All hell broke loose when Thomas and Sienna uploaded a photo on social media to commemorate their tenth wedding anniversary. A creepy face appeared in the image, triggering a chain of events that brought the happy couple face-to-face with a horrifying truth.
Thomas quickly set the camera timer and joined Sienna in front of the fireplace, saying, “Ten years.”
Sienna responded, “Ten years of us.”
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As the camera’s timer counted down, Sienna thought she heard a soft sound in the hallway behind her. Her attention flickered, but she quickly dismissed it and focused instead on their anniversary photo, another one of the pictures that captured their lives.
Their home had more than enough littered around and adorning the walls.
Thomas sighed, nostalgic all of a sudden. “I remember when we first moved in here… We spent two nights sleeping on the floor,” he said, wrinkles forming in the corners of his eyes.
Sienna added, “And now, every nook and cranny holds a piece of our story. And we also get to share these pieces with others…on social media.” She laughed, clicking on her phone and putting it away to enjoy the rest of the night.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
In the morning, the sun woke her up, but as she blinked into the light, Sienna realized that something else was also disturbing their peace.
“Check that, hon,” Thomas said, his voice thick with sleep. “It’s been pinging for a while now.”
Sienna reached for her nightstand, her eyes half-closed, and brought the phone to her face. Too many social media notifications had appeared. She checked them, rising a bit on the bed to get comfortable.
“People are saying there’s something weird in our photo,” she said, frowning. “I have several missed calls, too.”
Thomas moved his body over to see her phone. “Weird? Like what?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Sienna’s brow creased as she read some comments. “A strange face is in the background, they say. But that’s impossible, right?”
He sighed, grabbing the phone and studying the photo. “Probably just shadows or something. Don’t let it bother you.” He shook his head and gave her the phone back, then rose from the bed for the day. But Sienna continued reading.
There was one comment with a screenshot highlighting a creepy childlike face near her shoulder in their photo. “Thomas… What the hell is that?” she whispered in dread, her finger touching the screen.
Thomas, who had been brushing his teeth by then, came back and peered over. “It’s gotta be a prank.”
But Sienna was terrified, remembering the noise she had heard as the camera took the photo. So, she searched on her phone until she found the original picture in the gallery app.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“This isn’t a glitch. It’s too defined, too real. Look at its expression,” she argued, her eyes wide and wild.
Thomas still wasn’t convinced, but Sienna wouldn’t let it go. She went through the pictures. “Look. In every photo, there’s this strange, hazy presence,” she pointed out. “I think… it could be a ghost. Maybe our house is haunted.”
“We’ve lived here for a decade. We would’ve noticed,” he scoffed, but it was a broken sound. Sienna could tell that he was confused, if not entirely worried.
As they contemplated the eerie discovery, Sienna went to the spot where the camera had been and began taking photos, searching for a logical explanation. But the experiment was cut short as she screamed in fright when hands closed over her shoulders.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
“Relax, love. It’s me,” her husband said, chuckling a bit. “Forget about that photo. We’ve got lunch reservations, remember?”
Sienna agreed and got ready but apprehensively looked around the house before leaving. She continued to stare intently around as Thomas opened the car door for her and later walked to the driver’s seat.
A movement made her focus on the window. The same eerie face had appeared, making her yelp. “Stop the car!” she insisted, pointing at the house. Thomas squinted but couldn’t see anything. It was gone, but Sienna was sure of what she had seen.
***
That night, Sienna was awakened by a mournful cry and footsteps in their house. “Darling, wake up. Do you hear that?” she whispered, hearing sobs from the hallway.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Thomas woke and heard the noise, too. He immediately grabbed the phone.
“We can’t call 911 for a ghost!” Sienna argued, but he insisted on protecting them from a real-life threat. After finishing the call, he grabbed his gun and went to check things out.
Sienna refused to stay behind, saying, “I’m going with you!”
They cautiously approached the source of the mysterious sounds in their home. Thomas checked the guest bedroom, but footsteps echoed downstairs. They took each step carefully, hearing more noise–another language—coming from the kitchen.
Sienna jumped a little and yelped again after finally seeing the truth about their home intruder. This was no ghost. Instead, they discovered the unsettling presence of a malnourished boy — the same one from their photo. He was crying, his pale, bony face completely covered in tears and snot.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Freeze!” Thomas shouted, but the boy sobbed and shook his head. Her husband focused on the intruder and lowered his arm, realizing there was no danger. “Hey there, it’s okay. We won’t hurt you.”
