THE BLACK DOT IN THE SKY FOLLOWS
Stop Interrupting My Phone Time with Your Ring Notifications | Horror
A short horror story framed like neighborly message boards of Ring, Nextdoor, and countless other "communities" we've all encountered. Written for the “Eye See You” community Substack event hosted by Erica Drayton.
Art by Brett Wagner
36 hours ago 3.2 miles away
Neighbor
Does Anyone Else See The Unmoving Black Dot In The Sky?
I was watering my grass when a plane flew overhead. I looked up to watch it but was distracted by some fluffy clouds. Stratocumulus today. That’s when I noticed it. A tiny, unmoving black dot in contrast against the bright blue sky. Easy to miss if you don’t really look, but it’s there, hovering. Does anyone else see it? Watch the video above and let me know what you think. It hasn’t moved in an hour. No idea what it could be.
↳ Neighbor 4
I don’t see it.
↳ Neighbor 12
Looks like a scratch on your camera lens.
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
It’s not.
↳ Neighbor 6
I can’t see it. But I accidentally looked into the sun, soooo….
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
It’s not near the sun. Hope you’re not blind.
↳ Neighbor 20
It’s probably a floater.
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
No. It’s not. Floaters are tiny specks, strands, or cobweb-like shapes that seem to drift through your vision when your eyes move.
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
THANK YOU for the unnecessary explanation.
↳ Neighbor 2
Bro, I see it!
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
Weird, right?
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 2
Yeah, dude. Going to watch it for bit.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 9
lol, don’t succumb to its secret messages
↳ Neighbor 5
Could it be a bag?
↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
A bag?! LMAO
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 5
Plastic bags from the store float. People leave them everywhere.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
Goin to complain about plastic pollution next?!
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
I do not believe it's a bag. Same spot for an hour.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 5
Bags can hang in the air for a long time.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
OKAY Number #5
↳ Neighbor 8
Don’t see it, but a delinquent stole a package off my porch again. Fifth time this month.
↳ ↳ Neighbor 9
lol, get your packages off the porch before they get swiped
↳ Neighbor 17
Heard the military be training in the area.
↳ ↳ Neighbor 2
Government drone. BET.
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 4
Surveillance state?
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
What a original CUCK you are Number #4
27 hours ago 2.1 miles away
Neighbor
I See It. Black dot in the sky.
The sun was out, which you know be rare here in the summer, so I get the lawn chair out to sunbathe real quick. Of course, I fell asleep on my stomach and my back got roasted. I turned over right quick to let my front cook when I saw it. I thought there was something on my sunglasses but no it be that black dot. It's sooo small. Not sure how long it’s been there but it hasn’t moved. Anyone else seeing this?
↳ Neighbor 6
I see it! Very interesting. Going to have to drink some beers and keep an eye on it.
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
Rigggghhhht? WTF???
↳ Neighbor 20
Do you have great tits?
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
Ew…perv.
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
I bet you do. 🤤
↳ Neighbor 9
prob chinese weather balloon. all that soft simp power was an invitation
↳ ↳ Neighbor 4
Settle down.
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 9
lol can’t take a joke
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 4
Like, where’s the punchline?
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 9
i hope forty-seven deports ya, fuckface.
↳ Neighbor 12
My niece says she sees it. She lives in the West End.
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
It STILL be here. Same ya think?
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 12
Maybe.
↳ Neighbor 31
They are watching us.
↳ ↳ Neighbor 2
Bro, who?
↳ Neighbor 13
Is anyone else having issues with their cell reception?
↳ ↳ Neighbor 5
T-Mobile sucks. Get AT&T.
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 9
verxion is where its at, bitch
↳ Neighbor 14
I think what I saw was a bird. Buteo jamaicensis. Never saw one so high.
↳ ↳ Neighbor 9
lol, spazzzed over a bird
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
For real!!???
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 14
Yes. Apologies. I imagine yours is the same.
15 hours ago 1.8 miles away
Neighbor
The Black Dot Follows.
Like, I don’t want to freak anyone out but it's following me. I saw it in the sky while in Florida for work and for the entire Uber ride back to the airport. The perspective has liked never changed. It was an hour long drive!! When I landed back here, still there!! I’m trying to convince myself it's just like my anxiety going for a joy ride, but I don’t know. Something is off. There is like a smell in the air, chemical, but also metal? Anyone else smell it? My mind is racing. I may need to go pop one of my emergency Xanax. Am I losing it??!!
↳ Neighbor 9
lol, how long have you had these hallucinations
↳ Neighbor 11
Take some deep breaths. Put on a movie. It will be okay.
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
Thanks. I needed to hear that.
↳ Neighbor 2
Bro. It’s so some type of new spy tech for the NSA or CIA. No doubt.
↳ ↳ Neighbor 8
Why can’t they use all this tech to STOP these hooligans from checking car doors???!!!
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 17
Cause that be illegal.
↳ Neighbor 5
I think it's just debris. A bag in the air or a bird and you just happened to notice and fixate on it. Our mind is a weird and powerful thing.
↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
Nice try Number #5
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 5
You know you’re saying “number” twice, right?
