The Orb

If I were to compile a list of the ten strangest things to happen to people I know the following would definitely be near the top of said list. It's one of those encounters that's eerie no matter the potential explanation.

It early June 2012 and my sister Hilary was hanging out with her best friend (who we’ll call Katie) when the subject of the Midnight Man* came up. For those not in the know, the Midnight Man is one of many paranormal games/rituals popularized (or more likely invented) by the internet and the once popular creepypasta genre (spooky internet urban legends). The two had been toying for quite some time with the idea of braving the notorious horror game and were finally feeling up to the task. My sister, however, wanted to first make sure both girls were properly protected. And the best way to do this? Jesus t-shirts, of course. Stored away in our parents' basement. Whatever works for you, right?

So down into the basement the two went. However, before they could get to the bottom of the stairs my sister caught something peculiar out of the corner of her eye. At first she assumed it was an eye sparkle (you know, those glittery illusions that sometimes appear when you get up too quickly) but out of curiosity turned her head anyways to investigate. And there it was, as real as you or I: An orb. A blue, baseball sized ball of light, glowing brightly yet casting no light onto surrounding objects. My sister watched in awe as it floated away from the basement's eastern wall before promptly moving back towards that same wall and disappearing. Unfortunately Katie’s attention was elsewhere at the moment and by the time my sister was able to gather her wits the orb had already vanished. Needless to say, after that my sister was too spooked to proceed with the Midnight Man.

So, what the hell did my sister see?

Over the years Hilary and I have discussed this event quite a few times and as such have developed several theories. Our first theory is the most obvious, that in the mere act of preparing to play a game that involves the invoking of dubious entities my sister and her friend actually managed to stir something up. Perhaps it was a warning, or just a wandering ghost taken in by the two girls' openness to the supernatural. Maybe it was the Midnight Man himself, getting ready for game night.

Another theory is that my sister was visited by the ghost of a recently deceased great aunt (a nun no less). But as my sister hardly knew her it seems unlikely that the nun's spirit would reveal itself to her, unless you tie it in with our first theory.

Theory #3 is that this was a case of ball lightning. Considering that the air conditioner (a major electricity guzzler) is stationed right outside where Hilary saw this orb, combined with the old wiring in our parents’ house, it does seem plausible that this was some kind of natural, though abnormal, electrical phenomenon witnessed at a very coincidental time. This is the theory my sister most subscribes to. As an aside however  I will note that 1) the object did not behave in the destructive way typically associated with ball lightning 2) surely even ball lightning would illuminate the surrounding area which, again, this did not and 3) I have put an EMF reader up to both that air conditioner and the area where Hilary saw the orb and got absolutely no spikes. Don’t know what the weather was like that night though. Maybe the air was exceptionally charged? Hmmm…

Several other ideas we’ve tossed around are poltergeist activity (which I’ll get into at a later date) or fairies (which I will also cover at a later date).

*For those unaware, here’s how you play The Midnight Man (also known as The Midnight Game). First off, this is traditionally a single player game. Two could play but they would each need to go through the entire process separately in order for everything to work. Next, gather a candle, a lighter, a piece of paper, something to write with, a pin, salt and the location of a closed wooden door within the house. A little before midnight you will write your full name (first, middle, last) on the paper, then use the pin to prick your finger. Squeeze until a drop of blood appears and use this blood to dot the paper. After this is done go ahead and turn off all the lights. Go to the closed wooden door and lay down your paper with the candle on top. Now light the candle. Next, knock on the door 22 times, making sure that the final knock happens precisely at midnight. Open the door, blow out the candle, close the door and then relight said candle. The game has begun. With candle in hand and your matches and salt nearby begin to move about the house. You must keep moving so The Midnight Man can’t find you, and keep doing so until the game ends at 3:33 AM. If your candle goes out you must relight it within ten seconds or else surround yourself in a protective circle of salt and remain there for the duration of the game. At 3:33 AM the game is over and you may move out of the circle and turn the lights back on. Check out Youtuber Brittney Crabb to see the game in action and read more about legends surrounding the Midnight Man here on The Ghost In My Machine. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram!

Where Hilary saw the orb.