Life became full of uncertainty about the future and the lack of ability to plan that brings with it. I would go to bed every night half expecting that I'd awaken to shouting and guns pointed at me. 5+ years of panic attacks whenever I heard a loud noise like a car door slam outside or a heavy knock at the door. For many years I completely stopped posting about my political opinions online. A few years ago even just writing this the memories would've had me shaking.

I didn't react well and it kind of ruined my life, but it didn't necessarily have to. All they really did was threaten me and steal my stuff. I never heard from them again after that day.