A Real Life Scary Story (Alternative Title: Hostel II: The Messenger)
So I’ve never seen the movie Hostel. In fact, I’ve refused seeing it since I backpack around europe on a yearly basis. Without seeing it, I have had what constitutes as the beginning to the sequel happen to me.
I have been in scotland around 2 weeks now, but at the time of this story I was just 5 days into my trip. I had been in a small town for a few days and when I arrived in Glencoe, the most remote village I’ve ever been to, I was ready for some good hiking, pretty views and peace and quiet. The hostel I stayed at was a mile and a half outside the village which consisted of a tiny post office, a telephone booth, and a convenience store. There wasn’t even a pub. NO PUB. In scotland. WTF is that about? Anyway.
Before I arrived there though I was in Ballachulish, the town over–the closest place that the bus would drop me off. I was 3 miles from my hostel and it was pouring; I couldn’t get a taxi but upon hearing my plight an old man gave me a lift to the hostel. I was thinking my luck was pretty awesome at that point and when the sun came out for the first time in 4 days, I was thrilled. I took advantage of this and took a hike in the woods, marveling at how gorgeous everything was and my god COULD SCOTLAND BE ANY PRETTIER?
I was in this blissful state only brought on by amazing scenery when I arrived back at the hostel. Standing in the reception area was an American guy wearing a NY cap. He asked if I was Ashley and said he had a message for me.
Thinking it was from the owners of the hostel I listened and he said that Robert sends his regards.
I was confused for a moment, wondering who Robert was when I remembered I had met a Rob in Norway and I reacted as if it were the same person. It was his turn to be confused.
“Oh, You know him?”
Turns out I didn’t know him. The rest of the message was as follows: He hoped I had a good trip, he was sorry that i had issues with the taxi but was glad I got a ride. He also hoped I had a nice walk. He had some life message for me about what I should do with my life but the messenger couldn’t remember what that was.
WHAT
THE
FUCK.
Not only did he know everything about what I’d done that day but he knew my name, where I was from (NYC) and all about my trip. Not to mention: WHERE I WAS STAYING. Things he couldn’t have found out in the tourist information center in Ballachulish since I hadn’t spoken to anyone about my trip; I hadn’t given my name, or where I was staying, nor where I was from. In fact, I hadn’t talked to ANYONE that day outside of the old man who gave me a ride, and he wasn’t blond, short or 34–the description of this Robert.
I hadn’t emailed anyone, I hadn’t spoken with friends or family. NO ONE knew where I was. This couldn’t have been a trickster, someone I knew playing a cruel joke.
The messenger knew more than he was saying but he was hungry and wanted me to buy him food and I refused. So he scribbled his name on the back of my hand in blue permanent marker and told me to email him on facebook if I really wanted to know. I’m still waiting to find out.
It freaked the shit out of me, knowing someone was following me so closely and to not know I was being watched. How he found out all this information is beyond me. Once I spoke with the owners it turned out that the messenger had shown up quite a bit before I had arrived and was searching the hostel for me, saying that his phone wasn’t working and he couldn’t reach me but he had a message for me.
Oh and told everyone to watch for my reaction, I was going to be surprised.
Once the message was relayed to everyone else, we were all pretty freaked and I didn’t sleep at all that night, expecting someone to come bursting through my door at any minute. Luckily I wasn’t alone in the room.
The next morning, instead of taking the longer hike like I wanted to, I high tailed it out of there on the first bus, not wanting to risk being approached by this Robert character out in the middle of the woods. I didn’t want my scary story to actually BECOME Halloween Part 20 or something.
But that isn’t going to stop me from selling the rights to Wes Craven. It’ll be the next big thing, just you watch!
Wow, that’s really creepy, I hope you never bump into that guy again. Stay safe.
That’s pretty creepy, make sure you’re safe and remember i’m only a few hours away from Scotland x
that is seriously weird and creepy and freaky … and it sucks because it will make you paranoid for the rest of your trip. my coworker was at a meeting at a coffee shop last week and someone at the next table took her picture … he was trying to pretend like he wasn’t, but his flash went off … she was seriously weirded out, but your tale takes the cake! be safe.
omg. Are you sure it wasn’t the messenger himself who had been stalking you?
The fact that he instructs you to find him on facebook (rather then just emailing– for further stalking attempts??) tips me off.
Either way, I *really* want to know who this Robert guy is. Do you intend to get in contact with the messenger to find out more?
Keep us posted!
Sounds like its the American guy you met in the hostel thats the stalker – not some random – he might have got the info from the hostel themselves – you have to give info to register – right?
P.s im in Edinburgh. Its pretty safe here!
oh, and the movie Hostel…you’re not missing much. it’s like 23098320489 gratuitous scenes of naked chicks and 230483209580239458 scenes with gratuitious violence. it’s mostly gross.
i think you made the right choice by getting out of there
oh YIKES! I’m so glad you’re ok! Keep your eyes open though, and watch out for weirdos!
Holy shit, that’s creepy. I hope you’ve been able to enjoy the rest of your time since.
Stay safe.
holy SHIT ash…. what the hell. so not okay. glad you’re out of there though. (totally sell the rights, you could make BANK.)
Oh my God that is freaky. Be careful and don’t let it ruin your trip, keep having fun, just stay safe too.
Creepy. Very creepy. I would have been just as freaked out. Be safe and enjoy the rest of your trip!
creepy!!!!!!!!!!!
i hope robert is long gone. have a safe rest of your trip
OMG!!! Holy shit! Glad you got out of there, now stay safe!
I also think it’s the messanger guy and that’s very scary.
Oh. My. God. I totally would have called my parents in hysterics.
That’s super creepy. I’d watch the movie though.
okay that is so bizarre, glad you’re okay! that would have freaked me out like no other, gah. crazy people.
Dude! That is terrifying. Seriously. Please take care of yourself!!
Wow. Scary!! At least you got out of there asap.
OMG – that’s super creepy. What a weird situation, glad to hear you telling us the story! Have fun on the rest of your travels.
That’s effin’ creepy!!!! No wonder you’re freaked out!
SHUT THE HELL UP!! OMG that is so freaky!!!
Holy CRAP! I’m so glad you got out of there. (Also? I’ve SEEN the Hostel movie, and am still sorta wishing I hadn’t, so good on you to skip it). What a FREAK.
WHOA! Super scary!!! I totally have the goosebumps!