Hai’jacked
Helping out a friend
away on a vacation
House sitting favor
Mid afternoon day
students walked home from high school
I lock up the house
Walking to the car
Footsteps followed behind me
“Give me your keys …now”
A hooded jacket
pocket pointing at my face
covering a gun.
Adrenaline rushed
as I froze in surrender
handed over keys.
Many witnesses
only a few feet away
No one could help me.
Car peeled down the road
threading long, black tire lines
I’m limp on the ground.
Thankful my life spared
But new car and belongings
were not so lucky.
Trembling I stood up
A witness offered their hand
and called 9-1-1
Straining to find words
the world spinning around me
“Help me….please help me. ”
While on the phone with authorities, I could still hear my car blocks away weaving in and out of traffic. My mind immediately focused as I heard the stern voice of the 911 operator. With the help of witnesses, I relayed detailed descriptions of my car, license plate number, and the carjacker behind the wheel. Once they had the information they needed, I hung up and immediately phoned my fiancé. The sound of his voice swung open the floodgates, and I finally began to cry. Never in my life had I felt so helpless, shaken, but yet so fortunate. I lowered myself to the edge of the sidewalk to wait. No car. No purse. Just stranded.
Maybe ten minutes passed (probably less, but it felt like an eternity) and a police car squealed up in front of me. A tall, stern faced officer approached me in a brisk walk and asked, “Are you the victim?” I nodded my head, and we discussed briefly the turn of events, but more importantly the man who drove off: A young Hispanic male. Dressed in jeans and a hooded jacket to appear just like one the students walking home in broad daylight.
The officer’s radio garbled a slur of street numbers, names, and finally I heard, “hooded, Hispanic male in custody.” In a calm and serious tone the officer requested that I accompany him in his car. I obliged, but had no idea where we were going. We drove only a few blocks before I saw my shiny, new black car sitting up on top of a curb, crunched like a soda can. Beside it was a red car, another victim of this reckless man. I began to weep in fear of their lives, but everyone inside came out standing. I let out a sigh relief and my face fell into my hands.
Finally the police car stopped, and I sunk down into the back seat as I knew what he would ask next. “Are you going to be alright seeing the man in an on-scene line-up?” He assured me that if I sat low in the back seat, they would bring out the man in custody and present him within our view several feet away. He promised no one could see me. The image of the man’s face was permanently etched into my memory. I nodded and then held my breath as I took one last look at his face. About 30 feet in front of the car, a young Hispanic male lowered his head inside of the same hooded jacket. With his arms cuffed behind his back, an officer on each side tightly clutched each arm. He could barely stand on his two feet as he writhed in his handcuffs. But for a moment, he shifted, and then looked up. His eyes peeked out from under his hood…it was him.
Posted for Jameil, who challenged us to confess something we have never told our readers.
OMG. That is the most frightening thing to have gone through. I am so glad you weren’t hurt. Physically. Emotionally, I know it took time to get past it. I hope you ARE well past it. *HUGS*
Lou Lohman’s last blog post..Friday Haiku – worthless
March 21st, 2008 at 9:08 am
Oh my. I’m so glad you’re alright. That must have been very traumatic.
wright’s last blog post..Haiku Friday – All The Children of The World – Even The Crying Ones!
March 21st, 2008 at 9:09 am
My heart was beating fast just reading this account. We did have our car stolen and totaled off a couple of years ago. I was angry about that for a long time. The person who stole it, took it simply to ruin it. They did not catch the person. The car was found in a ditch up to its windows in water. It was this time of year. I remember because the person who stole it ate the little chocolate eggs that were in the glove box. Probably to add in injury to insult. I am glad they caught the person who did this to you. He did not just sneak off with your car but held you up. Very scary!
Christine’s last blog post..The Return Of The Pitiful Wretch
March 21st, 2008 at 9:13 am
oh my goodness, that is such a scary thing to happen. I’m so glad you’re ok. ((hugs))
Marylin’s last blog post..Hai, it’s Easter already?!
March 21st, 2008 at 9:43 am
How terrifying! It must have been difficult to dig down and recall the details of that day for your post. Kudos to you for your courage. I’m glad they caught the guy – that must have been very satisfying once you had the distance from the actual incident.
I’m sorry you had to be staring down the business end of a gun. I hope I can never say the same thing. Once again, I’m thankful for living in Canada, where handguns are illegal. Very few carjackings in Canada involve a gun. You’re so lucky you weren’t hurt.
Latte Mommy’s last blog post..‘Cuz It Just Wouldn’t Be Stalking Unless…
March 21st, 2008 at 10:08 am
How awful. Thanks for sharing… clever title, btw. Have a great weekend!
Anne’s last blog post..Haiku Friday: One year ago…
March 21st, 2008 at 10:39 am
wow! i cannot even imagine… glad you were okay!
transplanting me’s last blog post..field trips on thailand are just more educational
March 21st, 2008 at 10:42 am
How horrible and terrifying. I’m glad to hear you found your car and the guy was caught although it sounds like that was terrifying too. Poor you.