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
Your virtue signaling Jedi mind tricks won’t work on me.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 5
I didn’t know it was a problem to be helpful.
↳ Neighbor 17
Shit be weird. My pops seen one outside Atlanta, and my cousins called me about one they saw in Denver. I’ve been where you be. It’ll pass.
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
Like, I hope so. This spiral is spiralling. I want to curl up in a ball and go to sleep.
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 17
It okay if you do. You goin wake up tomorrow and be fine.
↳ Neighbor 31
They are following us.
↳ ↳ Neighbor 2
Bro. Who you talking about?
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 31
They follow until you die or are assimilated.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
I don’t want to hear this!
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 11
You’re a clown.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 31
🤡
11 hours ago 1.6 miles away
Neighbor
lol, black dot in the sky omg lets freak out
oooooh no a black dot. what could it be? lets spazzz about it on hear and annoy the fuck out of everyone! no way it could be any sort of debris or aircraft.. sleuths like you would know. def not a bird! could you imagine? birds flying up there?!! what a fucking scandal!!! lol, you all stupid
↳ Neighbor 20
Finally! Someone calls it as it is. Bunch of schizo scardy cats on this platform.
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
lol, i’ve turned off notifications for this app. they all act like the world is ending while I trying to make that mac and cheese cause my girl is a snack. i don’t need my phone blowing up every two seconds
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 5
Fighter jets are overhead. I’ve heard sirens nonstop for the last three hours. Don’t be ignorant.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
#5 I thought you said this was just a BAG or a BIRD?!
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 5
I was wrong.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
lol, you a soyboy beta. want a fat chode in your mouth.? come suck me while the world ends? please. pretty pleas
↳ Neighbor 17
MY COUSINS BE DEAD. YA HEAR ME?! FUCKING DEAD. Don’t need dumbass mouth breathers acting like this shit isn’t real. So…STFU!
↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
Oh! I’m sorry. Didn’t know people could die from hysteria! MY CONDOLENCES.
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
lol people will say whatever they can to get sympathy
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 4
You both are deplorable. Like, won’t care when you die.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
#4 the CUCK!
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
lol
↳ Neighbor 14
Background radiation has slowly increased beyond nominal levels. I think it's unsafe to be in the city.
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
the spazz returns
↳ Neighbor 2
BRO. Has anyone else’s ears been ringing for the last three hours? Its fucking whack.
8 hours ago 1.2 miles away
Neighbor
GUN SHOTS!!!! Black Dots??!!!
I can’t make calls. Kids are freaking out. Does anyone know whats going on?! There is definitely more of them in the sky. So many more. Are they getting bigger? The air tastes like metal…I’ve tried to seal up all the doors and windows. Not sure it’s helping. My seven year olds asthma is acting up real bad. My husband hasn’t come home. My two year old keeps saying ‘Daddy?” as he searches for him in every room of the house. Gunshots. Gunshots. GUNSHOTS. They’re getting closer. Our WIFI is shit. I can’t stream the news. Can barely connect to here. I’m worried my husband is dead. OH GOD. IS HE? I…I CAN’T…
↳ Neighbor 5
The radio says to stay indoors and take shelter. Do you have a radio? Enough food to survive for a couple of days?
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
Just a smart speaker that isn’t working. My husband wen’t out to get food.
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 5
Okay, I’m sure he will come back. Do you think you can get by with what you have?
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
Was that an explosion?!! Our whole house just shook.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 5
Yes. I think they’re bombing. I’ll pray for you and your family. Stay safe.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
Should we shelter underground? You too.
↳ Neighbor 6
Our power has popped off and on all day. Broke our AC and I’m sweating my balls off. I can’t make calls either, but some texts have gone through.
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
Not for me.
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 6
Keep trying.
↳ Neighbor 14
The dog and I are hiking out of the city. Police are scattered and scared. Been difficult to avoid the militias. Looting is rampant. We’ve been lucky so far, seem to be moving away from the violence. There are thousands of black dots in the sky. Like a rasterized image. The smell is worse. My eyes are watering.
↳ Neighbor 20
Your husband is probably dead.
↳ ↳ Neighbor 11
DUDE. WTF?
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 5
You’ve been reported.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve wasted everyone’s time.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 5
Get your head out of your ass and go outside. Look around.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 20
I thought we “weren’t supposed to go outside” because it's “DANGEROUS!”
↳ Neighbor 4
Power is out and we’re leaving. Can’t, like, chance it anymore. I don’t trust people. Gunfire and explosions are too close. Fingers crossed we aren’t too late. We’re close to the highway, thankfully. and I think you should do the same if you’re able.
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
My husband took our only car. 😔
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 4
If we had, like, the room, I would say come with us.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 9
lol, don’t lie
↳ Neighbor 5
I’m downtown. The windows of our condo cracked from another loud percussive blast. There is a constant low metallic hum, like a distant train passing by, but it sounds close. It’s haunting. I can still hear it even amongst the small arms fire. My husband says he saw tanks driving down the street.
