Unfiltered Story #280259

(I’m at the central station of my city and want to quick stop by a Sub shop before heading home, when I hear someone saying ‘Won’t someone please help?’ audibly enough. I head over to a middle-aged woman with a cellphone in her hand, to see what the problem is and if I can help.)

Me: What do you need help with?

Woman: *shows me her phone* I need help. I’m trying to reach [Man], but he hasn’t answered for the past few days. I have no money on my card anymore.

(She shows me the number and I use my own phone to call. I get the standard message of the number currently not being possible to reach, and tell the woman so.)

Woman: Is it because he doesn’t love me anymore?

(As she begins to recount the past few months of interaction she’s had with this man, I realize what I have gotten myself into. I know that any help she requires is beyond my capability, and I try to figure out how to not get stuck listening to her pouring out her worries to me.)

Me: It’s likely his phone ran out of battery and he hasn’t charged it or maybe he doesn’t have money on his own card.

Woman: It isn’t because he has another woman?

Me: *not wanting to give definite answers, since I don’t know the situation* That is a far-flung idea. More likely, the phone isn’t charged.

(She keeps repeating ‘So, it’s not because he doesn’t love me anymore?’ and ‘He doesn’t have someone else, does he?’ and I try to calm her down, hoping I can get her to relax a bit. And enough to let me go.)

Woman: Is it because of the pandemic? I’m physically healthy. I just have a mental sickness. I have that… diagnosis. About anxiety. There’s no reason for him to not visit me. Or is it because of the pandemic?

Me: I don’t think so. Maybe the phone needs charging or he needs to get money on his card. You keep holding strong. He might call you in a few days.

(I turn and take a step away.)

Woman: My roommates beat me up. That’s why I’m scared to go home.

Me: *turning back towards her* …then you need to go to the police. Up the escalator over there is a station for the security guards. Talk to them and they should be able to help you, call the police for you.

(I then continue on my way. I go up the escalator I indicated, since that’s also the direction the Sub shop is in. Up ahead, I saw a group of the security guards for the station and went up to them. I gave them a quick description of the woman and where she was. They were just about to head for a patrol in that direction, anyway, so they were gonna keep an eye out for her.)