NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm sure all of you are familiar with the vanishing hitchhiker story, where a driver picks up a girl but then she disappears on the way. Today I have been exposed to that tale in the flesh. Here's what happened:

Me and a friend were driving around as we always do now (since we have now have the almighty drivers' license privilege), when we stop at a Chapters' to get some coffee. There, my friend sees one of his 'neighbors' (my friend lives in an apartment, and this fellow lives down the hall of him; he meets him regularly during laundry) standing outside of Chapters, apparently waiting for something. As he sees us, he approaches my friend and says "Can I get a ride with you guys?" he asks, and my friend, knowing him enough to know that nothing could go wrong, readily says 'sure'.

We told him to wait in the car, where he nods his head, goes into the car, and waits as we buy a coffee from the coffee corner inside Chapters (for those of you who have never been in a Chapters, they have a small corner where people could sit down and read books and purchase coffee to drink; the coffee is very delicious). I took a steal of a look back to my friends' car at his neighbor, who is still sitting there in the back seat, waiting for us. We get our coffees, drink it, but we find it not as great as usual. "Let's go to Tim Horton's" he says, and I agree.

So, me and my friend get into his car, and he tells his neighbor that we were going to Tim Horton's to get a coffee first. The neighbor says 'sure'. So we drive out, and me and my friend have casual conversation, but his neighbor was quiet the whole time. When we arrived at Tim Horton's, and turned back to ask my friend's neighbor if he wants anything. Here's the punch line - he wasn't there.

When I heard of the vanishing hitchhiker tales, I couldn't care about it, though now I'm extremely creeped out at the experience. What didn't make sense was that both me and my friend saw him in the car when we left Chapters, and the doors of the car were never opened in the journey. Another thing is that my friend regularly checks the rearview mirror and that means he would have had a clear view of his neighbor in the back of his car, but when we stopped at the Tim Horton's driveway he was gone. Plus, the seatbelts were perfectly straight, and for them to be that way they would have to be made that way, which causes a fair amount of noise.

It was really weird.

Maybe he thought you were going to get coffee then come back and get him

oOOOoooOOO

let us know when you find out that this neighbor died earlier today!

So, being your friends neighbor and all, it would be fairly easy for him to walk down and see if the guy is a rotting carcass or something. That would make the story worth telling.

Otherwise he just decided you guys were posers and he split before the car was going to fast for him to escape.

Maybe he was a ghost.

Otherwise he just decided you guys were posers and he split before the car was going to fast for him to escape.

...without opening the car door while it was running?

Queue mysterious music... That's actually quite weird. I've never had a vanishing Hitchhiker; but I did have a pair of pants that mysteriously vanished (not while I was wearing them, of course!). I'd only had them for a few days so that kind of sucked. Meh, they wouldn't fit me now anyway... And I did 'vanish' unintentionally on videotape; but that's only because my Dad stopped the tape and then turned it on from the exact same position the next minute..

Strange. I'd recommend looking for that neighbor and figuring out what's up; maybe they weren't actually a neighbor after all but really a ghost.

Actually, it would be even weirder if the person in question was still alive, and you saw their doppelganger instead; that's about as bad a sign as it gets, since seeing the double of someone tends to foreshadow something bad happening.

The hitchhiker fellow obviously preferred Chapters coffee as opposed to the stuff at Timmy's. :p

Strange. I'd recommend looking for that neighbor and figuring out what's up; maybe they weren't actually a neighbor after all but really a ghost.

Actually, it would be even weirder if the person in question was still alive, and you saw their doppelganger instead; that's about as bad a sign as it gets, since seeing the double of someone tends to foreshadow something bad happening.

What is this 'doppelganger' you speak of?

The hitchhiker fellow obviously preferred Chapters coffee as opposed to the stuff at Timmy's. :p

I can see that.

What is this 'doppelganger' you speak of?

Wikipedia explains it pretty well (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppelgaenger#Folklore)

Wikipedia explains it pretty well (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppelgaenger#Folklore)

Damn it, now I'm more creeped out than usual.

