It hurts how stupid I can be, sometimes. There are some situations in life you hear about, but you never think they will actually happen to you. Here is an example of one of those situations that happened to me.
I got home tonight a little before midnight from work, tired and ready to be relaxing. I had to park a few blocks from the apartment because there was no parking nearby. As I was walking, I situated my car key between my right index finger and my middle finger, so that if an attacker came along, I'd be able to swing my arm and hopefully injure whatever body part the key found. As I crossed my street onto the opposite sidewalk, I heard someone say, "Hey." I turned around, and there in a newer-model Volkswagen Jetta, was an Indian man in his mid-to-late 40s. Thinking he may need directions, I replied, "Yes?" and stepped just a few feet from the car. "Do you live around here?" he asked. I told him I lived a ways down the street. He said he was looking for an apartment, and I asked what address. He didn't have an address that he was looking for. Then, he said he was looking for a rental. At this, I thought, "Aren't all apartments rentals?" That should have been a red flag. I also noticed, there seemed to be no luggage or boxes in the back of his car. Another red flag. I then proceeded to tell him about Westside Rentals and how you register and look for apartments on a website. Then, he said, as he was in the middle of the road in his car, that he'd better pull over so he didn't get a ticket. I told him he wasn't going to get a ticket, but he pulled over anyway. Then he changed subjects, "How old are you?" "In my 20s," I replied. He introduced himself as Chris, and we shook hands. "Are you single?" That question, though, I replied, "Yes, I am," was finally the one that made me realize that this was not a good situation. He asked if we could talk for five minutes, to which I said we could not because I had a friend waiting for me that was ready to go. He pleaded with me, but I was firm that I had to go, and walked away. I heard him speed his car the opposite way, and then I ran home.
So many mistakes made.
1) It's almost midnight. Why the freak did I even stop to talk to this creep? I should have just said I was in a hurry, kept walking, and kept an eye out for his return.
2) Why did I even tell him I lived down the street? I mean, some would support this because it means that someone might be expecting you, which would ward off an attacker because he would want to have as much time possible between taking his victim and someone finding out. However, I just opened up a new can of worms by telling him this because, now he knows a young girl lives on this street. You can bet I'll be watching my back oh, so carefully.
3) He's looking for a rental...All apartments are rentals...Unless he's looking for a condo. This man isn't sure what he's talking about. No luggage or boxes, looking for an apartment to "rent" at NIGHT. Should have been a HUGE red flag.
4) Changing the subject from "apartment hunting" to "let's get to know each other." "Can we talk for 5 minutes?" Inevitably, if I'd said yes, he would have gotten out of the car to "talk" which probably would have lead to kidnapping, rape, or even sex-trafficking. Thank goodness I AT LEAST knew not to let him get out of the car around me.
5) We shook hands. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I DID THAT! Even as I did it, I knew I shouldn't have. Ladies, WE NEED NOT BE SO FRIENDLY! He could have taken hold and pulled me into his vehicle, and I'd never be heard from, again. DO NOT TOUCH STRANGERS!!!
I think a lot of us girls think when an attacker comes, it'll be all showy like the movies. There will be a surprise attack, some physical altercation where we can use our martial arts skills that we think we know, hit him a few times with our purses, and get away. However, I'm discovering more often than not situations that lead to kidnapping or worse often start a little more "innocent." For example, remember when we were little and we were taught not to go with strangers offering free candy in their vans because they would kidnap us? Now, these low-lifes use that same kind of tactic to prey on women through their words and malicious smiles bathed in a fake syrup of sincerity, "You're so beautiful. I find you intriguing interesting, and I possibly might love you and marry you one day. Let's talk for a little while. Will you go out with me?" I have had TWO men drive up next to me now, and show "interest." The first was in broad daylight on a busy road last week, and second was the one I just told you about.
Now, family who reads this, know that I AM OKAY, and I WILL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN.
You can bet I debated on posting this story. I hate admitting when I've messed up, but I'm hoping by reading this someone will be better off for it. The Lord would not let me sleep in my bed tonight until I wrote this and posted it. PLEASE, SHARE WITH EVERY LADY YOU KNOW.
