I Do Not Know You | A Cursed Tape Recorder Predicts His Death

A mysterious tape recorder appears inside Jerry Scott's electronics shop and greets him by name. It knows his cat, his childhood, and the exact date. Then the voice delivers one final warning. An inhuman visitor will arrive and bring death. Want to be scared? Come with me. You will experience tales of horror, ghosts, and death. It is not recommended for the weak at heart. Listeners in the dark. It's more fun that way. This is Weekly Spooky. Hello, my spookies. It's Wednesday, and you know what that means. It's time for a little spooky in your weekly. I'm your host, Henrique Couto, and tonight we have a nice little bit of quasi-science fiction horror for you to enjoy, I guess, depending on what side of science and what side of fiction you reside in.

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Your support makes a huge difference. But now, as for tonight, most people like to keep old technology because it feels dependable. A cassette can't update itself, track your location, or know things you never told it. At least, it shouldn't be able to. Jerry Scott spends his days repairing electronics and collecting the analog machines the world left behind. Then an unmarked package appears inside his otherwise empty shop. The tape recorder within knows his name. The date and secrets from his childhood. It also knows that he has five minutes left to live. Soon something tall and faceless is waiting outside the door.

And the voice on the tape insists there is no escape. I do not know you. by Tyler Belmont. I've always loved analog tech. Something about it has always felt more authentic to me compared to modern technology. Digital media is nice, and while very convenient, it just doesn't match up with physical media. Just the mere act of holding something in my hands that I can touch and feel is Irreplaceable, especially for someone like me who collects VHS tapes, film cameras, and Walkmans. Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. My name is Jerry Scott. I run a consumer electronic tech store.

We mainly specialize in cell phones, tablets, television repair, and even arcade cabinets. But we do some older analog tech here and there. This all started on a quiet day at the shop. It was dark and cloudy with rain, no doubt, on the way. I was at the register, tinkering with an old black and white Game Boy. When I heard the front door open, I looked up to greet them and saw no one was there. I thought that was odd. As I returned my attention to the Game Boy, There was a small brown package right next to it.

I nearly jolted out of my seat. I looked around and found no one in sight. It was just me. I examined the box and cut it open. Inside, I found a tape recorder. It was small and rectangular, about half the size of a brick. It had a weirdly cool design of spider webs on the body. It actually reminds me of this podcast I listen to about this archivist who records statements with a tape recorder of people who have had supernatural encounters. I tried to test it, but nothing happened. So I figured it needed new batteries.

I picked out some AA's from under my desk and stuck them in and Still nothing. I wondered if maybe it was broken, so I took it to the back and started taking it apart. Everything seemed fine. The gears were all in place and nothing really stood out to me. I reassembled it and examined the cassette tape. No signs of tear or damage, so I put it back in. And the voice... It was a man, a calm British man, not unlike that head archivist from my favorite podcast. He spoke very clearly and directly and apologized about the quality of this tape.

I chuckled at this, but just as I was wondering who this message was meant for, they said very. Dryly, Hello, Jerry Scott. It's a pleasure to meet you. I nearly fell out of my chair. I stopped the tape and rewound it to make sure I wasn't hearing things, and sure enough, the voice on the other end did speak my name. I wasn't sure if this was some sort of prank, but I continued to listen to see where exactly this was going. The voice.... Jerry, I'm sure this is going to come as a shock to you, hearing your name on this old piece of tech.

I know you're thinking this is some sort of ruse, but I can assure you it is not. We don't know each other. I am not someone you have ever met in your life. I know everything about you. That you run your own tech store. You have a cat named Velvet, and that you were second place in your fourth grade science fair. At this point, I was starting to get uncomfortable. How on earth could this guy possibly know any of this about me? Was he acquainted with some of my family or friends? I have important news for you that you will want to hear.

The date that you are listening to this is March 24th, 2026. I glanced at my calendar on the wall, and sure enough, that was the correct date. I returned my attention to the tape recorder. You are going to die in five minutes. I was silent. What? Did they mean I was going to die? You have met with a terrible fate, I'm afraid. Your end is near. I was honestly starting to get really angry and started talking back to it, asking how did it know I was going to die, as if I should have expected a reply from this distorted voice.

This is a pre-recorded message, and I cannot reply to your questions. Was that supposed to be a joke? Would you like to know how you are going to die? I stared at the recorder in dead silence. I stopped the recorder. I was really freaking out and didn't know what to do. This had to be some sort of prank, right? How in the hell can anyone know such things? specific info about me and then proclaim that my end was near. As much as I wanted to believe this was a prank, it felt too elaborate to be one.

How long? From what period of time? When was I given the recorder? When I hit play, I had so many questions going through my head at once that I needed to calm down and get a grip of myself. If I really was going to die and this thing was warning me about it, I should probably find out how it's going to happen. Maybe I can avoid it. I hit the play button. Still listening, are we? Excellent. Your demise is unavoidable, I fear. In five minutes, a visitor will approach the door to your shop. He is not of this world.

If you value your life, you would be wise to not allow him entrance into your little sanctuary. I was growing more and more anxious as the voice continued. I imagine you're asking yourself many questions of how you may escape this ordeal. While I can't say you will survive what you are about to encounter, you most certainly have my sympathies. The tape was finished. I sat there at my workbench in shock. I had never been more terrified of anything in my life. Christ, this was a lot to take in such a short time. I immediately ran out of my office and locked the front door.

