You're Fighting for your life and neighbors are simply watching and listening...
The place I used to call a safe haven has been invaded by sickos. That night I posted the surrogate blog, I got attacked right in front of my door at around 3 am. The sicko followed me, I felt I was being followed on he stairs but every time I paused and observed he stayed quiet and hid. I reached the 3rd floor and I was about to unlock my door when he suddenly came from behind and covered my mouth. I immediately took out the key from my door and hold tightly to it, thinking I would be defenseless and hopeless if he manage to get inside my place. I struggled and pushed to reach my neighbors door, I couldn't scream but managed to knocked hard on their doors, my knuckles are still raw! I scratched, elbowed him, bit him, kicked him, twisted till we were wrestling on the floor. When he held my jaw and tilted my head , I thought he was going to slit my throat, for a moment there, I thought that was my end
I let out loud screams and luckily he let go and run away. It was no robbery, he didn't take anything, I was holding my phone and had my computer bag .Got inside my apartment and locked door, called relatives and friends who are still working in the office. They immediately came, went around to check the area and called the police men who came quickly. I just want the whole thing to go away quietly but police procedures are seem to be very complicated and mysterious, something that I don't want to go through again. Even in the middle of the night they come to get more info and investigate.
Camera from neighborhood were checked, neighbors mentioned that they noticed a strange car parking near my apartment between 1-3 am for few nights so police are doing surveillance late at night here trying to find that car, I'll doubt they'll come back here but I'm staying home till I feel good enough to go out.
I'm a toughie but listening to my neighbors admitting they heard the commotion and me screaming outside their door but too scared to help makes me feel so down. I opened my door to my neighbors late at night a few times...I would still do that if they would need my help.
Comments (44)
Neighbors these days aren't like they used to be.. can't really rely on them. Have you thought about moving to a safer place or is this place one of the better ones in the city?
Hope you never have to go through that again..
I'm so sorry it happened to you.
It is horrible not to feel safe where you once did.
But be strong. You are strong.
When you have got over the ordeal you should invite all your neighbours to a meeting and set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. That basically means everybody signs up to keep an eye out for their neighbours, contacting the police if any dodgy people are hanging around, etc.
Remind them that it happened to you this time but it could be them or their children next time.
Look after yourself, little lady
my friends are in the neighborhood so I don't feel like moving to another area, there's no guarantee something like this wont happen anywhere else. I'm just scared that he knows where I live and knowing my neighbors are scared to help makes it worse for me
building next to mine have about 10 cameras and when we went through them there was no recorded footage, another camera in the second floor was not working, at least now they are working and more lights are shining bright in the hallway and around the neighborhood.
I ain't inviting these insensitive neighbors for a BBQ this weekend. Next time they knock on my frigging door, I wont open and I'll them them I'm scared too
This is horrible news. I thought these things don't happen in the Arab world.
I would probably make the mistake of coming out with one of my pistols and rescue someone who didn't need to be rescued like Gen. Patton did once. :-)
yes, they are lousy! they came to me the day after, explaining they were scared but they could have called the police. my friends came immediately and few minutes later policemen were here, there were lots of commotions and noises but they didn't come out, now I know what kind of neighbors I have here
Yes, I would call the police too , that's the best thing they could have done, or saying something from inside their door would have been helpful .
well I've learned my lesson , the hard way!
I think you need a permanent bodyguard?
Where was your son ?
my friends come here a lot and call frequently to check so all OK. But there's this guy asking me out, he's very fit, a soldier, I wasn't interested but after what happened, it might be a good idea to go out with him even if it's just for a cup of coffee.
the questioning is kinda stressful, if they ever get hold of this sicko, it's going to get more complicated going to court, I just want it done and over with.
He waited till I was opening my door so he obviously intended to get inside, Luckily I was fast enough to realize that there was no enough time to get inside safely so I turned the key back to lock the door and took the key out, hold on to it tightly. My best option was to reach my neighbors door and call for help, they didn't, it's devastating.
