Best Let Sleeping Stephens Lie or The Night of Shrieking

Everything seemed rather normal Saturday evening as everyone was slowly retiring to bed. My parents were the first as usual and since I was the only one left in the house it was my turn next although significantly later. I turned the light of about 11:15 since I knew I had a meeting the next morning with my Church Elders and managed to fall into a sort of half sleep that was constantly disturbed by cats or small noises outside. About 2:30 I woke up realizing that I'd actually fallen asleep and had to get up to use the washroom. I was just leaving my bedroom when I heard some strange noises coming from Stephen's room. I later tried to imitate what I heard but failed miserably. The only comparison I can make is to that of a monkey or perhaps a hyena! These strange grunting/small howling noises were coming from his bedroom. I opened the door ever so slightly and whispered his name just to make sure he was ok. I was met with the most surprising reaction I've had in the night in a long time as Stephen sat up and backed against his headboard and let out a blood curdling scream. I said his name louder realizing he must be having a bad dream but he only screamed again. This happened about three times.

"Steve!"
"AHHHHHHH"
"Steve!"
"AHHHHHHH"
"STEVE!!"
"AHHHHHHH"

Finally Dad got up and went right into the room causing Steve to scream some more. Eventually he woke up and settled down. We learned later he'd been having a pretty vivid dream which we became part of. Instead of our lovely selves he saw grim faced figures entering the room whispering at him ominously.

I finished using the washroom and went back to bed somewhat disturbed at the whole incident and feeling a lot less like falling asleep. I was just settling back into bed when I heard strange noises again this time seeming to come from inside my room. Tired and half scared myself I bolted upright and let out a piercing screech of my own! I clamped my hand over my mouth realizing it was foolishness but not before I heard thumping from my parents room and my Mother coming to find out what the heck was going on. She was thinking that there had to be an intruder in the house and was starting to contemplate how much it might hurt if she had to jump out her bedroom window!!

Needless to say it took us all a bit of time to fall back asleep as we were all fairly alert after that.

The moral of the story? When hearing fellow family members talk or make noises in their sleep, it's best to simply let them lie.