“Help?” The child’s eyes widened with hope.
Despite her racing heart, Sienna’s fear turned to sympathy at his pleas. “You’re hungry, right?” she asked, grinning tenderly.
“Hungry, yes.” The boy nodded.
“What’s your name?”
“Nikolai.”
As Sienna prepared a sandwich for Nikolai, the couple realized the boy had not meant to break in. He needed real help. “Where did you come from?” she asked gently.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
Nikolai remained silent, revealing that he had run from a “bad place.”
“Where’s your mother now?” she probed.
That perked him up a little. “You will help Mama?” he asked, sniffing.
Sienna stuttered for a second but nodded, “Of course we will, sweetheart. Just tell us how we can find her.”
“I see bear on wall and flowers in garden… flowers like sky. I run to wire wall, but big dog is there,” Nikolai sobbed again. “I bad son. I run, and now Mama alone.”
A knock interrupted them. It was the police answering Thomas’s earlier call. Nikolai panicked and tried to escape through a window, despite Sienna saying, “It’s okay, it’s the police. They’ll help us find your mom!”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
But the frightened boy bolted, eluding both Sienna and the police. The next day, she and Thomas took the initiative to search for Nikolai themselves. They distributed his photo around the neighborhood, encountering various reactions but no solid leads.
One of their curious neighbors, Nancy, recognized the ‘ghost’ from their anniversary photo. She joined the search, and others eventually did, too.
Finally, Sienna arrived at a neglected Victorian house and knocked. No response. She jumped at the sound of barking nearby. It was coming from behind a metal fence. “Wire wall,” she whispered, looking around, noting the chicory flowers as Nikolai’s words came to mind.
Investigating further, she found a boarded window and heard a woman’s plea for help from inside. She had her phone in her hand in a second to call the police. She then called Thomas. Soon, he arrived, and other neighbors gathered.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
The authorities got there and broke into the house, discovering Nikolai’s mother, who cried gratefully and explained her story. “I’m Asya. I came here with my boy to build new life. Marry man, but he… monster! He kept me prisoner,” she explained in broken English.
The search for Nikolai led to the basement, where he was found and quickly reunited with his mother. A police officer thanked Sienna for her role in the rescue. “Ma’am, thank you for alerting us to this situation. Your quick response helped these people.”
“What about the man who did this?’ Sienna asked, wrapping her arms around herself.
The officer reassured her, “We’ve already sent officers to arrest him at his job. Nikolai and Asya will be taken to a safe place. It seems she came here from Russia as some kind of mail-order bride. The legality of her immigrant status is unknown at this point, but we’ll ensure they get the help they need.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Nikolai saw them then and came over. He uttered, “Thank you. Mama and Nikolai safe now.” He went back to his mother, waving. They were then escorted by a kind social worker, who was taking them to a shelter.
After a while, Thomas and Sienna returned home. They sat back on the couch, sighing in disbelief that their picture led to all this. Thomas snapped his fingers as if he remembered something, and Sienna watched curiously, tilting her head as he reached for his briefcase.
“I believe the latest photo for the mantle deserves a special place,” he announced, holding up a framed print of the now-infamous photo the couple had posted on social media.
“It’s the best of the bunch,” Sienna quipped, and they both giggled.
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‘Barbie Girl’ at the Gym Mocked Me for My Appearance — She Knew Nothing About the ‘Boomerang’ Effect
I didn’t expect the gym to change my life, let alone give me a front-row seat to karma in action. But that’s exactly what happened when a “Barbie Girl” in pink mocked my appearance in front of everyone. Little did she know, her words would come back to her in the most unexpected way.
Life hasn’t been the most exciting for me. It has been a rollercoaster ride with more downs than ups, but I’m not going to complain about it now that I’ve seen what fate had planned for me.
A woman sitting in her living room | Source: Midjourney
I never thought I’d reach the point where I’d look back at my life and thank fate for making me go through the most difficult phases of my life.
I’m Jocelyn. An average 34-year-old girl who’s trying to make the most out of her life.
The past year has been life-changing. I mean, if you’d seen me a year ago, you probably wouldn’t have noticed me. I’m used to blending into the background because I’ve always felt it’s safer that way.
