Bullied on a Christmas Train Ride, I Sent an Influencer to Jail

On the packed Amtrak train home for Christmas, a spoiled kid was in my seat.

He kicked my seatback and stole my food, while his mother pointed at me and sneered,

Youre an adult. Why are you arguing with a child?

Later, she doctored a clip of me, twisted the story, and sent her followers to cyberbully me

then demanded $300,000 in emotional damages.

She thought I was just an easy target, an ordinary corporate drone.

She didnt know

the one thing Im best at is sending people exactly where they belong.

Excuse me, this is my seat. Could you please have your child move?

Looking at the kid bouncing on my Amtrak coach seat, I triple-checked my ticket just to make sure I wasnt in the wrong car.

Work in Silicon Valley had been insane, and I hadnt made it home for the holidays in three years.

This year, I finally snagged a ticket after a last-minute cancellation, and I was all smiles, chatting with Mom and Dad on the phone before boarding.

But that smile didn't last ten minutes before it was wiped clean off my face.

I glanced around, but no one seemed to claim the kid.

Hey! Who are you? What do you think youre doing touching my kid?!

I was just about to guide the kids arm, but my hand froze mid-air. I looked at the woman sitting right behind my seat.

Just a moment ago, when Id asked around, shed been loudly munching on chips without a care. Now, suddenly, she was a fiercely protective mama bear.

The kid in the seat showed no sign of fear. Instead, his eyes darted around, fast and calculating.

Im not usually judgmental, but he didnt look like an innocent child at all. His eyes screamed trouble, like he was already plotting something.

Being able to go home for Christmas had put me in a great mood. I just pointed at the kids mother, not wanting to argue any further.

But she wasn't having it.

What kind of girl are you? You look so young, yet youre trying to hit my son!

Hes just a kid, he doesnt know any better! Besides, its not your seat, is it? When you take public transport, you cant be so picky!

Hearing that, I sized her up. Oh, so your son gets to act like that because hes young? Sounds like hes pretty wild and untamed.

It took her a moment to catch my meaning. She started flailing her arms, ready to grab me, just as the Amtrak conductor came by to check tickets.

She huffed and grudgingly sat down, shooting me a dirty look.

Someone glaring at me isn't going to make me lose a piece of myself. Years of corporate life had forged in me an ironclad patience.

My home is clear across the country from where I work. By plane, I could be home in two hours, but of course, with the holiday storm cancellations, I couldn't get a flight.

This train ride would take me an entire day to get home.

Id barely been seated for ten minutes when my seatback started vibrating like it had an angry massage chair built into it.

Kick after kick, with a relentless rhythm. I gritted my teeth, turned around, and tried to talk to the woman.

Can you please control your child? Hes constantly kicking my seatback, cant you see that?

The woman looked up, gave me a quick glance, then went back to filming her kid on her phone.

Aww, Jaxies such a good boy! So full of energy!

Its all thanks to the organic superfood blends Jaxies been taking! Otherwise, where would he get all that vitality?!

Cheered on by his moms praise, Jax kicked even harder. He was having a blast, but I was the one suffering.

Are you going to control him or not?! If you cant, then dont bring him out in public!

With that, I reached out and firmly grabbed the kids raised leg. That finally got his mom to stop pretending to be deaf.

Honestly, I have to say, you young girls have zero tolerance these days, dont you?

Energetic kids are healthy kids. You just dont understand a mothers heart.

And besides, hes so small. Whats the big deal if he kicks a few times?

I looked at Jax, sitting on the seat, his neck stiff as he glared back at me. Calling him a little Michelin Man wouldnt be an exaggeration.

Youre saying its no big deal if your little Michelin Man kicks a few times? Then why dont you switch seats and let him kick your seatback?!

As soon as that came out, some people sitting nearby couldnt hold back their laughter.

Jaxs mom, hearing her pride and joy insulted, finally snapped.

You have such a vicious mouth for someone so young! This is called a solid, healthy build, dont you know?!

Whether he had a solid build or not, I didnt care to explore. Right now, this whole family just seemed off.

Especially when I heard her next line: Hes just a child, youre an adult, dont stoop to his level. Its so undignified.

If you cant sit there, just move.

My fists clenched. I decided the most infuriating people in the world werent my bosses anymore; it was these two.

