Here's the question. Is it possible for a nightmare and normal life to 'rip' into each other? Let me give you an example.

...I tried to wake myself up, but I wouldn't. It's hideous face was staring in my eyes as I tried to escape my dream world. My normal body and mind were half awake, I could see flashes of my real life bedroom as I slowly tried to pry my eyes open with my normal hand. My eyes wouldn't open, and the ghoul was still fighting with me, finally my eyes yanked open, and I nearly poked my eyes out. I was awake...
I wrote this myself, it's in my Student Workbook.

This has happened before. I try to wake myself up in my dream, but I don't wake up all the way. My waking life eyes are pried shut, I try to open them with my waking life hands, and I can see my bedroom, but I can also see my dream flashing before me. Is this abnormal?

Also, I have nightmare zones. They are especially dark places in my dreams that trigger a nightmare.