Top Hat Man

Alright guys, I totally forgot about this experience up until a few hours ago when I was shopping at a liquor store and saw a bottle of rumchata. Which by the way is the GROSSEST thing I have ever tasted (sorry rumchata lovers) but, that will be explained later on in the story.

PS: If you wish to begin right at the start of the experience, scroll down to the ~ symbol.

On one sunny afternoon, 2 of my friends, Brianna and Aaron, invited me to go on a trip to Big Springs, Texas to help one of their highschool friends move out of his dorm room. Having nothing better to do that day, I agreed.

Alfredo, the person we were going to help didn't sound familiar. Not his first or last name, so I was sure I didn't know him.

When we arrived, to my complete surprise I noticed we had pulled into the parking lot of a college for deaf students. I've never been to one. I'm not picking on deaf persons to be clear before I get into this. I've had only one deaf friend in high school. We only communicated using paper and pen or by phone. We got along great. I was just a bit nervous because this wasn't high school. This was a college of deaf persons. Adults mostly. I'm going to go ahead and embarrass myself and say I'm really awkward when it comes to the deaf or blind. Simply because I don't know what to do. I mean I'm awkward with people in general so I was just afraid of making a complete fool of myself.

We signed in at the lobby desk and were given directions to Alfredo's room. We past through the lobby itself which was full of people. You see...I'm awkward enough as it is but, I'm even MORE awkward when people are staring at me. Any group with over about 10 people. There were about 30, waiting to leave I was guessing but, it felt like I was the one being stared at out of the 3 of us. So, what do I do?

I turn towards the group and say "How are you!" while waving... It didn't make things better because they kept the same facial expressions while watching my every move. When I realized that I was an idiot for thinking they heard me and face palmed myself, they all laughed at me. Talk about embarrassed.

When I saw Alfredo, I instantly remembered him from my history class in our freshman year in high school. I greeted him excitedly but, he didn't remember me at all and apologized for not having the brain of an elephant (for real that's what he said) and remembering things probably from childbirth. In his way, he was complimenting me in such a way it sounded like an insult.

While Brianna, Aaron, and Alfredo started talking about old times, I walked back out into the hallway and eventually started analyzing the red button on the side of his door. They were on every door. Red buttons. Now, I've never in my life seen a red doorbell. I've also learned from cartoons to never press blank red buttons. But it was in a college so they must be safe right? Or maybe an emergency button?

Just then, I heard the most loudest, scariest, and disorienting, "HEY!" I have ever heard in my entire life. It came from within the same hallway so it echoed, making it so much worse. It scared me so bad, I shrieked my manly yelp, crouched down, and put my hands over my head and instantly regretted it, for I was being hysterically laughed at.

I stood up to see a student down the hall next to his door slightly bent over and holding his stomach because he was laughing so hard. At me. I felt so ashamed. When he calmed down, he fell into a sudden eerie silence and locked eyes with me. Just when I thought he would bolt in my direction, he gives out another disorienting and shrieking, "HEY!" making me jump backwards, slamming my back onto the wall and holding my chest, as if I was just shot. Oh this sent him into another hysterical laughter. You know the kind of laughter that makes you want to laugh too? It was one of those. I couldn't be mad at him for almost giving me a massive heart attack.

Anyways, I'm getting side tracked. Long story short, while the three of my friends were moving things from the dorm to the pickup, I was talking/ communicating with the student. 23 year old, Erik. We were communicating by typing into our phones and showing each other. I personally think it's the most coolest thing ever. He told me that he wanted to become a doctor and that he wanted to prove his parents wrong. I assured him he would for he didn't lack the confidence at all. I didn't ask about his past at all but, it seemed pretty rough from the bits and pieces he decided to trust me with.

When everything was ready to go, Erik and I exchanged hugs. He apologized for scaring me half to death earlier along with giving me the most beautifully folded paper flower rose I had ever seen. He had a whole bunch in the back of his room just sitting there on his desk. It must take 30 minutes MINIMUM to make only 1 flower let alone multiple from what it looked like.

Of course Brianna and Aaron made fun of me most of the way home saying that Erik had some hidden love for me. Of course I defended the thought in case it were really true declaring that they were just jealous of my breathtaking paper rose. I mean guys... This paper rose was fascinating I tell you! Alfredo explained to all of us of how Erik had a girlfriend and that he hands paper roses out to anyone he grows fond of. I remember sticking my tounge out at Aaron since most of the blow came from his side while Brianna was just egging it on.

~

When we helped Alfredo put all of his things in his parent's shed, he invited all 3 of us to hang out late that night there while his parents were away for the weekend. He also mentioned that he would raid their alcohol cabinets. Me being the goody I was, I declined the offer kindly for this good boy doesn't drink -or so I thought. I didn't really know how persuasive Aaron was until that day...

