As the man moves toward me, my body finally wakes up, and I remember how to move my legs. But as I turn to run, my hands forget how to hold things and I drop my phone and purse onto the pavement.

“Help!” I cry out. My voice echoes off the lonely walls of the alley. I hear the sound of quickened steps behind me. My body goes tense, preparing itself for the stab in the back I’m surely about to receive. I open my mouth to scream again, but a rough palm clasps my lips and squeezes my jaw shut, causing me to almost bite my tongue.

“Oh, no,...