[1.08] Shut the Windows

Published Dec 18, 2021, 9:27 AM

Tracy Chng’s nightmares are getting worse. What was once just unsettling dreams in the night have become frightening visions of a floating head hovering outside her window. As everything around her begins to unravel, she is forced to wonder if she is just imagining things. Or if there’s something truly stalking her... and her unborn child.

This episode stars Lauren Sim, Bright Ong, Mehr Dudeja, and Serene Chen. Production and direction by Danny Koordi, screenplay by Karl Gan, editing, sound design and mixing by David Chew, with assistance by Gareth Fernandez, Gabby Peng, Iris Goh, and Nadarajah Bhairavan.

The overall story takes influence from “Shroud: Jinn”, as written by "Dina Damanhudi" and first published on Wattpad.com.

Finally, the After Dark podcast is an original Mediacorp production developed in partnership with Wattpad Studios, and recorded at IMDA Pixel. Your executive producers are Barry Toa and Sapna Angural from Mediacorp,  and Aron Levitz, Eric Lehrman, and Dexter Ong from Wattpad. Reproduction of any material associated with the podcast is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of Mediacorp.

If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts. And if you would like to get in touch with us, you can send us a message through the email podcasts@melisten.sg.

Podcast artwork by Paul Hendricks, you can reach him on Instagram @PAUL_JOEL_HENDRICKS

the following audio presentation features mention of prenatal depression and miscarriage, listener discretion is advised

the sound of knocking came back this time. Not from the window

but from the door.

I stood there frozen, not sure what to do, but I knew one thing for sure was that I couldn't hide here forever.

And so I won't

over to the door

and I pulled it

open.

Good afternoon mrs 10. Oh my God

you're you're Gavin's new assistant. Right, Yeah, my name is Daphne, nice to meet you. Why did you knock like that? You scared me? Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry. It's just that you weren't answering. I was busy. Okay,

what do you want?

Oh, Gavin. Uh Mr thanh sent me. He was worried about what happened yesterday and he has to stay late again today at work. So here

he says it's your favorite

fried oyster omelet

despite having a block of wood for a brain. I must admit that Gavin does get me sometimes. Why did he send you

can't he just deliver it himself? He would, but

he's got meetings the whole day and you don't have to I don't know, assist him or something.

You could have gotten some delivery service to bring it here.

I

I didn't get to see you the last time I came so I thought I'd be nicer. This way,

you look beautiful by the way. You're really glowing.

Oh,

uh

thanks

I guess.

Anyway, I think I should be heading back to work now. Have a good day. Mrs done. Yeah,

you too,

mm hmm.

Welcome to after dark. A brand new horror, audio drama podcast brought to you by mediacorp Tracy chung's nightmares are getting worse. What was once just unsettling dreams in the night have become frightening visions of a floating head hovering outside her window.

As everything around her begins to unravel. She is forced to wonder if she is just imagining things or if there's something truly stalking her and her unborn child.

The knocking and the thumping. We're really starting to get to me

and in response, I think I was starting to get more and more obsessive,

double triple quadruple checking all the windows to make sure they were shut tight

to make sure that nothing could get in.

Only then

could I finally

relax.

They say it takes a village to raise a child.

And I think I finally understand why

there is nothing quite like being pregnant

and being trapped in your own home.

The emptiness lingering with the stale air.

The weight

heavy with each labored movement,

struggling

and desperate to be able to breathe again.

Mm hmm.

When you're alone like this, you become perceptive to the slightest things around you.

Dust particles,

smudges on the tv cracks on the wall

and especially in my case these bloody stores

at the very least though I still had my favorite fried oyster on.

Mhm

Or so I thought

oh.

Uh huh.

Yeah.

Uh huh.

Mhm.

Uh

b

I'm home.

Let you close all the windows. Why is it so stuffy.

Why is it so dark? I can barely see anything.

Hello? Tracy

Tracy

trace. So you're finally back?

She's white.

