The man in the alley.
I hope this is appropriate for the sub.
I lived at my old place for quite some time. It was townhouse style housing and our units faced the alley. The alley had uncovered parking pads for all the tenants and you could see them from our front doors. I knew all my neighbors quite well. All wonderful human beings. I really enjoyed living there for a time.
I also take care of an elderly parent. They are very sweet and capable, just have some major health problems. Their health and safety is of my utmost importance.
At first the neighborhood was actually really quaint. Lots of families. However the last few years I was there, something changed and these bizarre situations started happening with people outside our house. Quite a few different people started showing up at our door and in the alley. Most were actually really nice. Just down and out people looking for cigarette butts and recycling. I kept a good repitore with them and would give them what I had. Fed them, gave them clothes. Most were really nice but some were kinda scary and I had to call the cops a few times.
I started to get concerned for my parent's safety because we'd already had a couple run ins. I was teetering on considering moving because I just wasnt liking the environment for my parent.
Well one day I go out to my car and I feel like Im being watched. I turn around and I see someone duck behind my neighbors' truck two units down. At first I thought my mind was playing tricks but I could see a pair of legs underneath. I kinda brushed it off because I was so used to people being in the alley. And thought I was being paranoid. I go run an errand and come back.
When I get back, I ran to get the mail and my neighbor (let's call him Gary, absolutely wonderful young dad, adorable family) comes out and stops me and says "hey, someone's been standing outside on the pad in front of Mark's (also a dad and also a wonderful human being) house for hours.
Cliche to say but I got fucking chills. I knew I had felt someone watching me. I told Gary what happened earlier and Gary tells me Mark's out with his daughter. Gary asks me if we should go confront the guy.
I was super hesitant because both Gary and I didnt need the bullshit, Gary had just had a second child and my parent's health issues were flaring up at the time. But Mark also had a young kid and we felt it was best to.
We go up to the guy and confront him. Guy is clearly off but very coherent, and well groomed. Its hard to describe. He was very non descript, didnt seem unhoused or unusual looking just "off". Nothing about him screamed anything significant. He was just there. Gary asked him what he was doing and he responds "im just on a walk trying to clear my head".
We both kinda told him to go away (Gary was less polite than me) but the guy just keeps standing there saying hes waiting for someone. Then he says to both of us along the line of "I am having dark thoughts" I think Gary was just as spooked and we both hightailed it outta there and Gary calls the cops.
By this point Gary and I are both in our homes, doors locked and watching the guy. He just keeps standing by Marks truck. Cops show up quite some time later. I was actually panicking because how long they took. I was texting Gary the whole time because his unit was right next to Mark's and had a better view of the guy.
Cops finally show up and question the guy. The guy finally leaves.
Gary tells me that he followed up and when the cops questioned him, he told them that he was staying with one of the other tenants and was waiting for them to come home cause he got locked out so they let him go. Absolutely utter bullshit. I was furious.
We let Mark know what happened and he was just as baffled. Gary and I moved out not long after we didn't need that shit in our lives. I do still worry about that guy and why he was hanging out. Mark and his kid are still doing fine. So is Gary.
Just never want to meet that guy again.