The other night I had a dream or I didn’t…I wasn’t sure it was a dream, in fact, I thought it was real. I was awakened at three in the morning, by what I thought was the sound of someone large, slowly shifting weight in my attic, as if he was trying to move across the floor, without making any more noise. Boards creaked like he, as well as I, were conscious of the sound, and he was trying to avoid making them…
I’m laying in bed, thinking, what on earth could someone be doing in my attic, and how could they have got in to begin with?
Had a cold chill cooling my fear, and making it manageable, even at three in the morning and coming out of a deep sleep. First thought is survival, second thought is stay cool, third thought is stay quiet. Then the thinking starts to slowly evaluate what is happening and what is going to happen, all at the same time. Thinking and evaluating every move.
I’m thinking it was all a mistake. Had to be. No one is going to get in my attic. No one would have any reason there. Quick replay on the story of someone living in someone’s attic without them knowing they were actually living there…..just a quick replay, no way that could be the case with me. Not unless I was deaf, dumb and blind, and not even then.
OK, then. No immediate threat. But it needs checking. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, I ease out of bed, without making any sounds. Thinking is clear. No threat. But the reassurance of the .38 stubby, with laser grips, and the ever-present, always charging, always by my bed, 100 lumen flashlight, gives a feeling of I’m going to check this out with confidence.
Next step is moving through the house. But, without noise….noise is your enemy. Noise gives away the enemy, not you. Careful is to have what you need in your hand without making noise. Super important in survival mode. Even to the semi-deaf, like me. Now, the slightest noise is amplified, remember that. Number one. Number two is moving without lights, flashlight is a give-away, only used when the moment is ready for it, only when the surprise is sprung. Having the many little low-light, night lights plugged in at strategic spots around the house, where I can move through the house without making give-away shadows. Perfect for me, too low a light level for someone not familiar with where they are, even with good night vision.
Aaaaagh! Damn the hinge I had forgotten to oil! Another job that needed doing. One that should have been done…OK. Checked out the outside, all possible entrances, all possible entries. Job done. Don’t even need to check the attic, it must have been the cat, making the sound, maybe me, as I shifted on the bed, in a half asleep state….the dog would have smelled anyone inside, the doors are all latched, and secure.
What did I learn? Readiness is what makes the difference. A good light, one I would pay a crazy price for, (according to some people) and a damn good gun with night sights is going to make a difference. Having them where you can get to it without making a sound, may be just as important. Having kids in the house makes a different situation, for then you need a safe that will open quietly and quickly. Survival always begins at home….taking care of yourself, and your family. If you’re prepared, your odds of surviving go up. Make your house ready as well.
By the way, the next day, I figured out how I can insulated my attic….it just took a different perspective. And I saw it in a whole new light (for some strange reason)….there are always reasons for everything, sometimes we don‘t see them until later. Stay aware!
Jes…
