>>40971959 (OP)
Generalize the symbol. A malevolent entity takes all manner of forms, even an approaching danger, or unexpected nightfall, deluge of rain, a storm, etc. A lot of people get specific without realizing things should get interpreted in context they occur within or around wherein the body purposely tries to add a layer of abstraction so that it knows which memories to forget as temporal, mostly, I think. But none of this touches the possibility of whether there IS an outside entity/force. That's a whole 'nother level as well.