Why is his help dangerous? Warning Signs #4

Hi friends,

We had a sunny 65F (18.3C) day this week and everyone was so excited to get out into the sunshine for the brief anomaly. I hope you’re able to enjoy some time out of doors wherever you are in the world!

And if you missed last week’s email, Searching for Escape, Book 2 in our Aftermath series just came out!

A handful of great reviews have come in and we are so excited!

Rosemary says, “A fascinating, scary and inspiring what if…? near future possibility that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.”

And Patrick says, “Action Packed: The storyline kept me on the edge of my seat. I felt like I knew the characters.”

I keep grinning when I read your reviews – you’re the best!

Searching for Safety: Aftermath Book 2

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Why is his help dangerous? Warning Sign #4

Here’s the fourth in my series about behaviors that can warn you an attack is attack from the amazing book “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin deBecker.

I think all women should read it at least once. (There is some scary/realistic content, so screen it before giving it to your daughters.)

Mr. deBecker’s premise is that a potential attacker will behave in certain ways to influence a victim before attacking. No single one of these seven behaviors predicts that an attack will come, but if you see multiple ones, be warned.

Here’s the list of the ones I’ve discussed so far:

1. Discounting the word “No”
2. Too many details
3. Charm and Niceness

And for today:

#4 Loan Sharking

An attacker can offer unsolicited help before an attack to make the victim feel obligated to reciprocate, or at least let down her defenses more than she normally would. Like borrowing from a loan shark, you’ll be asked to pay back much more than you received.

Scenario #1:

A young good-looking man (Charm and Niceness) sees you struggling to unload a heavy box from your car parked on the street in front of your house.

“Hi, there. Let me help you with that,” he says as he hurries to grab one side of the box without permission.

“It’s ok,” you reply to the stranger. “I’ve got it.”

“No, really,” he insists (Discounting No). “Let me just help you get it to your porch at least. I know what it’s like to have to move heavy things like this. I had trouble with my back a few years back and could hardly even lift a backpack (Too many details). I’m happy to help.”

It’s easier to just let him help, so you stop arguing. When you both get the box to your porch, you try to set it down so you can open your door.

“I’ve got it. No problem,” he says easily, taking the box so your hands are free to get out your keys.

A worried feeling twists inside you, but you don’t like causing a fuss, so you ignore it.

Once you’ve got the door open, he smiles. “Let me just set this inside for you,” he says.

Before you can stop him, he walks inside, box and all, and sets it on the coffee table in your front room.

Now what do you do?

***

This illustrates how unsolicited help (loan sharking), niceness and discounting ‘No’ can lead to a situation she would have never imagined possible – she let a stranger walk into her house and didn’t stop him.

What should she have done differently?

***

Remember, though, this doesn’t mean everyone offering to help is dangerous.

However, this pattern of manipulating you to do something you normally wouldn’t is definitely a warning sign – especially if a handful of these techniques are being used.

Stay safe out there and I hope you’re enjoying some nice weather wherever you live!

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Misty’s Writing Update:

One more week!

We’ll finish writing Searching for Resistance, Book #5 in our Aftermath series this week! And then we’ll send it off to editing, formatting and all the processing that happens to a book before it finally makes it to your e-reader.

We’ll probably hop right into outlining Searching for Victory – the finale of the series, since we have some great ideas about how all the characters come together in the climactic battle for survival, freedom and family. So fun! 😀

Once we’re done with that, we’ll dust off our Post-Apoc Virus series that we set aside to do this project with Mike Kraus.

The first two books are written, and after we tidy them up a bit, we’ll write the third book to wrap up a nice trilogy. Hopefully, a virus themed post-apoc will go over decently now that our real-life Covid virus is on its way out!

My six-year-old demanded yesterday, “Dad! When will Covid finally be over?!?”

Hopefully soon!

What do you think about virus-themed post-apoc stories right now?

1. Love them! Makes me feel more positive to read about heroes overcoming a virus-devastated world.
2. As long as the story and characters are well done, I don’t really care what the world-ending event is.
3. Hate them – they hit too close to home right now. Maybe later.

Thanks for your feedback! We want to write the books you want to read, so your input is very valuable.

Happy reading out there!

— Misty 🙂