So you're having a breakdown...: seanan

So you're having a breakdown...

My house was broken into yesterday.

I had managed to leave my house keys on the floor next to my bed when I left for work, so I called my mother and arranged for her to pick me up from the train station. The Great Pumpkin was looking out for me; if she hadn't given me a ride, I would have come home alone, less than twenty minutes after I did.

When we reached the house, we saw a razor scooter parked next to the trash cans. "Huh," I said. "I wonder what that's doing there?" But we dismissed it as having been left by one of the neighborhood kids, and kept going.

There was a large Aaron Brothers bag, and a backpack, in the front yard. "That's weird," I said. But we decided it probably belonged to my little sister, who will sometimes put things in odd places while she does other stuff, and we kept going.

Inside, the cats were in a state of high dudgeon—even moreso than normal for a weekday afternoon—and appeared to have expressed their unhappiness by knocking a bunch of stuff over. Mom scolded them amiably while I started for the fridge to get a soda, and saw that Alex's bedroom door was open. His room is one of the only places in the house the cats aren't allowed. I thought "wow, lots of mischief," and went to close it...

...only to find that his bedside table had been cleared onto the bed. And the door to the laundry room was open. And the door connecting the laundry room to the back was open. And the DVD player was gone.

Cue freaking right the fuck out.

Mom searched the house while I got the stuff out of the front yard. The bags proved to contain everything that was missing: the DVD player, Alex's computer (mine was untouched), a bunch of small electronics, a few DVDs. (Ironically, our thief only took Firefly-related material. So we're looking for an asshole Browncoat. Nice!) The Aaron Brothers bag was mine, which explains why my pictures were scattered all over the floor.

After a heart-stopping moment of not being able to find Lilly, we got ourselves calmed mostly down, and Mom went to the hardware store to get new locks while I called the police. An officer came out and took my statement; we walked the perimeter, and found that the hide-a-key (which I didn't know existed until I called Alex) was missing. So that's probably how they got inside.

We think we came home and surprised the thief in the process of going back in for another load. That's why we found all their stuff (and the scooter). Had I come home alone, they would probably have still been there. And I would have walked in on them, without a car to warn that I was coming.

Alex got home and confirmed that all his stuff was there. Mom changed the locks. Victor and Lara came and took me for dinner. The cats got fussed over. And I took a machete to bed.

So...

1. Nothing is missing.
2. In fact, net gain: I have the thief's scooter.
3. We think it was a teenage boy, based on the scooter, the things grabbed, and the fact that none of my girly things were touched.
4. Alex is working from home today, so the house is not empty.
5. The cats are fine.
6. I will be sleeping with a machete for the foreseeable future.

It's an ignite the biosphere kind of day.

judifilksign

August 5 2011, 22:59:51 UTC 5 years ago

New comment

I'm very glad that no one was hurt, nothing appears to have been successfully taken, and that all of the kitties are okay.

Got all of your stories backed up?

I don't suppose the police took prints off of the scooter or the stuff outside, huh?

seanan_mcguire

August 7 2011, 15:39:44 UTC 5 years ago

I do. But yeah, that was one of my first thoughts.

labelleizzy

August 5 2011, 23:09:26 UTC 5 years ago

FUUUUUCK.

Um. You have all my sympathy as I know something of what you're experiencing. I used to live in Vallejo, we were broken into twice, and once I *did* come home and the MAN WAS IN MY HOUSE and I still don't know how I got him the fuck out of my apartment except I remember using Teacher Voice, and he DID leave, before I went up and asked the neighbor upstairs if he would call the cops for me while I had a panic attack.

so yeah, FUUUUCK covers it.

I am so glad you have a machete, no shit.

August 7 2011, 16:55:01 UTC 5 years ago

Teacher Voice is MAGIC.

las

August 5 2011, 23:24:23 UTC 5 years ago

Oh my god. I'm so glad it wasn't worse, and that the kitties were fine ... but ... jesus. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. :(

August 7 2011, 16:58:43 UTC 5 years ago

It was awful.

aircrash

August 5 2011, 23:40:59 UTC 5 years ago

oh shit, how scary! glad it all worked out in your favor, though.