Strange. I'd recommend looking for that neighbor and figuring out what's up; maybe they weren't actually a neighbor after all but really a ghost.

Actually, it would be even weirder if the person in question was still alive, and you saw their doppelganger instead; that's about as bad a sign as it gets, since seeing the double of someone tends to foreshadow something bad happening.

I don't thimk its always an omen. The guy might have been psychic and able to project himself.

I'm pretty sure this guy is alive, seeing as he lives in his own apartment and everything. I've seen him around when I go to my friend's house (or apartment unit, whatever it's called), and he doesn't look like anything out of the ordinary.

I don't thimk its always an omen. The guy might have been psychic and able to project himself.

I'd hope that's the case...Doppelgänger are not a good thing to encounter.

I'd hope that's the case...Doppelgänger are not a good thing to encounter.

It better be the damn case...

It better be the damn case...

Yeah, really. Doppelgänger are not good....

Yeah, really. Doppelgänger are not good....

I can see that from that devilish Wiki article you posted.

Double posts are sorta like dopplegangers, in that if you see one you know the forum will die soon.

Dude, your neighbor's friend is a gelf. You have seven days to live.

Dude, your neighbor's friend is a gelf. You have seven days to live.

My friend's neighbor.

And what's a gelf?

I'm pretty sure this guy is alive, seeing as he lives in his own apartment and everything. I've seen him around when I go to my friend's house (or apartment unit, whatever it's called), and he doesn't look like anything out of the ordinary.
And you haven't asked him why he disappeared out of your friends car?

And you haven't asked him why he disappeared out of your friends car?

No, I've met him before this incident. This occurrence is the most recent time I met him.

This is your friend neighbor's way of saying that you (Jenrak) haven't been Rping FT enough and need to get back to your Dark Side nation.

My friend's neighbor.

And what's a gelf?

It's best you don't know. Maybe you'll escape if you ignore this. I don't reckon your chances are much, but it's worth a try.

At the very least, sleep with the lights on.

This is your friend neighbor's way of saying that you (Jenrak) haven't been Rping FT enough and need to get back to your Dark Side nation.

I'm intent on coming back, though nobody is intent on roleplaying Totalius' return with me.

It's best you don't know. Maybe you'll escape if you ignore this. I don't reckon your chances are much, but it's worth a try.

At the very least, sleep with the lights on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelf

I don't get it.

I don't get it.

Oh, now you've gone and done it. They know you are looking for them. You just googled gelf. A big mistake.

Look, the accurate description of gelf isn't on the internet. And it never will be. The gelf keep their existence a close secret. Suffice to say you've been visited. You have seven days.

It's best you don't know. Maybe you'll escape if you ignore this. I don't reckon your chances are much, but it's worth a try.

At the very least, sleep with the lights on.
I must say that knowledge and power and know your enemy and all those wise sayings.

C'mon, tell us. What's a gelf?

Incidently, this is a creepy story. Makes for a nice horror story around the ol' campfire, that's for sure.

Oh, now you've gone and done it. They know you are looking for them. You just googled gelf. A big mistake.

Look, the accurate description of gelf isn't on the internet. And it never will be. The gelf keep their existence a close secret. Suffice to say you've been visited. You have seven days.

Wait, how come you know of it? You're still alive... >_>

Oh, now you've gone and done it. They know you are looking for them. You just googled gelf. A big mistake.

Look, the accurate description of gelf isn't on the internet. And it never will be. The gelf keep their existence a close secret. Suffice to say you've been visited. You have seven days.

I haven't encountered one, so does that mean if I google it they know I'm looking for them? Whatever the f*** a Gelf is...

I must say that knowledge and power and know your enemy and all those wise sayings.

C'mon, tell us. What's a gelf?

Incidently, this is a creepy story. Makes for a nice horror story around the ol' campfire, that's for sure.

*makes mental note to scare cousins on Xmas Eve.

