In January of 2008, I was kidnapped at gunpoint (while on lunch break from the high-poverty school at which I taught) and held hostage for over 30 hours by a recently paroled convict.  He forced me to take him to a hotel, to check him in, and would not let me leave. I thought he was going to shoot me- he was very nervous and unpredictable, and I was, of course, a liability. I survived by convincing him that I would help him.  I talked to him about my family and asked him questions about his family and his life.  I talked about my students (I was very passionate about teaching) and about my boyfriend.  I eventually escaped by convicing him I wanted to take out a loan for him at my bank.  I drove both of us to the bank, and told a bank employee what was going on.  They called the police and I was taken to the hospital.  I've since been treated for anxiety disorder and PTSD.  It has been very difficult and has placed a huge strain on my relationships (my boyfriend has been super supportive but it has been hard for him).  It's been tricky, and I am having a hard time finding anyone to talk to who understands what I went through- it isn't very common.