only to touch someone. When I turned on the light, a shirtless man was staring at me, smoking a cigarette. I screamed at him to leave, and he looked just as scared as I was before jumping out the window. The grate had been removed and was lying beneath it. I never again slept with a window open or rented a first-floor apartment. To this day, I wonder if he intended to assault or rob me—or both—and if this had happened before without me waking up. — soileilunetoile

3. At 19, I rented my first apartment. One day, a man knocked aggressively on my door. Through the peephole, I saw a heavyset man yelling for me to let him in, threatening to beat me and break the door down. I called the police, and as soon as they answered, he started banging harder. Luckily, officers were nearby, and within five minutes, sirens wailed. They arrested him; he was extremely drunk and was looking for the previous tenant. I moved out three months later. Though the neighborhood was generally nice, I wished my parents lived closer during that time. — hic-en-nunc-

4. You know those kitchen tongs with a latch that keeps them closed? I had locked mine and left them on the countertop. When I returned, they had sprung open and fallen right on me! My heart skipped a beat. It turned out the latch had simply come undone, but for a moment, I was terrified. — cyanophage

5. My wife and son had gone to visit relatives, leaving me alone at home. We have a baby monitor in the nursery. From the living room, I saw on the screen someone rummaging through my son's things. I grabbed a weapon and shouted, “I'm armed! Come out slowly!” When I entered the nursery and turned on the light, the room was empty. Returning to the living room, I saw the figure again on the monitor. Looking closely, I realized it was me—the camera had a significant delay. I had been threatening myself the whole time. — Merv_86

6. Our housekeeper once attempted suicide in our bathroom. Sadly, she succeeded four days later—not in our home. — crooked_cook420

7. One night, I came home late from a party and started cooking. My dad was out, so I was alone. Suddenly, someone coughed in the basement! I panicked and ran outside, seeing someone fleeing through the back exit. It turned out to be my dad’s ex-girlfriend’s daughter, who had stolen our keys and tried to rob us. She was later imprisoned for a similar burglary attempt targeting her future mother-in-law. — BasicSpeech

8. I work from home and spend a lot of time alone. Once, while on my computer, I noticed movement outside my window. A man had jumped over the fence into my yard. I called my boyfriend and, mid-explanation, the doorbell rang. It was a CenturyLink technician needing access to the yard to check equipment. I told her someone had just jumped the fence, so the technician was probably already there. Thanks, CenturyLink, for nearly giving me a heart attack! — stayawayfrommeinfj

9. One evening, an explosion occurred at a petrochemical plant 1.5 kilometers from my home. The blast shattered the double windows in the room I was in. I was terrified, thinking it was a bombing—until I remembered where I lived. I had just let my dog outside, and he was completely shocked. For two months afterward, I had to sit outside with him on the grass, offering chicken pieces just so he would relieve himself. — firefly3

10. I was home alone, peacefully sleeping. When I turned over, I opened my eyes for a split second—and swore I saw someone standing by my bed. I stayed still with my eyes closed, pretending to sleep and listening for breathing or footsteps. Nothing. Eventually, I fell back asleep without opening my eyes, convincing myself I would have heard the door or window opening. The next morning, I found the front door wide open—but nothing was missing, and no signs indicated anyone had been inside. — tinknickers

Have you ever experienced something terrifying while home alone? Share your story in the comments!

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