Thread by @AmieVarley

So, I had my Man vs Bear moment. Let me tell you what might have saved me from being attacked this morning. I was dropping my mom @ShirleyAmiesMom off at the train station at Aldershot at 630am. This man was passing me, locked eyes on me. Fine. What made me pause was /1

When we walked past each other---I heard him stop. I turned around to see that he staring at me still. He tilted his head to the side--looking like he was weighing his options--and Instantly my spidey/2

senses went off because it was just me and my mom and this man INTENTIONALLY STOPPED WALKING IN HIS DIRECTION and was standing there staring at me. I could feel the hair stand up on the back of my neck and i made a decision right there--I turned around and locked eyes with him/3

I could see my mom looking very concerned as i turned around and stared back him in his direction-i started to walk backwards toward the elevators with my eyes locked on him the ENTIRE time-he eventually turned around and started walking away. I knew i could not leave my mom/4

Nor could i go back in the direction he was in because i would be alone. We got up to the top of the platform and my mom was visibly scared and i was in shock. We waited until we saw another set of women, who came up and met them who said they were spooked /5

out too and heading back up to the main area--we decided to travel up together. I wanted to post this because i think a few things saved me/mom here:
1. I HEARD when he stopped (too many times we have headphones/earbuds in and are not paying attention to our surroundings/6

2. I locked eyes with him, and did not look away or down when I noticed he was staring at me. I have watched too many cold case files for this shit. I know that someone is less likely to attack you if you know what they look like--and BEST believe I was going to be aware/7

3. I was not alone and did not leave my mom alone. He did not remotely look interested in my mom--but i am SURE she was a deterrent to whatever motive this individual had. I know that sometimes walking etc we will be alone--and it sucks that this has to be even a consideration/8

4. I faced him as i started walking backwards---I think this had a twofold effect. Being aware of my surroundings (I could have easily kept my head down and ignored him) the creep factor was too high--I'm sure my face said also said--- "fuck around and find out"/9

5. I had my phone out and KEYS were READY! Im not trying to be a hero, but im not trying to be unprepared! It is unfortunate that we as women have to feel this way, but certainly--the outcome could have been different--my mom and I knew this. /10

6. We moved to a well-lit area & waited for more people before heading back. We should never have to be put in these situations where we know the bear is safer than the intentions of men, who feel they have an "opportunity" to engage in a crime. Be safe out there ladies/end