I was a nanny for a baby who didn’t exist. When I finally figured that out, I ran from the house. I didn’t stop running until the road disappeared and I was knee-deep in salt water.

I took the job without ever seeing the baby or talking with the mom. The father called me from a blocked number and offered me an insane amount of money to look after their baby girl. I was told that it was a sudden inheritance, that the family hadn’t expected to be so wealthy and that they needed someone immediately to care for their daughter. <br><br>His voice was so gentle on the phone. He was such a gentleman. He said he couldn’t meet in person because he was abroad, that his wife wasn’t feeling up to meeting new people. He was ready to pay me such exorbitant amounts of money. I didn’t question anything. <br><br>The family was wealthy, or at least they said they were. I had no reason to doubt it. They lived in a mansion with sprawling gardens, multiple private bedrooms, and a beautiful patio where you could watch the sunset so clearly every night as if you were watching the end of the world. <br><br>“Her name is Clara. She is 3 years old. She’ll be waiting for you in her bedroom. You will also find a very detailed instruction list in her room with everything you need to know to take care of her. We will call you often. Please answer immediately. <br><br>I will be wiring you the first 3 months pay immediately after we hang up. <br><br>You may call me or my wife at any time if you need anything. <br><br>And please, do not open the basement door.” <br><br>I didn’t like the sound of that, but as soon as I heard the door shut, I ran up the stairs to the second floor, turned right and opened Clara’s door. Only it was empty.<br><br>The room was a baby’s room. The walls were painted pink, the furniture was white, and there was a beautiful crib in the center of the room that looked like it was hand made. There were also toys everywhere, stuffed animals, dolls, and even a small closet full of clothes. There was a desk in the corner with a list of instructions. <br><br>It was a normal list. There were instructions on how to feed, bathe and put her to sleep. There was a list of her favorite foods and games. A schedule for playtime and naptime. It was nothing out of the ordinary. Except that at the end of the list, in red letters, all caps, it said: <br><br>“CLARA IS A SENSITIVE GIRL. PLEASE DO NOT MENTION THAT YOU CAN’T SEE HER. SHE WILL GET UPSET. MAKE SURE YOU TREAT HER AS YOU WOULD TREAT A NORMAL GIRL. <br><br>YOU MUST PLAY WITH HER. SHE WILL ASK YOU TO PLAY GAMES. PLEASE COMPLY. <br><br>IF YOU CAN HEAR HER BUT YOU CAN’T SEE HER, YOU MUST FOLLOW HER INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER. <br><br>DO NOT OPEN THE BASEMENT DOOR. <br><br>DO NOT SECOND GUESS YOURSELF. YOU ARE NOT DREAMING. YOU ARE NOT GOING CRAZY. CLARA DOES NOT KNOW THAT YOU CAN’T SEE HER.” <br><br>I didn’t know what to do. I was so confused. I had no one to talk to. I decided to read the list again, slowly, and then wait for the father to call. It was 3 PM, he would call at 6, according to the instructions.<br><br>As I waited, I began to hear noises. The house creaked, and I heard footsteps. I didn’t want to be alone so I jumped at the chance to talk to someone. <br><br>“Hello? Is that the father? I - “ <br><br>“I’m not daddy! You can’t see me can you?” <br><br>I recognized the voice. It was Clara’s. It was a baby girl’s voice. <br><br>“No, sweetie, of course I can see you. And hear you. Where are you? I - “ <br><br>“I know you can hear me, but can you see me? I’m hiding.” <br><br>“I don’t see you anywhere, Clara. Where are you? Are you ready for some dinner? Maybe a bath? Do you want to play a game before bedtime?” <br><br>“I don’t wanna game! I wanna play hide and seek! You can’t see me! But you have to find me! I’m gonna count! And you must find me before I’m done! Only you can’t see me! Isn’t it fun?” <br><br>I didn’t know what to do. I was so confused. In the end, I decided to play along. I had to keep her calm. I had to keep her happy. I had to keep her from calling her parents. <br><br>“Are you done counting yet, Clara?” <br><br>“Yes! I’m coming! You have to run! Run or I’ll catch you! Run or I’ll catch you! Run or I’ll catch you!” <br><br>I heard her running up and down the stairs. Heavy breathing. I was alone and I was so scared. Suddenly, I heard her right next to me. <br><br>“YOU CAN’T SEE ME BUT I CAN SEE YOU! YOU CAN HEAR ME BUT I CAN HEAR YOU! I’M RIGHT NEXT TO YOU BUT YOU CAN’T FEEL ME! I’M GONNA TOUCH YOU AND YOU WON’T EVEN KNOW! IT! NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH! <br><br>I ran from the house. I didn’t stop running until the road disappeared and I was knee-deep in salt water.