BURGLAR ALERT

My eyes flew open. “What was that sound?” 

It was a dark and cold night. I had closed the windows and pulled the blinds to shut out the cold and the outside light before falling asleep. I held my breath and listened while reaching for my phone. I blinked steadily so as to get accustomed to the bright light of my phone. Ignoring the missed call and blackberry messenger icons, I focused on the clock. It was 2am.  Just then, my phone beeped and my battery died. Groaning, I tossed the phone to one side of my bed and pulled my blanket over my head. I must have been dreaming, I concluded and tried to lure my system back to sleep but the sound of a window shattering made me spring up. I knew I had heard something. My heart beat accelerated. “Someone is trying to break into my home!” I screamed in my head. 

What am I going to do? What number do I reach the Police on? With my phone dead, how would I reach them? Cold ripples ran down my body and I felt so helpless. I closed my eyes and prayed with all my heart. Another crash followed and I knew that the burglar had gained entrance into my home. I should call for help and my neighbor was the best option. I frantically groped around my bed in the darkness in search of my second phone and suddenly realized that I had left it in the living room.

I was home alone, out of options and scared to my bones. You have to do something. You have to protect your home! A brave voice in my head yelled at me. How? I queried myself and prayed silently. Open the window and scream your head off; the same voice encouraged me.

Mustering a little courage, I threw off my blanket and tiptoed to my window. My fingers quivered and the window felt so heavy. I managed to pull it open slightly and noticed the security lights were still on. That was when I heard them screaming.

Sighing softly, I took steadying breathes to calm my erratic heartbeat and my quaking hands. My knees gave way and I flopped to the tiled floor. My neighbors were at it again. I listened to them throwing profanities at each other and shook my head. “These people no go kill me o;” I muttered and dragged myself off the cold floor. For the first time since they moved in, I thanked God it was their usual session instead of a burglar. The woman screamed and I knew it was time for me to be a good neighbor.