Uninvited roommate

In 2014, the family tagged along during a weeklong conference in another state. The drive would normally have taken 5-6 hours. Because of earlier storms damaging roads that year, the actually time was an additional two hours (felt even longer on the return).

So after that long drive we finally pull up to the hotel that night. We parked in the rear lot, and had to take the back way to the lobby to check in. This hotel is on the national registry of historical places... so of course old lights made a very dark interior at night. (One "antique" elevator, the pool at the time was filled with concrete, floors dipped and were warped... that kinda moneygrab place.)

Finally we get to the room, unpack, and sleep. The next day was the beginning of the conference, exploring the hotel, and visiting the local national park. That night, I woke up because I felt tingling throughout my entire body. Not the normal tingle when you can move your limbs around and regain feeling. But the kind of sensation that basically is simultaneously numbing and burning. I tried to open my eyes, but my lids felt glued shut. The tingling sensation became more intense, and I could feel it in my skull. My heart was beating out of control, I swear I could hear the erratic pumping in my ears. The burning was even worse at this point, my arms were still unmoving - stuck to my sides. Legs and feet completely useless. I kept mentally telling myself to *wake up*.

I've had limbs fall asleep before - to the point I can't walk for a bit. I get sleep paralysis. I often have that dream where I'm falling off a cliff. But this was NOTHING like that whatsoever. *Wake up* I kept repeating in my head. Now I was absolutely convinced there was something trying to take over. *GET OUT* I silently yelled behind my tingling, burning closed lips. *LEAVE US ALONE*! And still everything just intensified. I ordered myself to TRY to move, still laying under the covers. I kept mentally screaming and ordering whatever *it* was to move on. And then everything in my head crescendo'd.

Blissful silence. My eyelids fluttered. I could wiggle my fingers and toes. I slowly moved my hand and felt my heartbeat - still pumping like crazy but at least I could finally MOVE. Sweat covered my forehead and there were tears running down my face. I didn't sleep the rest of the night, but there were no other visits. Thankfully no one else in the room felt the disturbance. But weird stuff happened like a high dollar tip that was mistakenly left at dinner (you're welcome!) and my wedding ring (at the time) fell into the (clean) toilet in the room.

Yes this story was true. Yes this hotel is real - it's infamous and a pilgrimage for horror buffs. Later in the week, there was a group that was playing "ghosts" with sheets in the hallway - pleaser don't try this, it's rude and you aren't Adam or Barbara Maitland. And, no, this did not happen in room 217.