The Paranormal Digest for Feb 21, 2026

Screaming skulls, sea monsters, and more

It wouldn’t be a spooky Saturday without another round of The Paranormal Digest, so it’s luck I have spent the past few days looking for some cool spaces and stories to share. I will have my usual round of cryptids, urban legends, haunted locations, and a whole lot more. I am also making a return to free books this week, so let me stop yapping now so that we can get to the good stuff.

Haunted Location - Loftus Hall

How about we start with a location in Ireland, where the legend suggests that the Devil himself paid a visit during a storm. The story goes that the Lady of the house invited in a sailor seeking shelter from the storm. She played the perfect hostess, feeding the man and inviting him to a game of cards. During the game, she dropped one, and when she bent to pick it up, she noticed that the strange guest had cloven hooves. No word if the Devil is still there, but Lady Anne has been seen regularly in Loftus Hall.

Urban Legend - The Okiku Doll

I’m sure I have mentioned this in the past, but if I have not, let me remind you all that dolls creep me out. Okiku, who is housed in a temple in Japan, is said to have the spirit of a dead girl trapped inside. That’s creepy enough, but it is also said that the doll has human hair that continues to grow. As a bald man, I must confess that I am a little jealous, but I am also not prepared to house a spirit to have flowing locks.

Creepy Cryptid - The Kraken

In old school maps, it was not uncommon to see tentacles on the map alongside a warning, “Here Be Monsters.” One such seas creature is the Kraken, which comes from Scandinavian lore, which was a surprise to me. In Scandinavian language, Kraken essentially translates to drag down, with ships of old rumored to have been pulled to the depths by tentacled creatures. We’re going to need a bigger boat.

Scary Video of the Week - 13 Scary Videos

I love a great collection of creepy videos, and I think I’ve come across a good one for you guys. This week, I am looking at the Scary Comp channel and their look at 13 scary videos you shouldn’t watch alone. If you enjoy this one, please be sure to give the channel a follow.

Free Horror Book of the Week - Crybaby by Mark Watson

When you think of creature features, you generally think about horror creatures that defy explanation. In Crybaby by Mark Watson, it is a rogue elephant that goes crazy. I have this one on my Kindle, but I have yet to get to it. You can nab it for FREE on the 21st of the month.

Deadly Drabble - New Life

The stray cat made its way through a broken window, deftly avoiding the spiked shards. It could smell water in the abandoned home, but also something else foreign.

The feline moved warily through the building, spotting a glass container that held water and a trio of dead fish. The water did not look clean, but for a thirsty cat, it was an oasis.

She lapped at the stagnant water and felt something move within the liquid. Slaking her thirst, she ignored the microbes now coursing through her system, latching on and creating new life. The upcoming birth would be magnificent.

Random Weirdness - The Screaming Skull

Bettiscombe Manor in the English countryside seems like a lovely place, but if you hear screaming on your visit, there might be a very good reason. The story goes that when a slave died on the property, his wish was that he be buried in the West Indies. His wishes were ignored, and he was buried on the property. Even worse, his skull was placed in a cabinet. Rumors suggest that screaming can now be heard from the site of the grave.

That is all I have for this week. I hope to see you all again next Saturday for even more haunted tales of the paranormal.