The year was 2011 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was just released. As I had played all the other Elder Scrolls, I thought Skyrim would be decent.

I waited in line at EB Games to pick up a new copy of the game. As I approached the counter, the man said, "Sorry, we've sold out. Although there is Pre-Owned copy".

It striked me odd that it was pre-owned, as it was only just released. But without hesitation, I purchased it, I got on my bike and rode home. As soon as I got home I ran up in the Attic to my little gaming corner. I turned on the Xbox and TV, and put in the disc. And then the game just started.

I was in a house. In Solitude, surrounded by hundreds of Mannequins. And I thought, "What buttmuncher is playing games here?" And I exited to the main menu, and started a new game. But weirdly, I respawned back in the house in Solitude, surrounded by twice as many mannequins as last time. I saw a book on the table so I picked it up, and read it. The book was called, "You must keep playing". The book read as I recall, "Dear gamer, you don't have much time.

You need to defeat the Mannequins. They are appearing in games everywhere because of my stupid mistake. I bought the house you are in now and started hitting the Mannequins. Now they are appearing in all types of games everywhere. It's up to you to stop them. Keep moving to the city of Riften for next steps." I put my control down and thought, what sadistic creep would do this?

So I continued playing and I heard a faint voice. At the start it was inaudible, but as I got closer to Riften, the voice became more clear and it was saying, "Turn back now, or die." I freaked out so I turned the xbox off, but to my surprise. The game didn't turn off. It stayed on. I must keep playing. So I ran to Riften and all of a sudden.

I heard some noises in the attic, and I turned around - it was a Mannequin. Right before my eyes. It stood there, without emotion and stared at me. I knew at the time it wasn't coming to cause harm. But on the wood I saw engraving's, marked out as "Run. Before it's too late." It was the person who owned the previous copy.

So I ran. out of my house and I saw them. Mannequins everywhere. Hundreds of them. They were after me. They wanted to hurt me. All I could hear was the voice again, saying, "You should have turned back." Mannequins just kept coming. No matter where I tried to run, there were always more. And there it was. Another book. I picked it up and started to read it. "If you are reading this you're another step closing to saving everyone. You must go back to the Attic and keep playing. You must not give up.

You must destroy the original Mannequin to destroy the rest to save everyone, including me." So I ran as fast as I could, through lifeless Mannequins and back into my attic. I shut and locked the opening and covered it with a couch and bookshelf, and kept playing. I got about Five minutes into and a Mannequin started strangling me.

Everything began to go black and then finally. There was just black. I woke up in hospital and my Mum was there. I asked her where all the mannequins where?

She just laughed and replied, "What are you on about silly boy?" Then I just lied down in relief and thought I was imagining it all. I looked out the window and that's where I saw it. The Mannequin. The one I saw at the start. The boy who owned this game before I did. It stared with an evil face. And kept staring.

Once I got out of hospital I got rid of the Skyrim game I purchased. I have not seen the Mannequin since.

I beg all you gamers.

Do not play Skyrim.

If you do buy a brand new copy.

Never get it pre-owned.

I survived to tell the tale.

I have not seen the Mannequin but I know, he's out there. Waiting.

Waiting for the next person to be haunted.