S1 E13: The Quickening

The Warning Woods has haunting horror stories that are sure to linger with you long after listening. I'm Miles Treidel, writer and narrator of The Warning Woods. Each week, I write an original scary story and share it with you. If you're into scary stories, you need to check out The Warning Woods. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search.

Hey, this is Vince, the creator of How I Died and the voice of John Spacer. Before you listen to the Season 1 finale, I wanted to tell you about a 10-episode miniseries called Crowley. The series is a How I Died premium exclusive and follows Sheriff Crowley as she's working on her own case alongside the main story of John. Those 10 episodes follow a criminal investigation that runs in tandem with the events of Season 1, How I Died.

It's a campy, fun crime thriller that offers a unique look into Crowley's character while still very much being a part of the How I Died world. Listeners have even said that the Crowley miniseries rivals if not surpasses the quality of the main How I Died story, and personally I think it's one of the best. best things I've ever written. Stick around after the season one finale ends and we're going to play you the first nine minutes of Crowley.

And in case you'd like to continue listening, you can get the full 10-episode series and much more by joining How I Died Premium by going to patreon.com slash howidied. You can also find the link in our show notes below. Becoming a member is the best way to support the show. Now enjoy the season one finale of How I Died.

This is Dr. Jonathan Spacer's official audio log in the case of mishandled evidence, obstruction of justice, and potential scandal in Springfield. It was not my intention upon arrival to delve into the city records, but... When I started to look at some past case files I stumbled upon some concerning information.

Springfield Hospital records indicate autopsies and case files being closed on cases between 2012 and 2015, despite the fact that there was no coroner employed in the hospital at the time. Someone was signing off on these documents. Additionally, I've noted numerous missing case files around the year of 1989.

Upon further investigation, I learned of a company called Springfield Corporation, which, following an incident leading to multiple deaths in 1989, quickly closed up shop and left the city. Since then, there's been an increase in unsolved deaths. by 300%. Since then, I've noted multiple additional missing case files and even missing bodies.

When speaking to official Springfield law enforcement, I was met with not only hostility, but an aversion to talking about the increase in deaths. Therefore... It's my belief that someone, or potentially the entire town itself, does not want the Springfield Corporation and its effects on the town to be brought to light. I plan to launch a full investigation into case files between the years of 1989 and 2015.

my investigation along with these audio logs will be submitted to the federal bureau of investigation for further review on the mishandling of evidence and potential cover-up hopefully leading to the injunction of springfield county hospital And the Sheriff's Department. I'm sorry, Crowley. It's not just about you. Something bigger is going on around here.

Excuse me. Hi, I was paged up here? There you are. Got something for me? I wouldn't say it so cheerfully. You deaf doctors are a strange bunch. That is true. Where's the body, then? Oh my... You've got to be fucking kidding me. Yep. Her skin is... Her skin is purple. I would have had someone bring her down to you, but I figured you want to see this. How is there so much bruising already?

Look at her skin. I hate to say it, but do you mind moving her? She's freaking some of the patients out with the current open. Yeah, whatever. Do you have her chart? Deceased was Becca Camden, age 23. Entered the ER complaining of dehydration and dizziness. She collapsed and had a seizure. A couple of minutes later, her skin slowly turned purple.

Becca? You can see me? Yeah. Follow me. We'll head back down to the morgue where we can talk in private. You have to tell them, though. Tell who? What? I was kidnapped. Wait, you mean someone did this to you? Yes! Yes! I tried telling the doctors when I was passing out, or at least I think I tried. I can't remember. They thought I was hallucinating. Do you know who it was that kidnapped you? I don't know. I've seen this type of thing in other victims. I-

I had no idea that they could be related because of someone else. They grabbed me from behind and next thing I knew, I was strapped to a table and I could practically feel my blood boiling. Your blood boiling? And then I woke up again upstairs. That's all I remember. The case file notes that you wouldn't retain any fluids and then they eventually couldn't stop the bleeding. Jesus. Here, come on in.

Let's see if we can figure out anything. Hello, Dr. Spacer. Shit. Who is that? Curtis, get the hell out of here. Come in. Let's talk. Fuck off. I'm leaving. Uh-uh-uh. Not so fast. He's got a gun. I see it. Oh, this? I don't plan on using it. It's just to help you finally open up like I've been asking you nicely all along. What do you want me to answer? I just want to know the truth.

That's not really a question. Step away from the door, Doctor. Wheel all the way in. Fuck. Perfect. Thanks. Who's on the gurney? She looks disgusting. Screw you, asshole. Her name was Becca Camden. Was? Is she gone? Yes.

She's dead. You know what I mean. Is she here? Curtis, I've told you. There isn't anything else going on. You had a near-death hallucination. Don't! Don't you! I know what I was. It was a fake vision. That's it. Shut up. Shut up. Caused by a rush of serotonin to your brain. Shut up. You need to start telling me what's going on here. Oh, God. He's going to kill you, too. He's not the one who kidnapped you, is he? No, I don't. What? What's that look for? Not you. What?

