I turned off the car and laid my head back and to the left (against the drivers side window) to fall asleep.

The OBE began with my realizing that I was floating 5 or 6 feet above my car and looking first down at it's roof (I could not see through the roof but I knew it was my car) and then all around my location and up and down.  I noted that everything seemed very very clear and sharp in image, almost unnaturally clear and detailed.  However the scenery was not unusual, it was the very landscape outside of my car, the road to my left the grass/dirt and trees to my right, ahead and behind me.  It was really cool to be floating above my car.  I was not afraid at this time at all, just intrigued by the fact that I was floating and that I could not feel the cold in the air. (it was very cold outside that night and I was floating above my car with no jacket on).

As I continued to just look around and take in all that I was seeing I turned to the rear and noticed some persons/beings very far off in the distance and walking on the highway towards my car.  They were so far off that they could not yet see my car in the darkness of the night.  I remember just thinking that I would like to go to where they were and instantly, to my astonishment I found my self hovering above these three beings (they appeared to be very old women).  I was now a little higher (maybe 15 feet or so above their heads and they did not see me floating above them).

I floated above them as they walked up the road towards my vehicle.  I could hear them talking to one another idly and have no recollection of what they were saying until the point when one of them looked up from the road (they were really old and hunched over, looking downward as they walked) and was able to perceive the image of my car ahead of them on the road.

I believe it was the one on the right (they were walking side by side) that first saw my car and called attention to it for the other two.  If I recall correctly she said something like "Look sisters, there is a car stopped on the road ahead of us".  When the other two looked up to see my car (still far off in the distance) the one on the left said "Yes, and there is some one in the car sleeping".  Just then the one in the middle said "Yes, yes a young man, he is sleeping, let us go and visit him, let us go and KILL HIM".

All this time they seemed impervious to my presence above them.  It seemed that they could only see my physical body in the car up ahead and not my "Spiritual Body" hovering above them.  Until the moment when the third witch (I now believe they were Witches, like the ones in the Greek myths) said, "Yes, let us KILL HIM" I had not been afraid or concerned or anything.  I was instead really thrilled with the ability to Fly/Transport myself in the air in an instant and to be able to hover above people with out their seeing me.

However, as soon as the third witch/woman said lets Kill him I was filled with great fear and Instantly I found myself back at my car hovering above it, only now I knew that the three had evil intent for my still unconscious physical self and that after some time they would close the distance between themselves and my car (they walked rather slow, kind of shuffled their feet).

I remember that the Fear/Panic that began when I discovered/heard their intent was now growing stronger and stronger, I thought, I have to get back into my car and wake myself up and get out of there.  As the Fear grew (Exponentially) with each second/step they took towards my car I wondered how to get into the car (I was still hovering above it).  It seems like half the distance between them and my vehicle was covered while I floated there getting more and more frightened.

Then, all of a sudden I was back in my car but not in my body.  I was in the passenger seat looking at my sleeping self, which was reclined with my head against the window.  I remember yelling at myself, "Wake Up, Wake Up" they are coming to kill you.  When my yelling did not wake myself I reached out with my Spiritual Arms/Hands and grabbed my physical self on the right arm.  I screamed and "Shook" myself (my spiritual arms were not actually moving my physical self) Wake Up, Wake Up, they are coming to get you.

All the while, I knew the three witches were getting closer and closer and with each passing second I felt the fear and panic in my Spiritual Self Grow and Grow and Grow.  I have never, ever felt anything as scary as this before in "Real Life".  The next thing I realized is that I am back in my physical self and fully aware of the danger I am in but my physical body is still in a deep sleep and the head is up against the window.  I could now feel the coldness of the window against my forehead and I was trying with all my "MIGHT" (like straining to lift a heavy weight) to lift my head and body up and into the upright position.

The physical body just would not move and the Fear just kept growing and growing to indescribable intensity levels.  Finally, I was able to slowly (and with much effort) raise my physical bodies head up and even get my physical bodies arms and hands to move but it was really really heavy and I was not yet awake.  The three beings were very close now and they seemed to have realized that I was aware of them and trying to escape.  They did the best they could to increase their pace, and began to call out to each other to HURRY, HURRY or he will get away.  I don't recall if I could hear them or "See them in my Minds Eye at this time.  I only knew that they were coming still.

