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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Luke Smith is a wikiHow Staff Writer. He's worked for literary agents, publishing houses, and with many authors, and his writing has been featured in a number of literary magazines. Now, Luke writes for the content team at wikiHow and hopes to help readers expand both their skillsets and the bounds of their curiosity. Luke earned his MFA from the University of Montana.
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Some say that if you tell certain stories while another player lies on their back in their dark, you’ll be visited by an entity not entirely of this world. Nobody can say for sure what that entity is, only that it sometimes leaves long, red marks like a cat’s claws down the backs of any who dare to listen to the stories. Think you’re up for a good scare? We’ll show you how to play the Cat Scratch game and tell you the stories, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Things You Should Know
- Lie on your back on the floor of a dark room with your head in the lap of another player, who will be the storyteller.
- Relax and close your eyes as the storyteller softly rubs your temples and reads one of the Cat Scratch stories out loud.
- Sit up when the story is over and check your back for the telltale red marks. If you’re brave enough, swap roles and tell the second story.
Steps
Playing the Game
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![Step 1 The listener lies on their back with their head in another player’s lap.]()
The listener lies on their back with their head in another player’s lap. You need at least 2 people to play the Cat Scratch game: one to tell the story, and the other to listen and get scratched. The listener lies flat on their back on the floor, with their head in the storyteller’s lap (with a pillow, if it’s more comfortable).[1] Feel free to set the spooky mood with things like candles or small lanterns.- Shut the blinds and make your room as dark as possible if you’re playing during the day.
- Bystanders are welcome, but they can’t make a peep. Extra players sit cross-legged in a circle around the 2 main players.
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![Step 2 The storyteller recites one of the Cat Scratch stories.]()
The storyteller recites one of the Cat Scratch stories. The listener closes their eyes while the storyteller rubs their temples with both hands in gentle, circular motions. If you're the listener, breathe deeply, relax, and feel your body sinking into the floor. Then, when they feel that it’s the right moment, the storyteller recites the first of the 2 stories below, speaking slowly and clearly.[2]- While the story is told, nobody in the room may move, speak, or open their eyes, except for the storyteller.
- The storyteller may print the stories or read from their phone, but the game works best if they recite them from memory.
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![Step 3 Check the listener’s back for scratches when the story is over.]()
Check the listener’s back for scratches when the story is over. Once the storyteller is finished telling the story, the listener sits up and lifts their shirt in the back. Now’s the moment of truth, so try not to freak out. If you’ve been visited, the listener will have long red marks on their back, even if they don’t feel anything. The marks may be faint or slow to appear, but you won’t miss them. If they do appear, keep an eye out for any strange cats—you may have a new pet.[3]- If the scratches don’t appear, repeat the game and swap roles of listener and storyteller. This time, recite the second story.
Community Q&A
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QuestionCan I tell the story on a different language or only in English?
Community AnswerSure, you can do it in different languages, if your friend understands the language, it should not matter one bit.
Video
Tips
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Like most urban legends and slumber party games, there’s probably a scientific explanation for the red marks, like imprints from the floorboards or a wrinkled shirt. Of course, there may be stranger explanations, too…Thanks
References
- ↑ https://ihorror.com/paranormal-games-the-cat-scratch-game/
- ↑ https://theghostinmymachine.com/2020/08/19/the-most-dangerous-games-cat-scratch-meditation-hypnosis-sleepover/
- ↑ https://theghostinmymachine.com/2020/08/19/the-most-dangerous-games-cat-scratch-meditation-hypnosis-sleepover/
- ↑ https://ihorror.com/paranormal-games-the-cat-scratch-game/
- ↑ https://ihorror.com/paranormal-games-the-cat-scratch-game/
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