Some weeks ago... in a galaxy all too near…
I leave training about half eight and it's now dark. I don't drive, so carry the large kit bag containing focus pads and other equipment out of town and on my way home. At nearing 53 years old and what can be kindly described as “high mileage”, I take a shorter route home. It's quiet and I don't like it but it’s the shortest route.
There's a lane in the centre of town sandwiched between the bank and the old Woolworths building, long since repurposed to a Starbucks and a politician's office. Not my idea of progress, but there you have it.
To access the main artery road out of town, I need to turn into this lane and walk about 150m to the end.
As I approach the left turn into the lane, I see a male, late teens/ early 20's – 6”, athletic and fitting my previous experience of the last local guys that tried to rob me, educate me to understand that I should help to finance their lifestyle free from the oppression of the workplace.
He's across the road, walking towards me parallel.
He fixed looks at me as we pass – Houston we have a problem. This is now the 2nd element that fits my previous enjoyment of attempted street taxation.
He has passed me as I go to turn into the alley.
As I turn into the alley, I glance to the side and see him in my peripheral vision.
He has stopped and turned back and crossed the road and is starting to turn into the alley about 20 feet or so behind me.
I can guess his assessment: “Old hippy with long hair and a beard and a big bag. Easy payday!”
I don't look around at him, I look to side and use peripheral vision as though glancing at something on the ground to my side.
I stay to the middle of the lane for options and use the fact that he's illuminated and I can judge the distance from me, sub 20 feet.
I walk taller.
I walk faster.
Aggressive posture – this changes my state of mind.
As soon as you are away from the light of the main street, there is one more small patch of light from the bank in the entire stretch and then darkness on the other side and a large carpark and delivery bay. The multi-storey carpark is at the end of this stretch about a 100 m away.
It will be on as soon as I pass that last bit of light as any scuffle will be silent and unseen from the main street and unheard from the further main road and traffic up ahead.
I am already planning to attack him as soon as he gives me the signal that this is on. My teeth are gritted and I feel aggression rise, not fear – hate. I have no idea if there will be a knife, he's on his own and must be confident either that I look harmless or for another reason. I will use the bag as a shield to ram into him and onwards into a wall. I will be punching the living crap out of his jaw and face, hopefully pinning at least one of his arms. The bag's filled with focus pads so is large but no too heavy and may absorb a stab or two if I’m very lucky while in the process of being…unlucky.
I am ready to leave the bag and run if need be, either down the hill and into the traffic to slow his possible pursuit or back into town. I expect no help from anyone if I do manage to run from a younger, fitter male. My advantage is that he is not in any way prepared for the shock of what he may be about to experience. The ball's in his court.
I am listening for the closing of feet. This isn't a fool proof tactic as trainers can be really soft on the ground, but modern clothing like synthetic sports wear jackets etc can make noise if the person starts to move quickly.
I move into the patch of light and use it to send a message. I do a half glance that I know he will see and know that I see him. Is he reading my moving of the heavy bag from my shoulder to free my arm? I do it quickly, aggressively and the free hand is going to my pocket and conspicuously keeping it there, he won’t be sure what for. I am postured now as I walk – back spread, looking larger.
The distance is maintained. I get to the bottom of the lane and turn onto the main road. The fast food place is up ahead.
I take advantage of the main street to turn my head and part scan again. He's gone. I don't stop to check any further, just keep walking, still in a high aggression state in case I am wrong and he's tried to head me off through the carpark on the left. Having crossed the road again and now entering another dark area under a bridge , I allow myself to turn and scan fully. No one there.
He changed his mind somewhere around two thirds of the way down the lane behind me and the light starting at the main road at the end. No one walks all that way and then changes their mind because of a “wrong turn”.
I don't walk that way any more, instead taking the longer route and doubling back.
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