“You have to be home before dark,” my dad said.

“But my brothers don’t have this rule, I’m the oldest,” I responded.

“They’re boys, just listen to me,” he said.

“Can I just stay out tonight please, it’s my friend’s birthday, I’ll call you when I’m walking home, please,” I pleaded.

“Okay, but call me every hour so I know you’re alright,” he said and I nodded in understanding.

It was time to walk home now; it was 8:30PM. I got to the dark alley right before the corner to my building; I’m walking in the middle avoiding the cars on both ends like my dad taught me. I passed a parked red car to my right and suddenly five men jumped out and started catcalling me. I got scared and started running. They started chasing me yelling at me to stop. I kept running and turning around to see how far they were; they were slow. Knowing what I know now, I think they were drunk or something. I was twelve at the time so I didn’t know what “drunk” meant, they just seemed off. I ran to the end of the alley and around the corner there were people again and shops open, I was safe. I stopped and checked behind me, they had stopped chasing me, probably realizing I am in a populated area and they can no longer chase me. They turned back and walked away, I’m assuming back to their car. I walked the rest of the way home terrified and replaying the situation in my head over and over again. I could not help myself from thinking “what if?” What if they had caught up to me? I know what they would have done; they would have raped me, and God only knows if they would have left me alive. I understood then why my dad was so strict with my curfew. I learned that as a woman (girl at the time) I am not safe, not as safe as a man walking in the same street. I am not the same as my brothers. I had to learn how to take care of myself and make sure I stay safe. I got home and called my dad to let him know. I never told him or my mom what happened. I never even told my brothers and the three of us are close. This situation is stuck with me for the rest of my life; I always go back to it when I’m walking to my car or to the store. It instilled in me the worry that comes with being a woman. I realized then a man could easily overpower me, which is something I never thought about before. Never would I have thought that was the reason why I had to be home before dark. My dad knew all of this I’m sure, he just didn’t want to scare me or make me aware of what happens.

Sandy Beshir is a Sociology graduate from La Sierra University, California. She enjoys comics in every way and form possible.

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