I was almost kidnapped and it was just like in the movies

I was almost kidnapped when I was a kid, and it was just like in the movies. A guy approached me and we talked for a bit, and at the end of our conversation he casually mentioned that I should get into his car.<br><br>I was about 14 or 15 at the time, and I was walking from my home to the local shopping center. It's a short walk and one I had made many times before, but this time, when I was standing at the bus stop, a guy approached me. He was in his late 20s or early 30s, and he was tall and lean. He had short black hair and brown eyes, and he was wearing a black shirt and jeans.<br><br>He approached me and we started talking, and I was surprised by how friendly he was. He asked me about my day, and I told him about school and my friends. At first, I was hesitant to talk to him, but he seemed nice and genuinely interested in what I had to say.<br><br>I was completely unaware of any red flags. I was young and naive, and I didn't think anything of it. We talked for a bit, and then he asked me if I wanted to get into his car. I was hesitant at first, but he seemed nice and I trusted him.<br><br>So I got into his car, and he drove me to the shopping center. When we got there, he dropped me off and I thanked him for the ride. He was nice and friendly throughout the trip, and I didn't think anything of it.<br><br>It wasn't until later, when I got home and told my parents about the guy, that I realized something was off. My parents were concerned and asked me if I had gotten into his car, and I told them that I had. They were relieved that I was safe, but they warned me to never get into a car with a stranger again.<br><br>Years later, when I was in my mid-20s, I saw a news report about a man who was accused of kidnapping and assaulting several young girls. The report showed a picture of the man, and I was shocked when I realized that it was the same guy who had approached me at the bus stop.<br><br>I couldn't believe it. I had been so close to being kidnapped and assaulted, but I had been lucky. I realized that I had been completely unaware of any red flags, and that I had been blinded by the guy's friendly demeanor.<br><br>I learned a valuable lesson that day. I learned to always be cautious when interacting with strangers, and to never trust someone just because they seem nice. I also learned to trust my instincts.