Nightmares are used by dream demons to weaken children’s natural defenses. Then, the demons feast on the child’s pure lifeforce. Over time, it causes the child to fall into a comma. Get more on nightmares after the jump.

What Are Dream Demons

Dream demons are entities beyond the Veil that enter our world. They resemble other demons, but never develop a physical (solid) body, nor do they possess people. They operate like parasites and try to latch onto a host to feed. Sometimes, people can see them manifest as shadowy figures in dark corners of their bedroom, closet, or under the bed. These demons like to form in places you normally feel safe.

Dream demons find weaknesses during humans’ sleeping periods (specifically the REM cycle). Our minds are far more open to things outside our reality at that time. Dreams help our minds process our emotions during this period. Especially, the negative ones.

It’s the negative emotions that give dream demons an opening to attack.

Nightmares As An Attack

Demons use nightmares for very specific targets, children. Little kids have pure life energy, which means it hasn’t been corrupted by life experiences like adults. The purity is what the demons feed on.

But it takes some work to breakthrough the Veil and personal barriers to feed.

To do that, demons implant nightmares in susceptible children’s minds. Fear weakens a kid’s natural defenses and cracks the Veil. Once a demon gets a ‘whiff’ of their purity, it can track these children. The most common causes of fear include:

• Scared of the dark
• Divorce
• Bullying
• Physical and mental abuse

Nightmares generally happen during the deepest part of a child’s REM cycle. This causes the child to wake, screaming and crying. Disrupted sleep continues to weaken the child’s defenses and the demon can eat more lifeforce.

Eventually, the child’s defenses will collapse and the demon can absorb the last bits of the child’s lifeforce. And they will fall into a coma. Most survive, but never recover. Some grow into human monsters like serial killers. The minority of children die.

What To Do If You Have Nightmares

Dream demons are weak when it comes to monsters beyond the Veil. Improving your self-confidence, fighting your fears, and getting control over your emotions help fight off nightmare attacks.

It’s ok to use a security object (a teddy bear, night light, blanket, lucky rabbit’s foot) to help build confidence. Dream demons rely on a child’s fear to keep them weak. Once that child removes themselves from a stressful environment, they become stronger. It just takes a little nudge to bat a dream demon away.