A woman standing outdoors | Source: Midjourney
On the surface, my life looked fine. I graduated with honors and got a job as a personal assistant to a wealthy businessman. My career was great, and I was earning more than I needed, but my personal life? Well, it was pretty stagnant.
I’ve been single for as long as I can remember, and I’ll explain why.
Years ago, I got into a car accident that left deep scars on my face. I remember how awkward I felt the first time I stepped out in public after that accident. With time, I let those scars become the defining feature of how I saw myself.
A close-up shot of a woman | Source: Midjourney
People rarely said anything outright, but the stares were enough to remind me I wasn’t like other women. To this day, I can’t leave the house without makeup, carefully applied to cover every mark.
I’ve spent years testing out different brands of concealers and watching tutorials on YouTube to learn the right concealing techniques.
Now, I can’t even imagine stepping outside my house without makeup. I feel exposed in my bare skin, as though the world is dissecting me.
A woman standing on a street | Source: Midjourney
And then there’s my weight. I’ve always been on the heavier side, and it’s been a constant source of insecurity.
I wear loose clothes to hide my body and avoid mirrors whenever I can. For years, I let these insecurities box me in, convincing myself I wasn’t worth noticing.
But a few months ago, something in me snapped. I was tired of hiding. I adjusted my work schedule to carve out free time and signed up for a gym near my office.
An empty gym | Source: Pexels
It was intimidating at first. Walking into a space filled with toned and confident people made me feel like I didn’t belong. But I reminded myself I wasn’t there for them. I was there for me.
Joining the gym felt like my first real step toward reclaiming my life.
I didn’t know then that it would lead me to the scene of a confrontation I’d never forget. It happened around two months after I’d joined the gym.
It was a Tuesday evening, and I was waiting for a treadmill to open up.
A woman in a gym | Source: Midjourney
I’d been standing near the row of machines for about 15 minutes, scrolling through my phone and sipping water. When one finally opened up, I took a step forward, only to see someone else head for it.
She looked like a walking cliché. Tall, blonde, and wearing a matching gym outfit. Her makeup was flawless, and I couldn’t see a single strand of hair out of place. She practically sparkled under the fluorescent lights.
I couldn’t help but think of her as a “Barbie Girl.”
A slim woman in a gym | Source: Midjourney
“Excuse me,” I said, stepping forward. “I’ve been waiting for this one.”
She stopped mid-step and turned to me, her perfectly manicured brows arching in disbelief.
“What? No, you weren’t,” she lied. “I was in line for this treadmill first!”
“That’s not true,” I said firmly. “I’ve been waiting here for 15 minutes, and you weren’t even around. You just walked out of the locker room.”
A woman looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
She let out a sharp laugh, loud enough to turn a few heads. “Sweetie, do you even know who I am? This gym belongs to my dad. Your membership could be canceled at any moment.”
Her words stung, but what she said next cut even deeper.
“Honestly, it might be better for you. Look at your body! I’m not even sure the gym can help you. And even if it could, not even JLo’s figure would save you with that face.”
I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach.
A woman talking to another woman | Source: Midjourney
Her words echoed in my head as I felt every pair of eyes in the gym turn toward us. My face burned, but I couldn’t think of a single thing to say.
For a moment, I just stood there, stunned into silence.
Before I could respond, a deep voice interrupted.
“Ladies, come with me to my office,” it said firmly.
I turned to see a gray-haired man in a tailored black suit standing nearby. His expression was stern, his gaze fixed on the blonde woman.
A man in a gym | Source: Midjourney
“I have something for both of you,” he said.
The Barbie Girl, Emily, looked annoyed but followed him without protest. My heart pounded against my chest as I trailed behind them. I had no idea what was about to happen, but I knew it was going to be important.
The office was sleek and modern, with a large desk dominating the space. The gray-haired man gestured for us to sit down.
Emily flounced into one of the chairs, crossing her arms with a huff. I sat down carefully, unsure of what to expect.
A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney
“Do you know who I am?” the man asked, looking directly at me.
I nodded. “You’re the owner of the gym.”
He smiled slightly.
“That’s correct. And this,” he gestured to the blonde woman, “is my daughter, Emily. I’m not too proud to say that after seeing how she behaved with you, Jocelyn.”
Emily rolled her eyes. “Dad, this isn’t a big deal. She was being rude.”
