I stood breathlessly on the landing; a germ of a plan ravaging my senses as the intruder crept through the hall. Every cell in my body vibrated with the new infection, screaming at me to act in defense of my home, my family... my self.

 

     As the dark figure drew parallel to me, I let the fever direct me, leaping onto the stranger’s back. I rode him piggyback as he careened around my kitchen until he collided with the cast-iron pot rack and felled himself.

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   I was still astride him, heaving, when the police barreled in, brandishing guns and handcuffs.