Zero to Paranoia in a matter of weeks

I am having a really hard time understanding how two women who have paid their rent on time, bothered no one--with no attempts to befriend the neighbors, and who have minded their own business can be reduced to a state of paranoia over the past few weeks.

Since the whole episode happened with the trailer having (supposedly) been sold, the ordeal with the dogs that I described in my earlier post,  Evil People, dog tales and moving
my daughter and I have come to expect the unexpected, listening for unusual noises at night and been very worried that something will occur that will throw us into another tail spin and grow the anxiety and fear even more.

It's not the legality of the situation that is causing the problem...it's the "illegalities" that I am concerned with.  What I mean is that we would not put it past anyone here to do something to my daughter's car, like scratch the paint or flatten tires...just for spite.


In the past 3 weeks or so we have heard and observed people pulling into our driveway late at night...we've heard car doors slam...and cars pulling away from in front of this place.  There is no reason for anyone to be here at 10 or 11 at night...let alone 1 or 2 in the morning.

Each time we've heard 'something' we get up and look outside...even traipsing out to do a walk around the car with a flashlight to make sure that everything is still okay.  Last night was one of those nights.  And of course,  once the adrenaline starts pumping through your system, it's hard to get back to sleep.

As well, we don't have anything here really to protect ourselves...no rifles, no shotguns, or even a BB gun here.  The carving knives are all packed and about the best we could come up with as a weapon is a frying pan or a broom!  I've wanted to get a rifle...more for show than for actual protection...but my daughter doesn't believe in them...out of fear for the kids.  (As in my 7 year old grandson getting a hold of it.)  

My brother is a phone call and a good twenty minutes away...so he would be of no use in a situation.  The police departments, either the state troupers or the sheriff's are even further away...so essentially...we are on our own.  We can't even turn to the neighbors for help...they didn't want us here in the first place!

 I know we will be okay...but it's the anxiety and a bit of fear that keeps us on the edge...waiting for the unexpected...which may or may not materialize.  It's all just adding to the stress that we are already feeling.