I was eleven years old when it first happened. One night, I woke suddenly from a deep sleep. The room was dark and silent. I felt an unusual warmth spreading through my blankets.
When I opened my eyes, I saw a shape sitting at the foot of my bed. It wore a long, dark cloak that hid its face. My heart beat very fast. I pulled the covers up to my chin, trying to be still and quiet. The mattress dipped down as if holding a great weight.
I looked across the room toward my sister’s empty bed. Another form rested there, curled on its side. This one shimmered with a soft, green light. I shut my eyes tight and began to whisper a simple rhyme my grandmother had taught me, asking for safety and peace.
Eventually, the strange feeling faded, and I fell back into a troubled sleep.
In the morning, I felt tired and my pajamas were damp with sweat. I decided not to speak of it to my family. I told myself it was just a very bad dream.