When I was in college, I lived a carefree lifestyle and partied all the time. I didn't think there was anything wrong with it. After all, isn't that what you're supposed to do when you're in college? I was having the time of my life, hanging out at fraternities, staying out late, and making new friends. To me, college was a paradise. That is, until one of the scariest things in my life happened.
It all started on a Friday night, just like any other. My friends and I were pre-gaming in my dorm, getting ready for the night. The bathroom counter was cluttered with beauty products, and everyone was fighting for space in front of the mirror. When we were finally ready, we hailed an Uber and headed to one of the most popular bars on campus. We were meeting some of our guy friends there.
The bar was packed with people, and the atmosphere was lively. I made my way to the counter to order a drink when a stranger's hand slid a $20 bill across the counter. I turned to see an older man, old enough to be my dad. His appearance was sharp, with a suit jacket, dress shirt, and slicked-back hair. He offered to buy me a drink, and I accepted, grateful for the gesture. We engaged in small talk, and I discovered that he was an alumnus of my school. He seemed nostalgic as he recounted his college days.
As the conversation went on, I realized I had consumed three drinks and lost track of my friends. Feeling tipsy, I thanked the man and said I had to leave. He unexpectedly asked for my phone number. Despite his age, I believed he was merely being friendly, not flirtatious. Reluctant to give my real number, I scribbled down a fake one. He looked suspicious but didn't press further, allowing me to slip away into the crowd.
The rest of the night went smoothly, and I ended up safely in bed. However, the next evening, I received a message on WhatsApp from an unknown number. It was the man from the bar, accusing me of giving him a fake number and threatening me. Fear gripped me as I wondered how he obtained my real number. Choosing to ignore the message, I hoped I would never encounter him again.
That night, at a house party, I drank more than I should have. When it was time to leave, the guy who drove me was unconscious on the couch. Left with no other option, I decided to walk back to my dorm, a journey of about 30 minutes. It was dark, and the streets were empty. In the midst of my solitude, I received another chilling message from an unknown number, promising to kill me and break every bone in my body. Panic consumed me, but I had no choice but to keep walking.
Halfway home, a figure emerged from the shadows, blocking my path. My heart pounded as I recognized the man from the bar, his expression filled with anger. Accusing me of using him for drinks, he advanced toward me. Overwhelmed with fear, I ran as fast as my intoxicated state allowed. But my impaired judgment led me to stumble and fall face-first onto the ground. The man's malevolent laughter echoed through the night as he approached me.
Struggling to stand, I pleaded for mercy, but he stomped on my leg, causing it to snap. Pain seared through me, and I screamed for help, hoping someone would hear. The man forced me onto my back, kicking me in the face, drawing blood. Desperate, I begged him to stop, but his sadistic intentions grew. Threatening to cut off my fingers, he brandished a knife.
Just as despair consumed me, a loud voice rang out in the distance, commanding the man to freeze with hands up. I glimpsed red and blue lights approaching—the police had arrived. The man was swiftly handcuffed, and I was taken to the hospital. Later, the police informed me that he was a wanted murderer. If it hadn't been for the timely arrival of the police, he would have carried out his threat to kill me.
This terrifying encounter served as a stark reminder to be cautious when interacting with strangers, even in the seemingly safe confines of college life.