August 7 2011, 16:58:51 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you.

Deleted comment

August 7 2011, 16:58:58 UTC 5 years ago

Me, too.

vincentursus

August 6 2011, 00:14:56 UTC 5 years ago

Yeah, I was like, fuck you, asshole, I GOT YOUR SCOOTER.

That seems a healthy attitude.

In circumstances such as this it is the sense of violation that is the negative consequence, often more so than the loss of material goods (which you fortunately seem to have avoided).

If you can come out of this feeling that you won, you're doing well.

August 7 2011, 16:59:15 UTC 5 years ago

I surely hope so.

August 7 2011, 16:59:22 UTC 5 years ago

filkerdave

August 6 2011, 00:31:35 UTC 5 years ago

Crap, I'm sorry :(

Hugs

August 7 2011, 16:59:35 UTC 5 years ago

Thanks, honey.

ravenclawed

August 6 2011, 00:43:16 UTC 5 years ago

I'm so sorry this happened, and so glad you, the cats, and your stuff are alright.

On a lighter note:

Current music: Hepburn, "I Quit."

I have been listening to my Buffy soundtrack all week. I love that song.

Also, if things are going by previous years, the BPAL Halloween update should be sometime next weekend.

August 7 2011, 17:00:03 UTC 5 years ago

Oooooooo BPAL Halloween.

...oh my gods it's almost Halloween.

yellowblackhaze

August 6 2011, 00:54:10 UTC 5 years ago

I totally sympathise and understand. We got broken into earlier this year. They managed to get both laptops, although one of them was only a boat anchor that my wife was using whilst her usual one was being repaired. The hell of it was they got my wallet, ever tried to do something with absolutely no money, no credit card and no form of photo id? Fortunately my wife's purse was not taken. The scary thing is we think I surprised them because my wake up alarm went off. We believe that scared them off before they could go through the house and take more stuff. It's a really crappy, scary feeling.

lejays17

August 6 2011, 01:02:47 UTC 5 years ago

Yup, terrifying feeling that someone was in the house while we were upstairs asleep.
Police came, did the fingerprinty-and-photography thing, but were upfront on the lack of chances of finding the thief, unless we wanted to "stake-out" the local cash-converter / 2nd hand shops on the off-chance.

It's made us obsessive over checking the back-door locks before going out now.

Very happy that you and the cats are alright thoug - ultimately things are replaceable, people & pets aren't!

5 years ago

dornbeast

August 6 2011, 01:07:32 UTC 5 years ago

I have to raise the point that this is not necessarily an asshole Browncoat. It might just be an asshole who knows a Browncoat.

Beyond that? I entirely sympathize with your desire to ignite the biosphere, and if I had anything to contribute to the cause, I would.

August 6 2011, 01:18:32 UTC 5 years ago

P.S. If you do decide to sell the Razor, I'd like to know what you're asking. It's probably too much, especially with S&H, but I would be interested.

paksenarrion2

August 6 2011, 01:18:21 UTC 5 years ago

I am so sorry that your space and sense of privacy was violated. I am glad that the outcome was so positive-nothing ended up missing and the cats are ok-if a bit disgruntled at the moment.

And the machete sounds like a perfectly reasonable idea. I've got a nice Louisville Slugger next to my bed. I've told the BF if he ever comes over late at night to be sure to make some noise coming in and identify himself immediately or he is going to end up with a caved in skull or busted up knee caps.

August 7 2011, 17:02:28 UTC 5 years ago

Yeah, I have to warn people about that. It's like, please don't make me commit assault.

amethyst_clan

August 6 2011, 01:31:36 UTC 5 years ago

holy shit. D: I'm glad that everything was recovered and everyone is okay.

