Walking home alone at night is something that many of us take for granted, but for women, it can be a nerve-wracking and dangerous experience. Despite taking precautions like carrying pepper spray or a whistle, sometimes these measures are just not enough to ward off predators.

A New York City woman found herself in this exact situation, having to make her way home alone at night. Unfortunately, she soon found herself being followed by strangers with malicious intent. But instead of freezing in fear, she took a bold step to ensure her safety. Her quick thinking and bravery might just inspire others to take action and stay safe in similar situations.

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She was just trying to make it back home to her son when she noticed she was being followed by three strangers. The men were looking at her while they were on the train, and when she got off, they also did.

They followed her two blocks, so the woman went into a store and stayed there for a few minutes, hoping they would leave. When she got out of the shop, she saw them standing at a pizza place.

She quickly walked and saw other women outside, but she didn’t approach them because she didn’t want to get them into harm’s way. She also saw two other men, but they were very loud and cursing at each other.

Then, she spotted Dane Weeks. He was smiling while looking at his phone, so the woman felt like she could ask him for help.

She then walked right up to Dane and gave him a tight hug. She whispered quickly, “Please act like you know me. Three guys are following me for a while.”

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Dane got the message and played along. To make sure she remains safe, he walked her three blocks home.

Dane posted about the incident on Twitter, where he admitted that he hesitated at first since they were in New York, where “people set you up real quick.”

However, he felt that her hug was too real to be fake. While they were walking together, he saw how terrified the woman was. She also kept saying that she had to get home to her son.

Dane said he rarely walks down that block because he usually takes another way going to the train. But that night, he went in the way he takes when he’s walking his dog. He was also watching a debate then on his phone, which also distracted him.

“So I guess I was meant to be there at that particular moment,” he wrote.

Dane also went above and beyond and told the woman that he could walk her home anytime she needed company. 

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“We exchanged numbers, I told her my boyfriend & I would meet her at the train anytime if we’re home. The route she have to take home she has to walk under the train tracks, no other way, plus its dark. She said she would call again, I hope she do. I will call tomorrow to check in,” he added.

Dane eventually spoke to the woman again, who commended him for handling everything so well despite having no time to process what happened. He said that as a counselor, he was trained for those kinds of moments.

She thanked him profusely and said she would take a different route going home. Dane also met her five-year-old son and her mother, who both thanked him for what he did.

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Soon after, Dane’s series of tweets went viral. Many people responded to his thread and praised him for the kindness he showed to a stranger.

“I didn’t expect this post to touch so many people, I needed to get this emotion out and shared it on my account. This is sad women & girls have to live in this type of fear because us men have created an environment of toxicity. I will do better,” he tweeted.

This man just showed how important it is that we help each other every chance we get.

Please share this story with your family and friends.