what was the creepiest /scariest thing that ever happened while you were alone ?

In 2007 I had no cell phone, and was living in Chicago. I got out of work around midnight every night and took the bus home, basically a straight shot, 15-minute bus ride. I usually kept my headphones on while on the bus. One night I got on and it was basically empty, there were two elderly people up front so I took a seat toward the back so I didn't bother them with my music. A man got on at the next stop, pretty normal-looking dumpy middle-aged white guy in a button-up shirt and khakis, and took the seat right behind me.

I heard him sort of angrily muttering so I turned the volume off on my headphones. He was saying things to the effect of "stupid slut deserves to something something," basically kinda scary shit directed at a woman. I'm spooked but maybe this dude's wife just cheated on him and he's blowing off some steam. Eventually I realize it seems to be about me and he's using words like "they" as if he's talking about all women.

I get off at a stop a few blocks before my usual one because it's a well-lit area with lots of people going to bars and stuff, and the dude gets off when I do, still doing that scary angry-talk thing. I go into an ATM foyer at a bank to sorta hide out and sure enough, he's standing on the corner right outside.

I'm only two blocks from my house but after this corner it gets very dark and sketchy. Being an idiot, instead of just asking some people from outside a bar to walk me to my house, I decide to try to head over as fast as I can. I leave, guy starts following me. I cross a four-lane, busy street, almost getting hit by cars in the process, and he's looking at me and keeping pace with me from across the street. Finally I decide to just run for it.

Made it home without being murdered, continued to walk home alone at night for years, didn't get a cell phone until 2011. I'm a dummy.

/r/AskReddit Thread