Aurora’s last blog post..Bread
March 21st, 2008 at 10:45 am
Wow, what a powerful post–glad you were okay!! How terrifying!!
marlee’s last blog post..Fleeing the Paparazzi
March 21st, 2008 at 10:55 am
Holy crap!! That would have caused me to literally lose my mind. I’m glad you’re okay
Sarah’s last blog post..Twitter Updates for 2008-03-20
March 21st, 2008 at 10:57 am
What? Seriously????? That happened???? I’m so sorry! That must have been terrifying. I’m so glad you weren’t hurt. Is hubby going to be home soon?
Kathryn’s last blog post..Birthday Boy
March 21st, 2008 at 11:02 am
Ok. When I first read your haiku, I couldn’t see the rest of the story. I get it now. It happened a while ago. Still so scary. I’m glad you are ok!!!!!!
Kathryn’s last blog post..Birthday Boy
March 21st, 2008 at 11:03 am
WOW..I almost forgot to breath. What a story. (and well written I may add)..that is So terrifying. My car was stolen from in front of my house, I felt SO violated. I never saw them and they were never caught. I can’t imagine the feelings of putting a person’s face with those feelings..the anger, the hurt, the fear. Personally I would have needed therapy or something after that. So I take it this happened a long time ago?
mp’s last blog post..Brilliant Writing..
March 21st, 2008 at 11:07 am
How frightening. Glad you are ok.
Casdok’s last blog post..Unlawfull wedding
March 21st, 2008 at 11:29 am
That was frightening. I’m glad no one was harmed. And glad you had your car back.
mama meji’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday
March 21st, 2008 at 11:32 am
Wow, I couldn’t make up my mind as I am reading whether this is fiction or true life! Wow, you really can tell them.. I am so glad you are alright in the end.
LB’s last blog post..So Original Sound Tracks
March 21st, 2008 at 11:45 am
sorry for being nosy, but was that u?
wen’s last blog post..Cool?
March 21st, 2008 at 11:57 am
I thought it had happened just now! I’m glad it didn’t but still, what a scary thing to go through! Glad you’re all right! Happy Easter!
Jientje’s last blog post..The Bells of Rome and the Easter Bunnies
March 21st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Thanks everyone for your well wishes and stopping to leaving a comment
Yes, this was a true recount about an incident that happened to me 4 years ago while living in Southern California. Sadly, it happened in a rather nice neighborhood at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. The mailman was out, kids were walking home, and traffic was heavy around the area. In a sense I’m glad it happened that way, as there were plenty of witnesses to give great descriptions of the incident and the man to put him in jail. The car never made it and was totaled. But a minor loss for something that could have been much worse.
March 21st, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Wow! What a terrifying experience wonderfully shared in Haiku … keeping us on the edge of our chairs … praying for your well being … allowing a sigh of relief when you called your ‘fiance’ … realizing it happened in the past not recently (I was hoping Ella wasn’t in the car ya know?) …
I’ve been fortunate to not experience such an event first hand, but it brings to mind an incident where someone with a gun accosted my sister in her front yard … demanding her two toddlers. Fortunately someone in the neighborhood saw what was happening and the police were called … disaster averted … but such happenings do have residual effects.
Hugs and blessings,
storyteller’s last blog post..Haiku Friday #23 – Tennis on my Mind
March 21st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
What an incredible story. I’m glad you were safe, and that they caught the man who did this to you.
On a lighter note, I love your title “Hai-jacked.” Very, very clever.
Jennifer H’s last blog post..Rain check
March 21st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Wow. Scary. You tell it well, though, letting readers come as close as we can through your words. Thankfully everyone made it through alive, and thankfully the one who did it was caught. It could have gone so much more wrong in so many ways. It still has to be so haunting, though. Wow. I’m already fearful even walking into a store in the middle of the day, and this is exactly why, even if I don’t let my fear hold me back from living life.
Maggie’s last blog post..The Scotsman Saved the Day!
March 21st, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Scary! I’m so glad you came out of it OK.
Burgh Baby’s Mom’s last blog post..If You Need Me, I’ll Be Worshipping at the Church of Dora
March 21st, 2008 at 12:42 pm
OMG. Scareball!
Queen Mommy’s last blog post..Simple luxuries
March 21st, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Scary story, Sandy! And very well-written.
Daddy Dan’s last blog post..New Beta Site: Daddydan.COM
March 21st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Oh, my goodness. How terrifying. I don’t think I would’ve been as good at pulling myself together!
Anglophile Football Fanatic’s last blog post..We Interrupt this Blog: Blame in on the LAME!
March 21st, 2008 at 1:50 pm
this is sooo scary! i am glad you were ok.
what a way to ‘ku this week!
janet’s last blog post..Haiku Friday: the rant and rave edition
March 21st, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Wow! That is frightening!! I’ve never had anything like that ever happen to me. Glad you are fine girl
Sister Sassy’s last blog post..The Cross
March 21st, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Oh, and I love how you put a twist using the Hiaku word like you do.
