With the candle still in your teeth, you jump down safely, and grasp your newfound knife. Just in time too, since the creature lunges at you!
Grabbing the candle with your other hand, you let loose the loudest, most gutteral scream you've ever heard, and as its sharp claws approach your face, you plunge the penknife into the chest of the beast. It recoils with a gurgling wheeze, and scampers off into a far dark corner with a yelp.

Looking ahead, you notice a small window! You also see a brick and floorboard by your feet - you can smash the window!

Then a dark thought enters your mind.
You could probably use the brick, knife, and board to attack and finish off the creature that lunged at you.
Though, it does look rather piteable now.

Decisions, decisions...