True Summertime Horror Story: A Night Out with Matt: A Summer to Remember
I met a guy named Matt at a bar one summer night when I was out with friends. We got along since we were both watching the Cubs game on TV. As my companions left, Matt and I hit it up. We shared Instagram accounts, and he appeared like a normal 20-something who liked to travel and be active. After we shared information, I went back to my friends, knowing that meeting someone at a bar rarely led to long-term contact.
The next day, I went to a bar along the water for my friend Tyler’s birthday. Matt showed up, saying it was his favorite Saturday hangout, which surprised me. I introduced him to my friends, and as the night went on, Matt stayed and became part of the group. He asked me to go golfing with him a week later. I said yes even though I wasn’t very good at golf. We played golf for a few hours and then ate. The next time we met, he asked me to go trekking with him in Arizona“>Arizona. I was excited by the idea, so I looked at my job calendar and said yes.
The Adventure in Arizona“>Arizona Begins
Matt was traveling alone, even though he had asked a few buddies to come. We flew out on August 15th and got to Arizona“>Arizona late. We stopped for dinner and beverages before getting to our Airbnb. Matt told me the couch was a pullout bed and didn’t charge me for the stay, even though there was only one bed. I saw Matt walking about that night, but I didn’t think much of it because I was a light sleeper.
The next morning, we went to the Grand Canyon. Even though I wasn’t in great shape, I was able to keep up and take a lot of shots. The canyon was so big that it was hard to take in, and the colors changed as the sun moved across the sky. As we walked down the winding paths, we told each other stories about our lives, our hopes, and our dreams. We visited the city and went to the bars after a hard walk and a trip back to Phoenix. The night ended in a haze as we left the property and took an Uber back to the Airbnb.
Things that make you uneasy happen
When I woke up that night, my phone was in a new place and not plugged in. At first, I thought it was because I was inebriated. The next day, we went to the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix and looked at the different types of plants there. The saguaro cactus rose strong in the hot heat, showing that they could live in tough conditions, just like how I was getting more and more uncomfortable with Matt’s actions. We ended up drinking a lot again.
Matt offered me the bed on our last night, and I took it without a fight. But that night, I woke up and saw that Matt was on the floor and my phone was gone. He acted like he didn’t know what was going on and got my phone from beneath the bed. I went back to the couch since I was feeling nervous and locked the door behind me. But when I woke up later, Matt was at the foot of the bed, caressing my foot. I was so scared that I pushed him away, packed my stuff, and left for the airport. I didn’t look at him on the way home.
What Happened Next and What I Thought About It
When I got home, I blocked Matt on social media because I realized he was acting like a stalker. I contacted a guy from Matt’s Instagram post, and he confirmed that Matt was strange. My pals were right to be suspicious at first; Matt wasn’t who he said he was. I often think about what he was attempting to get to on my phone. This taught me to believe my gut and be careful with people I don’t know. The trip to Arizona“>Arizona was fun, but it was ruined by the scary understanding of what Matt really was. It reminds us that not everyone is who they seem to be, and sometimes it’s best to leave.
What We Learned and What We Will Do Next
The journey to Arizona“>Arizona wasn’t all bad, even if there were some bad things that happened. The natural beauty of the places we went to stuck with me for a long time. The Grand Canyon’s stunning views made me think about how big nature is and how small I am in the world. The hikes were hard, but they gave me a sense of accomplishment that I hadn’t had in a long time. They pushed me to my physical limitations and made me feel good.
I thought about what happened with Matt and recognized how important it is to pay heed to warning signs and trust my gut. When we’re excited to meet new people and try new things, we often miss small indicators that something might be wrong. I learnt that my safety and comfort should come first, and I shouldn’t feel bad about putting them first.
I told my close friends and family about my journey in the weeks that followed. Their help was priceless, and they helped me deal with how scary the meeting was. They reminded me that it’s fine to have limits and be picky about who I accept into my life. These talks helped me see things more clearly and gave me a new sense of power.
As I went on, I paid greater attention to the individuals around me. I spent time getting to know them and making sure that our ideals were the same. My time with Matt made me think about my relationships and put the ones that were real and positive at the top of my list.
I also become more daring in a different sense, in addition to being more picky about who I hang out with. Inspired by the walks I took in Arizona“>Arizona, I started to look for outdoor activities in my area where I could find peace and inspiration in nature. I discovered that going camping on the weekend or kayaking on a local lake for a day made me feel peaceful and helped me appreciate the nature around me more.
When I think back on the summer with Matt, I remember it for different reasons than I thought I would. It was a summer of learning about myself, learning to trust myself, and recognizing how important it is to be among positive people. Even though meeting Matt was scary, it helped me grow and become more aware of myself. Now that I have more experience, I’m better able to handle new situations and connections as I plan future trips. When I talk to them, I do so with a mix of interest and caution, making sure that I stay true to myself and put my health first. I’m thankful for the lessons I’ve learned and hopeful for the future because this new way of looking at things has led to more meaningful relationships and experiences.
