You humanized yourself. He couldn’t go through with raping and murdering you, because you made yourself real to him.

Holy shirt. I think it’s called teambuilding, I remember reading about it in Gavin DeBecker’s The Gift of Fear. A criminal will make you feel like they’re a part of your group or like you’re both in a situation together to make you feel at ease, so that you lower your guard. My guess is that something about the…

Oh gosh. This instantly reminded me of a similar situation I had several years ago—it was a Saturday night and I was in my mid 20's. I had just started talking with this cute guy and he invited me for a night out with him and some of his friends at a popular spot for young adults in Baltimore. Long story short, I had…

My mother was young and pregnant with my older brother living in a big town, she said it was raining pretty bad one day and had to walk to get where she was going. A nice looking man pulled up and offered her a ride, Mom gets a horrible feeling and tells the man no thank you. He keeps insisting but she still says no.…

“But back then I thought it was exciting because I was horny. ?!?!???!??!?!” NGL I loled. Too relatable. But also: I’m so glad you’re alive!

Yeah, I feel like he was 100% going to do something horrible to you. But I agree with others, he likely got spooked when he realized you were expected somewhere. Or when you talked about giving a class for kids, it humanized you more in his eyes and made you seem less like a random woman to harm. 

Weeeeird!

Very scary. Every teenager should read your story. But, yes, also very weird.. I can only think that maybe he realised he’d been seen by someone he knew whilst loading up your bike so the game was off? Or maybe when he realised you were expected somewhere, rather than being a ‘free agent’ that wouldn’t be missed for…

Oh that’s so creepy! I went to UCD at around the same time, so I’m imagining the how oppressively hot the air was in the summer and the yellow grass everywhere, OR how gray and cold it is in the winter, and how maybe grabbing a little lift would seem like a good idea! I’m glad you’re ok!

I’m thinking that he was planning to hurt you, but he changed his mind. 

OH JESUS. This needs to be starred wayyyy more. I am so glad this ended well. Fucking yikes.