(Apologies beforehand. This is gonna sound a lil too religious. I'm just recounting a time where I was inundated by religion because of my parents trying to get me to become some kind of religious figure. But it never stuck. But not before some truly strange things had happened because of it)

Anyone else grow up super Christian. Talking like seasonal camps. Early mornings or late nights at church. Reciting passages during free time and telling the group what you learned.

Well.at the time I was super into ghost sightings, haunting, evps and what not. Very intrigued and not very smart lol. And one of my friends had a weirdly haunted basement. Or like it just felt like they're was a presence lingering. And one night my dumbass thought I could "conjure" it and cleanse it with the power of prayer.

Literally not doing anything to try and cleanse the area or use any form of protection. We just sat across from each other and asked questions. Asked if someone was here and if they can give us a sign. Nothing. We keep asking for a sign until suddenly my friend looks at me dead in the face. His eyes looked so sunken with fear.

"Bro, something is touching me. I'm serious something is touching my back."

I go over and tough where he said the hand was. And it was noticeable hotter then the other parts of his arm. Like something was gripping his arm tight.

I close my eyes and start reciting prayers. Over and over, I imagine a divine light entering the room. Encircling my friend and driving the spirit out. Using all my own spiritual energy.

Suddenly I'm above the two of us. Looking down from above in this fisheye view. The light was kind of refracted. Suddenly I feel this tugging. Like something was pulling at my mind. Like something was trying to snuff out my light. And as things almost went black.

I feel it. This strangely strong reassurance. It was like there was this reaounding echo in my mind. "I AM NOT AFRAID. YOU HAVE NO DOMINION OVER ME AND YOU DO NOT BELONG HERE. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE CAST OUT. NEVER TO RETURN"

And I'm back in my own body and I collapse onto the ground. Looking up at the light above. Suddenly feeling this odd cold sensation on my arm. But it fades soon after.

I sit there for a few moments and I look at my friend and he's looking horrified at me.

I ask him what's wrong and he just tells me

"For a split second. Bro, there was this skeletal looking man grabbing your arm behind you and then it disappeared."

I am internally freaking out. I had felt a cold spot on my arm where he told me it was grabbing me. But I had kept it to myself. Only for him to confirm something was actually there but now gone.

The basement never felt cold or odd after that night. But I still think about that out of body experience and subsequent sighting.

And even though I'm not as religious anymore. I have a newfound respect for what's really out there and the dangers of taking them on without any protection or knowhow.