Trust, by definition it is, “the firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.” Trust is something a lot of people have way too much of. Trust that everything will go their way, trust that nothing serious will ever happen to them, and trust that every human being that they encounter in life will never try to harm them. I used to be one of those people that had way too much trust that no one would ever try to harm me, but I had a life changing experience that truly opened my eyes. It made me realize what a scary place this world can be.

It was a beautiful, sunny, spring day. There was not a cloud in the sky; it was a seemingly perfect day. I was on my way to New York with my dad for a basketball tournament. The whole ride to the city I felt on edge. I had an eerie feeling that something that something was going to happen, but I figured that I was just nervous about the competition at the tournament. Strangely, this feeling continued getting stronger and stronger until it drove me to t he point of feeling ill.

That night my team went out for dinner. Sitting in a booth, surrounded by my team, the uneasiness persisted. I felt something terribly wrong. I felt as though I was being watched, as if there were eyes staring into the back of my head. I needed some space so that I could clear my mind. I needed air. The air in the room felt heavy, as if there was no oxygen. I told my dad that I was going outside in the front of the restaurant to sit for a while. I dragged myself out the door and called my mom. I told her about the weird feelings that I was having, as if I shouldn’t have been there. She tried to calm me down, and I thanked her for that, but just as I hung up the phone two men that were standing near me grabbed my arm. The strong looking men tried to drag me into the street. My helplessness couldn’t have been more apparent.

Within seconds, my dad showed up like some kind of angel from heaven. The men ran off down the street when they saw my dad. I had never felt more grateful to have him around. It felt as if I was hovering above, as if I was watching a scene from a movie, not even realizing that this was actually happening to me. I broke down and started to cry. I was in complete shock, and disturbed that any person would try to harm me like that. My dad told me that he was having the same bad feelings that I had been having that whole day, and I believe that what happened to me was a sign.

I was always so trusting of everyone around me. I believed that I was always safe. Now I know that I need to be more aware of my surroundings, in a way, I am very glad that I went through this horrible experience. I have learned from my mistake, and I am now a more careful person when it comes to my safety.