You scared the living sh it out of me? Why are you sitting there in the dark

like that? Where have you been?

Oh

okay. I had a very long long day. Alright.

Gavin thanh

I smell the alcohol.

It's just a few drinks after work. What's wrong with

that? You know I'm at home waiting

and I told my sister to bring you lunch and dinner.

Yeah

and she brought rotten food.

Rotten I threw it away already.

It's oyster omelet. Right? Isn't that your favorite?

I had two bites and it wouldn't stay down.

She put something in it. Gavin

I bought the amulet myself. Trees.

Well she must have put something in it on the way here.

Wait

have you been in that chair the whole afternoon?

Yes. Why didn't you just sit on the couch?

It's more comfortable here

and this entire time. You didn't eat anything.

Uh

I wasn't hungry.

Tracy.

Our baby is on the way.

Really?

Our baby's on the way now you're telling me,

look

it's been a really crazy day at work. Okay

I've been asking you to take a break,

take leave for a few days be with me right now at this moment

babe. I have to work. I know

what work you're doing? Gavin? I was doing that same work before I left to make this place a nice and comfortable home for

you. Tracy. Get up. Hey, you need some food right now. Okay, now stop whining and oh my Oh

your sauce. Oh my God, Tracy. How did he get so bad?

Did you apply the cream that definitely brought? No

Tracy? You have to apply the cream on the sores. I'll help you later. Okay, Right now I think you need some fresh air or something. Come on, Let's go for a walk. No,

I don't want to.

Yeah,

there's

there's something out there.

Tracy. Not this again.

Okay.

Okay. You know what? We'll just order in. Okay, We can do that right?

Sure.

As long as Daphne is not the one sending the food,

baby, You're really overthinking everything right now.

You can see that. Right?

Our daughter is on the way. You need to chill. Just take it easy. Don't tell me to take it easy.

Fine, then just sit on the couch, take a nap. Watch some netflix. Just

relax. All right.

I mean, you know how crazy managing portfolios can get right,

We want to get richer. We want those high network people to see us as valuable. That's why I've been running around for work so much.

You haven't done.

I just need you to be more focused on our family. I am.

I'm thinking of you all the time at work. I'm always picking up nice things for you, buying you all your favorite food. Looking up stuff to prepare for the baby. But baby I need you to promise me that you will stop overthinking things.

Can you do that?

I

Uh huh.

Okay.

Okay.

Was Gavin wright? Was I really just overthinking things?

Uh

10 to

Oh

sorry, sorry,

the cream that Daphne brought

actually smell quite nice.

Floral

sweet

like roses and morning dew and honey.

Okay,

there you go.

How does it feel?

Um

better? Apparently

not as painful as before.

Thanks.

But how did it get so bad? Anyway,

I thought it was just like a small bumps in your leg.

I don't know,

it was right after the nightmare started. I think.

So you

see these were caused by your brain

body reacts to the mind when your mind goes haywire. So does your body,

that's why you need to relax. All right.

Yeah,

I guess Gavin even showed me some meditation routines to help me calm down.

Something like

five counts in

one count out

after all.

one of the causes of sleep. Paralysis is stressed

and with me being pregnant and not being able to sleep as I was used to.

It was reasonable to expect some weird dreams

that night.

I was

probably the most relaxed that I had been in a while.

Everything just felt so right

for once.

The comforting plus of the pillow,

the soothing tones of the melody, the gentle nighttime breeze

swing

and caressing my skin.

But then

there was the sound,

this

disgusting sound

of something wet,

slimy. I remember looking down and all I see are these hits all of my hair. Long red on my head, bloody intestines wrapped around my legs.

They were all stuck to my legs. I tried to scream but nothing came out. I was frozen paradise but for some reason they stopped to pull away

back across the carpet,

back up the wall.

Yeah

and they were

gun.

Mhm.

Babe

shut it

off. You do it fine fine.

Mhm.

Yeah

mm

What a beautiful day

babe. You wanna go for a walk or something? Get some fresh air

you know

I'll just stay in bed.

