Welcome to Wednesday One Shots, the bi-weekly series where we share a bonus story with you in the

middle of the week. This time we have a story from an author named K. Have you ever seen a face

that just sticks with you? I have the worst memory, but for some reason, I vividly remember this

encounter that I had with a strange man when I was 15. I had just moved to Kansas City, Missouri to live

with my mom. Kansas City was huge compared to the small town I came from.

I was going to Northeast High School, and the bus stop was right in front of our apartment building.

One day I got up early, and was standing at the bus stop with the other kids, and the

bus pulled up.

As I stepped onto the bus, I remember that all of the kids from the bus stop were giving me this weird look.

And I also noticed hardly anyone else got onto the bus, but I ignored it and took a seat.

About ten minutes into the bus ride, I realized the school bus I had gotten on was not going in the direction of my

school. The bus I was on was for a completely different school. I realized then that the kids who were

looking at me weirdly were probably wondering why I boarded a bus that was going to a different school.

I really wish they would have said something.

So, I got off the bus, and I could have made it easy on myself by just going inside the school

and telling them that I had mistakenly got on the wrong bus.

But I have such bad social anxiety, and I felt like I was at a zoo because of how crowded

it was. Instead, I decided to overcomplicate things by walking back home, even though I didn't really

know the route. I then began my journey walking, and mind you, it was still a little dark since it was so early.

It was about 7.30 in the morning. I also didn't have a cell phone, so I couldn't even call my mom.

After about 30 minutes of walking, I was overcome with the strange feeling that someone was watching me.

I turned around, and there was a man not that far behind me, smiling creepily, which made me

...