Scary Games Your Mother Never Warned You About by Catherine Cavendish
Many of us – especially horror fans – enjoy a good scare.
It’s all healthy fun, isn’t it?
Well, it can be but… as my characters discover in Garden of Bewitchment, some games or toys are best left well alone. We’ve all heard of the infamous Ouija board but here are three games to try out that you may never have heard of, or perhaps they are variations of ones you have played when fuelled by slightly more wine than is good for you. These three can all be played by yourself – in fact you must be alone for the last one.
Ready? Then let’s begin with…Bloody Mary
You’ve probably seen this one in a film or two and it’s one you can play alone – if you dare. Simply go into your bathroom, lights off and door closed, but with one lit candle. Face the mirror and say ‘Bloody Mary’ (inject some Karloff-like atmosphere into it). Repeat twice more. Now stare hard into the mirror. You’ll see her standing behind you…or…she will scratch you…or…she will drag you into the mirror and trap you there forever.
On second thoughts, probably best to have someone with you. They can help pull you out.
Baby Blue
Another one you can play alone. If you’re successful with this one, a baby will manifest right there in your arms. It’s just… well, you remember Rosemary’s Baby, right?
Here’s how it goes: Off you go into the bathroom (strange how many of these games work best in the bathroom isn’t it? Maybe it’s the condensation). Lights off and door closed again. No candle this time though. You should be in pitch darkness. Look into the dark mirror and cradle your arms as if you were nursing a baby. Say ‘Baby blue, baby blue’ a total of 13 times and you will then feel the weight of a baby in your arms. Once that happens, you need to flush the creature down the toilet. Act fast before a woman manifests herself in the mirror and screams at you to give her baby back. Fail to deposit that unholy devil child and its mother will scratch you.
Elevator Game to Otherworld
For this one, you need a fairly tall building (at least 10 floors, or 9 if you are in the UK) and an elevator. You also, if reports are to be believed, need nerves of steel and a strong constitution as the results can be dramatic and long lasting. Essentially, this game is said to open up a portal to the other world. There are a number of stages, so let’s get going.
- Get into the elevator on the first floor (or ground floor if you are in the UK. From now on, in the interests of simplicity I shall use the American method of counting floors. My British readers merely need to deduct one floor from each measurement!) You must be by yourself. If anyone else gets in, you’ll have to start again. Press the button for Floor 4.
- When the elevator reaches the fourth floor, don’t get out. Press the button for Floor 2.
- Don’t get out when the elevator reaches Floor 2. Press the button for Floor 6.
- Once again, when the elevator arrives at the sixth floor, stay inside and press the button for Floor 2.
- Don’t get out at Floor 2. Press the button for Floor 10. There have been reports that, on arriving at the second floor at this stage, people have heard voices calling them. Whatever you do, don’t reply or make any kind of response.
- At the tenth floor, stay inside the elevator and press the button for Floor 5.
- There have been reports that a woman may enter the elevator at Floor 5 and she may try to engage you in conversation, even though you know you have never met before. It could be a mere pleasantry. It will seem perfectly innocent. It isn’t. Don’t respond or in any way acknowledge her presence or remarks. Stare at the floor, the ceiling, the lift buttons, anything but her.
- Press the button for the first floor. At this point, the elevator will either do what you request – in which case, get out at the first floor, and leave the building. On no account look back. You were not meant to visit Otherworld today. If, however, the elevator ignores your command and takes you up to the 10th floor, you may choose to get out. If you are presently sharing the elevator with a woman who entered on the fifth floor, she will probably ask you where you are going. Again, ignore her. Do not respond by word or gesture, or she will probably accompany you and you will have the devil’s own task of getting rid of her. In fact, it is highly likely that she will take possession of you.
- You will know you have arrived at Otherworld if the only person in it is you.
- When you decide to return, you must use the same elevator. Once inside, press the button for Floor 4 and then repeat steps 3-7.
- Once you arrive once again at Floor 5, press the button for Floor 1. The elevator will begin to ascend to Floor 10. Press a button for any other floor and do it quickly – before the elevator reaches the tenth. Provided you do this, you will cancel the ascent and you can press Floor 1 again and descend safely.
- Once you arrive at Floor 1, have a good look around before you get out. If anything seems wrong, repeat steps 10 and 11 and keep on until all is normal on Floor 1. You will then know you have returned to your own world.
You can see this is not a game for the faint-hearted. In fact, it is my belief you would have to be pretty crazy to attempt it. Before you do, read this account of what happened when the instructions weren’t full adhered to. If this doesn’t put you off, nothing will, so good luck and I’ll hope to see you on the other side.
Don’t play the game.
In 1893, Evelyn and Claire leave their home in a Yorkshire town for life in a rural retreat on their beloved moors. But when a strange toy garden mysteriously appears, a chain of increasingly terrifying events is unleashed. Neighbour Matthew Dixon befriends Evelyn, but seems to have more than one secret to hide. Then the horror really begins. The Garden of Bewitchment is all too real and something is threatening the lives and sanity of the women. Evelyn no longer knows who – or what – to believe. And time is running out.
