Whispers from JB’s Dark Corners

Submitted by Nathan, 50, Bedok, Singapore

I’ve been visiting Johor Bahru (JB) since I was 23, and now at 50, I’ve heard many horror stories. Hotels, malls, even public toilets—all have had their share of eerie experiences. Let me share with you some places famous for such horrors, with references to a TikTok video I came across.

1. Hotel Atlantis, The Lost Kingdom

My Singaporean friend, Daniel, who’s 35, recently stayed at Hotel Atlantis. Excited about the underwater theme, he didn’t expect to face something terrifying. Late one night, he heard water running despite the taps being off. Stepping out into the hallway, he noticed water seeping from Room 407. In the reflection on the wet floor, he saw a figure floating—its body bloated, with sunken eyes, staring at him. Daniel swears the figure was watching him before it dissolved into the water.

2. Wira Court Mall

My cousin Jenny, 40, and her husband from Singapore thought exploring the abandoned Wira Court Mall would be fun. As they roamed past the shattered escalators, Jenny started hearing faint hammering sounds and distant cries. On the third floor, the ground beneath them felt like it was shifting. Suddenly, dark shadows began crawling up the broken escalators, pulling themselves with bony, skeletal hands. Terrified, they fled and haven’t been back since.

3. Paradigm Mall

The food court in Paradigm Mall may seem normal, but it’s built over the site of an old hospital morgue. My friend Michelle, 28, and I were having lunch there when we both smelled something foul—a mix of antiseptic and rot. The security guard confirmed the eerie history. Later that evening, Michelle took the elevator alone, where she saw a little girl standing in the corner. When she called out, the girl turned, revealing a smooth, featureless face with no eyes or mouth. Michelle hasn’t used a mall elevator since.

4. Plaza Pelangi – Eerie Toilet Encounter

One of the most unnerving experiences I’ve heard came from my friend Lily, 33, during a visit to Plaza Pelangi. Needing to use the restroom, she found herself in an old, dimly lit toilet on the third floor. After entering the stall, she suddenly heard the other stalls’ doors creaking open one by one, despite no one else being there. Then, she heard whispering in an unknown language. When Lily peeked under the stalls, she saw bare feet covered in mud and blood moving unnaturally close. Without waiting another second, she ran out, leaving the eerie whispers echoing behind her.

5. Angsana JB – Carpark Encounter

Another chilling story involves the carpark at Angsana JB. My colleague Sam, 45, from Singapore, was parking his car late at night after some shopping. As he walked toward the lift, he heard footsteps behind him, slow and heavy, but when he turned around, there was no one. He shrugged it off until he noticed a figure in his car’s review mirror—a woman with long black hair standing completely still. Panicked, Sam quickly got into the lift. The next morning, when he checked his car’s dashcam, the footage showed a shadow standing behind him just before he entered the lift—but there had been no one there.

My Own Story

It was a Friday evening, and I thought, “Why not take a nice stroll?” So, I decided to wander along a quiet lane near my hotel. The sun had already set, and the streetlights flickered like they were playing hide-and-seek with the darkness. The air was heavy and damp, and I felt a little uneasy, but I brushed it off. JB is famous for its lively atmosphere, right? But this lane felt different, like it was holding its breath.

As I walked further in, the sounds of the city faded away, replaced by an eerie silence. The bushes lining the lane seemed to loom over me, their branches reaching out like they were trying to grab me. I thought to myself, “Aiyoh, maybe I should turn back,” but curiosity got the better of me. I continued, thinking it was just my imagination.

Then I heard it—a soft voice, almost like a gentle song. “Nathan…” It called my name, sending shivers down my spine. I turned around, but there was no one there, just the shadows dancing in the dim light. My heart started racing. Who could it be?

“Must be the wind lah,” I muttered to myself, but deep down, I felt a chill that made me second-guess my decision to stay out this late. I took a deep breath and pushed forward, but the voice called again, this time clearer. “Nathan…” It felt like it was right behind me.

I picked up my pace, trying to ignore it, but curiosity was eating away at me. Suddenly, the lane opened up to a small clearing where an old, abandoned house stood. It looked like something out of a horror movie, with broken windows and a door that hung open. I felt drawn to it, like I had to take a look inside.

As I approached, I noticed a figure standing in the doorway—an old woman, dressed in tattered clothes that looked like they belonged to another era. Her hair was long and messy, hanging down like dark vines. I could see her face, pale and hollow, with eyes that seemed to hold centuries of sadness. I felt a strange pull, but also a wave of dread.

“Datang dekat, Nathan (Come closer, Nathan,)” she said, her voice sweet yet chilling. “Saya sudah tunggu kamu.” (I have been waiting for you.) My heart was pounding, and I hesitated. Something about her felt wrong, and I should have turned back right then.

“Siapa kamu?” (Who are you?) I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper. She smiled, but it was unsettling, like there was nothing behind it. “Saya penjaga jalan ini, penjaga rahsia yang tidak seharusnya dibongkar.” (I’m the guardian of this lane, the keeper of secrets that should never be uncovered.”)

With every word she spoke, I felt an icy grip on my heart, as if her voice could drag me into a darkness I wouldn’t escape. I wanted to run, but my legs felt heavy. “Kamu seharusnya tidak berada di sini, Nathan. Kamu seharusnya sudah balik.” (You shouldn’t be here, Nathan. You should have turned back), she warned, her eyes glinting in the dim light.

That was it. Panic surged through me. I turned to bolt, but the lane seemed to stretch infinitely before me. The shadows twisted, and the once-familiar surroundings felt alien. The woman’s voice echoed in my mind, wrapping around me like a sinister blanket. “Kamu tidak akan pernah meninggalkan tempat ini, Nathan. Kamu sekarang milik saya.” (You’ll never leave this place, Nathan. You belong to me now.”)

I ran. The pavement felt uneven under my feet, and the night air was thick with fear. Behind me, I could hear her laughter, a sound that sent chills through my bones. It was as if she was playing with me, a cat toying with a mouse.

Just when I thought I couldn’t run any further, I stumbled and fell. The ground scraped against my palms, and looking up, I saw her silhouette moving closer. I scrambled to my feet and dashed down the lane, my heart racing. The shadows seemed alive, flickering and closing in around me.

Finally, I reached the main road, where the bright lights and noise of traffic felt like a safe haven. I turned back, half-expecting to see her looming behind me. But the lane was empty, and the old house stood silent, its darkness blending into the night. I took a deep breath, relieved but aware that this encounter was far from over.

In the days that followed, I couldn’t shake the feeling of her presence. I began noticing odd things—objects moving slightly, shadows darting in my peripheral vision. Every time I felt a chill, I could hear her whispering, “Kamu seharusnya sudah balik, Nathan.” (You should have turned back, Nathan.)

It’s been years since that night, but I understand now that some encounters leave a mark on your soul. The old woman in the lane became a part of me, a constant reminder of the thin veil between our world and the unknown. Whenever I visit JB, I make sure to avoid that lonely lane, always wary of the whispers that might call me back into the darkness.

If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that some places should be left undisturbed. So, if you ever find yourself wandering in JB, remember to listen closely. The whispers may just be waiting for you.

Scary: A Malaysian Horror Anthology Paperback

Welcome to Scary: A Malaysian Horror Anthology, a collection of eerie tales inspired by Malaysian folklore and modern horror. Each story explores haunted places, restless spirits, and chilling mysteries that provoke curiosity and dread.

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Thank you for joining us on this journey into the dark corners of our culture. May these stories linger in your thoughts long after you’ve finished reading