“T-There's someone... someone in...” I stammered, unable to stop crying. “There's someone in...”
“Calm down, sweetheart. Tell me, what happened?”
“There was someone in the house,” I sobbed. “I don't know how, but... but a stranger got inside and...” I shook my head. “There was a box... he...”
“I'll call the police,” the woman said. “Please, don't stay out there. Come inside.”
Even though I had never spoken to Mrs. Philip before, she was incredibly kind. She gave me towels to dry off, made me a cup of hot chocolate, wrapped me in a blanket, and called the police.
Fifteen minutes later, two patrol cars pulled up in front of the house. By then, I had calmed down enough to explain everything that had happened, and the officers quickly searched and secured my home.
“So... you're saying th