Oh come on. What's the matter?

You didn't have nightmares again did you?

Mm

Hey

I'm not sure

it's all kind of

foggy.

Uh huh.

I think you're just sleepy.

Uh Come on I'll get you some decaf coffee and uh let's get some fresh air. Okay

mm

Thanks babe.

I must have fallen asleep right after

because I don't remember getting up

or doing anything else.

Was it

really just a dream?

It felt so real?

The intestines.

The sound

that thing wrapped around my leg

but how could it be?

I was sure I shut the windows and the curtains last night and it didn't look like it had been damaged.

So was it really old? Just in my head?

Oh good you're up.

See I told you it was a beautiful day. Right.

Yeah.

Yeah

it really is.

The sun is shining, the birds are singing. The breeze is cool and gentle on the skin.

This is a sign for the better babe

sir.

I hope so.

Only if you never sing again.

Hey I fancy myself as a young barry manilow. Okay.

Yeah. Right. In your dreams maybe.

Anyway here's your decaf. I just got a fresh pack of that. He's not blended. You are

uh babe?

What's wrong with

your leg?

My leg.

What?

How?

What? There were sores.

Fresh ones

all over my entire leg.

Hawaii is like the nightmares I had

gather real after all.

Yeah.

Yeah

and

it hurts you

mm.

Yes very much so

Doctor what do you think It is

mm.

It's interesting

talk to you.

Well I can't say I've seen anything quite like this but it appears to be caused by contact with some sort of a return

irritant.

You mean like a chemical?

It could be or it could be something in the air.

Mm.

Are you allergic to anything?

No not that I'm aware of.

Wait so this is caused by an allergy.

Like I said Mr tien. I'm not completely certain but it could be we will need to check the tissue sample first to find out

but our daughter is fine. Right?

I don't see a reason why not. But to be certain you can head over to another specialist office for the second opinion there. On the west side of town.

Trees. No

no that's too far.

I don't think I should be moving around too much like this.

All right. Well in any case I'll be prescribing you some clean first.

This is an antiviral cream of the carcinoid encyclopedia. It should help you with the pain will take about a few days to heal.

But this is the same Cream Daphne board.

Mm.

Who's Stephanie?

Uh No one. No one. Uh Doctor Can I speak to you in private?

Uh Okay

babe it's fine. I'll be right back

out.

Okay.

Mhm.

I didn't even do doctor.

We have tried everything.

I heard it all through the door. She's

been so emotional,

mood swings, squatch. Fear.

Always getting on my case.

Is this all part

of things? The desperation

awesome like this before.

And then all of a sudden

nightmares,

weird things.

The frustration

especially during the rut. The statement.

I just saw mother pulling the second time myself going through parenthood, depression, anxiety here wasn't 18

And

the pity

you.

I think it's the same thing For sure. Just trying to make sure she's always comfortable. Make sure there's no reason for you for any different. Any negativity.

Right,

okay

okay. If there's anything I'll call you

doctoring.

Sounded unsure

what

of what's been happening to me.

Uh Yeah don't worry. Okay. I sure she'll figure something out

babe.

I know what happened and it's not because of any irritants. Daven. What the hell are

you serious? Tracy. This again. Dr Young is a gynecologist.

But this is something more Gavin.

What are you talking about?

Can you please just trust an expert opinion for once

and why can't you trust me for once? Huh?

I'm telling you something's found its way into our home. Gavin.

How?

Uh huh. All the windows are closed locked. Double check them. You double check them. Nothing can get out. So how the hell do you think something came in? I don't know

I don't know. Okay

but I'm certain I'm certain I know it. I can feel it. Something's not right

okay

okay. Yeah

you're right it's something more.

So what? Huh?

What do you want to do?

Yeah.

Okay.

Ah Hi Shelton High madam in a hurry please come in. Oh okay Okay

thanks for taking the time to come over. We really appreciate it. Of course you'll turn anything I can do to help.

