Yesterday was a hard enough day for me as it was. I felt like I was in a constant state of emergency, and was overall in a bad mood.
(this is some preface to my story that I feel is necessary.)
As the President of the Drama Club at my college, I went out of my way to do concessions for our show "A Lie of the Mind" nearly every night. And it was the second night of the run, I had brought my laptop with me so that I could do homework whilst I watched the table and I figured I didn't really have anything to do. So I didn't want to leave my laptop unattended. So I figured I would just take it out to my car and hide it under the seat so it would be safe.
Well, I have always been the person to make sure I have someone to walk with me to my car, if I ever work late nights at the mall and I have to walk alone because I didn't park near my co-workers I use my SafeTrek app. But as of recent I switched phones and hadn't had the money to repurchase it. So I didn't have it, and this was a time that I probably should have had someone there, regardless of the fact that I didn't want to disturb anyone that was getting ready for the show.
There I was, unsuspecting small statured me. If you saw me in the dress I was wearing you would already know that I couldn't hold my own unless I knew it was coming. I had my laptop completely exposed, expensive smart phone in my hand. Keys on a lanyard wrapped around my wrist. That's it. When I had gotten to my car, I noticed another one parked very close to mine on the passanger side, but what I didn't realize was a man that was inside. I had gotten to the passanger door, opened it and started to slide my laptop underneath the seat and arms had wrapped around me. And I could immediately tell that it was someone that I didn't know. They started reaching for my laptop, so I pushed myself away from the seat after I had gotten my laptop underneath it. Somehow, I was able to get this huge man far enough away from my car that I could shut and lock my door. Then I was pushed to the ground, and he was fighting for my keys.
There were two girls in the parking lot, and they came running to my rescue. Unknowing what could have happened to any of us, one girl had called campus security which was just on the opposite side of the parking lot. The man was pushed off of me by one girl and the other barely got his face with her pepperspray keychain. It wasn't enough to keep him from getting in his car and racing away as one girl helped me up and got me out of the way, and the campus security car was chasing after him. The girls helped me inside and went to the in-house campus security. And I had a friend come downstairs so I could tell him what happened and why I wouldn't be able to help with concessions as the house opened. The campus security came to me and got my information, and I asked them if I could be upstairs with my theatre family because I was too shaken up and the other girls had seen everything. He granted me permission, probably because I was crying so hard I couldnt breathe.
When I had gotten upstairs, I called my mom telling her everything that happened. As I was crying to her on the phone, I was being comforted by my loving boyfriend who bless his heart had no idea what was going on and was hearing the details during my tear ridden phone call. I sat there and bawled to my friends because I was so terrified.
I got taken into the green room and I was still in tears, I felt like I couldn't breahte and when people touched me and I didn't expect it I jumped, and I still do. I had nightmares all throughout the night so bad that I feel like I have had no sleep whatsoever.
I made stupid choices, I will admit. Like leaving my laptop out, walking outside alone without any protection in place of a person. And if those girls weren't there I wouldn't have a phone, laptop, car, or even my dignity. I feel so dumb, I would never deny that.
But I feel like it's necesary for me to tell you all of this because, regardless of if you feel safe where you are, please never walk alone. And don't let anyone else either, if you aren't parked close, DRIVE them to their car so you know that they're safe. Keep all of the important items you have concealed, and seriously think about having some sort of self defense on you at all times.
I am looking into being a consultant for the company Damsel in Defense (http://damselindefense.net/)
They provide incredible self defense products for all genders. And they're cute too, I bought my own pepperspray after everything happened. They provide so many things as well, safety equiptment for your car, personal alarms, whistles that are bracelets, stun guns, pepper spray and much more.
Another option is SafeTrek, it's an app that you can download on to any smart phone, and although it does cost money it will save you. It tracks your location, and you press a button on your phone and if it's released and you haven't put in your set pin within a number of second's it will call the police for you. It gives you an additional 10 seconds in case you haven't put in your pin in time and if you do an employee of the company will text or call you and make sure that you are okay. If you don't respond the authorities will be alerted, and on their way to the location of the phone.
I highly consider that everyone has something that will take care of them regardless of how safe they feel. Because I felt safe, and now... I dont.
Please just think smart, and care about yourself and your surroundings. Because there are so many people that would be devistated if they lost you, including me.
xx Mishea
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