The long shadows could be hiding all kinds of menacing things.
That car over there could have a serial killer with a knife ready to take you into a secluded spot so they can torture you slowly using 1000 tiny cuts.
Inside that bush could be a rabid coyote looking anywhere for it's next meal. Seeing your larger frame is enough to make the coyote drool at all the delicious meat it wants to rip from your bones.
The branches of that tree could be housing a long snake looking for it's opportunity to drop on top of you and wrap it's cold slow moving scales around your neck tighter and tighter until your airway cuts off and oxygen no longer can flow through your veins.
There are so many horrible things around any corner, and I've found the best way I know how to cope.
I walk fast.
I constantly look ahead and walk confidently. Someone somewhere told me that nefarious people tend to only attack those that look week. If you look confident, they are less likely to take them on - extra brownie points if you can look your attacker in the eye. I'm told they hate that.
I try to talk to people and at least say "Hi" to people I pass.
But the main thing I do, which may be unique to me, is in my head I write out what the article will look like in the papers the next day. I think about who would've last seen me, what they would say. I want the strangers to notice me so that it's not just the strangler or rapist taking me on. Perhaps someone who noticed me will also see me being taken by force and shoved into the back of the terrorists van and can call the police immediately and prevent them from taking me to blow up City Hall.
So far it works out well for me. Been out in the dark with my head held high, shoulders back, and friendly smile and I haven't been abducted yet.
Stay safe everyone!
