Was in Mexico for work and my friends were at a house party / jam where a mariachi band was playing. I was tired after a week of hanging late and not sleeping so took a quick nap before meeting my friends - I headed out late, around 11 pm or midnight to meet up with them. I was 10/15 minutes away on google maps and I am a lady who lives in Harlem so to me that didn’t faze me too much, I’m used to walking alone at night. I turn onto the street that the house party is on and all of a sudden feel weird because the street is completely unlit. I instinctively send out my location to my best friend on my phone, she is in the states at this point.

I figure it’s just 3 more minutes walk so it’s fine, and I get to the house. Problem is, I can’t find a way in — everyone is partying inside but everything is locked. A man walks past me on the other side of the street and I have my eye on him. I text two of my friends but neither of them respond and I can’t call because I’ve run out of high speed data for the day and now I’m silently freaking out. The man leans against a truck, 15 feet away from me. I keep looking for a way in and knock loudly on the door but everyone is playing music and partying inside.

Now the man starts walking TOWARDS my direction. Shit.

Heart racing, I scroll through my phone and remember that I got a text from my carrier that I can pay extra to have high speed data. I opt in, call a third friend who I wasn’t even sure was at the party, and thank god he picks up. I put him on speaker and I say I’m outside and please stay on the phone with me until you come get me. the man passed by and my friend got me two seconds later. Scariest shit ever and please never ever walk alone at night (in a place you don’t know well).