Neighborhood watch is a good idea even if some just call police immediately. Braver neighbors might agree to keep mace next to the door. No fun to be maced but worse for attacker who will then be caught.
A horrible experience which could be a lesson learned and save a life next time
And a policeman once told me never shout HELP shout NO
He said more people will react
And a policeman once told me never shout HELP shout NO
He said more people will react
Strange very strange.
Main thing is your not hurt & your safe.
yes, was almost 3am. I left office 2:35 am, it's less than 10 minutes to my place. I made the first call for help at 2:57. had to give the police exact time frame. It's a quiet neighborhood and it's late so I made peace with the thought that neighbors were deep asleep and didn't hear me until they came to me the next day and said they heard but was scared to go out. It would have been a lot better if they simply said they didn't hear anything...
nevertheless everyone deals with these things differently, you to your own
It wasn't a random attack as in you being in the wrong place at a wrong time because if I'm reading right, the man was sitting waiting how long for YOU to arrive home, seems too he was familiar with your hours, even if not the exact time, possibly you know him? but he for whatever, does you.... not prying just saying.
This so called Haven of yours......
is it the same place where you arrived home in the early hours of the morn to find it had been broken into turned upside down, ran sacked with all your belongings gone through, searched through?
Watch yourself Crazy, third time you may not be so lucky ...
keep safe
A hug for you Fay
yes, friends from work came first, 5 big guys, 2 came up to my place right away and called police, others checked the area downstairs.
so my neighbors was listening inside but didn't call the police...disturbing
I think I can carry pepper spray...any other suggestions?
It is best to have safety precautions in place.
Unfortunately, that is the way the world is. No one wants to get involve.
yes, same place. It was the drunk Russian neighbors who use make trouble here every time they're drunk they are no longer here and the place became so quiet after they left. I actually prefer when they're here because they are awake and loud till morning, I know then I have drunk neighbors to run to in case of trouble.
and Yes, it's not random, he seems to know I'm alone, otherwise he wont wait till I'm opening the door and tried to push me in. Everybody concluded that this guy was watching me...I have a feeling he lives not far from here and it makes it more worrying.
I try to laugh at the situation, I always try to see the funny side of things to make myself feel better . I was terrified and still scared of going out there, thinking he could be waiting for me. My windows shutter are closed, just in case he's still watching...I sleep on the sofa , right in front of my door so I can hear and be alert in case anyone tries to get in, I'm getting a bit paranoid
yes, no one wants to get involve, always safety first...but they could call the police while they're safe inside. well, it is what it is, I'm still very lucky...
You probably don't want to hear my suggestions. A lot will depend on whether or not that guy was directly targeting you are not. If he was, he probably knows a lot about you...with your time schedule and obviously where you live. You may want to also consider getting a security camera or something. From the sounds of it, I am not sure how experienced or not this guy was with doing what he did...but be sure, he did some learning from it.
Sorry for such the gloomy thoughts. :(
the neighbor whos door I knocked the most said she thought it's just the other neighbors having family arguments, she said she wanted to come out but her husband told her not to interfere.
most people here don't have guns, don't carry weapons and if the attacker has gun, they will simply put themselves in danger.
the guy that I called his name admitted he was scared to go out...while I opened my door to his sister at 3am and let her in a few times. I also helped them at 2am when they knocked and asked for help to take their sick mother to the hospital. Best if they all said they didn't hear anything.
you were wise enough and good quick thinking with your front door, be wise enough again and DO let your son's father know, otherwise its kind of stupid isn't it giving out about your neighbours not caring enough when them that will/do you won't accept or allow
As for your son, I wouldn't dream of you telling him, but caution him of a strange man lurking around the neighbour hood, but I've no doubt you will .... you both keep safe
Ps, wrapping and sending a voodoo doll to you right now as I type
that voodoo doll is highly appreciated. 2am here, I'm doing some work then will try to get some sleep. I will tell my son's dad when I see him on Sunday, just in case.
you have a nice rest there
Take care and watch your back...carry mace and keep alert to your surroundings...stay safe my friend...