I chased a mugger over a fence, got a knife pulled on me, and made him bark like a dog.
I was sitting on my bench, relaxed, absorbed in my book. A moment of perfect stillness. Then, a guy barrels in, snatches my backpack, and sprints off like a madman.
I didn't hesitate. I threw my book onto the bench, gripped my phone tight, no way I was losing that too, and ran. I didn't stop. Ahead of me, the guy was already starting to struggle, his breathing turning ragged and loud.
He hit a gate and vaulted over it in desperation. I didn't think, I went right after him. The metal caught my T-shirt; I heard the fabric tear. I didn't care. Adrenaline had taken the wheel.
Winded, the guy stopped, dropped the bag, and turned around. He had a knife.
"Back off or I'll stab you," he said, with the eyes of something cornered.
I stepped back, playing scared. While I did, my eyes swept the ground and landed on a heavy rock. Convinced he'd scared me off, the thief leaned down to grab my bag.
Big mistake.
Before he could straighten up, I lunged. The rock connected squarely with his head. He went down, completely stunned. I picked up the knife, grabbed my bag, and stood over him while he trembled on the ground.
I looked him dead in the eyes and said, quietly:
"Bark."
And he did. He barked.