Of History and Horror II

So, what's with the title of these entries? Last post I described participating in a history lesson of sorts. This post, unfortunately, describes an attack in SL.

Still wearing my abaya, I was working on my building skills in the Edtech sandbox. It's an area that is open to the public for whatever activities they wish, typically building or practicing flying, etc. There are some restrictions like no weapons or violence. As I was building a pillar, another avatar started repeatedly running into me wearing a hockey goalie mask (that looked like the one from the movie Friday the 13th) and holding a meat cleaver. There was also loud chaotic music and it was obvious that he was attacking me. It took me a moment to realize what was happening. When I did figure it out, I moved away from him and he ran off, but still in my view. I went back to building and about 5 minutes later, he did it again.

Now, I know this sounds rather benign and in fact when I told other avatars what happened they just laughed it off. But as odd as it sounds, it alarmed me. Except for the lack of actual injury, it was almost as if it happened in real life. It was sudden, unprovoked and intentionally assaultive.

Of course, the bigger question is, why me? He didn't attack anyone else in the sandbox. Was it because I am a female? Was it because of my attire? Was I just unlucky? Hmmm.