I just went out to buy a sweet potato for dinner, and the store I elected to go to is about a 3.5 block walk from where I live, in a major US city. It's dark out now (just got back), and as I was walking home with Reginald (the potato, it was a big one so I named it), I crossed an intersection that was the midway point in my return walk.
Out of nowhere, I heard about 30 seconds of VERY clear, in tempo, church bells ringing, coming from down the street on my left side.
I've lived here 4 years now and there are no churches that way.
:scared
I think a dude was following me once. Maybe trying to find out where I live or something inane like stare at my ass. Also it wasn't once, this happens a lot. I like not walking by myself to feel safe but I also don't like anyone. I can't confront these people because there is a huge probability they'll deny it or they were coincidentally walking to a place where our paths overlapped. Or they'll kill me. They might do that. I'll walk into a store and wait for them to continue past the store. They might look in the window as they pass by. They probably think I don't know they're doing this. I probably don't know they're doing this most of the time. I might take a detour. Sometimes I hold in my palm tightly my necklace's Shrek pendant because it makes me feel safe.
Not sure if you've seen these or if you'd be comfortable carrying it but they will absolutely fuck someone up. I have a friend with the same problem and it gives her a little peace of mind.