I've Been Watching You

I remember as if it happened yesterday. Another walk to the park with my new puppy, a practiced routine that had become ritual. Every day after getting home from school I would hook Isabel to her leash and then out the door we would go. Her tail wagged in excitement, and it seemed more like she walked me than I walked her, as she anxiously dragged me down our street.
Looking both ways, we crossed the street carefully to the community park. I began to giggle in glee as she sped up to chase after a bird that had been perched near the ground. This was the highlight of my day. Nothing else mattered as I spent this time with my favorite new friend. All the worries of my day seemed to disappear as I took in the sweet fragrance of the flowers and the whispering of the creek.
We made our way around to the far side of the park. As she stopped to play with a stick near a tree, I heard a voice behind me. Although startled at first, I was reassured as I turned around only to see a friendly guy interested in my dog. He was smiling and had a foreign accent as he asked me about Isabel. He explained how he had been contemplating the idea of getting a new addition to the family and was curious whether my rottweiler mix breed was a good choice. He knelt down to scratch her chin while he talked.
Realizing it was getting late, I hinted at goodbye as I led Bella with me so we could make our way back home. But the man followed us along, walking next to my side as if he had been invited to come too. I tried not to think much of it since this was probably the way he has to go as well. The next thing that came out of his mouth made my heart stop. "I've been watching you come here every day. Where do you live?" I couldn't believe what I had just heard. I attempted to laugh the question off as I grabbed my phone out of my pocket with trembling hands. My first reaction was to call my mom, who I knew was just across the street.
I text messaged her the short statement: "Some guy is following me. Help." Immediately my phone began ringing and I calmly answered it as Isabel and I, and this stranger, continued walking. My mom's voice was shaking and frantic and she asked me what was happening. I discreetly let her know that this creep was right next to me so I couldn't answer too much. She let me know that my step-dad was on his way and we hung up. The guy had seemed oblivious to the fact that I had just called for help.
Now all three of us were right across from my street. My puppy had laid down and the man was kneeled down beside her, petting her head. This was a nightmare. All I could think about were the various forensic files shows I had seen with my mom, and I imagined the worst case scenarios that could occur in the next couple hours of my life. Where could I end up at? What were these mans' intentions?
I felt relief as I heard the familiar nosy engine of my step-dad's truck as he parked and walked across the street to save me. The guys' eyes grew big in fear when he noticed my step-dad walking towards us, realizing that his fun had ended. "Hey, what do you think you're doing man? She doesn't want to talk to you. I never want to see you here again." The guy put his hands up in the air, backing away from me and Isabel, while desperately trying to explain that he meant no harm. He then got into his car and sped off.
I held back tears as my step-dad put his arm around me to let me know that everything was alright now. We got into his truck to go home. My heart was still pounding and I was still shook up from what had just taken place. I had never felt so violated and helpless before. The one care-free, special part of my day had been ruined. It could never be the same because of this strange, stalker who had placed fear in my heart. Now everyone was a suspect in my eyes. I felt unsafe in my own neighborhood. Maybe the guy had just been a loser with no experience on how to get a date, but I wasn't willing to risk that chance. I have never taken that same route since that day.