Sometimes, the scariest stories aren’t from horror movies—they actually happen. These real-life experiences are so unsettling they’ll leave you glancing over your shoulder and maybe even sleeping with the lights on.

One person shared that a year after her sister passed away, her phone rang late at night—and her sister’s name flashed on the screen. When she answered, there was only heavy breathing. Minutes later, another call came. This time, a stranger whispered, “She’s okay.” Another recalled walking in the woods thinking about their late grandfather when his favorite song suddenly began playing, with no one else around.

Others have experienced strange, almost supernatural encounters. One traveler woke up at night to see a man in full Navy uniform standing at the foot of his bed—only for the figure to vanish when he yelled. Another person opened the door to a woman claiming to be a forgotten childhood friend who knew unsettling details about their life, then disappeared forever. A driver even met a mysterious burn-scarred man after a car crash who vanished before anyone else arrived.

Then there are eerie coincidences that feel too personal to ignore—a dream that unfolded exactly in real life weeks later, a long-lost bookmark reappearing exactly where it was left, or a rare book someone longed for arriving at their doorstep without anyone knowing. Some encounters were touching but equally haunting, like a father with Alzheimer’s suddenly remembering his promise to protect shortly before passing, or a deceased friend’s bracelet bringing unexpected peace during surgery.