Jump in with Jacob

It was around 2am last Saturday when I was tossing and turning in that half-asleep, half-awake trance where dreams are so vivid that they virtually feel real. Anywho...

My dream was abruptly cut short by what seemed to be a real-life nightmare.

Tap... tap on my front glass door.

My immediate verbal response was something I probably can't repeat in a community paper.

I sprung up.

"Did a demon claw just tap on my window?"

"Was Wolf Creek set in the Burdekin?"

This is the part of living alone that no one really prepares you for. A younger me would've bolted down the hallway to my parents' room and wedged myself between them. Unfortunately, that safety net had expired. Time to grow a pair.

By the time I heard another few taps, I was almost at the door, roller blinds blocking my view. I had no idea what kind of physical specimen I was about to confront. What I did know, though, was that no one drops by at 2am to deliver chocolates.

I peeked through a gap. No one there.

I wasn't sure if that was better or significantly worse.

I turned to retreat back to bed when I heard it again.

Tap... firmer this time.

Now brimming with adrenaline, I stormed toward the door, feeling like whatever was there, I'd knock out clean anyway (I have no combat experience, by the way).

I yanked the blinds away and stood there, waiting. Nothing. No one.

I began to wonder if I'd ever left that vivid dream. Then, just as I was about to turn away and call it a night... there it was.

A cane beetle.

Desperately convinced that if it hurled itself at my glass with enough force, it could achieve quantum entry and reach the lounge room light I’d foolishly left on.

I hung my head in shame.

I guess it could've been worse.

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