Sister Sassy’s last blog post..The Cross
March 21st, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Wow, that’s just hectic! sounds like Jo’burg… just here they don’t catch the buggers!
I’m so glad you were relatively unscathed.
Jenty’s last blog post..He got his own featherduster
March 21st, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Oh my goodness! As scary as it was, I’m so glad you weren’t hurt.
karen’s last blog post..We’re That Kind of People
March 21st, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Sad this kind of thing had to happen to you sweet:( I just can not believe with all the witnesses around no one tried to help you. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I’m just really glad if it was going to happen that it didn’t happen now that you have your sweet baby girl. Thank you for allowing us to read something of your past that was very tramatic. Bunches of love and hugs for you being such a strong woman even through something like this.
March 21st, 2008 at 3:04 pm
that’s insane! thank God no one was hurt!!
jameil1922’s last blog post..Out of Control
March 21st, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Oh my goodness, Sandy! I can’t believe that happened to you! I’m so glad you came out of it alive and well!
Sadie’s last blog post..FTT Friday
March 21st, 2008 at 3:28 pm
You lived through that, and turned it into a Haiku!?! You are truly amazing…So scary, glad you are OK:)
nap warden’s last blog post..Waiting…Still Lost.
March 21st, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Wow, that must have been terrifying. BTW, really well done Haiku, I felt as though I was there with you!
I am glad you are okay.
March 21st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I’m so glad you were alright. The haiku retelling was amazing.
Jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..Because times are hard…
March 21st, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Wow Sandy – how scary. My heart was just thudding through reading this. I’m so glad you were ok.
Tasina’s last blog post..Simply amazing
March 21st, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Wow!! Crazy! I’m so glad you were okay though!
Ashley’s last blog post..A Random Video
March 21st, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Oh wow! That must have been so terrifying! Thank goodness no one got hurt.
March 21st, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Wow Sandy! What a horrible ordeal to have gone through. You were very brave to do the line up right there. Glad no one was hurt.
Grandy’s last blog post..A Letter To Ty
March 21st, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Did that really happen? How did you not die of fright? I’ve never been in a situation like that but I am pretty sure I would not handle it well.
ALF’s last blog post..I Sound Good
March 21st, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Wow! When did this happen? Obviously there was a fiance not a husband, but still…
My heart is seriously racing just imagining!
Jenni’s last blog post..Haiku Good Friday
March 21st, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Oh my gosh, girl! How scary! I’m so glad that you were okay!
amy’s last blog post..She’s a Smart One
March 21st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Geez! Sandy, How awful.. Everyone else has said what I wanted to say..So I am pleased that you are ok..
cheers kim..
frogpondsrock’s last blog post..Luckily I am Optimistic…
March 21st, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Wow, how scary.
I am sorry that happened.
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:03 am
Oh. My. God. Sandy! My God.
((HUGS))
Secret Agent Mama’s last blog post..Photohunt: Metal
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:35 am
OMG. Frightening, relief, frightening, relief…hugs her way…
HRH’s last blog post..How much is that doggie in the window?
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:07 am
Sandy! That was crazy… so glad you were alright. Thank you for sharing that story.
Tara R.’s last blog post..Scrolling Saturdays
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Wow. When I read the first part, I thought that had just happened (until I read the rest of it). Gave me quite a scare! Not that the fact that it happened that long ago makes it not scary. It’s just that I know the “ever after part” turned out ok.
BusyDad’s last blog post..Help Me Maury Povich, You’re My Only Hope!
March 22nd, 2008 at 6:18 pm
OMG I thought it was right here and now too!
Not that it doesn’t suck still, cuz things that happen when you are young … OUCH.
Not that you aren’t still young.
Man. I’m just gonna stop now, my feet taste dirty.
Dawn’s last blog post..Showin’ off Prezzies
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:46 pm
How totally awful! I’m so glad that you weren’t harmed though, physically anyway. =(
cyndy’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday
March 23rd, 2008 at 1:35 am
wow sandy, that was freaky awful! glad you weren’t hurt. when i was reading all of this post, i was trying to figure out if it was fiction or true life. excellent write.
award on my blog last night for YOU … cause you are fabulous. come see what i wrote about cha! morning, kathleen
so grateful to be mormon’s last blog post..award for tara, huck/jen, nikki, sandy, melissa, and jenna
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:01 am
Wow, just wow. So glad that everyone was okay in the end.
Veronica’s last blog post..Sleepless Nights Indeed
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:16 am
What a powerful post. Thank you for sharing it with us – you handled everything so well.
Jerseygirl89’s last blog post..Our Family Just Keeps Growing
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:47 am
[...] I’ve had a knife and a gun held to my face before (2 separate [...]
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
That’s horrible! But I’m so glad that you and those in the other car were ok…. it could have been so much worse. Losing replaceable things remind us of those that are not!
Autumn Dahlia’s last blog post..Vacay too far away
April 10th, 2008 at 9:21 am