The Shrillest Shriek

My definition of The Shrillest Shriek:  an involuntary sound your body makes when startled.  The Shrillest Shriek often times hangs in the air moments after you've made it.  It's a universal sound and everyone who hears it, knows the person making the sound has been startled.

When we first moved into the Munger house, it had rats and I made that sound often.  After being there for a while, I was no longer startled by the rats.  When we put the good poison down, I'd open a door, a dead rat would be there and I would just close the door or move the piece of furniture back in it's place till my husband got home. 
 
A few months ago, we were having horrible problems w/ rats.  I had forgotten the shrillest shriek, but became acquainted with it again quickly.  We couldn't find the good poison anywhere.  Yes there is a "good poison" they (rats) apparently use the poison from the grocery store as a snack.  Once you crossed the threshold of the kitchen, you were in their territory.  I quit going in the kitchen after a certain time of evening.  They were also trying to come through the wall in the bathroom.  Pretty soon, the whole house would be theirs.  One night, after dark, I heard Abbey make the shrillest shriek.  I didn't get scared, I knew what the sound was.  The next day, I went online in search of the "good poison", and I found it.  We mounted an assault against the rat hordes.  After a couple of days, I knew we were winning.  The smell of dead animal was so strong, it made me nauseous.  I had to open the few windows we have and turn on every fan.  We've been rat free for a few months now but Spring is here, the rabbits are back and I'm sure the rats will follow.