In Illinois, basements are usually a practical perk. It’s a space for washing machines, dryers, and storage. It is also a nice add-on especially for those living in an apartment building. But for one woman, laundry night has become a chilling nightly ritual.
What should be a simple chore has transformed into a tense journey through dim hallways, exposed pipes, and corners where shadows seem to move on their own. Even the act of carrying wet clothes to a dryer is a test of nerves.
Every evening, according to TikToker @ hiitsmillzy, she reluctantly descends into the shared basement armed with a baseball bat. The stairwell feels colder at night, the light sparse and flickering, and every creak or whisper of wind seems amplified.
Shadows, Hidden Corners Become an Illinois Woman’s Nightly Fear
Even the walls are bare, industrial, and lined with pipes, adding to the unnerving atmosphere. She pauses at each turn, scanning every shadow, half-expecting someone. Or something to lunge in her direction. The basement itself is only part of the terror.
Once she reaches the laundry machines, the single overhead light casts long, shifting shadows that transform familiar appliances into mysterious, threatening shapes. A particularly dark corner near the wall always demands extra caution, as though unseen eyes might be watching.
To make matters worse, a hidden door behind a refrigerator remains unopened. A source of pure dread, she refuses to investigate. The unknown lurking behind it is enough to keep her bat ready, just in case.
Living in Fear is No Way to Live
For viewers watching her footage online, the tension is almost tangible. Comments poured in from people imagining the same scenario. Doing a routine chore while anxiety creeps with every step. Some joked about abandoning laundry entirely. Others recommended alternative arrangements to avoid the basement altogether.
This Illinois woman’s nightly ordeal may be a little over dramatic. But it does remind many that fear should never be dismissed. If a space, even a mundane one like a laundry room, feels unsafe, it’s a signal to act.
“I didn’t think it was gonna be THAT bad, but wow it rlly is,” writes spooked commenter.
“Id be washing everything in my sink,” shares another.
“That is scary, but why every night? No way I’m going to the laundromat, I don’t care if I have to beg for change,” one more adds.
Experts advise trusting instinct, prioritizing personal safety, and seeking alternatives when possible. Sometimes, moving or finding a safer facility is the only sensible choice. Fear is not weakness. In some cases, it’s a survival mechanism.
Laundry is meant to be routine, not a nightly horror show. But when shadows, isolation, and unknown threats make a chore terrifying, it’s time to pay attention. A baseball bat may provide temporary comfort. But the real protection comes from acknowledging fear and acting on it. If doing laundry feels like stepping into a horror film, it’s not just anxiety. It’s a warning.
Lola Wheeler 
Casey James 
Emma Taylor 
