Ever since your teenage years, sleep paralysis has plagued you. Nearly every night, you find yourself lying on your back, fully awake but utterly unable to move, forced to endure the horrifying images your mind decided to create.

Among all the terrifying visions, one specific figure always stood out: the 'bent neck lady.' She had been a persistent presence over the years.

During those paralyzing episodes, you could always see her lurking in the shadows of your room, her neck grotesquely contorted to the side, her head drooping toward her shoulder.

Your parents had always brushed it off, claiming that they were just nightmares, and that it’d all go away with your active imagination once you grew older. It wasn’t until you started dating your boyfriend, Andrew, that somebody decided to take the trauma seriously.

One night, Andrew had finally arrived home from a long night at the studio, climbing into bed at your side, letting the warmth of the blankets envelope his tired limbs. He’d just started to finally wind down when he heard the familiar sound of your breathing picking up, each exhale holding a shake to it. Then followed by a whimper, then another one, and another.

It was then when Andrew registered what was going on, immediately rolling over to face you, propping himself up on his elbow. Sure enough, you laid awake, eyes open and wide with fear as you stared into the dark corner.

“Hey, hey, baby. I’m here. You’re okay, I promise. Take a deep breath for me, okay? It’s not gonna hurt you.” He murmured, trying his best to keep his tone soft and soothing as he used a free hand to brush your hair out of your face.