I was told I had five minutes before the arrival of whatever was coming for me and was not going to waste them. I came back to the office, locked the back door, and searched around for anything I could use as a weapon. I happened to have a baseball bat from my trips to the batting cages. I hid under the desk with the bat held tight against my chest. Maybe I could just stay back here for the rest of my life, I thought. Who was I kidding? I knew I was going to have to go out at some point and face whatever awaited me.

I cautiously looked outside my office door. The world outside my shop seemed darker than usual, as if it was cut off from it. I didn't see anything outside the store at first, until a crack of lightning illuminated a figure standing in front of the entrance. It was tall and human-like with a slender physique. I could make out a white outline. It seemed to be wearing a fedora and a duster-long coat. A long, thin hand touched the door. The head was tilting, its finger tapped on the door. Was it asking me to let it in? Fat chance.

I thought to myself. It continued tapping on the door. It seemed to gradually become more aggressive as it became faster and more intense. I slowly backed away and closed the door to my office. I knew it was only a matter of time before this thing was going to break in. I could make a run for it. I could go out the back door, but what if there are more of them? I didn't know how to deal with the circumstances. Just as I was thinking about this, I heard the front door breaking down. I clutched the bat tight to my chest and took some deep breaths, trying to remain calm.

I could hear slow footsteps from a distance, gradually getting closer. I don't know what happened, but at that moment I had this sudden desire to fight. Not sure if it was adrenaline, but my will to live seemed to increase as those distant footsteps got closer and closer to my location. I decided to hell with this. If I'm going to die, then I'm going to go out kicking and screaming. I got out from under the desk and walked to the side door. It wasted no time banging on the door. My hands raised the bat. The door exploded into pieces of wood and metal.

My grip tightened as I prepared to strike my assailant. As I waited, I started to realize. There was no shadow on the floor to indicate that anything was standing there. I continued to wait a few moments before I cautiously stepped in front of the door to find nothing. That was odd, I thought to myself as my eyes scanned the front of my shop to find nothing but the shattered door. I knew it would be foolish to step outside my office, but I reasoned I was really no safer in there since this thing had already broken in.

I stepped out and found nothing. I did a complete 360 and I found no sign of the figure whatsoever. I even looked up at the ceiling and there was nothing to be found. I almost wanted to let my guard down, but I knew better and kept the bat at ready. I walked over to the shattered door and really started to become aware of the darkness outside. Might be strange to say, but it almost seemed like I was cut off from the rest of the world. It was at this point that I honestly was... Left dumbfounded on what to do, I knew the figure had to still be here, and it was no doubt hiding in anticipation of when I would finally let my guard down.

What would I do? What could I do? A never-ending amount of questions continued to flood my mind as I tried to rationalize my situation and what I could do about it. I decided I would return to my office and await my fate. I sat down and placed the bat on my desk. I looked over at the tape recorder. I was looking at the design of spider webs when I noticed a reflection from above me. Silver threads dropped down, and with the speed of a bullwhip grabbed both my arms and pulled me back into my chair.

I tried to reach for the bat, but it was no use. I could only stare up at the same figure looking down at me. I couldn't make out a face or anything remotely human, apart from the silhouette. As its arms stretched out, two more arms emerged out of its body. It started to lower itself, getting closer to me until we were face to face. Since I had no real way of doing anything, I just decided to talk. What are you? It said nothing and continued to stare at me. almost as if it was studying me.

Who are you? I asked. I have many names, it finally said. Is there anything I can say that will convince you not to kill me it said nothing it was at this moment I realized this was the end I had no way to escape this fate all I asked of the creature was that they Just make it quick. As I stared back into the empty void of its face, I could just barely make out a long, creepy smile. As I promised myself, I started kicking and screaming. Its head leaned in closer, and seeing what could be my only opportunity, I slammed my head into its face.

and it screamed in pain as it released me from its tight grip. I shoved it aside and quickly grabbed the bat and smashed it into its face. The figure exploded into dusty shadows and vanished. I continued to take deep breaths as I tried to get my bearings together. I noticed bright light coming from outside my office. I ran to the entrance to see the clouds were gone and the sun was bright. I almost couldn't see the world around me. I turned around and realized to my shock that I had not escaped my fate. I stared at the still, very much alive shadow figure, feasting on what remained of me.

There was no life in my eyes. I don't know where I am now or what awaits me. But I can't lie. I do miss my shop. Well, my spookies, there is something comforting about analog technology. No updates or passwords or cloud storage limits, just a machine that knows your childhood secrets, and the exact minute something faceless is coming for you. So if an unmarked tape recorder appears on your workbench, maybe skip pressing play, but if you do, try not to spend four of your remaining five minutes looking for fresh batteries. Big thank you to my buddy Tyler Belmont for tonight's story.

More from him will be coming very, very soon, and thank you all so much for joining me for a little trip to into the spooky world that I love to share with you. I hope you're all getting ready for Halloween like I am. Spirit Halloween by me, it's already open. I've already popped in, and I'm getting ready to spend way more money than I should. And next week, I turn 40. So if you want to wish me a happy birthday, send it to weeklyspooky at gmail.com. And if you want to send me a gift, well, I might sneak the wish list into the show notes, but no pressures.

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at the end of every episode, and it really does mean a lot. In fact, I would consider that the perfect birthday present. But now, my friends, it's time for me to get back to work because Thursday Thrills is coming right up. So make sure you're subscribed for myself, for my executive producers, Rob Fields and Bobletopia.com, my composer, Ray Mattis, and of course, my producer, Dan Wilder. I'll talk at you tomorrow. Thank you for listening. Make sure to find your way back next week. But for now, you are safe. Trust me.