They told us on day one to never walk home alone. They told us to bring a friend or ask security to walk you. I didn’t care much for company.

They told us to keep our books in our bag and keep our hands free incase we needed to drop our stuff and run. I never wanted to put my favorite books in my backpack. I didn’t want to damage them.

I’ve walked from the library to my dorm, night after night. I read true crime stories about walking home alone and the horror young people have endured.

I believe my interest in people who do horrible things made me more of a target. Fear and anxiety radiates off of me. I chew my cheek and watch for prey.

He caught me off guard.

I thought he was one of the campus security guards. I didn’t know the man before me had killed a guard and thrown their body into his van. I was next in line.

Had he observed me before?

Did he know I had a tendency to trust the campus guards?

Was I a random pick?

A simple draw of the cards?

Did he know nothing other than my body language?

I should’ve asked my roommate to come get me.

I should’ve have brought my mace.

I should’ve crossed the street.

Please, don’t walk home alone.