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The First

By

Marlaine Marie Floyd

The first paranormal encounter that I can remember with absolute clarity occurred when I was about 5 years old. I only know my approximate age because my Mom and Dad talked about this event many times. I remember my side of it, and I am seeing it through my eyes as I had then, even as I tell it now.

It was after dark and there was a full moon. I hadn’t fallen asleep yet. Tears were on my cheeks because I was in trouble with Mom as usual and I had been thinking that I would never be good. I had been looking at my attic-angled ceiling in the dark and the full moon was casting light around the room. And then I noticed movement near my window.

I looked up at the window and at first I didn’t think it was anything but the big old oak tree that grew right outside my 2nd story room.

Dang, I was just little! I felt really little and scared. I looked closer and saw a silhouette partly showing. It looked like my Dad standing with his back to the window, facing my bed. About half of his body was within the moonlit window. He couldn’t have come in the room without me noticing!

“Daddy?” I had asked. No answer.

That scared me even more right then and there. “Daddy?” Still no answer. The shaking started. Something was wrong! My Dad wouldn’t just stand there without saying a word! Or a sound. Would he?

No!

“Daddy… is that you?” No sound, no real movement. There was just enough movement to make it seem like a man was standing there. I sat up. “Daddy?”

“Dad dy – why won’t you say ssssomething?”

I reached a hand out, slowly… but I really didn’t want to touch it.

It was an ice zone as my fingers neared the figure, getting colder the closer I got. My courage failed……… and I yanked my hand back.

“Daddy… Daddy! Say something!” Nothing.

I scooted my rear as far back as I could to the little headboard.
“Daddy! …. Mommmmmmmie! Mommie Mommie……..” I remember screaming as loud as I could for either of my Real parents to come get me!

I wanted to look away! I wanted to get out of bed and run but it could have gotten to me before I could get to the doorway on the other side of the room. I heard someone coming up the steps fast but I would not look away from the man standing by the window. He was slowly shaking his head and his hands were probably crossed in front of him but I couldn’t exactly see them. I heard the footfalls running up the hallway to my room. I kept my eyes glued on him and the moment before my room light went on, he disappeared. My Dad had switched on the light near the door. I threw my arms around Dad’s neck the second he reached me. The tears continued for a long time while Pop held me.

I heard all the usual explanations… the tree’s shadow… a bad dream… just my imagination. I knew what I saw. I still know what I saw.

Nevertheless, I was very afraid to go back to bed in the dark.

That was only the first contact. Only the beginning.

© 2008 Marlaine Marie Floyd