Fear

I was leaving school when I heard a shout.

Up ahead was a big and well built man with a tattooed arm, holding a wooden stick and standing beside the open front door of a car. He looked like he was threatening the person inside, but I was not sure.

I continued walking (though slower now) in the direction I intended, which was towards him and the car.

This guy was big. Way heavier than me, and definitely stronger- His arms were thick.

I stopped for a moment to flip my shoe straps backwards, so my slip-ons would not slip off so easily.

I continued towards him as he stared into the car.


His face changed to a smile as I walked past and I saw that the people in the car were laughing at his antics. I had judged wrongly, but that was still a relief.


Walking on I thought about what had just happened. I was actually quite surprised by what I had done. Here before me was a huge guy, and I had sized him up and prepared myself for a confrontation- My shoes were now stuck on tight, ready for either fight or flight.

Would I really have approached him if he was threatening someone? Would I have really challenged this huge guy?

I don't know.


But one thing I knew. I was not just about to walk away.


My courage surprised me. I often talk as though I'm awesome, but I rarely do anything brave in real life. I didn't expect myself to react like this today. Wow.

Maybe I'm just inspired by Batgirl.

Fighting against the odds, for a higher cause.