Strangers

Because I am currently looking for a job, I have the distinct opportunity to spend literally hours in the public library. It is a choice to be there but who can beat free Internet and silence? If I stay home, I usually turn on the television for background noise but then I sometimes get sucked into random shows and the last thing I
want to do all day it sit in front of it!

So a day or two I was in the library job searching away in this large study room with a couch and overstuffed chairs, various tables and desks. I usually listen to music so I am typically very much am in my own world.
All the sudden I get this weird feeling. I look up from my computer and this older man walks into the room. He has no books or magazines. He didn't look any different from any other man in his late 60's. He
walked directly to the couch in front if me and sat down.I started to get a really bad feeling about this guy, like his intentions were not good. After all, I was the only person in the room, and it was a room that is off on it's own--to be honest, despite having visited the library several times, this is the first time I noticed it.

While I was deciding what to do with the bad feelings and vibes I was getting from this man, my logical brain tried to kick in--'he did come into a study room with nothing to study,' it said. 'he only picked up
that magazine when he realized that he needed a prop. See how fast he is flipping through it? His mind is somewhere else.' While sitting there, I thought a good response would be to gather my things and leave, but the strangest thing happened. I felt a strong,'NO!' to that thought. I stopped gathering my things and
continued yo sit there. Meanwhile my logical brain once again kicked in. 'Which would be a better scenario for this man if he did have bad intentions?' It asked, 'you sitting here in a public place, or you leaving this public place for the parking lot and your empty car?'

The truth was that with me sitting where I was and him being where he was, it would be difficult for him to do anything. I would see him and this overstuffed chair would provide protection. I wanted to let him
know that he made me uncomfortable and for him to know I saw him (and could ID him) so I organized and moved everything closer to my body while looking at him. A couple of minutes later he left.

I do feel bad that I let someone know they made me feel uncomfortable. For all I know, he was just a man in the library. However, I trust my gut.

In this day and age, you can never be too sure. A few years ago I was in San Francisco in an Ikea on a holiday with my sister and her kids. It was crazy crowded. My sister had enough kids that we were
constantly trying to keep track of everyone and make sure someone didn't get left behind or lost. All the sudden I noticed a man walking towards us. He was watching my nephew who had wandered a few feet. I
got the creepiest feeling about this person I have ever had. I made eye contact with him and went over to my nephew and took his hand. As I did so, I said loudly to the man, 'come hold my hand, there are all
kinds of creepy people around.' the man quickly left.

Gosh! Why are there so many crazy, bad people around? If I have to worry about my own safety, what about that of innocent children?!?