The Forbidden Room

Horror Stories - The Forbidden Room

Fifteen years ago, Mark Kwan (not his real name) went back to his hometown for a vacation. His aunt decided to drop by the family’s rented home. The property in George Town, Penang, was used as a house, a shop and a storeroom by four generations of his family. Eventually, it was abandoned as it was dilapidated.

Kwan, an events manager in his 40s, said: “My mother told me that there was a room which was kept locked up and even had a grill to prevent people from going in. It was my late great-grandmother’s room. But there was something in the room, even before my great-grandmother’s time. One could hear noises of things being dragged around the room.

“I have been to the house a few times. Once, the ceiling board fell on me.”

But nothing could prepare him for the day when he bolted out of the room.

He said: “We were visiting the old house which was eventually used as a storeroom. My aunt sent me to that dark room, lit only by a light bulb, to retrieve some old coins from a dresser.

"When I opened the drawer, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I immediately looked into the dresser mirror but saw nothing. I thought what I felt was a figment of my imagination.”

As he continued searching for the coins, he felt another tap on his shoulder. He turned around and, from the corner of his eye, he saw a hand. He quickly emptied out the contents of the drawer into a plastic bag.

As he got ready to leave the room, he felt the third tap - and fled for dear life!

Kwan said: "My aunt was aware of the ghost in the room so my mum was astounded that she didn't tell me about it but had sent me into the room.

"I wasn't actually scared but just had a feeling that I needed to leave quickly. Thankfully, I still had the sense to take everything before leaving. I got a treasure trove of coins and trinkets from that visit!"