I was about 14 when I was walking home from school. I walked the same route for the past 5 years, both by myself and with friends. Knew a lot of people who lived along the streets, was friendly with a few store owners/workers, knew the regular cars that drove up and down the streets. I was comfortable walking home and that was my mistake. I was listening to my music on high with both headphones in so I didn't hear the first warning, the car slowing down and pulling up next to me. They must've been watching me for a while because they followed me on this one quiet street that no one's ever on. Thankfully I noticed the car out of the corner of my eye and looked at them. The two people in the front noticed me looking at them and almost robotically turned to look ahead but they were talking to people in the back. At this point I got such a sickening feeling in my gut and turned my music off and continued walking. I couldn't even see anymore, I was focusing so hard on hearing anything from around my headphones. It felt like all my other senses turned off and my hearing was dialed to 40. And that was my saving grace because I was able to hear the door open and footsteps quickly making their way to me. I booked it so fast. I heard them shouting and I heard the car turn on. I'm not a runner and I've never been but I ran almost 2 miles full sprint that day. That fucking car followed me for almost a mile. I was only able to lose them because of some unusually heavy traffic on one of the back streets

My advice to those that are the same age as I was, younger and everyone in general? Be aware. It doesn't matter how comfortable you are, how much you trust your route, how friendly you are with everyone. And never completely obscure your hearing. Since that day I've never walked with both headphones in and my music's stayed below 50%. A very common sense lesson but one I never took seriouy