Experienced on or around April 5th, 1992 - by
ChellyBellyChizzaSo when I was about two years old I remember waking up one night because I had a bad dream and wanted to go into my mom and dad's room. I don't know why I remember this dream/occurrence, but I do.
When I reached their room I was passing their closet when I felt something reach out and grab my right ankle and pull me to the floor. I started crying and screaming. The hand was dark red and had really long nails and felt hot. My mom and dad woke up and I remember my mom waking up, picking me up and bringing me to her bed. She was laughing because she felt I was scared over nothing, but I think I had a red mark on my ankle after that and I have weak ankles even now as an adult. (Doubt it has anything to do with that but oh well haha :P)
Funny thing is...I really can't remember if this was a dream, if it was a child's overactive and frightened imagination making a simple fall into something more or what.
When I was older my mom told me that in that house she had spirits that helped her look after my sister and I. They would bring my sister a teddy bear from close by if she was crying, and put movies on for me when I was bored. So I like to believe that this actually happened... I mean, if my mom could draw helpful spirits to her perhaps she drew not-so-friendly ones too?
However, if it is something paranormal, it could be a number of things. I believe someone in the comments suggested an Oni, but I never read anything about them hiding in closets or preying on children. It sounds like a classic boogeyman scenario. However, if it was, it would have been a recurring situation.
It could have been something protecting you. Yes, it may have scared you, but maybe if it didn't pull you down, you would have hit your head or walked into something. You never know. As long as you're ok now I guess is the best thing we can take from this story.
I'm kind of jealous that you had helpful benevolent ghosts as a child. You're rather lucky to have such experiences.