About the Author
Cat first started writing when someone thrust a pencil into her hand. Unfortunately as she could neither read nor write properly at the time, none of her stories actually made much sense. However as she grew up, they gradually began to take form and, at the tender age of nine or ten, she sold her dolls’ house, and various other toys to buy her first typewriter – an Empire Smith Corona. She hasn’t stopped bashing away at the keys ever since, although her keyboard of choice now belongs to her laptop.
The need to earn a living led to a varied career in sales, advertising and career guidance but Cat is now the full-time author of a number of supernatural, ghostly, haunted house and Gothic horror novels and novellas, including The Haunting of Henderson Close, the Nemesis of the Gods trilogy – Wrath of the Ancients, Waking the Ancients, Damned by the Ancients – The Devil’s Serenade, Dark Avenging Angel, The Pendle Curse, Saving Grace Devine and Linden Manor. Her short stories have appeared in the anthologies Haunted Are These Houses and Midnight in the Graveyard.
She lives in Southport with her longsuffering husband and black cat (who remembers that her species used to be worshipped in ancient Egypt and sees no reason why that practice should not continue).
When not slaving over a hot computer, Cat enjoys rambling around stately homes, circles of standing stones and travelling to favourite haunts such as Vienna and Orkney.
So, my lifelong fear of elevators has, at last, a purpose for being. Splendid post indeed. Regards, The Old Fool
Thank you, Mike. And you are most definitely wise to leave the elevator game alone. I wouldn’t play that one if you paid me in trillions!
I’ve not be called ‘wise’ since the old King died…and then it was a lie! You’ve made my day, Cat. All the very best with your book. Regards, The Old Fool
I don’t much ;like elevators either I must confess. The thought of plunging hundreds of floors??? AHHHHHHHHH.
I cannot cope with even the smallest of ladders either. I once declared that were I a spy and had been captured by the enemy all they’d have to do his put me two steps up said ladder and I would tell all! Then again, back in the day I could handle a cricket ball coming at me at great speed without any such problems. I didn’t even wear a helmet. Most unusual. Perhaps I should write, ‘The Spy Who Came In Off The Ladder’?
Good to see you Mike x
Always a pleasure to see you, Ms S.
Now that would be a tale worth telling. What a title too. I don’t mind ladders. As for not being wise you most certainly are xx
Fab post! I read the link to the elevator game and it scared the hell out of me. It will be stairs in future. All best wishes for the book, Cat. x
Thank you so much, Kate and for your good wishes!
YOu would not want to press the wrong button and well…….
Thank you so much for hosting me today, Shey. And hammies, you are to be commended for your restraint. Don;t try and eat me though. I’m tough and wouldn’t taste very nice
Bit wi want to. Sob sob
Love the dudes.
A pleasure as aye. So looking forward to your book too.
No offense meant, dudes, but I find these games hilarious. Ditto for all horror tales.
Dolly, just don;t go into the kitchen ….
Oh, and why is that?
Cos the dudes will leap out going Dah de dah dahhh dahhhhhhh dahhhh
No offence taken, koolkosherkitchen. I regard what I write as escapism anyway! After all, the real world is a lot more scary
Yep. Just read your Orwell quote….
You are so right, Catherine. Good luck with your book!
oh my God, you’ve got my full attention!! The Garden of Bewitchment is a must to visit!! – and read.
I confess here and now I have read all Cat’s books ….And loved them
Shey, if they are like the one I read of yours (so far) !!! PS: I added a story to my post as a post script. Take a look sometime – no rush!
Lol!!! Cat’s are gothic horror in that they owe to that genre rather than the slasher one. My books just feature folks who are horrors… xxxxI am coming by
Thank you, dunemouse. i shall look forward to seeing you up on the moors…the bleak, wild moors…
The perfect place for the Celtic dune mouse
There is no doubt that now the story gets more interesting with the elevators involved. you continue to recreate a magnificent story in your animals that give life and flavor to your writings. They are beautifully written and drawn as your splendid beauty. It is a huge pleasure to read you and it hurts that by the language, I cannot access your book. I am content to collect the stories from your blog and admire your splendid smile that make your stories more attractive. A good Sunday for you.
My friend, such kind words, a wonderful Sunday to you and an even better week ahead. Always a great treat to see you here. Thank you so very much for your too kind comment.
Your writing and your drawings are what make your blog very interesting to follow you. regards
That has made my day xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thanks for this, Shey, I foresee hours of entertainment, and realise now how mistaken I’ve been in generally opting for the stairs, even to the 9th floor.
Congratulations to Cat on her new novel, looks intriguing.
Many thanks, cath – and happy elevator travelling!
Great to see you Cath and thank you. Now go play in the elevator… x
Your so good at this. Now I’m going to have Elevator nightmares. Need to try to restore balance by listening to Love in an Elevator. x
Well Gary, this is one I don’t recommend you play with your son but hey maybe you will have a spooky themed game’s afternoon yet.
