text: A high pitch rustling causes my eyes to open. It’s not daylight yet so my cousin’s living room is dark. The rustling continues as I look around for the source. I am expecting to see my cousin or his girlfriend walk beside the couch I’ve chosen as my bed. Are they getting up for a bathroom break? Maybe a midnight snack? Who knows? This is the first time I have stayed with them so their habits are unknown. My focus is directed at the sour feeling in my stomach reminding me of last night’s vodka, until the rustling ends with a brief jiggle. I feel a blast of cold air even though my body is covered with blankets. My eyes scan the room towards my cousin’s bedroom. All I see is the faint outlines of furniture. The house gets silent. I lean my head off the pillow to get a better view. The whine of the heating unit breaks the silence. I stretch my neck to see above the back of the couch. I notice the front door ajar. Then I hear steps. The steps are light but loud enough for me to hear over the heat blowing through the vents. A large figure walks past me. My fingers tighten around the blankets laying on top of me. I pull my head below so only my eyes and hair remain exposed. The figure walks through the living room and down the hall slowly opening doors as he progresses. Bathroom. Next. Closet. Next. Home office. The figure stays in front of the door but doesn’t open it. I know my cousin always locks his office door. I’m not sure what he does I just know he works from home. I hear the rustling again. My phone sits next to me on the side table. I know I can grab it but what would the consequences be? The screen light may alarm the intruder. Would I be able to hide it under my blankets or would the light escape? Am I too scared to even call 911? I can barely feel my arms. I hear a brief jiggle then the intruder disappears into the now open home office. I know my time is now. I moved my hands up closer to my phone. I grab my phone and text 911. They trace my location and immediately send police to my cousin’s home. The intruder walks out and approaches me. I jump from the blankets in a surprise attack and perform a choke hold on the intruder. Using a nearby cable I tie up the intruder’s hands and feet. The police arrive and everyone says I’m a hero. I move my hands up closer to my phone.The plan in my head was set. I just need to initialize it. Grab your phone. Grab your phone. GRAB YOUR PHONE. I can’t move. My disobedient body remains hidden under the blankets. I start to shake knowing my window is closing. My heart pumps. Instead of adrenaline it pumps doubt. The window is slammed shut as the intruder walks out carrying a case. The intruder pauses in the living room and stares at my cousin’s bedroom door before setting the case down. As the intruder quietly enters the bedroom my throat prepares for a scream. I rip through the silence with a loud scream. Suddenly my cousin pushes the intruder out of his room and wrestles him to the ground. Punch after punch makes contact with facial tissue until a crunch renders the intruder unconscious. A quick phone call and the police are on the way. My throat prepares for a scream. Nothing audible leaves my mouth. Not a scream, a yelp, or even a whisper. My voice has left. My throat closes up making it difficult to breath. I focus on my breathing to concentrate on something other than the screams. Even with the door closed they are barely muffled. I can hear objects, once used for something happy, being used as weapons. I only hope they are being used defensively. My breathing intensifies as the intruder returns to the living room. After picking up the case the intruder walks out the front door and a blast of cold air hits me. The sour feeling in my stomach returns but I doubt it has anything to do with a hangover. A small burst of gurgling noises come from my cousin’s bedroom before the house is as silent as it is dark. The whine of the heating unit breaks the silence.