Mr Tan. Hello.

Long time no.

See how have you been?

I'm good. I'm good.

You know just minding my shop as usual. So what's going on?

I heard your voice on the phone.

Yes everything okay.

Ah

Madame. Hien.

You know how yesterday I asked if you had seen anything weird around here. Right Yes.

Well

I need to show you something.

Uh huh.

Oh my

what

what happened? I'm sorry I didn't show them when I came to your shop.

I. I didn't know how to bring this up.

It all just happened so suddenly. Oh I see

I understand I wouldn't want to show mrs go anything private either if I were you.

So

when did you get these sores?

Um

You know the nightmares I've been telling you about?

I think they're actually real.

There's this floating head just ahead by itself

outside my window

with a long bloody intestines trailing from its neck

and it sneaks into the room and wraps itself around my leg. And when I woke up this morning

this is what I saw

floating head you said?

Yeah.

And with

intestines trailing from the neck. Right. Yes. Yes.

Wait,

do you know something about this?

Mhm.

I must tell you watching this is actually not the first time. I've heard something like this. In fact even around this neighborhood there have been many instances in the past of women losing their babies in the last trimester. What

losing their babies?

Are you serious? Unfortunately? Yes. Off for the past few decades. I've seen many women go through their pregnancies and in the last trimester suffer a sudden miscarriage. But what I found strange was that it always starts with them seeing a floating head in their dreams. Oh my God

baby. See you see I was right.

Benjamin. You've got to be kidding me. That's nonsense. Right.

How did they lose their babies

babe. Come on, You can't believe this. No.

Gavin. I want to hear this. Well

it varies

a fall a bump most of the time is some sort of accident.

But like I said,

they always dream of the floating head with his intestines. Did did my mom go through this as well.

Mm hmm.

Come to think of it. Your mother did mention some of those nightmares too when she was pregnant with you actually. But the nightmares suddenly stopped and she was able to deliver you without worry. Oh my God! I told you Gavin I made the right move, staying in.

But what is the science behind that?

All of this doesn't make any sense.

Well, some believe the nightmares to be a form of a woman.

A premonition if you will or a sign of coming

danger. No, no, no, come on. You can't be serious. Right on these just superstitions and old wives tales madam Here. I didn't think you were going to agree to this. I only tell you what I

know. Mr Tan I myself find such things

hard to believe but I cannot deny that they have happened in the past.

Women come to me with their stories and their problems just as your wife has done.

And although such a case hasn't happened in awhile, Celgene's nightmares and the source uncannily similar

for the last time. They are just bed sores from Tracy, staying in all the time and being cooped up in here. Okay. You know what?

I've had enough. I'm sorry madam. Thank you for coming here. But you need to leave Gavin. No. I refuse to believe in this nonsense. Okay.

We have sites. We have facts. We have Western medicine. Huh. Tracy. But no, you don't want to listen. And instead you got to waste time with these hacks.

Mm hmm.

Excuse me.

Please leave Madam him

now.

Fine.

Mhm.

Yeah.

Mhm.

After Madam him left. I sat at the dining table few me watching as Gavin visit himself in the kitchen, trying to cut some instant noodles for me.

Mhm,

distracted as he was.

He left his phone unattended

right in front of me.

So, it was completely by accident

that I saw the incoming message

from his assistant.

Daphne.

Good morning. Mr ton. What time will you be reaching the office today? There's some slides that boss wants you to correct before the presentation later in the week.

Good morning, deaf. Apologies, but I don't think I'll be able to make it in today.

Oh, okay. Is everything all right?

Yeah. It's just that my wife has been having some trouble again and I'm taking her to see dr ng

your dining.

It sounds serious. Is there anything I can help you with? I know I shouldn't be reading his texts,

but I couldn't help noticing how

different he was towards her. How polite,

patient

and understanding. No,

it's all right. The baby is fine. It's just that Tracy has some uncomfortable source on the leg. I'm sorry to have you covered for me again.