Ah – but be wary of who you give your heart to in an elevator. They may take your soul as well… Just sayin’
Well, I won’t be playing that elevator game! No sense taking unnecessary chances.
Congrats to Cat, not just for her latest book, but her prolific writing. Just amazing!
Shey, the Hamster Dudes need to chill out! Can’t they go drink vodka and dance on one of those fur hats…. or something? xo
oh this is them chilled….. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Many thanks, Resa!
Resa YOU are always the best xx
Thank you!!!!!!!✔👀😃(((*L*))XXX
xxxxxxxx. Lovely to see youx
Thanks angel !!! Greetings to you, I’m sorry, late reply, xxxxxxxx. Good to see you. ,, Thank you very much ,, I have, at the moment a lot of work, really viral computer viruses, I see fighting almost every day, and read, Attention please restart the cumputer. I have disassembled another computer, and I am tinkering with it, I am really happy to be back, I wish you a nice Friday, in advance with the best protection and health. Drink lots of green tea honey lemon, it is the best remedy in winter. !!!!! Thank you !! Great !!!!!!!!!!!!!(se/nz)
Ocht no a computer virus. They are pests. Hope you get it all fixed out. Wishing you a wonderful whole weekend, having some time to yourself xx
❤️🤗
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ah, I’ve done some of these games, too! And I did have a bit of a freakout with that Bloody Mary in the bathroom, eeesh. 🙂 But this does remind me of a book Blondie’s reading right now–Scary Stories for Young Foxes. She finds it super spooky!
My lord do NOT tell me you have turned this lassie into a fox Jean Lee!!!!The dudes will want to know why there is not a book Scary Stories for Young Hamsters…
There SHOULD be such a book for hamsters! I’ll put Bash onto it tomorrow. xxxxxxx
Dir Jin, we liv you
the duds. x
Awesome
Denise xxx. Great to see you and thank you for coming by, you awesome lady yourself and commenting xxxx
Wow, I can no longer keep track of all the floors! I have such a low tolerance for that kind of stuff. My mom bought us an Ouija board when we were kids and then made us throw it out after seeing a scary movie on TV. I am a complete coward and would probably have to leave all the lights on after reading Cat’s book!! ;0)
Ah Pam, I have reasons not to touch Ouija boards. Good ones. A story to be told yet I am sure. Cat’s books are indeed scary in the traddy Gothic way of what lurks where we kind of know it does but wish it wouldn’t. And I have always loved Gothic and Gothic style horror so yeah you might have to leave , not just the lights on, but the power station. Putting all that aside, she is a great lady and like yourself, a wonderful friend to me AND the dudes. x
Perhaps I will work up the nerve to read it after I finish Lady Fury!🥰
And now you’re going to have to spill the beans about the Ouija board!
OOH… well, we had mucked about before you know but that time it was like something was very different, really quite weird and the message it had for me which was a very out of the blue one about a person neither of the two other girls knew about so they weren’t pushing it, came true the next day, so after that I never went near another board. Neither did they, so far as i know. So there you go. Lol, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx for Lady Fury. Makes it all worhtwhile x
🙂
Thank you for the interesting post. I am more a mystery fan rather than horror. Happy writing!
Mary, thank YOU for, not just coming by but commenting xxxx
My pleasure. I think the writer enjoys feedback too. ^^___^^
I think we often all think we howl in the dark to some extent xxxxx
Thank you for dropping by. I love mysteries too 🙂
My pleasure.
Bonjour mon Amie SHEHANNE

Je te souhaite une belle semaine et une belle journée pleine d’espoir ?
de joie , de bonheur
Ne te laisse pas aller au découragement, vu cette mauvaise actualité à la télévision journaux média
Qui nous saoule de jours en jours
il y a toujours quelque chose de meilleur , une petite lumière qui brille au fond
de ton cœur, pour te réchauffer
Reste à l’écoute des petits bonheurs
qui te sont présent tous les jours autour de toi
Avec de la joie dans tes yeux , de l’amour dans le cœur
Ta vie te sera plus belle, pleine d’espoir
Merci de tes passages sur mon univers tout au long des saisons
Je laisse sur cette page un peu de moi , de ce petit écris
Qui me sorte du coeur
Bisous.
BERNARD
AWWWWWWWWW. Bernard.Bisous. BISOUS!
Bloody Mary is really very scary!!
I agree – best left alone, I feel…
yeah. i am not going to mess with her x
hey please tell me how i can increase my follows and views please help me
That is a difficult one . I’ve mainly got mine by liking posts of other bloggers, following them, by getting to know them where I can and by commenting. It also helped way back to invite other authors on here to guest or to be interviewed and always sound like I knew what I was doing even when I didn’t.
Also I was over looking at your site and it’s a very good site. The only thing I couldn’t find was a like button at the foot of your posts, so that I could let you know I’d come by. That can be added from the sidebar
okey thanks you
I hope your wonderful blog gets many more followers and viewers.
Thanks you for the advise i add the like button to the every post
Then you won’t feel you are howling in the wilderness okay? So GOOD! But genuinely none of this is an easy game. You jstu keep your chin up xxx