So, there we were, sitting at all sides of the dining table late Friday night playing a simple game of uno, the most amazing card game ever. I was enjoying it up until Alfredo declared it was time to raid the cabinet full of alcohol. Since I had never drank before, he suggested that everyone take a "pre shot". I cringed at the thought. He set down shot glasses for all 3 of us. Brianna had a Hello Kitty shot glass. Aaron got the Captain America, and I the Deadpool... I traded with Aaron the minute I got the chance lol.

Alfredo poured green crown apple into the glasses. Brianna and Aaron took theirs the minute he was finished pouring theirs. Then there was me... Who was staring at my own glass. Thinking about how disappointed Captain America would be of me and my poor decisions in the next fee hours. I took the shot as quick as possible and gagged just as quickly when the burning gross liquid hit the back of my throat, making it come out of my nose as well as down my throat. You talk about IMMENSE pain... Plus crown apple is just gross!

After I cleaned myself up and everyone had a great laugh, I sat back down to see that Alfredo had filled my glass with rumchata. It was the color of milk with a tint of yellow. It looked gross but it smelled amazing and just as I thought, it tasted even better. Alfredo claimed since I hated the crown apple, that I would dislike every other alcohol that was available in the household EXCEPT for rumchata. Said it was his secret weapon, just for me. He had went out earlier that day and bought a big bottle of it just for me. He went on a rant explaining how when he met me today, the only vibe I was giving off was an "innocent" one and that he pushes "innocence" to its limits.

What freaked me out the most, is that in the middle of me drinking this delicious rumchata, he leaned into my face and said "everyone has their demons." As if he were trying to hint to me that he knew something about me that I didn't even know about myself. Now, I was about halfway done with this rather large bottle of rumchata (drinking it straight from the bottle at this point) when Aaron told me that I was "done" and needed to drink a glass of water and "lay down." That was politely telling me that I was drunk and no longer able to stay up with the "cool kids." I wasn't even drunk.

Or so I thought...

I rebelled against his requests of course and told him that I wasn't laying down until I was the last man standing. Another hour went by, I was done with the rumchata bottle and had moved on to sharing cans of bud light with Alfredo. I couldn't taste it but it made me feel better I remember that.

Alright guys, this is the part where my memory gets foggy but, I remember most of the bits and pieces. I also threw in what my friends told me what I was doing later on.

Alfredo and I were outside on his patio drinking bud light and watching the lighting light up the entire sky. When it started to sprinkle, I jumped up, ran down the stairs, and onto the sidewalk, where I did my dance. What kind of dance? I have no idea. I was told that I started dancing with my shot glass in hand. Why and how did I have my shot glass while dancing in sprinkling rain? I have not the slightest idea but, I remember having a blast. I've always loved the way rain and sprinkles felt on my skin. Especially... More now that I was drunk...

I eventually dropped the shot glass onto the concrete and screamed "Captain America!" as his face went everywhere. Alfredo was furious and claimed he had to get the broom but I took it upon myself to clean up Captain America's face since I was the one who dropped him and he agreed rudely.

As I was on my knees roughly picking up the pieces of glass, lightning lit my surroundings and I SWORE from the corner of my eye, I saw the figure of a man standing behind his oak tree. I didn't whip my head around to look as most people would for confirmation. Instead, I immediately closed my eyes and started shaking my head as if to say "no"..."no"...

I opened my eyes to see that my left hand was bleeding badly. I was so afraid that I had my fist clenched, impaling my soft wet skin against the glass shards. I frantically finished picking up all of the pieces, threw them in the NEIGHBORS front yard, and bolted inside. All 3 friends were immediately asking what was wrong as I hurriedly rushed to the restroom while whispering "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

This was the part I thought I had dreamt but, I later on found out I didn't...

As I was washing my hands, I noticed an old lady sitting in the bathtub, which was next to the toilet and the toilet being next to the sink where I was washing my hands. She was nude. One arm lay propped on the wall and the other dangled out of the bathtub. She was looking up at the ceiling with a kind smile on her face. She seemed like she was enjoying herself. She didn't talk to me. I didn't talk to her. I was more concerned about my bloody hand and didn't have time think about talking to a naked lady.

As I raided the mirror cabinet for bandaids, I looked at the old lady again from only the corner of my eye once again to see that her gaze had shifted towards me. Her head was now facing me. It gave me an unsettling feeling and I suddenly didn't want to dare look at her directly. So, once I found the box of bandaids, I took the whole thing, turned off the lights, closed the door, and rushed to the dining room table where everyone suddenly stood at the sight of the glass cuts on my hand.

This is a part that I don't remember, and Aaron claimed that my personality changed completely.

Alfredo asked me furiously if I had picked up the glass with my hands.

