86 Lucid Dreams and Paralysis (1/2)

'Save me,' I screamed in my head.

I poked his arm several times, hoping to catch his attention. He didn't wake up. My eyes never left the figure at the door, staring at it intently as I tried to shake Sebastian awake.

I gave up pretty quickly, resorting to pulling the cover over my head and remaining under the covers until I felt the heat overcome me. Something dipped down on the bed near my feet and I froze. If I could stop breathing, I would. If I could rip the covers off and face the shadow at the bed, I would. But I was too scared.

For someone who was not easily scared, my demons gripped me with fear so acute that it paralyzed me. It hovered over me, breathing down on me. I felt a sob rip through me and I shuddered as I tried to figure out what to do.

I had only one option, wait until the sun rose and this thing disappeared. It felt like a lifetime before I felt Sebastian stirring beside me. He jumped into action, ripping the cover off me. I could see his face hovering over mine, illuminated by the dim light.

”Evie,” he whispered, his cold hands touching the skin of my face. Electrified, I stared at him, unable to move. He saw something in my eyes that moved him. His touch became softer and his voice smoother.

”Listen to me. You're trapped in your body. Slowly breathe according to my instruction.” I followed blindly, my eyes locked on his lips, my ears only for his voice. As I breathed, I felt the panic recede. The tears still poured out but my heart felt lighter. His hand was on my neck, pressed against my jugular as he took my pulse. Once he was satisfied with my heart rate, he started another set of instructions.

”Focus on the tip of your toes. Now, slowly try to move it.” He waited, his eyes flickering to my toes. ”Very good, now let the feeling of controlling your body and being able to move it slowly rise up your legs.” His voice was soothing and his words easy to follow.

I don't know how long it took but finally, I escaped the prison I never knew I was in.

I gasped when I felt my voice return.

”You're okay, Evie,” he reassured me.

”I called you. I shook you. You didn't wake up.” His eyes stiffened slightly and he nodded, the emotion leaving instantly before I could understand what he was thinking.

”I'm sorry, Evie. I'll explain everything to you once you calm down.” It took a while but I nodded. He slid his hand under my neck and pulled me up gently, making me sit up. Next, he moved out of the bed and took my hand into his.

He returned with a clear glass filled with warm milk. As I pressed my palms to surround it, I felt my body become warm.

”Sip on it slowly and tell me what you saw.” I nodded. I took a small sip, testing the temperature. When I was satisfied, I took a bigger sip.

”I saw a tall man at the door, shrouded in darkness,” I admitted, embarrassed.

”Don't be embarrassed,” he assured. ”Tell me more. How did he look? Have you seen him before?”

”I have,” I nodded. I gave him the distinguishing features and Sebastian grimaced. ”What is wrong with me?”

”Do you want to purify your home? We could call a priest or something...” he asked nervously, his eyes flickering to her face.

”I know you don't believe in the supernatural. Neither do I. Tell me what I am seeing. I need the science behind it.” I urged him to reveal the truth.

He sighed. ”This figure is a recurring theme in a lot of studies. A lot of people across the globe have claimed to see this man in windows and doors, lurking in the shadows. Despite studies, we don't have a conclusive answer why it is this figure that people see, but it can be said that the mysterious background and nature of the brain making anthropomorphic images out of shadows has led to the creation of this figure in the collective consciousness.” He paused to check her reaction. ”Your brain is powerful, Evie, and it tries to make out things you can make sense out of in the darkness. Because of your hypervigilance, you expect to see something in the shadows, and therefore see something in the shadows when the lights turn off.”

”Then why did I start seeing it only after you fell asleep?” I asked, utterly confused.

”Because when I was beside you, you had a sense of comfort. When I fell asleep, you felt alone and vulnerable and your brain used that fear to conjure up the image. Your body fell asleep, Evie, but your eyes were still open. You were lucid dreaming and had a case of sleep paralysis along with it.”