Pull your rings off your fingers and take off your watch. Shove them somewhere deep into your coat pockets where you can reach them later. Take your bag off your shoulder and clutch it under your arm instead. Do not let the straps swing. Long purse straps can be used for strangulation, or so you've heard from your father, or your teachers, or the little boys you played with when you were younger. If he wants your purse, he can have it. It's not worth your life, so you're willing to part with it. But if he had just wanted your money, why did he follow you from that coffee shop?

Fix your hair while you wait at the traffic signal with the other pedestrians. Sweep it into the collar of your coat. Feel glad that you're in a crowd of other people. Look into that window across the street. Still there? If he's smart, he won't be. Smile to yourself, knowing that you're very capable of defending yourself.

But you're pretty, and he's eager, so while you're standing there waiting for the light to change, turn around and ask him the time, or say something of no consequence. He's certainly startled at your forwardness, and you watch his brown, cunning eyes widen, his scruffy mouth turn down in dismay. Chances are he'll awkwardly respond, and now you know his face. Can you pick him out of a lineup? If you think you can, and if he chickens out at the thought of you doing so, he'll leave you well enough alone.

As you hoped, he vanishes. But you don't relax just yet. Stalkers are a funny breed, your daddy said, so be ready for anything. There's a knife in your right pocket, but you don't touch it. Don't even put your hand into your pocket, so that when he grabs your arm out of the next alley, you don't have to hesitate.

It doesn't really matter what size he is; it didn't matter in practice, and it certainly doesn't now. He's holding your arm, and yes, he's strong, but don't give up. You drop your purse. It's all right. You at least know that's not what he's after. Grab your own wrists and take a step sideways, away from him, so that your feet are spread and your knees are bent. Pull your arm away, as if it were a lawnmower you were having trouble starting. Pull it as far away as you can. If you're doing it right, you'll pull him forward just a bit. Now, see that line from your elbow to his nose? Use it. Jump if you have to. You swing your arms forward as if you're rocking a very large baby. Daddy always taught you to never pull your punches. Even if you miss his nose, it still hurts like all hell, and hey, you might even break his teeth if you're lucky. Not that you pause to admire your work once he's hit the ground.

In the back of your adrenaline-soaked mind, you wonder if you should put those lovely stiletto heels to use on his ribs or throat, but you decisively grab your purse and walk away, trading pure anger for hysterical fear.

You must be really special if he still follows you after you've broken his face.

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