August 7 2011, 17:02:37 UTC 5 years ago

kyrielle

August 6 2011, 01:43:31 UTC 5 years ago

*hugs* That is awful. I am so so sorry you had to deal with that. I am glad the cats are okay and nothing was lost, but...yikes and eek.

August 7 2011, 17:02:45 UTC 5 years ago

fayanora

August 6 2011, 01:59:22 UTC 5 years ago

That sucks, but I can't help laughing at the fact that he not only didn't take anything, but left his scooter. That is just priceless. That is one inept burglar. Any more inept, and he would have fallen down the stairs and gotten knocked out, to wake up in the hospital with cops grinning at him.

August 7 2011, 17:02:58 UTC 5 years ago

Totally!

lisakenn

August 6 2011, 02:00:49 UTC 5 years ago

I'm so sorry to hear your news! Our home was broken into a few months ago and unfortunately they filled their car in about 15 mintues... 2 witnesses but no one watned to get involved and call the police. :( They even stole my son's ipod from next to his bed and tried to use our checks to pay for a storage locker!
I hope you feel safe and secure again soon.

August 7 2011, 17:03:12 UTC 5 years ago

Oh, that sucks. I'm sorry. :(

dormouse_in_tea

August 6 2011, 05:00:45 UTC 5 years ago

I will be sleeping with a machete for the foreseeable future.

Yeah. This is what it's like. I'm glad your stuff didn't make it past the yard, and thank god the animals are okay.

August 7 2011, 17:03:24 UTC 5 years ago

I am, too.

bigherman

August 6 2011, 06:34:55 UTC 5 years ago

So sorry to hear that--when I lived in Pittsburg, the house got broken into three times (twice after an alarm was installed). It's scary and unsettling, no matter that the evidence seems to point to a teenage delinquent.

I just wanted to offer again my company if you need it. I can occupy myself with cats or books, and I'm just a mile or so away. Sometimes just having another person there, even if you're not interacting with them, can bring a lot of peace of mind.

August 7 2011, 17:03:41 UTC 5 years ago

Very true. The same goes for you, you know.

stormerider

August 6 2011, 07:02:45 UTC 5 years ago

Ack! Thank the gods that things worked out the way they did and you're ok and nothing was actually taken and the kitties are ok.

I pity the next robber that comes to visit with a machette-wielding Seanan around :)

August 7 2011, 17:03:54 UTC 5 years ago

HACK HACK HACK HACK.

ironed_orchid

August 6 2011, 09:28:47 UTC 5 years ago

Wow. So glad that you're okay, your cats are okay, and that you got home when and how you did.

August 7 2011, 17:04:15 UTC 5 years ago

kitrinlu

August 6 2011, 10:12:49 UTC 5 years ago

That's really scary! I'm glad you're, well, not okay, but safe and unhurt. *hugs*

August 7 2011, 17:04:55 UTC 5 years ago

la_marquise_de_

August 6 2011, 10:28:21 UTC 5 years ago

I am so glad you are all okay. It's really distressing when this happens.
Hug.

August 7 2011, 17:05:04 UTC 5 years ago

Hug!

jeffreycwells

August 6 2011, 10:35:21 UTC 5 years ago

Yow. Glad everyone's okay at the end of the day. Virtual hugs.

August 7 2011, 17:05:14 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you, honey.

guruwench

August 6 2011, 12:06:29 UTC 5 years ago

Ack!!! I'm so wishing this hadn't happened at all, but if it had to, I'm glad for the outcome you got. So glad you and the kitties and everyone are okay (for some values of "okay" that include freaking the fuck out).

starmalachite

August 6 2011, 13:02:34 UTC 5 years ago

Eeep! Arrrgh! Merde. Ja doch verfluct! @*$&6#_!

So, so glad all are safe & well & nothing precious is gone.

I've never had my house broken into, but my car has been several times over the years. Only major thing ever lost was my late husband Pat's good suit (I *told* him to put it in the trunk...). But the sense of violation from that was bad enough.

May home quickly start feeling like home again. And may karma bite the little so-&-so hard.