Chilling Encounters

Years ago, I embarked on a solo trip to explore a remote town nestled among mountains and surrounded by trees. I found an inviting Airbnb online—a cabin described as a tranquil retreat away from the hustle and bustle. After driving for several hours, I arrived at dusk, navigating a desolate path with few houses in sight. Eventually, I found my cabin at the edge of a forest, a secluded wooden structure surrounded by trees.

I parked my car and approached the cabin, looking forward to a peaceful night. At the door, I used the key box code provided by the host, unlocked the door, and stepped inside, greeted by the fresh scent of wood. I settled my luggage in the cozy living room and began preparing dinner. After eating, I decided to take a stroll to explore the town. By the time I returned, it was late, and moonlight filtered through the trees, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

As I prepared to retire for the night, I noticed unusual signs in the bedroom—a book on the desk was moved, and a note on the floor was not in its original place. I felt uneasy but tried to dismiss it as my imagination. The next morning, I woke with a sense of anxiety but tried to brush it off. After breakfast, I took a walk to a nearby lake and enjoyed the nature.

Returning to the cabin in the evening, I planned to relax with a cup of tea. However, when I entered the living room, I was startled to see that the furniture appeared rearranged, and a potted plant was not in its original spot. Feeling a sense of foreboding and being watched, I hastened to the door. Just then, I was confronted by a stranger standing at the doorway with a sly smile.

“Hello,” he said, “I’m your Airbnb host.”

Fear gripped me as I wondered why the host was here unannounced. I asked why he was present, and his smile grew more sinister. He claimed he just wanted to ensure I had a pleasant stay. Feeling a growing sense of dread, I decided to leave immediately. I quickly packed my belongings and fled the cabin.

Back home, I reported the incident to Airbnb, requesting an investigation. They expressed concern and promised to look into it. A few days later, I received an email stating that they had found no connection between the host and the area. They decided to remove the listing from their platform and issued a full refund. This experience left me wary of online bookings and reinforced the importance of staying vigilant and safe.

A few years ago, during the holiday season, I rented an Airbnb as a temporary accommodation to visit my family. The house was in an ordinary neighborhood just a few miles from home. When I arrived on December 20th, everything seemed normal. After settling in, I planned a quiet evening.

Late at night, I was awakened by noises that seemed to come from the walls. Initially, I thought it was just the house settling, but the noises grew louder, even including faint banging sounds. I went downstairs to investigate, but everything was quiet. I returned to bed and fell asleep.

The next evening, while preparing to visit my parents, I noticed a stranger standing motionless on the front porch. His presence made me uneasy. I questioned the safety of the Airbnb and whether it was a mistake by the landlord or someone else. I attempted to communicate with the stranger, but he simply nodded and walked away. I felt unsettled and decided to inform my family and leave the place after dinner.

Returning to the Airbnb, I heard a loud noise similar to the previous night. This time, it was clearer and more intense, causing me to panic. I discovered the noise came from a door in the garage, where someone was attempting to forcefully open it. Terrified, I called the police. They arrived promptly, inspecting the garage and confirming that someone had attempted to break in. Shockingly, the garage door lacked an external lock.

I decided to leave and stay at a hotel. This incident made me question the safety of Airbnb and taught me the importance of being cautious when renting accommodations. Even seemingly ordinary places can harbor danger.

On New Year’s Eve, my two best friends and I rented a cabin through Airbnb, planning to enjoy a fun night together. The cabin, found on the outskirts, looked like a typical wooden structure. We began to relax and enjoy our time, but were soon interrupted by an angry stranger at the door, warning us about noise, though we had been quiet.

Hours later, as we prepared to watch a movie, we heard a sound outside—something falling and glass shattering. We saw a stranger wielding a metal rod shattering the windshield of a car. Kristen chased him while Jason and I followed. Before we reached the door, we heard gunshots. Kristen sprinted back and locked the door, as shots hit the side of the cabin.

An investigation revealed that the stranger was not a local resident, and his motives were unknown. This shocking encounter made us value our friendship and safety more. We decided never to rent such places again and opted for safer locations. This experience will always remind us to cherish every moment and stay cautious of our surroundings.