Becca, does he look familiar or not? I don't know. She's here, isn't she? You're talking to her. I knew it! Curtis, please. We can talk this out. You don't need that gun. Fire! You won't talk to me without it. I've tried. Yes, I will. I promise. Just put it down. Back up. Back up. Don't provoke him. Look, just put it on the table right here and let's talk.

I said back up. Okay, okay. Put your hands on the table. Right now. Do it! They're on the table. Don't take them off. Just relax. I don't want to see you move. I won't. I promise. Just... What if he kills you? Let's just talk. And you swear you'll tell me the truth? Just tell him whatever he wants to hear. I'll tell you the truth, but you might not like it. I'll decide that. I'm in charge. You're in charge. I know.

Good, good, good. She's here, isn't she? Who do you mean? The ghost. Becca, you said her name. Her body is right here. That's what I'm saying. Don't. Mess with me. You said her name. You were talking to her. Okay. Okay? What the hell does that mean? Is she here? I'm here. I'm here. Please stop. Fine. She's here. As a ghost? Yes. She's a ghost. I knew it! I was right! Right? Yes. And I saw you when I died. You saw me! I did. Then, that means ghosts are real. And you can talk to them?

i can how tell me i don't know how liar how did you do it stop making me drag it out of you or i swear to god i'll shoot i swear i really don't know I wish I did, it's just... It's always been like this, ever since I was a kid. Who else knows? Practically nobody. My mom died when I was young, and I still saw her...

After my dad went to prison, I stayed with my grandparents and, well, you can imagine. My therapist at the time knows that I think I can see ghosts, but I don't think she believed a 12-year-old kid. John. Why were you hiding it from me? We- could have shared something special. I'm sorry, Curtis. I was just worried. This is not an easy thing to tell someone. John, don't look, but there's a scalpel on the table near your hand. Oh, I know.

Know what? You were talking to her, weren't you? I was. Becca is here. She said she's glad you know now. Why? Well, it's incredibly lonely to be dead. She's glad she has another person who knows she's around. Can she move something? Or haunt something? Absolutely. Ghosts move things all the time. Becca...

Do you mind showing Curtis your presence? I can't do that. It's all right, Becca. I think he can handle it. Yeah, yeah, I can! Where are you? Becca, where are you? Oh, she's coming closer to you. Can you feel her? Where? I'm not. She's right behind you. She's right there, right? I can feel it. This is absurd. He's holding a gun. Oh, she's moving all around. Tell her to stay still. She can hear you.

You just can't hear her. Becca, stay still. I want to see you haunt something. John, I don't think this is a good idea anymore. I shouldn't have pointed out that knife. Really? You can do that, Becca. Do what? Do what? She's going to try to make her body levitate. Why don't we watch? Please don't do this. Ready? Ready. John!

You were shot. He's up. John. Welcome back. I need to know what happened down there. And I need to know quickly. What did you do? Don't you tell her what happened. John. Kidnapper. Purple skin. Listen, I don't give a shit if you're in pain right now. I need you to tell me what the fuck happened down there. You didn't think you could get rid of me that easily, did you? Nah. I think you and I will be spending a lot... A killer. Curtis was stabbed nine times. That's not self-defense. That's rage.

Now, stay tuned for a preview of the Crowley miniseries. Maybe we're not so different after all. Media presents Crowley Part 1 When I was a kid, my dad used to read to me every night. Not the silly children's books most kids love. We read John Grisham or Martha Grimes' novels. He'd always joke about how I had a great name for a murder mystery author. Fran Crowley. Of course, he tried to be an author at some point. So did I.

Just never took. We weren't really the writing type. I did eventually get into the murder mystery biz. Just from a different perspective. But what they don't seem to tell you in a lot of those novels is this. The real shit, it's a lot worse. She's on site. Mendes, catch me up.

Multiple hostages inside, unknown total, but we do know he's got at least one injured. Three shots fired. The perp's name is Phil Tandy. I know that name. Why do I know that name? He's been pretty talkative, but he asked for you specifically. Did he say why? Not yet. Fuck. How did he get inside the radio station in the first place? He's an employee. He's been ranting and raving about how they shut down his broadcast. Old radio play thing that's been going on for years with no listeners.

Apparently, he's the only diehard fan. Literally. Oh, bad joke. Just doing what I can. Get me a megaphone. I've got one. He might respond to you, but he's been ignoring us. Thought you've been in contact. We've been listening. Here. Tick tock. Tick tock. Four more left alive. Where is the sheriff? Four.

