This happened to my sister when I was an adolescent, and she was a teenager, way back in the mid 80's or early 90's. She used to bruise very easily too, and would find the bruise marks on her legs or arms where she felt a force gripping hard and pulling her. Happened at least once or twice.
She never screamed, and I do not remember her saying she tried to scream.
She definitely felt the malevolence, like an invisible being you can sense but can't see.
I am no expert, but I think your mind was either fooled by a dream reality, or the sudden awakening to terror and pain gave you a relapse to a moment when you were younger. Calling out for someone who isn't there is a lot like reliving a memory when they would have been there. Sometimes our dream mind tries to live out a familiar memory differently in a totally new sequence of events. And in a nightmare, we can get caught in a forever loop that always ends in the same feared outcome that is inescapable.
Sleep paralysis happened a lot when I was a child, and did not realise it was abnormal. I still get it sometimes. Happens more likely when the room remains quiet, but the sunlight is slowly becoming less dim through the window in the morning. Circulation often feels like it is cut off to my entire face and limbs, along with my nerves unable to spark any movement to lift the weight of my limbs or head. Breathing through my nose is calm and shallow. Often I feel the only way to awaken from the mental daze is to attempt to breath deeper, or hold my breath, and rock my chest left and and right if able. I either pass out into sleep again, or outdoor sounds awaken me and begin to help me regain conscious control over my physical reality.
Something you can try: choose an anchor object to look for in your room when the next occurrence happens.
Examples: A digital clock by your bed or on the wall, to mark the time. A soft slipper or pillow on the floor you can feel if you fall off the bed again. A scented candle next to your pillow. A glass of water you can test if it vibrates, or drink to test if it feels wet or cold on your skin. Even a note taped by your bed to read can remind you what you want to remember when you awaken feeling confused from a dream. "I live on 149th street in Greenville with Sarah and John, and I do construction working for Mr. Gordon."
Why is this so scary?
It all happens so fast, seemingly in less than 5 seconds. There's no time to get any bearings, like trying to settle down inside a barrel tumbling down a mountain.
Thank you for your considerate response. I was really hoping someone out there knows of something similar. Your experience seemed very different from your sister's. Did she ever reveal any other insights? What do you think about it?
My experiences are clearly more dream oriented. I know what it feels like when my mind is half awake, but my body is still in asleep with my half dreaming mind. To me, there is nothing wrong with this. I know I require more sleep and waking time than most people, and early morning jobs are not for me. Sometimes I can remember my dreams vividly for the rest of the day. It was much easier to recall dreams when I was younger. The best dreams feel more real than this reality, even though they break all rules of logic and science.
My sister seemed to escape what she considered a life of despair and sin, She did a 180 and became a Christian focused on prayer. She believes in serendipity and miracles, and that things will work out for the better with faith. Perhaps her faith and righteousness protects her from harmful entities that used to attempt physical harm and terrors.
I do not see things the same as her, but that is another story.