With this mother-son duo behind me, no one wanted to switch to my seat. I pulled out $200 in cash.

The person behind her went from unwilling to swiftly moving themselves and their luggage.

Jaxs mom continued to record her precious Jax on her phone, the camera briefly sweeping past my face.

This time, her words were clearly aimed at me.

I adjusted my posture, then started kicking my own seatback hard, making her seat shake.

Before I even got to the third kick, she couldnt take it anymore. She put her hand on the seatback and stood up, looking at me.

Are you crazy?! Dont you know theres someone behind you?! What are you kicking for?!

I looked up at her, but my leg didnt stop.

Oh, Maam, you look older than me. Why are you being so mean to me?

Compared to you, Im just a kid. Dont argue with me.

After saying that, I extended my leg to her sons seat as well, kicking both seatbacks rhythmically and forcefully.

Soon, Jaxs cries filled the air. His mom, whose name Id later learn was Brenda, had no time to scold me; she turned to comfort her precious Jax.

The conductor heard the noise and came over. Seeing it was us two again, he frowned.

After learning what happened, the conductor warned Brenda.

With the warning, Brenda, however unwilling, quieted down with Jax in her arms.

Since the journey was long, I took out the instant noodles Id prepared.

When I came back from the snack car, I found the contents of my backpack scattered everywhere near my seat.

Suppressing my anger, I scanned the area. The guy next to me subtly gestured for me to look ahead.

Jax was holding a snack and eating it, while Brenda was still on her phone, documenting their wonderful life.

My backpack was full of snacks, so Id just placed it on the overhead rack. Who would have thought that while I was just getting hot water, someone would go through my bag?

You two went through my bag, didnt you?

Jax shoved the small, freshly opened bag of gourmet popcorn in his hand into his mouth in two bites. I watched as he almost choked.

Brenda blew up first: What are you talking about?! Who would bother going through your bag?! Dont you dare falsely accuse good people!

As she spoke, she kicked some trash on the floor further forward.

I suddenly laughed out loud and leaned closer to her little Michelin Man.

Let me tell you a story, little boy.

Once upon a time, there was a kid who always stole other peoples food. And one day, guess what happened?

Jax looked at me curiously.

That kid died! He died a horrible, horrible death. His stomach burst open, and his intestines spilled out everywhere!

WAAAH! Jax started screaming again, crying and clinging to Brenda.

He kept yelling that he was going to die, and no matter how Brenda tried to soothe him, he wouldnt calm down.

When the conductor came for the third time, he had no smile on his face. I quickly sat back down.

She scared my child!

Meeting the conductors gaze, I picked up my bag. I havent even called the Amtrak police yet. My bag was rummaged through, and all I did was tell her child a story.

Everyone around us was craning their necks to watch. We were both escorted to a quiet compartment to speak with the Amtrak police.

Brenda immediately started yelling, accusing me loudly and demanding justice.

Youre just bullying a struggling single mom and her kid! Shes been targeting me since we got on the train! Now shes slandering my child, saying he stole her things!

I raised an eyebrow. When did I say your child took anything? Arent you confessing without being asked?

Jax still looked dazed, making me wonder if there was something actually wrong with the kid.

Lost items on a train weren't just a simple disagreement, so the officers took it more seriously.

I rummaged through my backpack. Some snacks are missing, and $500 cash is gone too.

$500 is enough to press charges, isnt it? I looked at Brendas changing expression and gave a slight smile.

Im not great with the law, so Im not sure about the specifics, but I guess you wont be celebrating Christmas.

The officers conferred for a moment and asked if I wanted to file a report.

I pretended to think, looking at Brenda. Well, its not out of the question. No one touched my bag besides me. I think checking for fingerprints would be straightforward.

Wait a minute!

All of us turned our attention to Brenda.

Jax might have looked in your bag, but we didnt see any money in there!

My kid is just little, he saw you taking snacks out of your bag and wanted some! Who knew youd be so stingy?!

How much can one child even eat?

I looked at the officers. Oh, I suddenly remembered, the cash was in my coat pocket. But I can still claim compensation for my snacks, right?

The officer nodded. Brenda, hearing it was just snack money, looked scornful.

