Almost Trapped at The Library

[VictorB02]

Last week I went to the public library for the first time to do some work on my laptop. I decided to sit towards the back of the library so I could see as much as possible (I never sit with my back to the door if possible), and although I was enjoying the comradery of working with high school and college students on important tasks, the homeless coming in and out, wandering, and sleeping next to bookshelves slightly put me on edge, but I ultimately shrugged it off because they weren't bothering me.

Lining the wall of glass behind me, in the back of the library, were about 30 or so chairs, which I never expected anyone to actually sit in. Why would they? We are in the far back of the library, and there are about 20 or so desks with open seats scattered throughout the entire place.

Well, in comes a mid 30s dude who is walking towards the back where I am. When I look up, he is literally staring at me and my belongings with that tweaked-out stimulated eye that addicts have, and then he proceeds to sit DIRECTLY behind me. 

And I don't mean, behind me in a chair and off to the side, I mean DIRECTLY behind me, which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I thought "am I overreacting?", then contemplated for a moment.

I looked in my laptop screen to see if I could get a reflection on this guy - and nothing. I realized out of the 30 seats lining the wall behind me, in the very back of the library, this guy chose the one seat that was 2-3 feet directly behind me. I knew something was up. I could feel it. 

This was a trap.

I quickly grabbed my book, laptop, airpods and stood up - then pivoted 90 degrees and faced my desk / chair so I could pack my things while keeping an eye on this guy to my right, and guess what? This guy was sitting in the weirdest and most odd open body position I've seen. His legs and arms were spread wide open, he didn't have a book, and he wasn't working on anything like everyone else in the library. 

It's as if he was literally just about to try to reach for my bag or try to snatch something without me noticing, but I was too quick to be trapped in his snare.

I packed my things, slowly slid in my chair, and then shot him a glance that said "I know what the fuck you're doing" and left.

Always be wary of traps!

Edited May 27, 2024 by VictorB02