Homey Spirits

My story is from a few years ago when I lived in my old home.

I'd never experienced anything even slightly paranormal before so I was a little unnerved when strange things started to happen.

The house was only 3 years old and we were renting it. So as far as I know nothing traumatic had ever happened there. It was a huge modern house and didn't have a backyard but instead a balcony that faced a cliff that dropped into bushland. It was an amazing view and is basically what won us over when we first saw the house.

I'm not sure when exactly things started to get strange but I'll recount it in order of what I remember.

My dog Shadow is a poodle who is generally happy and friendly in nature and always wants to play, however soon after we moved in she started to get quiet and reserved. She would sit and stare for minutes at a time at a blank wall or closed door and no matter how many times you called her she wouldn't move. It was kind of like she was in a trance even if you touched her she wouldn't move. I used to sit and watch her when she got like that to see what happened, I'd call to her and she'd just sit there. After maybe 5 minutes or so she'd just get up, walk off and be completely normal.

The house was on top of a hill and so was always in the direct line of sun during the day time but no matter what part of the house you were in or how hot it was the house was always freezing.

So my room was at the front of the house directly next to the front door and across from our computer room. Futher along the hall was my brothers room and across the hall my parents room. Next to my brothers room was a flight of stairs that led down into our games room, laundry and garage. The end of the hall upstairs ended in out dining room attached to the kitchen and lounge room.

What I remember is late at night I'd hear footsteps walking up and down the hall. I'd lay in bed for maybe 3-4 minutes listening to them walk up and down like marching. Thinking it was one of my parents I got up and went to look but there was never anyone there. This would happen most nights although sometimes I didn't wake up during the night so it could have always been happening.

I asked my brother & parents but they never heard it.

I would also hear the computer keys typing in the middle of the night, go to check and there'd be no one there. As soon as I'd get back into bed it would start up again just like the walking in the hall.

Sometimes when walking past the stairs I'd hear whispers. My mum also said she'd heard whispers but could never make out what was being said or how old the person sounded.

My mum also claimed that whilst downstairs doing the washing she'd hear people walking around upstairs and moving chairs but she'd be the only one home. She'd go upstairs to look around and then hear the balls on the pool table down stairs being rolled around. The tv and radio would also also turn on randomly throughout the day.

We never felt threatened by whatever was in the house but obviously it was a little scary.

I'd appreciate any ideas of what it could have been and why it was there seeing as it was a new house and nothing had ever happened there before.