I must say that knowledge and power and know your enemy and all those wise sayings.

C'mon, tell us. What's a gelf?

Incidently, this is a creepy story. Makes for a nice horror story around the ol' campfire, that's for sure.

I think he's BSing

Oh, now you've gone and done it. They know you are looking for them. You just googled gelf. A big mistake.

Look, the accurate description of gelf isn't on the internet. And it never will be. The gelf keep their existence a close secret. Suffice to say you've been visited. You have seven days.
Don't make me bean you over the head with a bat. You sound like one of those characters in Harry Potter who whisper Voldemort's name in hushed tones and You-Know-Who variations. This gelf sounds like your usual demonic enemy, that's for sure.

GELF! I CHALLENGE YOU! CRAWL OUT OF THE DARKNESS AND FACE US LIKE A MAN!

:p

I think he's BSing

BS or not, I still need to know what they are. There is no knowledge that is not power.

BS or not, I still need to know what they are. There is no knowledge that is not power.

That's your problem right there. Some things people are not meant to know. Anyway, even if you knew it wouldn't help you. Best just to pretend the whole thing never happened. They might ignore you.

That's your problem right there. Some things people are not meant to know. Anyway, even if you knew it wouldn't help you. Best just to pretend the whole thing never happened. They might ignore you.

Keep on yankin' that chain, eh?

That's your problem right there. Some things people are not meant to know. Anyway, even if you knew it wouldn't help you. Best just to pretend the whole thing never happened. They might ignore you.

How come you're still alive?

Don't make me bean you over the head with a bat. You sound like one of those characters in Harry Potter who whisper Voldemort's name in hushed tones and You-Know-Who variations. This gelf sounds like your usual demonic enemy, that's for sure.

GELF! I CHALLENGE YOU! CRAWL OUT OF THE DARKNESS AND FACE US LIKE A MAN!

:p

I second challege!

The only thing I get is Genetically Engineered Life Form, but that's a seriously sci-fi thing.

That's your problem right there. Some things people are not meant to know. Anyway, even if you knew it wouldn't help you. Best just to pretend the whole thing never happened. They might ignore you.
*Yawns* it's all the same to me. the power of the Dark Side yadda, yadda, yadda.

I, for one, would like to at least know everything about the being that stalks me and eventually, how to defeat it.

How come you're still alive?

I'm from an ancient border family. The knowledge has been passed down through the generations from the time before the Roman occupation.

I'm from an ancient border family. The knowledge has been passed down through the generations from the time before the Roman occupation.

>_>

This is starting to sound like something of chainmail qualiy.

>_>

This is starting to sound like something of chainmail qualiy.
Gee. ya think?

Either that or someone of sufficient willpower can ward off these things. Damned ghosts!

Damn it, now I'm more creeped out than usual.

They probably don't exist anyway. So no worries.

Gee. ya think?

Either that or someone of sufficient willpower can ward off these things. Damned ghosts!

I take things concerning the supernatural, no matter how odd it may sound, seriously. So right now I am genuinely concerned. Lac, be honest - are you being serious or not?

I take things concerning the supernatural, no matter how odd it may sound, seriously. So right now I am genuinely concerned. Lac, be honest - are you being serious or not?

I am as serious as a corpse. Sleep with the lights on. Never think of this again. You may have a chance.

I am as serious as a corpse. Sleep with the lights on. Never think of this again. You may have a chance.

Bastard.

I take things concerning the supernatural, no matter how odd it may sound, seriously. So right now I am genuinely concerned. Lac, be honest - are you being serious or not?
Contrary to my words, so do I. Which is why I'm trying my best to learn about the supernatural. Damn, I wish college had a supernatural lecture class...

I am as serious as a corpse. Sleep with the lights on. Never think of this again. You may have a chance.
*sigh* You cannot defeat an enemy by trying to ignore it. You must learn everything you can about it, it's strengths, and definitely its weaknesses. And you must share this information to those who need it. I don't care about your secret wizard family oaths or whatever, you know what this gelf is, you'd best share it.

