the one where I was scared

Last night I was scared for the first time in the 2 months that I have lived alone. Latte woke me up at 3:30 because she had to go to the bathroom. I grudgingly got up to take her out. It's not fun to get out of your warm bed and go stand outside when it's chilly and the grass is damp. I've taken her out in the middle of the night and I'm always very cautious. I keep my eyes pealed and I try to hurry. I feel like my apartment complex is fairly safe, it has a gate and the people are all pretty nice. Last night, we went out, Latte peed and I was waiting to see if she needed to do anything else so I wouldn't have to get up again. That's when I noticed the car. I didn't have my glasses on, but it seemed to be a pretty junky car. It was driving slow, so I thought it was just looking for a spot to park. Then it stopped in the middle of the parking lot and a large guy (or a very butch gal) got out. He (or she) started walking toward me. I freaked out and Latte started barking. I scooped her up, we ran inside and bolted the door. My heart was thumping so hard and my hands were shaking. I sat in the hallway of my apt where I could see my front door but no one could see me through a window. I sat there for several minutes, imagining this guy breaking down my door or coming through the window. Then I called and woke up Brian. He calmed me down a bit and encouraged me to call the police. So I did. I told them the situation and they said they would send somebody over to check things out. I called Brian back again and he talked to me for about 45 minutes until I calmed down more. I still couldn't sleep. I lay awake in my bed until after 5:30.

To help me feel better about the whole thing, my mom reminded me of some things:
1. the person doesn't know I live alone. I could have a big body guard husband or a rot weiler inside.
2. the person might not have actually seen me until I ran inside. It's pretty dim in the yard where I take Latte.
3. there is a shady apt across from me where the people skipped town. there are warrants and notices to appear in court taped on their door. so maybe this guy was trying to sneak in late at night and get their stuff out?

Still, I have to wonder about people who are out that late and who randomly stop their car and get out when they see a young woman outside. Sketchy.

Don't worry, I'm buying some mace today.

Cheers: to a boyfriend who will talk to me in the middle of the night when I'm petrified
Jeers: to feeling really sleepy and still a little scared about being alone tonight