There’s a burglar in my attic right now

Tonight will be a first for me as I’m actually posting this from the room where it’s happening, and I’m too scared to check the bathroom. I’m posting this from my bedroom. I’ve been to the kitchen twice so far. My Mum isn’t home and my brother won’t wake up. He’s a really heavy sleeper and I was Conservatory to not wake him because this might be nothing and no need to worry him if it turned out to be nothing. But now I can’t just leave him.<br><br>This all started about an hour ago. I was on this bed on my phone when I heard steps running down the stairs and along the landing towards my room. They were heavy footsteps, someone was taking long strides. It sounded like my Mum but I could tell it wasn’t her, she always walked slowly and steadily down the stairs. I swear she was even taking two steps at a time with how fast they sounded. <br><br>I froze. I tried telling myself it was my Mum until the footsteps went past my room and down the stairs again. I was so relieved at first, I thought I really was going crazy. But then I heard a door bang open downstairs. Then another. It was a slow and steady creaking of the door opening, then it would suddenly thud against the wall as they got to a certain point. The first one sounded like the front door. Then I heard footsteps going along the corridor/walkway leading to our front door. I was in the attic, and there’s a room opposite me that my Dad and I built last year. That’s probably where they were, and possibly the room we use for storage.<br><br>The footsteps stopped at the bottom of the stairs and I could hear rustling. I just assumed it was a burglar or something but I didn’t hear the front door open. Was someone in the house already? Was I imagining the footsteps up the stairs? I decided I just had to check, so I sat up in bed and called “Mum?” There was no response but the rustling immediately stopped. I froze and my heart started racing. The rustling started again not long after.<br><br>I heard footsteps walking into the Conservatory, which is beneath this very room. Then the back door opened and closed and I could hear footsteps crunching along the gravel beneath the window. I was frozen. I decided to call 999 and tell them what was happening. I whispered to the lady on the phone, she assured me that someone was on their way. I told her I was scared and alone, and she said it was okay, she’d stay on the line until they arrived. <br><br>I told her that the footsteps had just come back into the Conservatory and now it sounded like they were pulling the blinds down. I didn’t risk looking out the window. We have a small passage thing on the side of the house, it leads to the small alley where the dustbins are kept. That’s where I think they came from. The lady on the phone said they had located me and were on their way, but she couldn’t tell me exactly when they’d arrive and she didn’t know exactly where they were. I asked if she could tell me when they were outside and she said no, but she’d let me know when they had arrived. I asked if there was anywhere I could go to be safe until they arrive, and she told me to go into the bathroom and lock the door. I said I’d rather stay in the room because I was already in my bed, and I didn’t want to leave my brother. She said that was okay, and to stay calm.<br><br>Right now I can hear footsteps walking up and down the landing. They’re heavy and I just heard a thud when whoever it was kicked something. I don’t really know what to do. I called my brother’s name but he didn’t answer. The footsteps have just stopped. I don’t know what to do, and I’m alone. The police aren’t here yet and whoever this is sounds like they’re coming for me. I don’t know how they got in, I don’t know if they have a key or what. But we’ve never had any problems before. I don’t think they’re armed but they sound big. I’m alone. The 999 lady is still on the other side of the phone. She keeps telling me she’s going to stay with me until they arrive. But I don’t know how much longer until they get here.<br><br>The footsteps have just started walking slowly up the stairs. I hear the steps creaking beneath their weight. It sounds like two people, but they’re taking their time and going one step at a time. The 999 lady is telling me to stay calm, the police are on their way. But I don’t think they’ll get here in time. The footsteps have just stopped. I hear breathing at the door. I think whoever it is is looking through the door crack at me.<br><br>I can’t breathe. The 999 lady is talking to me. I think whoever this is might be going through my brother’s room. But what if it isn’t? I don’t know what to do. I want to go and check on him but I don’t want to leave this bed. But I don’t think I can just lie here. That’s exactly what they want. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. The lady is telling me to stay calm, stay calm, stay calm. I know that. I’m just trying to say this all out. The footsteps have started walking along the landing again. But slowly. Oh my gosh. What am I going to do? I don’t want to leave this room. But I need to check on my brother and I need to get out of here before whoever this is gets me. But if I leave I’ll be leaving my brother.<br><br>But I need to do something. This isn’t like me. And I know I need to do something. I can hear footsteps walking towards the room. I have to go. I’m ending the call and I’m barricading myself and my brother in his room. I’m bringing my phone and I’ll update when I can. I hope that isn’t for the last time. Wish me luck.<br><br>UPDATE: The police are at the door. I barricaded myself and my brother in his room, and we’ve been in there for about thirty minutes. The police just knocked on the front door, but it’s not locked. I’m scared. My brother is awake now and he’s asking what’s happening. But he’s staying very calm. He’s telling me it’s okay. He’s saying that the police are here now and they can deal with it. I hope so. The knocking has stopped. I don’t know what to do. I just want to go into my room and hide beneath the covers and pretend this is all just a dream. But my brother is telling me to be strong. I don’t want to go out there, I don’t want to see whatever has been in my room. My brother is telling me it’s okay. I don’t believe him. The police are in the house now. I hear them shouting. What are they saying? What’s happening down there? I don’t want to know. I want to be strong but I’m so scared. I can hear things crashing. What’s going on? I’m going to risk a look. I’m standing up now, I’m slowly walking to the door...<br><br>Okay, so I cracked the door open and risked a look. There’s a policeman at the bottom of the stairs. He’s looking up the stairs, he hasn’t seen me. He’s just standing at the bottom, looking up and shouting something. I didn’t really hear what he said. I didn’t really care. I just slammed the door closed and shook the handle, I was trembling so much. I looked at my brother and he was looking at me. We just stared at each other. I started crying. Not much, just a little. My brother came over and hugged me. We’re sitting on the bed and he’s holding me. He’s telling me it’s okay. I don’t believe him but I hope he’s right. <br><br>I hear footsteps coming back up the stairs. I hear someone walking along the landing. They’re outside the door. Oh my gosh. I hear the door handle being turned. The door is shaking. I hear a key being inserted into the lock. I push my brother away. I run over to the door. I hold onto it. I hear the key twist and click, then the door handle twists all the way until it stops. I feel the door push against me. But I’m holding on to it. It’s not opening. Whoever this is is pushing against the door, but it’s not budging. I feel the handle twist again, then it stops. The door stops shaking. Whoever it was has gone. I hear footsteps running down the stairs. My brother is telling me it’s okay. I hear the front door bang. It was open. But now it’s closed. I just hear the police shouting outside. <br><br>I’m going to go outside now. My brother is coming with me. I’m so scared. I don’t know what to do. I might update, I might not. If I don’t then I’m sorry. <br><br>UPDATE: The police have searched my house, and whoever it was has gone. There’s no trace of them anywhere, and I don’t think they’ll ever catch them. But they’re positive whoever it was is gone, and I’m safe. The police are going to stay outside until my Mum gets home, and my brother is going to stay with me. This is the last update I will make. Thank you all for your support and kindness. You don’t know how much it