"Well what else do you think he did?!" I snapped at him.

There was a short silence before it was interrupted with the bandage wrappers. Once my hand was wrapped, I stood up, and analyzed my hand while asking, "What's with the lady in the bathroom? She started watching me out of no where."

Instantly after I said that, Alfredo gripped his head and stormed off towards the couch while saying, "No! No! I knew it I knew this wasn't a good idea! He has to go! Now! I don't want this in my parent's house they've been through enough!"

While Aaron went to go calm him down, Brianna came up to me and started rubbing my back because she saw only a few tears running down my face. While keeping my gaze fixed on my hand, I said calmly, "Fine...then I will go and never return."

As soon as I walked out onto the patio, I felt like I was in a dream again. Everything was dark, the rain was coming down hard with occasional thunder. I had suddenly felt afraid but, kept my composure and sat down in a chair, fixing my gaze into my lap.

As soon as the lightning illuminated my surroundings, I instantly stood up immidiately fixing my gaze towards the tree, remembering what I saw earlier.

My eyes are starting to water just thinking about this again... (and goosebumps)

When my eyes adjusted, I saw it. A guy wearing a top hat from what I could tell. The image I had of him in my mind was one of those sketchy men who wore black suits and top hats back in the early 1900's. It was a brief moment but, I think I pictured him.

He was only a shadow leaning upon the tree with his arms crossed. Like he was waiting on something. I didn't dare take my eyes off of him.

In a split second, the lightning illuminated my surroundings but, he had vanished only to reappear but, this time, standing in front of the tree with his hands by his side, facing me. He had vanished when the lightning illuminated the surroundings but, reappeared CLOSER when the lightning stopped!

It didn't take me long to realize that lightning was working against me. Without taking my eyes off of him, I slowly backed up towards the door and started frantically banging on it and calling out to Brianna and Aaron for help. I guess I should mention that from the moment I had walked outside, Alfredo had locked the door behind me.

I called my psychic, Lorie, immidiately. I only text her. I made calling for emergencies only in the past. I was currently in the process of almost going into shock or having an anxiety attack. I felt cornered.

When she picked up, to my ultimate surprise, I screamed, "I can't get off the patio!" She didn't ask what was wrong. She instead, frantically asked, "why?" And I told her about the guy in the top hat that I was still staring at in front of the tree. She asked if it was raining but, before I could answer, she screamed "you need to get inside now!" At this point I'm crying, "I can't they locked the door!"

"How far is it away from you?"

"It's by the tree!"

"Is there a chance for you to run off of the patio and to the opposite direction?"

"I can't! I'm not allowed too!"

She was silent for a moment. In the moment, came the roar of thunder and the flash of lightning, making me shriek when the top hat man moved a bit CLOSER now but, didn't change poses. I instantly crouched down, pressed Lorie to my ear (a sense of comfort), covered my head with the other hand, shut my eyes, and gave out the most pathetic long cry/scream of my life. It was one of those airy squeals from a broken squeaky toy.

In the middle of it I heard Lorie panicking, "Oh my god. Oh my god no!" I had scared her badly, I heard it in her voice, as if she was about to cry, as if she had given up. She was states away and she couldn't do anything to help me. She has never heard me in panicked fright before. I haven't either.

"I can't do this! I can't Lorie! But I don't want to die!"

"No sweetie! It's all in your head!"

"No! I saw it! He's still there! I can't do this. I can't do this..."

"Michael..."

"I'm not strong enough."

Just then, the door swung open and I was yanked inside by the collar of my shirt and fell on my back on the carpet. It was Alfredo. I jumped up to see Aaron slam the door shut and swung my body against Brianna's when I saw her coming towards me. I was in tears. Everyone was frantically asking me who it was but, I ignored them...almost...

I turned towards Alfredo and at the top of my lungs, shouted, "A**HOLE!"

He just stood there, looking down at his feet, ashamed. I on the other hand, realized that I had shouted so loud and exerted so much force onto my body, that the room started to darken and spin a little bit. I guess I was falling because Aaron went from being at the door, to underneath my arm, helping me stay upwards.

He laid me down on the couch, where I finally passed out into my drunken sleep.

I woke up and saw that Alfredo was watching TV across from me in one of the recliners. I had THE most massive headaches in the history of headaches. As I sat up, he turned off the TV and fixed his gaze towards me. He had this look on his face as if he wanted to say something but, just didn't know how. I tried to break the ice and asked, "How um... How bad was I?" Unaware that what none of last night WASN'T a dream.

I apparently had dropped my phone when I was pulled back inside. I had forgotten about it. Alfredo had picked it up and he got to talk to Lorie (I still have the eerie recording of the entire experience). At first, they got into it because Lorie was furious that Alfredo had me drink after I declined the first time. She claimed she was afraid that alcohol could possibly make me "sensitive".