A woman sitting in her father’s office | Source: Midjourney
“Enough,” he said sharply, his voice cutting through the air. “I’ve been considering giving Emily more responsibility around here, possibly even letting her manage the gym. But after what I just witnessed, it’s clear she’s not ready.”
“Dad!” Emily exclaimed, sitting up straight. “You can’t be serious.”
He ignored her and turned back to me. “I owe you an apology, Jocelyn. What Emily said to you was unacceptable. I’m deeply sorry you had to experience that.”
I nodded, unsure of what to say. His tone was sincere, but I couldn’t shake the humiliation I’d felt just moments ago.
A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney
“I’ve seen people come and go in this gym,” he continued. “People come for a week and leave when they see no results.”
I nodded.
“But you, Jocelyn, you’ve shown resilience and patience. You remind me of what this gym is supposed to stand for,” he said. “That’s why I’m offering you a lifetime membership, complete with a personal trainer and access to all VIP services.”
I wasn’t expecting that. It sounded too good to be true.
“That’s, uh, that’s incredibly generous,” I managed to say. “Thank you.”
A woman talking to a man | Source: Midjourney
“Dad, you can’t just give her—” Emily began, but he cut her off with a raised hand.
“I can and I will,” he said firmly. “And you will apologize.”
“Apologize? But why?” she protested. “C’mon, Dad. This is too much.”
“Apologize to Jocelyn. Now.”
That’s when the Barbie Girl rolled her eyes for the seventh time since we’d met and muttered a half-hearted apology under her breath. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
A woman sitting in an office | Source: Midjourney
I knew her apology wasn’t much, but it was enough for me. I was okay with the barely audible “sorry” I was presented with, and it was mainly because this was the first time in years someone had apologized to me after making fun of my appearance.
I felt so confident as I walked out of the office. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was standing up for myself.
Over the next year, I dedicated myself to my workouts. My personal trainer pushed me to my limits, and while it wasn’t easy, I refused to give up.
A woman on a treadmill | Source: Pexels
Slowly but surely, I started to see results.
The weight came off, and for the first time in years, I felt comfortable in my own skin. I even began to wear less makeup, finally letting my scars show.
One evening, after a particularly tough session, I bumped into a man at the smoothie bar. He was tall, with dark hair and a warm smile.
We got to talking, and before I knew it, he’d asked me out to dinner.
A man holding a woman’s hand | Source: Pexels
On the night of our date, I walked into the restaurant feeling more confident than ever. The man, Ryan, was waiting for me at a table near the window. But before I could reach him, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Emily hissed.
I turned to see her storming toward us. I had no idea why she was here until I heard her next sentence.
“Ryan, what are you doing here with her?” she asked.
A woman in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
Ryan looked uncomfortable. “Emily, this isn’t the time—”
“This is my husband,” she spat, glaring at me. “You’re here on a date with him, right?”
I froze. For a moment, I didn’t know what to say.
The older version of me, the girl who preferred to blend into the background, would’ve probably bolted out of the restaurant with tears streaming down her face. She would’ve blocked Ryan’s number the moment she got home, then spent the next week replaying the humiliation over and over in her head.
But that wasn’t me anymore.
A woman in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
I’d worked too hard to let someone like Emily shake me. Her words had stung once, but now, they didn’t hold the same power.
In fact, as I stood there watching her seethe, I realized how the boomerang effect had come full circle. The cruelty she’d thrown out into the world had found its way right back to her. She thought she was untouchable, but life had other plans.
A laugh bubbled up in my chest, and this time, I didn’t hold it back. It started as a chuckle and grew into a full, belly-deep laugh that made heads turn.
A woman laughing in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“You know what?” I said, meeting Emily’s furious gaze. “You two deserve each other.”
I turned to Ryan, who had gone pale. “And next time, maybe don’t cheat on your wife with someone who knows exactly what kind of person she is.”
With that, I grabbed my purse and walked out of the restaurant.
For the first time in years, I felt completely free. Free from insecurities, free from shame, and free from people like Emily who thrived on tearing others down.
A woman looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
Life has a funny way of teaching lessons. Emily’s cruelty had set off a chain of events that changed my life for the better and exposed her for who she truly was. I’ve never felt stronger, more confident, or more ready to embrace the future.
If you enjoyed reading this story, here’s another one you might like: A man mocks his wife for gaining weight after having twins, but he realizes how wrong he is when she faints and is rushed to the hospital one day.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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