Long story but I'll try keep it short.
It was really late, I needed to get some things, and the only store open was Walmart. Parking lot was pretty full except for a spot by a cart return, and an area of the parking lot that was dark (I guess they turn the lights out in some sections at a certain time?). Stupidly trying to avoid some asshole scratching my car with a cart I park way out where it was dark. (Tip: always park under the lights.)
Anyways, I go inside, get what I need, and return to my car. As soon as I get 20-25' from my car this guy pops out from behind it with a gun. I did my best not to look startled. He was clearly on edge. Very jittery. I put my hands in the air and tell him that I didn't have any cash or valuables (I even left my cell, turned off, in the car because I knew my girlfriend would be calling me a dozen times like she does). He orders me to get closer, so I walk towards him slowly. As I get closer, he moves towards me and puts the gun in my face. Literally in my face.
Seeing the end of that gun, and noticing his finger on the trigger was the worst moment of my life. What made matters even worse was the .45 in the back of my waist wasn't going to save me. In that moment, the only weapons I had were communication and remaining calm.
So I was talking to him telling him to be cool. After a minute or two he yelled and pushed the gun into my cheek, demanding I give him my wallet. So I did. I slowly reached into my pocket, grabbed my wallet, and handed it to him. He backed away keeping the gun pointed at me, turned around quickly, and took off towards the woods.
If I had broke down, escalated things by raising my voice, or even acted scared, I firmly believe he would've pulled the trigger, grabbed my things, and left. He had nothing to lose that he wasn't already willing to lose. Keeping in control of my thoughts and emotions while moving slowly and deliberately, I believe, saved my life.
The story has a bad ending in that he got away with it. His face was so covered I couldn't give a good description to the cops, and they never caught him. The good news is, I cancelled all of my cards less than 15 minutes after it happened leaving him nothing but a bunch of useless plastic (my DL was in the car, and nothing but credit cards were in my wallet).