Peek-A-Boo Horror

While I was the Stake Technology Specialist in the Herriman West Stake, I often had to visit ward buildings in the stake at odd hours. Usually it was to run reports, install new software, or fix computer problems.

One night I arrived at our ward building around 10 pm. The building was dark and deserted. On this occasion I had to get something out of the library. It felt a little spooky being in the church late at night by myself with most of the lights off. I resolved to go in, do my business, and leave quickly.

I approached the door to the library. The hall lights were off but I recall there was a foyer light on at the end of the hall. In sum, it was very dark all around. I unlocked the door and opened it. As I stepped into the pitch black library and before my hand could find the light switch, I heard the eerie voice of a doll--from somewhere in the darkness of the room--say "peek-a-boo". The mechanical words were not spoken quickly and cheerfully, but slowly, methodically. Something about the doll's voice suggested supernatural evil. I froze. My blood ran chill. I could feel the hair on the back of my neck and head start tingling. My heart pounded. My pulse raced. Imaginary horrors flooded my mind. I didn't have it within me to muster rational self-assurances or depracating chuckles. I was irrationally terrified by the supernatural. I did the only thing I could think to do: I ran!

Stumbling backword out of this library of terror, I shut the door behind me and sprinted down the dark hallway of the church. I felt as though unseen demons were chasing me and nipping at my heels. I flew out the glass doors at the back entrance, ran down the sidewalk, jumped in my car, and sped home. I was safe at last.

Once I was calm and able to rationally reflect, an explanation of that night's events became clear. Our ward's lost-and-found was in the library. Presumably a motion-sensor doll programmed to say "peek-a-boo" had been left with the other toys, clothes, and forgotten scriptures.

In hindsight, I don't think anything supernatural happened, and my reaction may have been silly. Still, in the dark of night, I never go alone to the church library. . .for fear of a peek-a-boo doll who may be awaiting my return.