My Most Terrifying Moment...so far...

This post is my response to the Mike Dellosso The Hunted blog tour meme----what's your scariest experience? You should give it a whirl. To learn more, check out the info here:
http://blogtourspot.wordpress.com/2008/06/01/the-hunted-blog-tour/

I told this story about a year ago in my series about how I came to Christ, but I know we have new readers here. Why not re tell? Here we go...

"Don't worry about it, he's an idiot."

That's all I said. It was a college classroom where the professor took joy picking on students and spending precious class time verbally ripping the victim to shreds.

That day the professor picked Mike (yep, it's his real name but I'll preserve his last name for safety reasons)and was extra cruel. Mike sat one seat behind me and I turned and uttered one sentence. One simple, casual sentence.

Mike started stalking me the same day.

I wasn't his only prey, but I was one of the easier finds because we shared the same major and many classes. He was a pudgy guy, probably about 5'7" with dark piercing eyes. His eyes spoke when he did not, and I shuddered each time I saw those eyes.

Those eyes were nearby the office where I was a work study. He would stay and stare. He'd brush by me in the cafeteria late at night when I decided to get a snack. I'd lock into those eyes at the college radio station evenings where I was a famous news talk show host (famous because I was the one show that had callers)! He'd show outside the locker room far away from everything else when I'd go for a swim. His following became so routine it got to the point friends insisted I never walk alone.

Friends took me to classes, the gym, and the radio station. I hated it. He still showed up, unfazed. I remember an athlete I worked with who was part of a popular fraternity accosted him, trying to scare him with the whole "Greek" community ready to come down on him. None of it stopped him. Security said they couldn't do anything unless he truly tried something. He became my shadow.

One spring night my junior year I went out with a friend. It was quarter draft night and once I got there I remembered I didn't care for beer. I was tired and wasn't feeling social. The floormate that walked me there wanted to stay. I knew the wise thing to do was stay, but I didn't see Mike, and I was sick of my life being dictated by his possible presence.

Fifty feet into the uneven parking lot, I heard my name.

I turned.

I thought maybe, just maybe it was an acquaintance I had a small crush on. (Writers are dreamers, you know).

In a blink, Mike was at my side.

My mind raced where my body could not. He talked incessantly and made little sense. For a time he allowed me to navigate my steps, letting me know he was walking me home.

I chose a longer route because it was along a main road that was well lit. Campus security slowly drove by, giving me a wave. My eyes begged that they stop, but they kept driving. It was then Mike said,

"I don't care who I hurt or what happens."

I had no relationship with Christ on a personal level but this is probably when I first started intercession. Silently I prayed for wisdom, words and boldness. I talked like his counselor, affirming his value to others and that once he made a bad choice, it would be difficult to turn back.

I talked until I knew we were at the sidewalk that would take him to his dorm. I let him know I was fine and thanks so much for the escort.

He took my arm and kept walking.

My dorm was next and he repeated that he was escorting me home. I thought if I can just get him to the main door and see anyone, I could ask for help and break free.

Just as I made the turn towards the doors, he jerked my arms hard to make sure I didn't make that navigation. Without saying a word, I knew exactly where we were going.

The corn fields. They were about 1000 feet away.

I knew if I reached those fields, I was not returning.

We were still close to my dorm and about two steps into Mike's agenda when we heard a voice.

Exiting my dorm was a guy.

"How you guys doin'?"

The guy made eye contact with both of us.

Mike fled.

I ran to the dorm.

I filed a report but a friend worked in the office. She announced nothing would be done because I wasn't hurt and honestly, the campus didn't want the reputuation of housing stalkers. I interned at the newspaper where of all things, the editor was moonlighting as a law enforcement officer. The department was watching Mike, but again, he was hard to catch in the act. I told anyone that would listen that Mike would hurt someone one day.

A year after I graduated my former floormates called me. Mike had been arrested.

He stabbed someone in the parking lot. The same parking lot he called my name the year before.

I've never heard Mike's name again.

I also never saw the guy who exited my dorm again.

True story.

Ok, part of the meme is to pick 5 others to write on their blog a scary experience (terrifying or humorous). I open this up to anyone but I'm going to pick Lynda over at Godlinked.com, Meek Musings (new blog over at blogspot), Kat at Random Thoughts of a Newbie Blogger, Becky at Abba Stories, and Jennifer@Zephaniah Way.

Enjoy...if you can...muuuhahhhhhaaaahahah (scary laugh)