Monday, 23 May 2011
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Too Scared to Go Home
Every night for the past month, I've checked my balcony for little pebbles outside the window. My son picks them up and throws them back onto the ground each day. They tend to appear on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, either in the late afternoon or early evening.
Today was the first Monday the rocks struck my window, and the second time I've been home for it. Thankfully the blinds were pulled shut, and the sliding door secured. The first time I heard a pebble pelt the glass, I muted the volume on the TV and backed away from the window, heart pounding. Tap, tap, tap.
Sensing my panic, my toddler asked "Wuss wrong wid you?"
"Shhh," I hushed him. I could hear the man outside speaking Spanish on his cell phone. Please go away, I prayed. But the tapping against the window continued. The rocks were striking the glass with increasing force, as the man's frustration at a lack of response mounted. I knew it was a matter of minutes before he found a way to enter the building.
I darted across the studio to make sure the door was bolted shut. Then I pulled Cruz into the bathroom, lay him down on a towel, and started rubbing his tummy to calm him down. Ten minutes later, I heard the door on the first level open and slam shut, followed by footsteps coming down the hallway. Sweat plastered my palm to Cruz's stomach when the steps stopped outside my door.
The doorbell rang. Once, twice, three times. Each chime bludgeoned my heart like a mallet.
"Be quiet," I whispered in my son's ear.
"Okay," he whispered back, smiling. I had a sudden impulse to crawl into the bathtub and pull the shower curtain closed, as if the striped plastic would better conceal us from the intruder. I was terrified that Cruz would give us away by making the slightest noise. Brushing against the wall, tapping the bathtub, or laughing at this new game of being quiet. I felt like a rabbit cowering in a hole with its baby, while a fox sniffed around the mouth of the tunnel.
After no less than fifteen rings, the chimes stopped. I peeked around the corner of the bathroom, trying to see if feet were visible through the crack at the bottom of the door. Then the doorknob started rattling. My whole body buzzed with panic. He can't get in, he can't get in, he can't get in, my mind chanted.
We didn't emerge from the bathroom until the feet backed away from the door and thumped downstairs. I let out a huge sigh of relief when the door slammed shut. I didn't realize how serious this situation is until today.
What kind of man repeatedly rings the doorbell without any reason to suspect someone's home, and then tries to break in?!!! He knows I live alone because he helped me move from across the street, and used to live above me at my last apartment. I'm too afraid of him to confront him, and worry that alerting the police will provoke retaliation.
What should I do?
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- From: MsLiberalThorn@xanga
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Comments (46)
Fear isn't the way to have to live, especially not fear for you AND the baby. If you can, talk to one of the other neighbors you trust and see if he or she knows anything about the goings-on. Maybe it's nothing? But if it is something, or if you're still concerned, you really ought to talk to the police. You owe it to yourself and to your son.
I'd talk to the police before he caught me alone walking from my car to the building... but that's just me.
Holy crap. O_O
Don't worry about retalition, by all means, CALL THE POLICE.
At least for the sake of your child.
Move and NOW!!
I am praying for you and the safety of your child. DONT BE ALONE!!
Call the police! And get yourself a handgun, learn to use it correctly, safely, and with confidence, and look into a carrying license. At the very least pick up some pepper spray and a sharp pocket knife.
Don't live in fear. Learn how to protect yourself and your child. It's your right and duty as a mother to be able to defend yourself against people who might want to harm you.
I would tell all of your neighbors, your landlord, and any security you might have in your building also.
I agree that you need to move immediately. And Call the police until then.
call the police and then move!
That reads like a horror novel. Call the police and try to get a restraining order. If you are renting, contact the landlord immediately and tell them about your concerns. They may be able to help. I'd also buy some mace that you can tow around in your purse.
Invite some family members or male friends over a couple times a week because if he is watching you, he will see that you are not always alone and will be less likely to bother you. Dogs are also a hinderance for would-be attackers. If you feel extremely threatened, buying a taser gun could be a good way to go as well.
Call police and try to find a safe place for you stay during the process.... even if its a shelter. If you can't do that try to find someone to stay with you.... keep blinds closed lock windows and doors, etc.
That must be truly terrifying. I hope you stay safe!
Oh and please do not try to confront this man....
I would definitely not try to confront him. You should call the police or learn self defense/how to use a handgun at least for the safety of your child. You could always call the police about it and then move away so he doesn't know where you are.
It's called picking up the telephone and calling the police as soon as that shit starts happening...
Call the police! That is absolutely terrifying!
i agree with calling the police. if this man has intentions of harming you or your son, he will do it whether or not he is provoked.
This is horrifying. Call the police, contact someone. Reach out to your landlord/neighbors so they know what's going on, and if you can, move.
Call the police.
Definitely call the police! Are you renting? Your landlord should know too, so they can up their security and check their cameras, assuming they have them. If he's renting too, you can always get ahold of the owners of that building, and they can probably have him evicted. I live in a kind of sketchy Minneapolis neighborhood and our management actually posts pictures and descriptions in the main entryway of people who aren't allowed in the building, so tenants can keep an eye out for each other.
Don't let yourself wait around in fear. Whether it's picking up a can of pepper spray and calling the police or moving out entirely, something needs to be done!
You NEED to call the police and if you are fearing for your and your baby's safety then you can get a restraining order. :( DO NOT try and confront this psycho.
Your landlord needs to know. If there are security guards, they need to know, too. Call the police, see if they can be of any assistance. Learn to defend yourself, get your concealed weapons license. DO NOT confront him ~ keep your distance. If the chance ever arises, MOVE. Don't tell anyone where you're going.
if that were me, i'd have locked my son in the bathroom, and come out with a bat ready to beat his fucking ass!!
but since that's apparently not you...CALL THE POLICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IMMEDIATELY
You need to call the police...at least for the sake of your child. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but get it together, keep your distance and make a stance.
Provoking retaliation? Would that be worst than what he might do to you and your son if he happens to kick down the door tomorrow night?
CALL THE POLICE! that is no way to live!!!
so everyone has said it and im going to say it again... SERIOUSLY??? call the police, if thats a question you have to ask it's stupid not to. They can atleast swing by during the day and check on you, they can make house calls and they can make a report so it's been documented just incase something else happens... and if you can move.