[quote]This brings back tormenting memories for me [/quote] Why, did it happen to you for real?

Nah. Well, I hope not. As a kid I used to wake up screaming about three times a week to that exact thing. It went on until I was about 6(?) then it started getting less and less frequent. Last time it happened was when I was 18. I never got hurt or anything, but I could stare at him for what felt like ages, then he will be gone in a blink. Now I'm older, I'm sure it's all in my head, but it still just creeps me the -blam!- out. Whenever I tell someone, I always feel like that crazy person that claims they have been abducted by aliens.

Sorry about that, that's sad to hear. I am glad you grew out of it. I don't think you sound crazy at all, a lot of research has been done on sleep disorders in recent years. It's more common than you'd think. Night terrors and sleep paralysis and even those who feel they have been abducted are attributed to some sleep disorders.