I’ve had trouble sleeping in the night so my mind has been wandering and replaying events that have happened and I recalled this one experience that left me shaking and remains a mystery years later. I wonder if anyone can shed any light on what they think might have been going on.
I was around 16-17 years old but looked much younger, at a guess probably looked about 14. It was around 1999 or 2000 but I would say 2000 seems likely. I lived in a somewhat middle class town in west London (I’m being vague on purpose) and had travelled to a bus stop to catch a bus to college. It was between 8.30 and 10.30am. The day was clear and bright with a slight chill - probably spring time. I remember exactly what I was wearing - I had on wide leg trousers as the fashion at the time and a jacket. I was completely covered up. This is an important detail I feel I need to share.
I was at the bus stop just past some roundabouts waiting for the bus that wasn’t particularly regular. That morning was busy with cars on the road but hardly anyone walking which was very normal for that area in those days. Anyway I was at the bus stop for probably around 5 mins. A car pulls up at this bus stop. It’s a narrow road so the car stopping prevents other drivers from behind them overtaking. The older man with glasses rolls his window down and asks me where a named church is. He had a map open on his lap (obviously no gps at the time) and I said it’s just at the end of the road. He said can you show me. I said it’s straight at the end of the road. At this point he got really angry and said get in the car. I went silent and didn’t know what to do. I could see he was debating whether to get out the car or not. Then he screamed at me get in the f’ing car now. I just froze and backed away. I didn’t leave, I was trying to process this and then in frustration he banged his hands on the wheel and drove off. I’m not kidding about the next part, I really wish I was. I was now stood much further away from the road so in a pavement and more visible. That stop didn’t have a bus shelter so I was a bit further back from the stand. Anyway a minute later another car pulls up, same place with a different man/ different car rolls his window down asking me where that same church was. This time I didn’t respond and ignored him. He too waited to decide what to do. After about another minute with cars beeping him/ overtaking he drove off. At that point I went into panic mode trying to process this when a third car (!!!) pulls up and before the guy even opened his mouth a load of expletives left mine as I shouted at this man as loudly as I could so anyone could hear. He drove off pretty quick. Soon after my bus finally turned up and I was shaking. Absolutely terrified and shaking. I still think now, I’m older with kids and I think whether I would have been abducted that day in broad bloody daylight too!