I met a rat

At 0300 last night, I met a rat. I awoke to a gentle rubbing motion on my neck, and as I sleepily groped around to see who it was, I felt little teeth clamping down on my thumb. My first thought was, "A rat!" My second thought was, "I can feel its fear." With my other hand, I grabbed hold of its ear and pinched as hard as I could. I guessed the monster to be about a foot in length... truly a Rodent of Unusual Size. This would have frightened me more had I not been so sleepy. Anyway, the rat and I were locked in a silent squeezing match; its teeth biting my hand, my fingers pinching its ear, and we held this for about two minutes, after which I fell asleep again.

My alarm buzzed at 0730, and the rat was gone. My hand seemed in good condition but for some tenderness near the knuckles. I scrubbed my hands thoroughly to wash away the plague, and then I told Dave, my bunkmate, the story of the rat. Together we searched all the seams and corners of the room for possible points of entry. The only potential entrance was from underneath my mattress, but Dave was convinced that I had only been dreaming. I know better... I just wish the rat had actually broken skin. For proof!