BASEMENT - KHW PART 398

Summary

Nadia introduces Elang’s story. While working alone on the night shift as a parking operator in a large Jakarta mall, Elang was responsible for basement posts 12 and 13. The basements were usually stuffy and quiet, but strange events began when a car left through post 12—even though Elang was serving a customer at post 13.

The driver insisted that a casually dressed attendant had taken his cash and handed him a ticket. Elang checked with his supervisor, who confirmed that a payment had been processed at that exact time. But post 12 was empty, and the driver’s description did not match the mall’s uniformed staff. Elang began to suspect that the “attendant” was a ghost.

Then a powerful smell of blood and decay came from the rubbish pit between the posts. Looking over the edge, Elang saw a long-haired woman with black eyes and a damaged face. Her mouth appeared to be sewn shut. He fled to post 13, shaking and reciting prayers. The smell eventually disappeared, but soon a security guard pointed out that post 12’s barrier was open. As Elang approached to check it, the empty barrier began repeatedly rising and dropping by itself.

One of the story’s stranger, funnier moments comes when Elang recalls his grandmother’s advice: don’t fear spirits because “even the devil knows you’re Javanese.” Drawing courage from his Javanese birth-calendar sign, he challenges the apparition. When the barrier stops, the foul smell returns. Elang recites prayers and a verse his grandmother taught him, then sees thick black smoke rising from the rubbish pit, along with the woman’s figure. After more prayers, both vanish, and the rest of his shift passes quietly.

Other Sightings

Elang later learns that other workers had also seen frightening figures in the basement, including children, an old woman, and a shrouded figure.

His colleague Bayu tells the most alarming story. While alone on duty, Bayu smelled the same blood-like odor and saw what looked like liquid dripping from the ceiling. Looking up, he found a horrifying woman sprawled overhead, with bulging black eyes and a rotting, maggot-covered body. He ran to basement 1, where senior guard Mr. Budi told him the basement had once been a cemetery. Although the bodies had been moved, Mr. Budi believed some spirits remained.

Aftermath

After the workers reported the incidents, management added more people to the night shift and advised them to pray while working in the basement.

Nadia closes by reflecting that courage does not mean feeling no fear. It means staying calm and seeking protection when faced with the unknown.

Personalities Featured

• Nadia Omara — Host and narrator.
• Elang — The parking operator who experienced the main haunting.
• Bayu — Elang’s coworker, who saw the apparition above him.
• Mr. Budi — Senior security guard who explains the basement’s history.
• The driver and other parking staff — Supporting figures in the accounts.