Lisa finished work late one evening and left the tall office building in the city centre. The streets were busy with people going home after a long day. She started to walk towards a café where she planned to meet her friend Jane.

As she walked, Lisa noticed a tall man in a black coat. He stood on the other side of the road and looked at her. When she looked at him, he turned his head away fast. Lisa felt a little strange but she continued walking.

A few minutes later, she looked back. The man was now on the same side of the road and he was walking behind her. Her heart beat faster. Was he following her? She did not know why.

Lisa walked faster. She turned a corner into another street but the man turned too. Now she was sure. He was following her. She felt very afraid. What did he want?

She reached the café and went inside quickly. She sat at a table by the window and waited for Jane. A few moments later, the man in the black coat came into the café. He sat at a table not far from her and looked at her again.

Lisa took out her phone. Her hands shook a little. She sent a quick message to Jane: “A man is following me. Please come fast.”

Jane arrived soon after. Lisa told her everything in a low voice. Jane said, “This is not right. Call the police now.”

Lisa called the police and explained the problem. They said they would come quickly.

While they waited, the man stood up and walked over to their table. His face was angry. “You know who I am,” he said. “You saw me take money from the company safe last month. You told the boss, and I lost my job. Now you will pay for what you did.”

Lisa was shocked. Yes, it was true. She remembered the day clearly. She worked late and saw this man open the safe and take the money. She reported him to her boss because it was the right thing to do.

The man reached into his pocket. Lisa and Jane were very scared. But at that moment, two police officers ran into the café. They grabbed the man and put handcuffs on him. He tried to fight but he could not get away.

One officer said to Lisa, “We know about this man. He is a thief. Thank you for calling us.”

The police took the man away to the police station. Lisa and Jane sat down again. They felt safe now. “I am so glad you are okay,” Jane said. Lisa smiled. “Me too. And I know I did the right thing.”

From that day, Lisa was not afraid to walk the streets alone. The dangerous man was in prison and she could live her life without fear.

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Vocabulary Notes

Notice
Meaning: To see or become aware of something.
Example : “As she walked, Lisa noticed a tall man in a black coat.”
Similar words: see, observe, spot, detect

Follow
Meaning: To go behind someone, often secretly.
Example : “She was sure. He was following her.”
Similar words: chase, pursue, trail, stalk

Afraid
Meaning: Feeling fear or scared.
Example : “She felt very afraid.”
Similar words: scared, frightened, terrified, nervous

Shocked
Meaning: Feeling very surprised and upset.
Example : “Lisa was shocked.”
Similar words: surprised, stunned, amazed, horrified

Grabbed
Meaning: To take hold of something or someone suddenly and roughly.
Example : “They grabbed the man and put handcuffs on him.”
Similar words: seized, caught, took hold of, arrested

Story written by Grok.

Image created by Grok.

CC Music: Drifting at 432 Hz – Unicorn Heads.

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