I sat next to the most terrifying man on a plane..

This is my first post ever on Reddit. It happened to me when I was 19, I'm 28 now..so this happened back in 2009. I'm a flight attendant now, I have been for several years. Yes I still fly when I'm not working.<br><br><br>I was flying alone from Las Vegas to New Jersey (my home state) and I had a layover in Chicago. I took a morning flight with American Airlines. It was a 4 hour flight. I sat in my designated seat by the window and waited for boarding to finish. I was taking out my IPod to listen to music when a man approached me. I looked up and he sat in the seat next to me. He was tall. Around 6'5 with curly dark brown hair that was tied back in a pony tail. He looked like a typical guy from the 80s metal band and for some reason I remember him having blue eyes. He was wearing all black clothing and a leather jacket. I did not talk to him at first I just stared out the window.<br><br>For the first few minutes he sat silently, and then he finally talked to me. "You know there is an empty seat over there and you can sit there instead of here if you want". I looked over and realized there was an open aisle seat...I had no clue and for some reason my dumb young brain thought "hey this guy sounds nice...maybe I can try and make small talk with him. I quickly replied "No I'm okay, thanks". He immediately grabbed my arm and squeezed. I looked up at him startled as he said "Good". I was so flustered and I wanted to cry. I was 19 and alone on a plane, I had no clue what to do. I decided against saying anything further to him and put on my headphones. I looked straight out the window the rest of the plane ride. I gripped the armrest the rest of the plane ride. I wanted to cry and I never felt so terrified. I grabbed his arm with my other hand and he didn't flinch...he just kept looking out the window. This terrifying feeling washed over me as I looked at his hand gripping my arm and for some reason...I felt this weird chill run through my entire body. I felt hair stand up on the back of my neck and I felt my eyes well up with tears as my heart was pounding. I finally worked up the nerve to slowly and carefully shake his hand off and look at him in horror. He had the creepiest and largest smile on his face. I was so petrified I could not even say anything so I shook my head and continued staring out the window.<br><br>We did not say another word to each other for the entire 4 hour flight...but I will never forget the feeling his grip had on my arm...it was like he was trying to squeeze my bones away. I was so happy when the pilot said "Please prepare for landing"...when we landed I grabbed my stuff and ran off the plane. I did not look back. I did not stop running until I found a store in the terminal and asked for airport security...by the time they came, I assume he had left because they did not find him.<br><br>I still to this day do not know what his intentions were, but I can't help but feel he wanted to hurt me in some way.<br><br>&#x200B;<br><br>EDIT: I appreciate all of the feedback. It's funny because when I posted this I was expecting 2-3 replies...maybe 5 tops...the fact this blew up is insane!! I appreciate all the comments, good and bad. The reason I did not go to the flight attendants is because I was scared, plain and simple. I was 19 and I was scared. I did not want to make it a big deal. Yes I realize now it was a huge mistake, but in the past 9 years since that flight I have let this play on me. That is why I made the post, to let my fear go. I have worked for an airline for 6 years now, even working flights myself I know what to do in case of an emergency like this. I posted this to move on from it, not to get pitty from people and not to sound like I'm whining. Some of you have been very harsh towards me, but some have been very constructive with their criticism. I appreciate all of them!