BTW, Jenrak, I'm the guy trying to contact you via MSN.

BTW, Jenrak, I'm the guy trying to contact you via MSN.

Okay, I have to sign in first.

Gelf are souls that are condemned to be eternally unborn. They sit just outside of our corporeal life dimly percieving the life they cannot live. This makes them jealous of those who are born.

Sometimes the barrier between their plane and ours breaks down and they are able to break through. When they do they seek out people they have been watching so they can suck the experience of life out of them - if only for temporary satisfaction.

Once they do this they assume the shape of someone the person they have watched knows. They do this because they have no real history or personality themselves and so there is no other way that they can pass as human. The point of this is to establish a connection with their prey. This connection creates a bond between gelf and prey which allows them to open a gateway between our world and theirs. And at the end of seven days the gelf will storm through the open gate to feast upon the experiences and life of their prey. This is usually fatal. Those few who have survived are left gibbering idiots who would be better off shot.

They only way to avoid the inevitable extraction of one's life is to break the connection by never, never, never thinking of it again. This weakens the connection with the gelf and may cause the gateway to close, or at least thickened enough that it cannot be broken through easily.

As I said. Never think of this again. Sleep with the lights on. Knowledge is not power.

But you all wanted to know.

:D

*Laughs*

:D

*Howls in laughter*

That's all? I was expecting something more terrifying.

I've imagined worse foes than that.

To get back to the OP for a minute there:

If this is not just you pulling our legs with your very own Urban Legend, then why the hell haven't you just gone to that guy's apartment and knocked and asked what happened?

:D

*Laughs*

:D

*Howls in laughter*

That's all? I was expecting something more terrifying.

I've imagined worse foes than that.

I think your laughter is false bravado.

I think your laughter is false bravado.
Nah. It just kinda reminds me of the description of demons in the book Shadowmancer by G.P. Taylor.

Besides, it's simply another random soulsucker. Dangerous, but rather mundane at the same time.

Also, it's a good Red Dwarf reference.

Red Dwarf rocked.

Nah. It just kinda reminds me of the description of demons in the book Shadowmancer by G.P. Taylor.

Besides, it's simply another random soulsucker. Dangerous, but rather mundane at the same time.

Also, it's a good Red Dwarf reference.

Just wait until you are visited. Let me see you laugh then.

If one day months later this same person comes up and asks the same question. Watch him and ask him if he's done this before.

It might be a Vardogr.

A psychic double that scouts ahead of it's 'owner'.

If one day months later this same person comes up and asks the same question. Watch him and ask him if he's done this before.

It might be a Vardogr.

A psychic double that scouts ahead of it's 'owner'.

First a Gelf and now this, where the hell are you guys getting this stuff from? D&D?

First a Gelf and now this, where the hell are you guys getting this stuff from? D&D?

I got mine from "Mysteries of the Unexplained" and google.

Mine was from my head.

Mine was from my head.
Sure it is...

Did you happen to smell burnt toast at any point in your encounter with... erm, your friend's roomates' uhhh... his ahh - his living, completely not un-dead spirit?

As an aside, I'm apparently the guy that everybody sees everywhere, even if I have never been to these places. Infact, these people swear they have seem me at these places, even though I infact know I have yet to there.

Perhaps I have a doppleganger running around?

Mine was from my head.

No sir. Gelfs are from Red Dwarf.

Genetically Engineered Life Forms, usually have some spiffy powers, but the ones ya gotta worry about are the Simulants!

No sir. Gelfs are from Red Dwarf.

Genetically Engineered Life Forms, usually have some spiffy powers, but the ones ya gotta worry about are the Simulants!
Actually I looked it up. It seems more closer to this Dr.Who episode.
(,Gelf Haunting, in Google)
Link (http://www.doctorwhosource.net/Episodes/S27/s27e03_plot.php)

Except that that wasn't a Gelf. It was a GELTH

Except that that wasn't a Gelf. It was a GELTH

S'truth!