↳ ↳ Neighbor 4
Like, fighter jets just flew over the interstate. Several groups. Big explosions. Traffic is at a standstill and the dots are bigger. The chemical smell is starting to burn the back of our throats and nostrils. My partner has a nosebleed. She’s never had one in her, like, entire life. People are starting to walk. If you’re leaving, I wouldn’t bother with a vehicle.
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 31
You cannot run as it is time for the great culling!! Our world is to be redeemed and washed of its great filth. A vile rot created by our own hands. Our own selfish endeavors in which we think we are so righteous, so astute and worthy of all the spoils that this modern life has afflicted us. Your fears are justified because you have not known life. You haven’t had to stalk your prey like a real predator, sleep amongst the decomposing matter that makes up the dirt, and kill to live. You are soft, and now you must be sharpened against the blades of justice. Fire and brimstone will be set upon all! Our Masters have returned. Those of us who are ready, have no fear.
↳ ↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 2
Bro. What drugs you taking? I need some.
↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
ARMED MEN ARE AT OUR DOOR! Pounding! Demanding to come in!!! I shoved the kids into the attic crawl space. I don’t know wha they want?! I have no protection. They’re wearing gas masks. Are they going to kill us?!!! My toddler is HYSTERICAL. THEY MUST KNOW WE ARE HERE!!! OH GOD. Can anyone help? Please. Please God. Come help us 5241 Stalwart Ave.
↳ ↳ Neighbor 9
lol, shouldn’t have lived in the rich neighborhood
↳ ↳ ↳ Neighbor 5
My husband and I are going to come for you. Hold out as long as you can. We will be there in 15.
6 hours ago 1.0 miles away
Neighbor
Fucking Garden Thieves Again.
Does anyone recognize this family in the above video? They’ve raided my garden and literally took everything. I wanted to make a nice fresh pasta sauce with my tomatoes, but now, that won’t happen. All my lettuce GONE. Beans PILLAGED. They even took the herbs. Their little grubby hands left nothing. I watched it all happen on the Ring. Couldn’t get the microphone to work in time to scold them. Not that they would care. I saved the recording. Once the police are involved they better watch out.
↳ Neighbor 6
Have you not looked up at the sky?!
↳ Neighbor 17
We at war. No one be giving a shit about ya garden. Ya hear?!
↳ Neighbor 11
They stole to survive.
↳ ↳ Neighbor (Posted This Alert)
Filthy immigrants. They need to go back to where they came from.
3 hours ago .5 miles away
Neighbor
BRIGHT FLASH??!!! Trapped.
I’ve been trying to post this but no service. I’ve connected to a neighbors wifi. It’s barely working. We’re not going to make it 5241 STALWART. I’m trapped inside the parking garage underneath our Condo. There was a bright flash and a massive explosion. The percussive wave sent the whole structure down on top of me. Everything. Everything is gone. My husband. He was upstairs filling water bottles and I thought I could hear his screams. My ears are filled with a strange, mechanical susurrations. I have no sense of time. Can’t move my legs. Does anyone know what happened? Were we nuked? It’s very dark. Whatever I’m breathing in is not good. I’m sorry 5241. I really am. Fuck. I’m going to die here.
↳ Neighbor 13
THeY ar….ebw4]8790-42r
↳ Neighbor 14
Made it to the forest. Oddly quiet for the time of day. Radiation levels are high. Probably deadly for anyone within city limits. I suspect most will be dead in a week, three max. Clouds hang low. Stormy. Almost like Nimbostratus but not quite. The sky is very green. Smells like rotten eggs, burning metal, and spray paint. Going to walk as far as my legs will take me.
↳ ↳ Neighbor 6
Man, I’m in the city. You saying I’m dead?
↳ Neighbor 31
I’ve communed with them. Salvation is sweet and everlasting.
1 hours ago .2 miles away
Neighbor
If anyone sees this, we’re underground.
THIS IS IT. My generator is goin to run out of gas. The ONE thing I didn’t stockpile. Didn’t think this was it. I thought it would be different. The dots are MASSIVE now. There is a textured light of sorts beaming down from them. I’ve spent most of my ammunition on holding the bands of looters at bay. IF that’s what they were. They could have been seeking help or they could have been THEM if what the forums were saying are true. Couldn’t take the chance. I know I’m an ASSHOLE. Have always been. I don’t know why. Some people liked it. I think. They would laugh. I’m…I AM SORRY. If my kid witnessed how I behaved on here, well…I feel awful. Doubt anyone will see this, but we’re going to the old cold cellar I had retrofitted. I think I have enough food stocked for a year. I hope it's long enough. Maybe they’ll be gone, or whatever this is will pass. If there are any of you left, and if I run into you, I promise to make amends.
↳ Neighbor 9
dad?
↳ Neighbor 17
You a rich ass piece of shit. OFF YOURSELF! Prob don’t have the stomach for it, no doubt. That’d be kind. You goin to bury your wife and child. Believe me. Live the rest of your life alone and die in anguish asshole.
YOUR MOBILE DEVICE IS OFFLINE. TAP TO LEARN MORE.
The format is really cool and it works in keeping that unsettling feeling of dread! I really enjoy apocalyptic stories like this! Keep writing, fellow horror writer!
Which of your stories do you think about just before you fall asleep? What is unfinished in your mind?