By this time I had my hands (Physical or Spiritual, I don't know) on the steering wheel and the key and I turned it forward to start the car.  I remember seeing all of the maintenance lights on the dash board illuminate, the way they do when you have a dead battery and the car wont start.  Like when there is just enough juice/current to turn on lights but not enough to get the cars starter to turn.

On the first failed attempt to start the car the now TERROR that had been building within me jumped 10 levels higher and I could not believe that I could be so scared.  The beings seemed to be only steps behind the rear of my car now and I did not have long.

I tried to turn the key again and once again I got the dim red maintenance lights to come on but nothing else, not even a click from the engine.  The fear rose another unbelievable notch and then, of a sudden I found that my physical body was now fully awake.  I had not awakened slowly or even perceptibly.  I was just awake and sitting at the wheel of my car with my physical body perfectly in alignment with the position that my spiritual body had been in in the first two attempts to start the car.

However, I noticed a slight decrease in the Clarity of my sight or rather the detail of my surroundings.  They were now normal with out the exceptional detail.  My previous Vision like, sense of the presence of the three beings began to fade.  I could not see them any more (though they were always behind me and I had somehow observed their progress towards my car with out turning my Spiritual Bodies head).

The one thing that remained as I came back into full consciousness (complete synergy between my Spiritual and Physical body) was the Fear.  It was still overwhelming and indescribable.  I still had Knowledge of my impending doom but I could not see the beings progress, as I did a moment before.  In my now ordinary conscious state I was able to do something that had not occurred when out of my body.  I Prayed to God that he would some how miraculously cause my apparently Dead Battery to start the car.

I turned the key a third time and to my amazement the car started up just as ordinarily as it would on any other occasion.  The battery was not dead at all, the engine roared and my Fear began to subside at a pace only a little slower than the rapidity that it had first arose.

I put the car in gear and proceeded on in my journey towards Bath Maine.  within a mile or so down the road the fear had subsided to the point that I had begun to realize that I had been sleeping and had a "Bad Dream"  or at least that is how I rationalized the whole experience away.  in just a few minutes I was calm and listening to the radio and driving down the road again. 

I continued to remark to myself (in thought) of how Vivid and Realistic the dream had been but soon enough I put the whole thing behind me (mentally speaking) and settled into thoughts of how much further I had to go and the time I had left before Monday's work day arrived etc.

Then it happened.  At an intersection off of the Main Highway where I was making a connection to another road (the last leg of my journey) I was stopped at a traffic light.  The dream had been pushed out of my immediate thoughts and I was simply waiting for the light to change and proceed.

A car pulled up behind mine to stop at the red light and it drew my attention to the rear view mirror.  As I glanced into the car behind me a seen three young woman.  In the same instance that my eyes fell upon them in their car all of the fear and terror that I had experienced during the dream fell upon me once again.  I immediately fell into frantic prayer to God that he would cause the car behind me to turn some other way besides the one I was going.

It seemed like an eternity before the light changed to green and in that brief moment I had prayed harder and with more intensity than ever before in my life.  I was SURE that these three young woman were physical manifestations of the three beings I had encountered in the Spiritual World and that they meant me great harm (although they looked perfectly innocent and non threatening).

The light turned and I put the car in gear moving forward towards the on ramp for my connecting road.  I prayed and Prayed, Please make them turn away God, please cause them to go somewhere else.  When I got to the on ramp, I was greatly relieved to see that they went on and did not follow me onto the new road.

The fear subsided (only a little bit slower this time) and by the time I got to Bath I figured the whole thing was just a Very Vivid Dream and the three young women in the car a mere coincidence that revived the fears from my vivid dream.  Just the same, I have come to believe that I had an involuntary OBE which some how resulted in preserving my life that night.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?     No

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? No

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          Uncertain

I remember having some concern about sleeping on a dark and lonely highway in my car with no one else around.  My concerns were strong enough to cause me to offer a prayer for protection while I slept (a somewhat rare event at that time in my life).  However, the prospect of driving further in my state of fatigue/tiredness was much more threatening to my safety.

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?           My Spiritual Body was more awake than I ever remember being.  My physical Body was in a very very deep sleep.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   Not while it was occurring.  However, later that day when the Sun had risen, I concluded that it had been one of the most vivid dreams I had ever experienced.

At that time, I had never heard of OBE's or Astral Projection.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Yes

I only recall seeing my own hands and arms at the point when I had grabbed my physical body and when I tried to turn the Car Key with my spiritual hands.

