Close encounter at the midnight hour.

Close Encounters of the Midnight Hour

It’s a quarter to 4, just a few hours before dawn. The room is dark; silence engulfs it. I lie in bed and fall asleep. In just a few hours, I will wake up and go through my morning routine. I’m not a morning person—just a bit tired from those sleepless nights.

Tonight, however, will not be a regular night of sleep. The phantom menace will swing by. Like a dark cloud of smoke slowly spreading through the air, it hovers right over me. The question is: where did it come from? Why is it here? Is it part of my dream? Is it someone's soul manifesting into my space?

I don’t know. I just feel it floating around.

In no time, the worst-case scenario happens. I feel under attack. I am prey to whatever has just hit me. It feels like this thing has a purpose—to upset me, to inflict terror. I don’t know if I am awake or still asleep, if all of this is just a nightmare.

I have to wake up.

I feel hopeless, caught in its tight grip. Suddenly, as I realize I am in big trouble, the words come out of nowhere: Jesus is my Savior! Jesus is the Lord! Out! Leave! No more!

In the blink of an eye, the room settles back to normal. I am staring at the upper wall in confusion. I look around for a while, my heart beating fast.

It has been just another close encounter at the midnight hour.