Queue mysterious music... That's actually quite weird. I've never had a vanishing Hitchhiker; but I did have a pair of pants that mysteriously vanished (not while I was wearing them, of course!). I'd only had them for a few days so that kind of sucked. Meh, they wouldn't fit me now anyway... And I did 'vanish' unintentionally on videotape; but that's only because my Dad stopped the tape and then turned it on from the exact same position the next minute..

I've never had anything mysteriosly disappear, but I have experienced a mysteriosly appearing Metallica album. A few years back, I was rummaging through my CD:s, and stumbled upon Metallica's Black Album. I opened the case, and there were two CD:s inside. Two identical, authentic Black Album CD:s inside one case, which is really weird because I'm certain I've never bought or otherwise received more than one.

I've never had anything mysteriosly disappear, but I have experienced a mysteriosly appearing Metallica album. A few years back, I was rummaging through my CD:s, and stumbled upon Metallica's Black Album. I opened the case, and there were two CD:s inside. Two identical, authentic Black Album CD:s inside one case, which is really weird because I'm certain I've never bought or otherwise received more than one.

Sounds very odd. They're breeding.

Sounds very odd. They're breeding.

so whats the story on your mysterious passenger? did you go talk to him and find out what happened?

so whats the story on your mysterious passenger? did you go talk to him and find out what happened?

I've tried talking to him, though neither my friend nor I have been able to get him to open the door.

I've tried talking to him, though neither my friend nor I have been able to get him to open the door.

Huh? Why?

Holy fuck. I was really bombed the last time I was in this thread.

Oh well. I really should take the intertubes more serious though.

Huh? Why?

Because we'd knock on the door, but nobody answers.

You know that coffee you had?

You know how it didn't taste as good?

Drugs.

I've never had anything mysteriosly disappear, but I have experienced a mysteriosly appearing Metallica album. A few years back, I was rummaging through my CD:s, and stumbled upon Metallica's Black Album. I opened the case, and there were two CD:s inside. Two identical, authentic Black Album CD:s inside one case, which is really weird because I'm certain I've never bought or otherwise received more than one.

Ahhh this one, seems the situation has evolved. It used to be that any tape left in a drawer long enough would turn into a copy of "Queen's Greatest Hits". Apparently now that we're in the world of CD's Metallica's Black album has donned the mantle so to speak.

Because we'd knock on the door, but nobody answers.
But you do know he's home? That's weird.

But you do know he's home? That's weird.

I'm assuming he's home. If the bastard is on vacation, then he didn't take his car with him (as it is in the parking lot - my friend lives in an apartment).

So, what exactly ended up happening?

I know exactly what happened.

You're coffee tasted like crap, because there was a mild hallucinogenic drug which inherently effects your Parietal Lobe. You're sense of time and chronology was completely abashed because you apparently hallucinated this person after drinking the coffee but think you saw him before. This drug is apparently one which lasts little time since the experience was a drive from one coffee shop to the other. Unless of course its effects are indeed so powerful that you had forgotten that you went to this other place first. And/or your sense of time and direction was so impaired that you actually drove for an entire day and the effects wore off almost exactly the time you would have arrived at this said location, the day after.

:eek:

So, what exactly ended up happening?

Don't know. I have not had a chance to talk to him so far.

I know exactly what happened.

You're coffee tasted like crap, because there was a mild hallucinogenic drug which inherently effects your Parietal Lobe. You're sense of time and chronology was completely abashed because you apparently hallucinated this person after drinking the coffee but think you saw him before. This drug is apparently one which lasts little time since the experience was a drive from one coffee shop to the other. Unless of course its effects are indeed so powerful that you had forgotten that you went to this other place first. And/or your sense of time and direction was so impaired that you actually drove for an entire day and the effects wore off almost exactly the time you would have arrived at this said location, the day after.

:eek:

Hmm...very...confusing.