My appendages seemed to be ordinary.  However their use had no effect upon the physical world.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Before the "Death Threat" occurred it was euphoric.  It was so very cool, intriguing, entertaining etc that I wish I could experience it again and again (floating, transporting, viewing the world in the clarity of the Spirit).

However, the indescribable Fear that rose up within me after I heard the Beings declare their intentions towards me (my Physical Body) was so bad that I never want to know that feeling again.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           Only the voices of the beings and my own voice screaming at my body to wake up.

LOCATION DESCRIPTION:  Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or amazing creatures?    Yes

Simply the section of the road (actual physical road) on which my car was parked.  I do not believe I left this "Plane/World".  I simply entered the Spiritual realm that exists right here on this earth.

Did you see a light?           No

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Yes

The 3 Old Women ("Witch Like") beings described above.

Did you experiment while out of the body or in another, altered state? Yes

I tried to awaken/raise my physical body and I tried to turn the car key. (I believe I did turn the key, or at least it appeared to turn when I got the Maintenance Lights to come on)

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          No

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?          Yes

The Sense of Sight was much more clear than normal.  The Sense of hearing seemed clearer.  However, I am not sure if I "heard" or perceived the beings communicate.  My own voice appeared to be Audible/Normal, as I screamed at my body to wake up.  However, I cant be sure again if I was not just hearing my own "Inner Voice" (the sound of thought) in a greater clarity.

I do not recall actually perceiving the sense of Touch when I grabbed my bodies arm or the car key/steering wheel.  I remember NOT feeling the Cold that I should have felt outside of my car on that winter night.  Not until the moment when I was apparently upon or partially back in my body in the reclined position against the drivers side door and window.

I did not Smell or Taste anything that I can recall.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   No

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    No

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?             No

Did you become aware of future events?       No

Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?       Uncertain

All of my deliberate efforts to wake my body-self were conducted from the outside of myself-body.  When I found myself back inside and trying to lift my physical head off of the window/seat it was with out consciously willing myself back in.  I was simply there and Straining very hard to cause my physical body to move by exerting force/will/something from my spiritual body.

In retrospect, possibly I was only "Upon" my body in its present position instead of actually in it.  Then later when I found myself "Awake" and sitting up holding the key/steering wheel in my hand I guess I had popped in.

At that moment "Normal Reality" returned, but I was still engaged in the events of the Other Reality that was occurring just an instance before, and taking the same actions (trying to start the car).

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?         No

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   No, I was not even sure if it was simply a dream for years.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       Not at all.  I have told some family members and one or two persons at church.  My sister discounted it as a Scary Story based on a dream which I told her and her friends to entertain them.

I have one friend in the Church who prior to his becoming Born Again used to practice Astral Projection regularly (Local settings, games with his cat etc.).  He understood/knew that what I had experienced was real and the same as what he had done before.  Only my experience was not deliberately intended, where he always intended to Astral Project and did so at his leisure.

He tells me that he could do it again, any time he chooses, but that his faith in Christ and the God of the bible now causes him to forsake that ability/talent etc.
Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Yes

I will not allow myself to sleep on the road (alone or otherwise) at night during a road trip.  Instead I pump myself full of Caffeine pills when driving late at night on long trips.  I will only take short naps during the day light hours and then only at Public Rest Stops where there are other persons coming and going.  The larger ones with Tourist Info booths and restaurants etc.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes

See answer in 22 above.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  Ordinary ones besides the "Wonder" of a dream that could be so very vivid (My heart rate and breathing was very rapid when I "Awoke" in my car and stayed that way for a while) and they jumped up again when I observed the three young women in the car behind me at the intersection later.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      The Best was the Floating, Flying, viewing of the world with profound clarity.  The worse was the FEAR that I experienced.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        I have since learned a great deal more about OBE's and Astral Projection experiences (I do not Astral Project however) and I now recognize that several of my dreams as a child (of flying and of meeting creatures of various sorts) were probably involuntary OBE's.

I think that this was one of the most profound experiences I have ever had and although I would welcome the Positive Part of it again, I would not deliberately try to make it occur.  When it is Spontaneous, I feel I have no responsibility for causing it to happen (which would be counter to my present religious beliefs) However, if aside from my own actions it happened again (without the FEAR and Malicious intent of the other beings) I would really enjoy it.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         No

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?               Yes

It has been so many years since the experience that I am sure I have forgotten many details.  For instance, I remember being able to re-call the attire of the three beings in greater detail years back when my memory of the events were fresher and other details about the surrounding landscape etc have now left me.