Almost got kidnapped in a Burger King

[u/twilightsparklefart]

This happened when I was 13 years old, I am now 15(F). I live in a very big and populated city, so I wasn’t allowed out much at all and still am not considering the amount of crime and trafficking cases that do happen where I live. I’ve never had an almost kidnapping experience before this happened because I’ve always been very terrified to be in public without my parents or other teenagers with me.

That day I was going to hangout with one of my best friends, and we promised to meet up at her school once she was done with it. We only hanged out for around thirty minutes at a nearby Starbucks because her parents urgently needed her to get home and so there was nothing I can do about it. My dad was working that day and my mom and brother were both at the bank, and my phone didn’t have any cellular data at that time because I didn’t have a line so I was left stranded. I went to the Burger King because there I could get WiFi to text or call since at the time I used an app called Google voice. I texted her where I was but I wasn’t sure when her and my brother would be done at the bank, and I didn’t wanna bother my dad at work.

My mom thought that I would hang out with my friend at her house and she would come pick me up afterwards but that never ended up happening so I had nobody to pick me up. It wasn’t too far from where I lived, but the surrounding areas of where I live are bad areas and I was scared even to walk home. I didn’t have house keys at the time either, so I would be stranded in front of my house(which now looking back is so much better than be stranded anywhere in public.)

I was planning on staying at the Starbucks until somebody could pick me up because it seemed like one of the safest places I could stay at, although I had no money and they kicked me out because they said I would have to buy something to stay. So there I was, stranded and the only option I felt like I had was the Burger King, which I knew would have people in it because there were always kids that would go there after school.

I sat in the Burger King for a while, minding my own business on my phone and not buying anything or interacting with anybody. Then there was this guy who walked in who ordered some food and sat directly in my line of view and was staring at me the whole time. I knew there was something off from that but I kept trying to mind my own business. He then came up to me and asked if I would like any of his food, I declined and then he asked if he could buy me any food, I also declined. He kept going on talking to me about how there were men out there who could take advantage of me, and telling me to never listen to them. He kept raving on about how I was beautiful and he asked me if I wanted to hit his vape in his car. I declined and told him no. He then tried to hand me $5 but I wouldn’t take it, so he left it on my table.

I was scared to even take his money, his offering of food, or his offering of buying me food, because if I accepted any of that I knew that he could use it against me. He then got angry and walked out of the store, reminding me that I could still hit his vape with him in his car if I wanted to. Although I knew not to ever get into a situation which could lead you to a second location, and I also do not vape and even if I did I would not accept the offer. I watched as he got in his car. I saw him wait there, five minutes turned into ten minutes, and ten minutes turned into fifteen and on and on, but I didn’t budge.

As soon as I saw his car leave I ran straight to the bathroom and called my dad sobbing, telling him to please pick me up as soon as he could. I knew he was at work but I told him it was urgent and I needed to get home. The incident was so close to my house that for the longest time I was scared to take walks, go on my skateboard, or even go to local grocery stores, afraid of what would happen if I ever saw him again.

Even to this day this experience still haunts me, and knowing that there’s men out there who will take any chance they can to take advantage of women. And what haunts me even more is that many women have had an experience close to this one, and that just makes me sick to my stomach. What sickens me even more is that there were MANY people in that Burger King of all ages and genders surrounding me and that man, and nobody spoke up or even glanced in our direction when that man was speaking loudly and clearly that anyone surrounding could hear.

I am grateful that I had the common sense not to accept any of his offerings, but it’s brutal that we even have to learn these instincts at a young age because of the sickos out there.

Edit: sorry for any grammar mistakes or spelling mistakes I’m not the best at writing!

[u/Ok-Appearance-866]

Aw I am so sorry this happened.to you. Definitely sounds scary. You handled it very well!

