Jay
His name was Jay. He’d just come from his friend’s house and was waiting at the bus stop to take the number 6 home. He wasn’t from around the area but knew it was rough. He put his hood up to try and look tough, to make him look like he could handle himself. He was afraid.
Jay was texting his mum to tell her he would be home soon when someone appeared out of nowhere. His heart was thumping hard, he looked at the man, could he tell he was scared? He quickly put his phone away remembering the adverts he’d seen on not to advertise valuables when out and about.
He left his hands in his pockets to try and hide the fact that he was nervous, his hands were shaking. Jay saw the stranger look at his pockets out of the corner of his eye. Was he looking for what pocket his phone was in? Was he going to rob him ?
Jay decided the only way not to become a victim was to pretend that he was not afraid, to talk to his would be attacker to show he was not shying away, not weak.
He asked for the time and the man answered back bluntly with unblinking eyes. Jay was sure the man was trying to get into a confrontation with him. But he couldn’t just remain quiet otherwise the man would know he was terrified. He asked again but louder.
When Jay asked for the time again the man asked about the clock on his phone in a raised voice. He was also pointing at where his phone was. Was he trying to get him to take his phone out so he could take it ? Should he take it out ?
Whilst debating with himself about what he should do next Jay realised that he was frozen. His body wouldn’t respond to what he was telling it to do. He couldn’t take the phone out even if he wanted. He stared back at the man like a rabbit staring into the headlights of it's impending doom. The man moved towards him. His heart stopped.
Jay was having an out of body experience, watching as he sat there helpless as the man approached him. The man said something then moved suddenly. Just when he thought a punch was coming his way, the man began to walk away.
He nervously turned his head to watch as the man walked further away from him, and immediately turned his head back every time the man looked over his shoulder. Jay didn’t know what to do. He could wait for the bus, but then maybe the man walked off to get friends and would be back again soon.