It was a warm evening in Stillwater, OK, when I decided to walk to Walgreens to grab some ingredients for dinner. At 23 years old, listening to my favorite music at a low volume as I walked. The familiar streets felt safe, and I didn't think much about anything except what I needed to buy.
As I reached the traffic light, I noticed a homeless man standing on the other side of the street. I didn't think much of him at first; he was just another person in the city. But just as I stepped off the curb to cross, he suddenly yelled out, startling me. I could hear him shout, “Hey! You!” and he pointed directly at me.
Fear washed over me, and my heart began to race. I felt scared and quickly looked away, not wanting to engage. I started to pray silently, hoping I would get through this without any trouble. I didn’t want this to be the end of my life at just 23 years old.
In my bag, I remembered I had pepper spray. I quickly pulled it out and held it tightly, trying to appear strong. I wanted to show him that I wasn’t scared, even though I was inside. At that moment, another man walked across the street. The homeless man hesitated, then backed away, seemingly losing interest in me.
A wave of relief washed over me as I continued my walk to Walgreens. My heart was still racing, but I felt grateful that the situation hadn’t escalated. When I got home, I found it hard to sleep, replaying the event in my mind. The scare lingered, and for a few nights, I tossed and turned, afraid that something similar might happen again.
Over time, I recognized that this experience taught me a valuable lesson about staying aware of my surroundings and the importance of being prepared. While the memory still makes me uneasy, I found strength in the way I handled that frightening moment, reminding me that I could face challenges head-on.
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