The Creepy Man Who Knew Too Much

This happened a few months ago, and since then, I notice my surroundings more. I get suspicious when an unknown man approaches me. I feel uneasy when I find someone watching me, or doing something around me. I’ve learned to stay alert and defend myself to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.<br><br>&#x200B;<br><br>This all happened at a coffee shop. It’s one of my favorite places, not too far from home, and always busy during the day. I went there for work, as it’s nice to be around people, but still sit and have my coffee. I was working on a project, and needed to finish it as soon as possible. So here I was, sitting at a table, writing in my notebook.<br><br>I didn’t notice much of the other people at the coffee shop. There was the owner, the barista, and a handful of people sitting at separate tables, working or chatting with friends. I was completely absorbed in my work. I didn’t notice when a man sat across from me, at my table. By the time I noticed him, he was already sitting in the chair, looking right at me. He was smiling, grinning, and his eyes were wide with excitement.<br><br>He didn’t say anything. He just sat there, looking at me. I felt uneasy, and tried to focus on my notebook, but he was too distracting. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him. He looked like someone I had met before, but I couldn’t remember his name. I didn’t know if I should ignore him, or make a scene. I didn’t know what to do.<br><br>I decided to politely ask him who he was. I tried to be friendly, and not show my uneasiness. I introduced myself, and he introduced himself as John. This still meant nothing to me. I didn’t know anyone named John. I wasn’t sure if he was a friend, an acquaintance, or just a guy who wanted to hit on me. I didn’t say anything, and just smiled when he finished his introduction.<br><br>“You don’t remember me, do you?” he asked.<br><br>I shook my head. “No, I don’t.”<br><br>He looked disappointed, and his smile quickly turned to a frown. I didn’t know what to take from this. I still didn’t know who he was. I felt like I should have known him, but I couldn’t place him. I tried to think back, but nothing came to mind. This was frustrating and embarrassing. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but I didn’t want to pretend that I knew him when I didn’t. I didn’t know what to do.<br><br>“How old are you?” he asked.<br><br>“27,” I replied.<br><br>“Wow, you’ve really grown up,” he said. “I wouldn’t have recognized you if I didn’t know you were working here.”<br><br>I was shocked. “You know I work here?”<br><br>He nodded. “ Yes, I do. I’ve seen you around. You look different than you used to, but I recognized you. Your hair looks good. You look good.”<br><br>This was making me uneasy. I didn’t know what he was talking about. I didn’t know when he had seen me, or where he had seen me. I didn’t know why he was sitting across from me, staring at me. I didn’t know what to do. I felt trapped, and scared.<br><br>“I know you’re working on a project,” he said. “I’ve seen you writing in your notebook. You’re really focused. That’s good to see. You’re really growing up.”<br><br>This was getting weirder. I didn’t know how he knew I was working on a project, or how he knew I was writing in my notebook. I didn’t know where he got his information, but it was freaky. I felt like I was being watched.<br><br>I stood up, grabbed my bag and walked around the table. John didn’t move. He just watched me. I didn’t take my eyes off him, because I didn’t know what he was going to do. I slowly walked to the door, and out of the coffee shop.<br><br>I didn’t go back to that coffee shop for months. I tried to forget about the creepy man who knew too much. I tried to forget that he was sitting across from me, watching me. I tried to forget that he knew more about me than I knew about him. But it stayed in my mind. I couldn’t shake it off. I felt uneasy, and scared. I didn’t know what to do.<br><br>One day, I decided to go back to that coffee shop. I sat at my usual table, and started to write in my notebook. As I was writing, the memories came back. I remembered the creepy man, and the way he was watching me. I remembered how I felt when I realized he knew more about me than I knew about him. I felt uneasy, and scared.<br><br>Just as I was about to leave, I saw John. He was sitting at the table next to mine. He was looking at me, and smiling. I stood up, grabbed my bag, and got up to leave.<br><br>“Hi,” he said.<br><br>I ignored him, and kept walking. I walked as fast as I could, out the door, and down the street. I didn’t stop until I was safe inside my house, with the door locked. I felt relieved, but I was still uneasy. I kept wondering if I would ever see John again.<br><br>I never went back to that coffee shop again. I never saw John again, and I don’t want to. I’m glad I escaped from the creepy man who knew too much. I’m glad I was able to defend myself. I’m glad I got away. But I know that he’s still out there, watching. I know that he’s still waiting. And I know that he’ll always know too much.<br><br>&#x200B;