Photo: @iamBrianFink on IG
Over the weekend, I had the most terrifying experience of my life. And let me preface this with, looking back, I know I didn't make the right decisions; but hindsight is 20/20.
Saturday night, I thought someone broke into my house while I was in bed upstairs. I had just fallen asleep, when I got woken up to a noise downstairs. It wasn't a smash or crash or anything, just a noise like something had moved. I didn't think anything of it since I have two cats, and ALWAYS hear "weird noises" downstairs with them being nutbags (cat owners know exactly what I'm talking about). For some reason, I decided to look at my phone. When I unlocked it, I saw there was a motion notification from my security camera downstairs. So I hopped into the app to see the video... and this is where the overwhelming fear and panic started to set in. (See the security video below)
Now before I continue with the story and you watch the video, keep in mind, I had just fallen asleep (with the help of a sleep edible) when I was awaken by the sound. So I was definitely in somewhat of a daze.
** TRIGGER WARNING: IF YOU'VE EVER DEALT WITH A BREAK-IN **
When I watched the grainy night-vision video, in the corner of it, it looked to me like the back of a man doing something with his right arm, then stumbling over. But how can this be? HOW CAN SOMEONE BE IN MY HOUSE?? No alarm went off, I didn't hear any doors open, no smashing of glass. This isn't possible! It didn't make sense. But I watched the video again panicking, and there he was!
When I tell you I froze with utter fear, that's definitely an understatement. I was beyond terrified. I have NEVER been in this situation, where someone is IN my safe space, and I have to decide what to do for my safety and the safety of my cats. Every single possible scenario started barraging my brain!
Do I go downstairs with either my bat or hunting knife, and come face-to-face with someone who possibly has a gun?
How is this happening?
Do I call the cops and wait, even though I don't know 100% that someone is down there, since again, I didn't hear any kind of crash or breaking in.
How do I even call 911 without making any noise? If I set the panic feature on my phone, and it calls 911, can they determine my location from the open call?
Are my cats as terrified as I am? Did they even hear the same noise I did?
Do I just lay there as quietly as possible, and wait. Wait for him to either leave, or come upstairs, when I can confront him better with my bat or knife.
HOW IS THIS HAPPENING??
I laid there, frozen with fear, for over an hour. Staring at my open bedroom door, waiting, watching for any movement, constantly checking my phone for more motion notifications. I kept opening my security camera app, checking the live video feed to see what was going on, HOPING that the flash from the light would scare him off. But nothing.
The longer I laid there, the worse the panic and fear got... and the more I had to fight to keep my eyes open, since I was also battling a sleep edible. And it didn't help that the video of the back of this man in my house downstairs kept replaying in my mind. Every time one of my cats would go downstairs, I would lay there and pray I wouldn't hear any commotion, and they would come back up okay. That would at least be a good sign.
I finally fell asleep with my phone in my hand, without doing anything. I know, I'm the worst.
When I woke up and was still alive, I checked the live feed of my security camera again. Nothing. So I decided to go downstairs, with horrible thoughts racing again. Was I about to come face-to-face with someone? Had he passed out downstairs, and was laying on the floor?
Well, here goes... as I reached the final stair, and turned the corner, walking into my living room... nothing. NOTHING!
So I decided to watch the video of the man again now that I was safe.
Here's the short video from my security camera, watch the bottom left corner:
Yep, turns out it was the back end of one of my cats and his tail. (This actually was one of the thoughts running thru my mind when it was happening, but I didn't think it was possible because I thought my cats were both next to me in bed when I woke up to the noise. Guess not.)
You have to admit though, it LOOKS like it could be the back of a man, lowering his right arm, then falling out of view. And just a reminder, I was groggy af.
I have definitely learned from this horrifically terrifying experience, and plan on doing better if God forbid there is a next time. Let's just all pray there isn't.
Thanks for reading.