INSIDE ALL OF US IS…

This is a tale of a burglary in NYC, based on a true story. I decided to incorporate my personal Wildfang collection to represent the emotions I experienced through the whole debacle.

Shot with and featuring the very cameras they almost got away with, this is a self-photography series featuring my co-robbed friend Austin (acting as burglar #2, and the cop).

VULNERABILITY… (feat. Heronies and Hellions tee)

It had been a slow, easy morning. Fall was coming, and we were enjoying this last warm day with my bedroom window open.

We were testing a black light in the living room and had slightly closed my door to eliminate any light pollution.

We weren’t out for even three minutes when I heard a sound.

I pushed my door open to see what was going on.

INSTINCT… (feat. Wolfpack Embroidered Denim Jacket)

In a matter of a split-second my mind raced through “Who is that? What’s happening? They’re in my room. They’re not supposed to be here. They’re here stealing. They’re climbing out my window. They’re escaping.”

Just as quickly, my brain turned off and instinct set in.

I felt my body jolt through my room, out the window and up the fire escape. Without thinking I grabbed onto the closest foot climbing above me but my hand was kicked off.

They kept climbing and I followed.

They made no sound as my colorful words cut through the neighborhood.

CHASE… (feat. [Black Shades of Grey brand long-jacket] and  [Cameo brand black sheer-square button up])

Up the fire escape and onto the roof. I was in pursuit.

They were running across the attached rooftops to their escape hatch in the middle of a neighboring building and I bolted toward them. One was climbing down, the other who was stuck waiting turned around and saw me rapidly approaching.

That’s when I saw he had both of our DSLRs around his neck. In my blind rage I targeted him.

All he could do was run back the way we came as more colors shot from my mouth, now screaming at him to return the cameras.

I was furious. I was making as much noise as I could.

FIGHT… (feat. [Shades of Grey brand black long jacket] and [Cameo brand black sheer-square button up])

Still running, he grabbed the cameras from around his neck and waited until I was close enough to drop them, buying himself enough time to escape.

I was staring as his face the entire time, studying his anatomy and trying to burn it into my memory.

He was a kid. Maybe even my age. Maybe it was his first time.

I wasn’t thinking about this at the time.

SKILL… (feat. [Cameo brand black sheer-square button up])

Another split second thought process occurred as I snatched up my camera: ”he’ll escape out
the neighbor's front door.”

As I caught my breath I scurried to the edge of the rooftop, turned my camera on to film mode, set the exposure and pointed it toward where I thought he’d come out.

In a matter of moments, there he was.

I belted a last colorful phrase and he turned around, getting his face on camera. He strolled away. I wasn’t done yet.

JUSTICE... (feat. The Tand and [amazing Plaid Blazer])

My friend had tried to call the police but realized the thieves had escaped with our phones. I ran to the nearest bodega, called the cops, and met them back at my place where we retold the story.

No one runs after burglars, they said. I showed them the video and they took me on a drive-around to see if the kids were out in the open, but returned with no luck.

They ordered an evidence unit to go through my room, then took me down to the precinct to talk to the detective on duty. I narrowed down the height, weight, age, and ethnicity of the kid I saw and filmed and went through 625 mugshots, again returning with no luck.

GROWTH… (feat. Cozy Up Sweater and On the Loose Chinos)

Returning home, my anxiety stayed high through the following two days. Every noise was a trigger and my fight response was on edge.

My finger was swollen as a continuous reminder, although it felt like I had dreamed it all. A moment of emotional vulnerability came and went, replaced by the inspiration to turn that energy into empowerment and to learn to control my instincts.

I was told I was brave in that moment-- and I felt it. In hindsight, the truth was a best-case scenario. It could have been different. 

“How long you been living here, kid?”

“Two months.”

“Yeah. Well, welcome to New York.”