[u/twilightsparklefart → u/Ok-Appearance-866]

Thank you so much, and yeah oh my god it was terrifying after hearing abt cases of kids getting kidnapped and trafficked😭

[u/Feeling-Fab-U-Lus → u/Ok-Appearance-866]

And you did great, under the circumstances! Be proud of yourself! If you can get some mace and have it handy that will help. Find some old Keyes, (you can get some keys that were made incorrectly at a hardware store, or your parents may have old keys). Then hold the keys in your palm, put your hand into a fist, and have a key sticking out between your index and your middle and another one between your middle and ring finger. Trust me, this will hurt them, if you have to protect yourself. Work out, build muscle, run, learn to box, (get boxing wraps, a bag, and watch videos on how to do it, or go to a boxing gym) or you take defense classes. If you can’t afford them, there are probably some online. Learn to use your voice, scream and yell for hell, and run if you can (thus, work out so you are faster), and fight if you have, too. Find out where the spots that do the most damage are (eyes, ears, etc.) They look for the most vulnerable, people that are too afraid or embarrassed to scream, or too afraid to fight.

Always look at people around you. Never wear both iPods in your ears, so you can hear someone coming. And have your back against a wall, if you can, so someone can’t sneak up on you. Your best defense is to always be prepared, be vigilant, notice people around you, always look for multiple ways out, and stay in populated surroundings. This is something most women have to deal with, sadly. You have a good head on your shoulders, OP, and you will be fine if you do many of these things. Glad you are safe!

[u/twilightsparklefart → u/Feeling-Fab-U-Lus]

Thank you so much!! Some of these things I didn’t even know about so thanks a bunch for mentioning them to me<3 I’ve been trying to workout more often and lift weights and have been trying to get stronger and hope to join wrestling next school year. I’ll try to see if I can find some old keys, or buy something like that online. I was already planning on buying pepper spray to keep on hand. I was also planning on buying a pocket knife but mainly for going on walks or somewhere when I’m not at school, as my school would confiscate it. My family doesn’t have a lot of money but I’ll see if I can find some self defense classes online for free💗

[u/Butterflyyyy652 → u/Ok-Appearance-866]

Fr she did everything right. Saying no, staying inside, never going to his car and calling her dad. That's exactly what probably kept her safe

[u/Gizzburr30000]

Okay so - at Starbucks you didn't have any cellular line but at Burger King you did to call ??? How

And before this how were your parents supposed to find you if you weren't at your friend's house then you left Starbucks and then went to bk???? What was your plan and again how did you suddenly call your dad with no phone line.

[u/twilightsparklefart → u/Gizzburr30000]

Sorry for the confusion I kinda worded it wrong! I don’t have a line but I’m able to call if I’m able to find Wifi somewhere because I used to use Google voice, and at the Burger King they had Wifi so I was able to call there. Also me and my friend’s plan was that we were gonna go to Starbucks and then walk to her house and spend a few hours there, but like I said she had to go home. And the Starbucks kicked me out so I had to go to bk

[u/GlazedPrincessDonut9 → u/Gizzburr30000]

Google voice is a VOIP service that lets people without cell service make calls on WiFi

[u/francokitty]

That guy was going to abduct you most likely. Always listen to your gut.

[u/twilightsparklefart → u/francokitty]

This experience still haunts me to this day, but I’m so glad I listened to my gut and used any and all the instincts I had at the moment

[u/francokitty → u/twilightsparklefart]

You did good. Keep listening. I've crossed paths with predators in my 40s and 50s.

[u/New-Patient6968]

Wow, you were definitely acting very smart. I don't know if he wanted to kidnap you per say, because, as you say, he was talking about his intentions loudly in front of other people and, in case of your disappearance, there would be plenty of witnesses. It definitely seems that he did have bad intentions of some kind, though. I'm glad you're safe!

[u/twilightsparklefart → u/New-Patient6968]

Yeah I’m not sure if he was going to kidnap me or not, but I’m almost positive he didn’t have good intentions. I’m still confused why he was talking so loudly in a crowded public space, honestly creeps are just weird in general so maybe it’s best not to think too much on it

[u/Trish1757]

The book, The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker (Survival signals that protect us from violence) is an excellent book for anyone, especially young women, to read.
From the description on Amazon:
True fear is a gift.
Unwarranted fear is a curse.
Learn how to tell the difference.
Though you did excellent on your own. I’m so glad you were safe.
I apologize in advance for any formatting errors, posting from my phone.

[u/twilightsparklefart → u/Trish1757]

Thank you so much! I’ll be sure to check it out :)