So how much worse does it get?

[Deja Q]

Walking home from work, these 4 teenagers (about 18) started at me as I walked across the parking lot. I minded my own business but heard a loud thump after passing them by. I turned in reflex action and saw nothing different...

I continue on my way and hear a rapid sequence of thumps; I mistook it as someone running and turned again to look, scared shitless. They got a good laugh. They obviously saw more than what they were staring at originally. (and it was the usual "who's that freak" glance.)

I kept walking, normal speed.

When I did get home a few minutes later, I then noticed one of the four of them walking back the opposite direction. He was following me from a distant pace.

Maybe I should have prayed he had a gun. This isn't living if, thanks to a shitty upbringing in a "society" that gives bullies carte blanche on the meek, and creatures like him that prove humans haven't evolved that I have to live fuckin' scared all the damn time, which in turn only has people treating me like, amongst other things, a freak. I try to work within the system and within people. This animal just likes to poke at others. How come he gets a normal life and not I?

[Guy Fawkes]

1. A lot worse.

My freshman year of High School, a bunch of kids were found on the steps of the west door beating a kitten to death. A teacher (who, besides this one time, I didn't like) went outside, got the kids arrested, skipped work to save the kitten, and later adopted it.

Edit: Oh, and the kids were kicked out of the district.

[Deja Q]

2. I befriended a kid who once threw cats up into the air...

didn't catch them on the way down. (I found the incident abhorring.)

Nothing happened to him.

I'm glad somebody gave a fuck in your area.

[BarenakedLady]

3. I have no answer for you.

People are sick fucks. I do think that things get better eventually though. At least I hope so. We can wait together.

:hug:

[buddhamama]

4. the world is filled with jerkys

it is a sad reality. your post makes me angry. if i had been there i would have kicked their assess for you.
you are a sweet person HypnoToad, in some ways that fact alone makes you different.

i don't know how normal this punk's life is. i can almost guarantee you he's a miserable person who doesn't get much pleasure out of life. his kind are everywhere. you however, are uniquely beautiful. :hug:

[Deja Q]

5. Sweet doesn't cut it in THIS world.

But thanks anyway. :pals:

Hell, if you know my childhood, you'd have to wonder how the fuck I remain so civilized. I should be proud. OTOH, you don't want to know the # of suicides I've tried because of, amongst other things, the loneliness too. :rofl:

[ohiosmith]

6. It will get as bad as you allow it to. Living in fear is not living,

it's existing. Try some activities that will help you develop some self confidence. Maybe enroll in a survival course or take some martial arts classes.

Good luck.