How many people work at the radio station in the middle of the night? Fuck. You'd be surprised in a place like this. And none of you have ever listened, I bet. How many do we have out here? Five cars, seven officers. ETA on SWAT? We never got through. It's our third call of the month. They've probably got us blacklisted by now. Alright. Seven officers and myself. That's not enough to cover the exits.

We've got no eyes on what's going on in there. Can we get inside quietly enough? There's a good chance he panics and opens fire if we go in. I can't put my guys through that, or risk the hostages. What's the plan, boss? First we see why he asked for me. And then we talk him down. Give him what he wants. If that doesn't work... Then we go in. Give me that. Dr. Tandy!

This is Sheriff Frank Crowley of the Springfield PD. I've been told you were asking for me. Sheriff, I'm glad you're finally here. It's not like I had a choice. What kind of a person are we dealing with here? He sounds calm. Too calm for the situation he's in. I'm here now. So what is it I can do for you so that we can end this peacefully? Let me dispel something for you quickly here.

This won't end peacefully, Sheriff. Shit. Boss? Hold on. Every person in here is going to die. Including me. And anyone you send in. We're not sending anyone in! Okay? And it doesn't need to end that way, Phil. We can figure something out together. What is it you want? I want my fucking life back. So unless you can rewind time, you! You sit back down now. Sit back down or I will blow your fucking brains out. Phil, please. Let's just talk. You and I can sit down and figure this out.

You don't need those people in there. Oh, I do. They're responsible for screwing it all up. What happened, Phil? Just tell me about it. Well, Karen here canceled my fucking time slot. It's been my time slot for years. Mine! And that set everything in motion. Maybe we can talk about getting it back, huh? It's too late.

It's not about the job anymore. What is it about then? Whatever it is, I promise we can do something to help. Promise we can do something to help. You already promised me that months ago. And here we are. When was he fired? Shit. This isn't a spur-of-the-moment office shooting. This was planned. Do you remember him? No, I don't. Damn it! Why did you want to speak with me, Phil? To get you to do something.

You brushed me off last time. And now you have to listen. I'm searching his name in the database. Hold on. And I'm listening now. Just let these people go. It's me you're mad at. It's too late for that. It's too late. It's too late. Karen is dead, which is great. I mean, she was always a bitch anyways. And all of this started because of them. I got it. Philip Tandy submitted a missing persons report about...

Two months ago. It has you as the recording officer. We're investigating the missing persons report, Phil. You don't need to prove a point. Bullshit! You forgot about her. Name, who is it? Charlotte Brigham. We haven't forgotten about Charlotte. We're still looking into it. And this is why it's come to this, Sheriff. You and your people lie. You just did. Boss, it's been listed as a closed case. Ah, fuck me.

What do you want out of this then, Phil? What's the goal here? The goal here? The goal is to prove that this fucked up town and your fucked up department can't do anything to help anyone. You're a sham. Only here as a placebo for making us feel like you're doing something. Well, do something now. We need to get in there. I make the calls.

You stand down until we figure this out. Another one down. He already said they're all gonna die. We need to do something. Mendez! Let me think. Okay. Slow it down. What are your options, Fran? We've got eyes on the windows, and I can see a light on in the far right corner. That must be where he is. But he's not showing himself near the glass.

No way we are going to get a shot off without risking everyone in there. The door below it could be an entry point. If I keep Phil talking, I might be able to distract him long enough to get somebody inside. But I can't risk that. I wonder, would he make a trade? With no demands, I can't imagine he'll be asking for much. He's already set on killing today anyway. I'm going in. What? No way!

Get me a helmet and a handheld radio so I can listen to this fucker inside. Your move, Sheriff. Phil, you shot Karen, right? And you're mad at me and this department. Those are your main targets.

So don't take any more lies in there today, please. Let me come up instead. I'll be your hostage if you let the rest of them leave. An old-fashioned hostage trade, huh? You... for them friend you can't be serious he'll kill you exactly we'll figure this out from there phil we'll talk you'll try to get the full story reason with me And either you'll top me down and I go to jail, or I'll pull the gun and you end up shooting me first. What? Nah. No! Bye, Sheriff.

We hope you enjoyed listening to a preview of Crowley, a 10-episode miniseries exclusive to How I Died Premium. Visit patreon.com slash howidied or click the link in the show notes below to learn more. I'm Amy Nicholson, the film critic for the LA Times. And I'm Paul Scheer, an actor, writer, and director. You might know me from The League, Veep, or my non-eligible for Academy Award role in Twisters.

We love movies, and we come at them from different perspectives. Yeah, like Amy thinks that Joe Pesci was miscast in Goodfellas, and I don't. He's too old. Let's not forget that Paul thinks that Dune 2 is overrated. It is. Anyway, despite this, we come together to host Unspooled, a podcast where we talk about good movies, critical hits, fan favorites, must-sees, and in case you missed them. We're talking Parasite the Home Alone. From Grease to the Dark Knight. We've done deep dives on popcorn.

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