After a great plate of fajitas, we walked back to station to catch the metro back to the FIAP. Just like any other time, we scanned our Navigo passes and passed through the gate at the sound of a “ding.” Having been ex’ed earlier that day, I was nervous I wouldn’t make it through. I was not about to be embarrassed again. Having made it safely through, we waited for the beast to pull into the station. Hearing the screeching, ear piercing sound of the wheels we casually walked on and grabbed hold of the nearest pole.
We had several stops to pass until we reached our destination. I would have rather been sitting since it would be a while, but there were no seats. Three more stops until we were getting off. I looked to my left; there was an older Indian man sliding along the floor begging for money. He had something wrong with his leg. It was very boney, and the skin was shriveled. In one particular spot there was a giant crater of once torn tissue. The scare was haunting. Dragging his crutches along side, he slowly made his way towards my friends and me. I began fidgeting with my purse, clothes and hair. Anything that didn’t involve having to watch this poor man skid along the floor of the metro.
          I tried maneuvering my body away so my back was to him. Soon enough he was right at my feet. I looked down from force of habit, shook my head and looked away. My hands began to shake. He was still speaking to me in French I did not understand. He took his hand and touched my leg, continuing to ask for money. I wanted to pry open the metro doors and jump from the moving car, with nowhere to go, I stood shaking from fright. Finally my friend spoke to him in French telling him to back off. He got upset and began angrily pointing at her. My heart was racing and I couldn’t breathe. She turned herself away from him and he finally took hold of his crutches and slid past us.
       When we finally reached our stop, the Indian man had taken use of his crutches and was booking it up the stairs. I walked up those same stairs and exited the metro station.