cyan_blue

I was driving to my office this morning, along a mile-long off-ramp. Ahead of me on the side of the road there is a person walking along the grassy side of the off-ramp... not generally a place where people would walk, but okay, unbeaten solitary paths are cool...

Until they stop, and look at me approaching, and seem to be calculating my trajectory.

And then they step out, and begin to cross the road into my path.

And I think, no way, dammit, I am not going to be a participant in somebody's suicide plans today. And I start braking, ready to do some serious evasive manuevering, even into the road embankment if I have to. And they are still coming at me, approaching the front of my car.

I blanked on the part where they either crossed in front of my car or behind it, but they got across safely. I didn't hit them. And afterwards it was clear that all they were trying to do was to cross the road. You know how people sometimes cross midway into the road as a car is approaching in the far lane, and they don't mean to cross further 'til the path is clear. Heck, I have to admit to doing that myself. But the driver doesn't know that, the driver just sees a person approaching, with no idea if they're going to stop or do something regrettable. And it isn't until they've safely passed that you know the danger's over, and are just left with your hands gripping the wheel and your heart beating, beating.