Ghost Month Tales of Horror: Overtime

Here’s our first story, submitted by a good friend, for the approval of this society.

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I used to work overtime a lot. By 10pm, I would still be in the office. It’s not like I work round the clock, it’s just that I usually come in late, so I make up for it by working late. Quite a few of us work overtime, but I was the one who would usually stay later than everyone else, and lock up the office.

Our office is a small space in a relatively old industrial building, so you can imagine the set up. The toilets are located at the end of the hall, and usually shared by several tenants. Although there were still a handful who would work overtime back then, the hallways would normally be empty by 9.00pm and onwards. Other offices would already be shuttered.

While I was on my way to the toilet, one of the overhead lights started flickering. Mind you, I watch enough horror movies to know that flickering lights are normally ominous (for the lack of a better word).

Shiver. I started to get scared and picked up my pace.

Our toilets were just recently upgraded with motion sensor lights. So, I learned enough to quickly do my business at night before the lights automatically turn off.

And I did my business, trying to hum a tune to console my scared ass.

The main door to the toilet creaked opened. Then I heard light footsteps. Tap, tap, tap. Now, if you’re already scared, ANY movement will absolutely make you jump. And that was when I got goosebumps (no, not because I needed to pee).

Then the lights went out. Even my pee was too scared to continue.

I hurriedly cleaned up and bolted out, making as large a movement so the stupid sensors would realise there’s someone else in the toilet and turn on the lights. The lights turned on again.

But…

There was no one else in the toilet. Not a single soul. All the cubicle doors were open. I was so scared, I wouldn't even dare look at my reflection in the mirror.

I rushed out after washing my hands, with my heart beating out of my chest.

But that was not the end of it.

I swear, I then heard a high-pitched laugh coming from the toilet.

Maybe it could have been the flushing mechanism. Or some pipe. But at that moment, all I could think of was RUN. But remember to LOCK THE OFFICE or you'll lose your job.

Come to think of it, if someone did come in, then the sensors would have done its job and the lights wouldn’t have gone out. Or it could have been someone playing a prank. Who knows. But I VERY RARELY worked overtime from then on.