I awoke feeling frozen, grappling with the incredulity of my recent experience. There was only one other time I recall encountering something similar, two decades ago. The intensity of the encounter compelled me to rise and switch on the light. Although I recognized it as a dream, it was unlike any other dream I had ever observed. In my usual dreams, movement, and speech are beyond my reach, but this felt palpable as if I were awake throughout.
In my current home’s hallway, I found myself. An unseen force gripped my hair, treating it like a rubber band, attempting to yank me toward the bathroom door. The sheer strength of this force was remarkable. I managed to break away slightly, attempting to roll in a circular motion near the living room couch. However, the pull towards the bathroom persisted, leaving me questioning its purpose. In a strange turn of events, I found myself face to face with my husband, desperately trying to awaken him by touching his face. Regrettably, he remained unresponsive, offering no assistance. Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the force vanished.
To dispel my unease, I got up, turned on the television, and poured myself a glass of wine.
The other instance in which I experienced this phenomenon was distinct. I could sense the pressure of multiple hands on my back, pinning me down. I maneuvered my body onto the bedroom floor, attempting to climb up my dresser. Then, in an instant, I found myself back in bed. The authenticity of the encounter was unsettling; I genuinely felt immobilized by an external presence.
It took me considerable time to shake off the unsettling feeling of intrusion.