Was this sleep paralysis?
I've had experiences like this before, but this one was by far the most intense.
Around 2:30 AM, I was in that strange stage where you're almost asleep but still aware of your surroundings. It felt like I was awake, yet somehow still dreaming.
At first, I thought I saw someone in my room. I ignored it, turned onto my side, and tried to go back to sleep. A few moments later, I felt like someone was standing near my legs. Again, I ignored it because I've had similar experiences before.
Then it got much worse.
I felt something wrap its arms and legs around me. It genuinely felt like another person was holding me, except it felt wrong, almost like it was consuming me. Then I heard a deep growl right next to my right ear. It sounded so real that I instantly woke up and turned on the lights.
Even after I was awake, I could still feel where it had been "holding" me for a short while, and my right ear felt blocked and sore. That lingering sensation honestly freaked me out more than the hallucination itself.
The funniest part is that once I realized I was awake, my first reaction was to flip off whatever I thought was in my room. Fear apparently doesn't stop me from being petty.
I've experienced episodes like this before, but never one this vivid or physical. Has anyone else had hallucinations that included touch and sound this realistic? The lingering sensation afterward is what really got to me.