Here's where everything started to come together.

She talked with him about the man in a tophat that I had saw outside in the rain. He asked her not to talk about these things because him and his family were against it.

   She asked if I were seeing anything or saying anything else. He immediately brought up the old lady in the bathroom. There was no lady to begin with. After Alfredo locked me out, he went to check to confirm that there was nothing. That I was just drunk and dumb. Lorie started getting personal and asked if there was ever (or still was) a family member who wore a top hat and suit at all and he replied with a stern "no."

     She paused for a brief moment and asked about the old lady in the tub. If she was a family member and he fell silent.

    While he was telling me this, I saw his eyes water. It made my heart sink.

     "My grandma drowned in that tub 4 years ago..."

Guys... I know this sounds insane but I am telling the honest truth. If those who have come this far and claim that I'm not, I'll spare you the next few minutes and suggest you stop reading here, because it only gets more crazy from here.

For those who wish to keep going, bare with me. I'll try to explain and decipher the best I can.

So Alfredo was basically telling me that I saw his dead grandmother. In that bathtub. My first reaction? I laughed. I laughed hysterically and told him that the joke is over and to quit playing and this made him furious. Truth be told, I was really just scared. Me being me... I was in complete denial. He made me leave after that. I had my friends drive me home, where I listened to the recording on my phone of him and Lorie after hearing what had happened to me.

I gotta tell you, there's nothing that made me never want to drink again, other than the sounds of my drunken fright. My whimpers. Lorie's worry in her voice.

Before I get into the rest of the conversation between her and Alfredo. Take my word for it, you may never need it because I thought I wouldn't but, personally, a phone call recording app CAN be very useful.

Alfredo was right, everything that he had told me about the conversation was dead accurate,  I had just heard it for myself. Yet I was still in disbelief. After he told her about his grandmother's incident. She assured him that she was just trying to watch over us and keep us safe. Alfredo's voice was shaky with sorrow and fright. I mean I wouldn't blame him.

     Lorie asked if he ever had the house saged or anything and he said that the family has a priest that comes in once every year to protect the inside of the house. At this point, Lorie's voice was confident. Like she had just put 2 and 2 together, "but I'm guessing not the outside?" He answered with "no".

Lorie amazes me. She went into depth and started putting pieces together telling Alfredo that I was seeing an apparition that was outside with me and that it was intended to harm from the way I was sounding. She thinks it was trying to scare me OFF of the patio. Just what it wanted and how it couldn't get to me ON the patio because the patio itself was part of the yearly clensing. It was protected from bad spirits like him. The patio was basically another small room with glass windows all around. A roof and everything so it did make sense. What caught me off guard, was that I rewinded the recording to the part where I was in my drunken panic while I was on the phone with her.

"How far is it away from you?"

"It's by the tree!"

"Is there a chance for you to run off of the patio and to the opposite direction?"

"I can't! I'm not allowed too!"

I couldn't believe what I had said... Why wasn't I allowed to? Could it be that I was being held back by Alfredo's grandmother? Was she trying to protect me?

Chills shot up my neck as I replayed it over and over. As if I were expecting it to change...

"I'm not allowed too!"

I was so drunk and afraid... But still.

Lorie never did conclude this for me in the conversation between herself and Alfredo. She probably didn't remember it. She didn't have the recording of the whole thing like I did so she couldn't go back and listen to it closely like I could. So I was left to wonder but, it seemed like it was a plausible cause for me to say something so strange.

Lorie went about asking him WHY the family started doing these yearly clensings to begin with. Alfredo said that it was because the mother was attacked in her sleep. She woke up with scratches on her neck for a week straight. A new scratch every morning on the side of her neck. It all made sense. Lorie started to put it all together for him. She explained that the scratches were coming from the tophat man himself. That when they clensed the house with that powerful priest, the top hat man was pushed outside, where he now remains.

She suggested that the priest clense the entire property as soon as possible if not, on the next cleaning and he agreed to it.

When I finished the recording, I called Alfredo and apologized for being so inconsiderate and rude. I told him about the recording and he was furious but, he accepted my apology. We went out to eat that day, where I talked about Lorie and answered any questions that he had about what I've experienced with the paranormal. When I had first brought it up about his grandmother the night before, he didn't want anything to do with the paranormal. He acted as if it were illegal to talk about but, he was just asking as many questions as he could while we ate. My guess was is that he was afraid of me because I had literally brought up his grandmother and how she died without knowing it and out of no where. He was just afraid and didn't know what to do so, he panicked.

We are still good friends to this day and still communicate every once in awhile, even though he moved out of his parent's house to Big Springs, Texas to be closer to his college.

If you made it all the way through this long story, I thank you. I would also very appreciate comments, questions, concerns, thoughts on this. Thank you all💙