Lately, I feel like I’ve been experiencing sleep paralysis more often. I used to experience it once or twice a year, but these past few days is crazy – I even experienced it while sleeping in the car (in a very odd position – my neck was dangerously leaning on my left shoulder).
We spent the weekend in Alsace with BF’s parents. Saturday night, we saw Revolutionary Road, had drinks in Strasbourg and then went home and slept. Parents were out in a party – it was 1AM and it was beginning to look like we were the parents – in bed after midnight, waiting up for the kids to arrive.
I began to drift into sleep although I knew I wasn’t in so deep…yet. Suddenly, the door of the room opened. BF’s mom checking in? She approached the two of us, looked how peacefully we were sleeping – our bodies intertwined. She gave each of us a kiss and then suddenly, she laid down on top of me. I could feel her weight. Except that it wasn’t the mom anymore. It was a different person now. I couldn’t see the person anymore, but I could feel his heavy weight pressing down on my body.
My neck began to feel tickling sensations and I wanted to move, but my body refused to follow my mind. I tried to move my arms, but it was hopeless. It was just resting on top of my bf’s torso. My right leg was still and panic began to build up inside of me as the tickling sensation in my neck continued, the weight of the person on me was getting heavier and heavier as each passing second turned into minutes. I was in a panic – though I knew it would pass. I kept remembering that bf’s room used to be a chapel that held masses for people. I couldn’t help but think that maybe they had rituals here as well – sacrifices, chantings, offerings. I shivered in my sleep.
Suddenly, my eyes opened. I called bf’s name. He woke up – I woke up. 3AM. I moved my body and exchanged places with him. I wrapped the blanket all over me and tried hard not to fall asleep again. I heard the door open in the hallway. Parents arrived. Footsteps. Voices. They’re here, finally. I was relieved. I wasn’t dreaming anymore. I drifted to sleep again and then when I woke up again – it was lunchtime.
