A Terrifying Jog

By Himadri Shailesh Patel

Before heading to my local community college for classes, I’d like to wake up at around five in the morning for a brisk morning jog. It helps clear my mind and definitely helps wake me up. So, I can focus at class. When I first started doing this it was a huge hassle but over time I grew accustomed to it and it's now a highlight of my day. However, as time went on I found myself becoming quite uncomfortable not in a physical sense but more so it was like my fight or flight instincts began kicking in seemingly at random. I'd whip my head around to see if anybody was following me or even peeking at me through the wooded park in which I ran but couldn't see anybody. It didn't help that it was dark either so even if there was somebody creeping in the dark there was no way I could tell as an extra precaution. I started carrying around some pepper spray in order to fend off any would-be attackers but as time went on and that eerie sensation occurred more and more. I just couldn't bring myself to run anymore. A friend of mine Daniel a self-proclaimed runner himself told me that I shouldn't worry about it. He said that the mind plays tricks on oneself when it can't see things

clearly especially in the dark. After being reassured by him, I decided to give jogging another go so today like any other day. I slapped on some black leggings tied my hair up in a ponytail put on my kicks and set my music volume to full blast and headed out the door. I felt fantastic at first and was loving the cool breeze and crisp morning air but then about halfway into my jog, a tall and hooded figure stepped out on the path in front of me. Quickly, I pulled out my pepper spray and yelled at the person to leave me alone. The person quickly pulled down their hood revealing themselves to be Daniel. I sighed with relief as he approached and laughed at how funny it was that we ran the same path. I expressed to him that I felt safer knowing he was around. Daniel however stepped a little too close and gave a crooked smile. He said that of course I was safe with him as apparently I had been safe with him for weeks. The realization of what he meant quickly dawned on me as his hands began to creep their way around my waist. I screamed at him to let me go and prepared to spray him but he slapped it out of my hand and begin to grab my throat with strange screams. I begged him to let me go and for someone to help me. He yelled at me and tightened his grip asking why I wasn't thankful for his watchful eyes for the past several weeks. I was stunned at the complete personality change from the once gentle friend I knew pretty soon. I started to black out and grow weak but just before passing out I could hear the sounds of dogs barking and an older man screaming for Daniel to let me go in a panic. He released me and ran back into the woods. I gasped for air. Before I began sobbing as the man escorted me out of the park and brought me straight to the police station and despite my fears and reservations. I told them everything. I knew about Daniel or what I thought I knew and what he had done to me. They immediately sent a patrol car out and told me that everything would be okay. The next day I heard Daniel never showed up to class. He had been arrested several hours later. After I left the police station and confessed to everything with the disgusting amount of self-righteousness. He was recorded as saying,” She needed me, only I can protect her” who knows what could have been hiding in those woods. It took me a while to feel comfortable going back to school and even then my trust in people was never the same again. I guess even the ones you were close to can snap just like that at any time.

By Himadri Shailesh Patel