For this assignment, I want you to write about safety. Most of the narrative - in total, 750 words or so - should focus on the first time you were aware of feeling afraid. Pay attention to the details as we've discussed throughout so far. The piece should conclude with a depiction of how you make yourself feel safe, again with consideration paid to the detail.
As I boarded the elevated subway in Monterrey, Mexico, I was on my way to high school. I typically took the connection between Line 1 and Line 2, usually around 10:30 AM. This time was ideal, as the peak hour had passed, and the heat wasn't as intense as it would be later in the day. My journey involved six stops before reaching my destination. After leaving the subway, I would wait for the school bus."
"The subway ride usually took about 12 minutes, with approximately 2 minutes per station. However, on this particular day, the atmosphere was different. Many of my classmates were openly discussing their atheism, boasting about how intellectually superior they were to those who believed in religious concepts like Jesus Christ. This was a common occurrence at my school, which was known for its English-language curriculum and selective admissions process. I had been awarded a scholarship to attend the school, having been chosen from among the less affluent students in the state."
"Returning to the main point, I was wearing a crucifix around my neck. This was a stark contrast to the attitudes of my classmates. While they dismissed religion, I openly displayed my faith. I believe that neither side was entirely correct."
"As I rode the subway, wearing my uniform and carrying my backpack, I was standing near the door in the middle of the car. I was only a few stops away from my destination when something extraordinary happened. I was 15 years old at the time. The train stopped at the Edison station, and as the doors closed, I experienced a sensation that I can't quite describe."
"It was like a severe case of sleep paralysis. I was frozen, terrified, and overwhelmed by a sense of evil. The feeling lasted for what seemed like an eternity, although it was probably only a few seconds. I was unable to move or speak. It was as if my body was paralyzed, and my mind was filled with fear."
"I know it sounds strange, but I felt a deep-seated knowledge within me—a sense of love, safety, and evil. In that moment, I understood what evil felt like. After the feeling subsided, I tried to figure out what had caused it. I looked around the subway car, searching for anyone who might have emitted such a negative energy. But everyone seemed normal, going about their day."
"I wasn't sure how to regain my sense of safety. I tried to rationalize the experience, asking myself questions like 'Where am I?' 'What am I doing?' 'Why am I doing this?' and 'Where am I going?' By focusing on these questions, I gradually began to feel more secure. If that hadn't worked, I would have disconnected my mind and body and become a human shell. It works sometimes. It is a coping mechanism.
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