I promise. I'll make it up to you when things are less chaotic.

I see. No worries. Looking forward to having you back again

by the way. Has she tried the cream I bought? Was I jealous?

Sure I was a little flushed.

I mean where was this niceness and kindness when it came to the woman in his life that he supposedly loved the most? Yeah. We did.

It got worse though.

I but I don't think it's because of the cream.

Oh yeah.

Yeah because even dr ying recommended the same brand.

She thinks it might be because of an allergy or something.

But that was not what tipped me over.

That was not what got me genuinely truly angry allergies

in your house.

But didn't you open the windows last night?

What the hell Tracy? You

it was you

you open the window.

What are you talking about

this Gavin? You're stupid text with your stupid assistant.

Oh come on.

Even after all that. I've told you you opened the window when I was asleep and then you closed it right before I woke up

babe. Seriously? That's what you're concerned about right now. You

deny it?

Do you deny

it? Fine? I opened the windows when you were sleeping because I couldn't stand it. Alright. Could so bloody stuffy in here. Don't you feel it? Why would you do that when the weather is so nice outside?

I closed the windows for our safety. Gavin

There's something out there. I keep telling you. But you don't

listen. That's it.

I'm done. I'm done. Gavin tamping run.

Where the hell do you think you're going?

I've been so patient trace. I've been nothing but patient.

And you know, I've got a ton of work to do in the office. You've been there,

right? You know how much work the institute of all the clients and the portfolios and their demands. And don't change

the subject

if you're going to be this way

fine, you did

something wrong? There's nothing wrong. Okay.

There is nothing wrong with opening the windows, Open them all.

Nothing bad will happen. Everything is in your damn head and you're acting like the real

You know what?

Living room window, open kitchen window, open, toilet, window, open bedroom window, open.

You have it,

David. What are you doing?

No, don't do that. All the windows are open. Huh? Now, maybe you get some fresh air and maybe you won't feel like you're about to die all the time. And maybe we can be happy for once.

Stop it.

Stop it, Gavin!

Stop me! I've had it with this.

I've tried. Okay,

everything you told me to do everything you asked me to do.

I've put up with it. I've sacrificed for it. Now. I actually need to go and earn some money for us because only one of us can afford to be ridiculous right now.

Okay,

cabin.

Come back.

Don't you get

No.

Uh huh.

No.

Mhm.

It was a struggle shutting all the windows again

all by myself,

heavily pregnant and with my legs still hurting so much one more.

By the time I got to the last few windows it was already well into the Yemen.

Why do they have to be so tall?

Mm hmm.

That was when I heard it.

Yeah.

Gavin,

mm hmm.

Is that you

Gavin?

This isn't funny. Okay,

something else in the flat with me

right at the end of the hallway. Oh no no. Under the cover of darkness

or what looks like one long piece of flesh it looked like an effective

bread bloody

and coming right for me.

Thank you for listening to this episode of after dark new episode to be released every other friday at 10 p.m. And you can follow the podcast on the me listen app, Spotify, Apple podcasts or google podcast

episode eight Shut the Window was produced and directed by Danny Cordy. Screenplay was written by Carl gone, editing, sound design and mixing from David shoe with assistance by Garrett Fernandez, Gaby Pang and Nadarajah by Robin. The overall story is inspired by Shroud jinn as written by Dina Damon Hoodie

and first published on what Pet dot com. The cost for episode seven features Lauren Sim as Tracy right on as Gavin Mayor Deuda as Daphne, serene Chen as Madame Hidden and 10 Russian as anti go

finally the after dark podcast is an original Mediacorp production developed in partnership of what Pet studios and recorded at i. M. D. A pixel. Your executive producers are buried toe and Sabrina Angara from Mediacorp and Aaron Levitz, eric, Letterman and Dexter. Wrong from what pad reproduction of any material associated with the podcast is strictly prohibited

without the express written content of Media Club. We hope to see you again as we continue the story in the next episode of After Dark.

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