A stranger with machete

Twenty-seven-years-old Lilian Germont could hardly wait to finish her shift at the restaurant where she worked in Seattle, USA. As her fiance worked during New Year's Eve in 2018, she also accepted to change her shift with her colleague. She thought it was better to work than to sit alone at home. And the shift dragged on. Hopes that it would be less crowded that night were dashed. As soon as midnight passed, the guests flocked. Because of that, she stayed in the restaurant for almost three hours in the morning.

She was so tired that she drove home slower that usual. Half an hour later, she arrived in front of the building. She cruised through the hood, until she found a free parking place. Someone just going out, after the party. She smiled. She won't have to walk much to the building. She can barely walk from fatigue.

She walked slowly, foot to foot. A minute later, she realized she wasn't alone on the street. Someone was following her. He was reducing the distance every second. The woman noticed this, but didn't worry. Maybe he's a neighbor and coming home from a New Year party. When she reached the entrance, a stranger found herself right behind her. She didn't have to look, she felt his presence. He said nothing. She still didn't look back. Nothing unusual, the neighbor returns home.

He drank a little, so it's better to keep quiet than to stick his tongue out. She may even avoid congratulations. She didn't care. Just to get to bed. Her fiance already arrived, he called while she was driving. She unlocked the front door of the building and let the stranger through. He entered in front of her.

The elevator didn't work again. She started up the stairs. The stranger was far ahead, she never saw him in her life. She reached the floor.

She searched the bag for the keys to the apartment. She turned over, took out other objects, until she finally found them. She looked up. The man was standing in front of her. Only then she did realize that he wasn't neighbor. She would know him at least by sight. This one was completely unknown to her. He held something in his hand. It took her a second or two to figure out that the light was reflecting off. Blade. Another second to realize it's a machete blade. She could barely make out what the stranger was saying to her: -Don't move!

Lilian backed away. She took a step aside. The man was looking at her. He didn't move. She took another step. Than another one. She was almost at the door of her apartment. Only then did the attacker step towards her. He was still hissing, all through his teeth. He ordered her to stop, not to move. He raised his machete. Lilian leaned back against the wall. She was relieved for a moment when she realized that the door was only a meter away. She held out her hand. He slowly lowered his machete. He wanted to show her not to joke. And she wouldn't want to try anything either. Anyway Lilian reached the door. She leaned closer, feeling the doorknob on her back. She didn't let him out of her sight for a second. Her gaze shifted from his face to the machete.

She tried to talk with him, to answer him back. She promised not to report anything, just let her go. Then it dawned on her. He must want to rob her. She reached for her bag. The attacker took a step forward. Lilian stopped. She didn't want to challenge him. She spilled the bag in front of her. She told him she could carry everything just to heave her alone. The stranger looked, a little bag, a little her.

What he said through is teeth frozen her: -I don't want your money! He was in front of her in a split second. He grabbed her by the throat. He raised his machete. The flash of the blade seemed to startle her. By then, she was almost numb with fear. At the moment, she decided to defend herself.

She pushed him away. She didn't know where she got so much strength from. And attacker seemed confused. That gave her a few seconds. She dropped the bag. She stood in front of him now, her arms raised in the guard. What her father, former soldier and policeman, taught her when she was little, came back to her. If there is already fight, or some similar trouble, just do not hesitate. If you have already set out, go to the end without mercy.

The attacker is surprised. He hesitated. Then he rushed. She saw the machete blade come down. Towards her head, she realized. She held out her hand. She grabbed the steel. She grabbed the blade. She felt no pain. The stranger pulled the machete. She felt something warm and sticky. Blood, she knows. She was confused by the fact that she didn't feel the pain. She hadn't time to think about it. She didn't let go of the machete.

She pushed the attacker, kicked him. She roared out loud. She called her fiance. There are only a few seconds, until the man with the machete pulls away and attack with all his strength.

She didn't stop screaming. Choking, her back slammed against the door. Hit, kicked. Finally, she heard the lock is unlocking. The handle moved.

The attacker understood that as well. It was as if he had given up a little. Lilian realized it was a moment she must seize. She let go of the blade. He was staring at the door. Then to her. As if he wasn't sure what to do. She was. Another kick to the head. Just the way her father taught her a long time ago.

In that, her fiance, was showed in the hallway. It took him a second to figure out what was going on. He roared and started at the attacker. Attacker wasn't longer interested for a conflict. He threw away his machete and scramble down the stairs. Lilian watched him run. Then she decided it wasn't the end. She didn't intend to let him get away with it and probably attack another woman. She chased after him.

Adrenaline was pounding in her head. Now she became a hunter, while the attacker was a prey. She reached him in a few steps. She grabbed the edge of his jacket. The fugitive lost his balance and felt down the stairs. Lilian jumped up and got to her feet, right next to him. She grabbed him by the collar. The attacker couldn't even move. Her fiance rushed after him. He called the police, then nailed the to the ground with his knee. This one struggled, even cried. He begged them not to hit him.

Help soon arrived. Officers searched him. They also find a knife and adhesive tape in his pockets. Only then did Lilian get scared. There simply wasn't time for that before.

Literature and image: Politica's Entertainer, number 3541