Its just a few snacks, why are you so picky? Give me your Venmo, Ill send you $50, that should be more than enough!

Its $500 in total.

Brendas hand froze, then she roared, Are you crazy?! He only took a few things! How is it $500?!

I pulled a receipt from my pocket. Theyre all imported, boutique snacks. Check for yourself. The retail value is $500, if not more. Otherwise, Ill file the official report.

When I returned to my seat, Brenda looked like a deflated balloon. I looked at the fresh $500 transfer notification on my phone, secretly pleased.

Although dealing with that mother and son was torturous, I considered it a profit.

Those snacks were samples from my companys overseas gourmet line. As an employee, I got them for free. The receipt, however, reflected the full retail price.

The rest of the journey was smooth. Jax, perhaps tired from playing, quieted down and didnt cause any more trouble.

It was still eight hours until I got home, and my back and legs ached from sitting in the coach seat.

Hearing that two roomettes had opened up, I quickly grabbed my luggage and went to find the conductor to upgrade.

It wasn't until I lay down on the narrow bed that I felt my back and legs come alive again. Even better, I was far away from those two.

The further north the train went, the more people got off. Eventually, I was the only one left in my roomette.

I had been working overtime until late last night to get home, and my eyelids were already heavy.

Just as I was drifting off to sleep, I vaguely heard a commotion outside.

I rolled over, not thinking much of it. With so many people on the train, arguments were bound to happen. After all, I had just had one myself.

The commotion grew closer, and the voices became increasingly familiar.

Come on, Jaxie, stick with Mommy. Dont mind them. She just got her skirt accidentally lifted, what a sensitive little thing.

The voices conveniently stopped right outside my roomette door.

I slid the door open, and Brenda and I stared each other down. Seriously, why did this woman feel like a bad penny that just wouldnt go away?

My fancy organic cucumber snack was still on the small table nearby, and Jax reached out to grab it.

This cucumber is expensive, you know? From a specialty farmers market. Do you really want to eat it?

Jaxs outstretched hand was quickly slapped down by Brenda.

Dont eat her stuff. Its probably stale. Mommy will buy you something delicious when we get home.

Some people just like to hoard their things like treasures, dont they? Hope you dont choke on it.

Listening to Brendas taunts, I picked up the cucumber and took a bite. Some people might not have any manners, but they sure have a lot to say.

I used to hear that you could tell if someone was lacking in the common sense department just by looking at them, and I never believed it. Today, I realize its true.

Brendas eyebrows shot up, and she opened her mouth, ready to unleash a torrent of curses.

I narrowed my eyes. This roomette has a door. Thats nice. If I lock it, nobody would know if someone had a little accident, right?

She looked at our respective sizes, snorted, and then climbed onto her upper bunk with Jax.

Even with my noise-canceling earbuds in, I could still hear Jaxs racket.

I opened my eyes and, good heavens, he was wearing his shoes and stomping all over the bed again. The previously clean sheets and blanket were now covered in black footprints.

When the conductor came in and saw the scene, I clearly saw him take a deep breath. I asked if I could switch roomettes.

Im very sorry, maam, but this is the last available sleeper accommodation on the train right now.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. This time, when I left to use the restroom, I made sure to take my backpack with me.

Jax was clamoring for instant noodles, and Brenda, with no other choice, had to buy a cup from the caf car for her precious boy.

After Id happily taken care of business, I hadnt even reached my compartment when I saw two people standing by the door, pointing and talking about something inside.

An uneasy feeling crept up on me. As I walked in, I saw that little Michelin Man causing trouble again.

My bunk was now covered in instant noodle soup. That little Michelin Man was reaching into the noodle cup, pulling out strands, and flinging them onto the wall.

And to top it all off, my prized down jacket was on the bed.

Seeing me return, he darted away quickly, immediately throwing the noodle cup on the floor and scrambling up to the top bunk.

I gritted my teeth and slammed the compartment door shut.

Brenda was on the top bunk, headphones on, seemingly busy with something on her phone. I wasn't sure if she couldn't hear her child or just chose to ignore him.

Either way, my loud door slam finally got her to move.

Whats your problem? Why are you slamming the door so hard?! Whats gotten into you now?!

I took a deep breath first. Take a look at what your son did. Youre paying for this.

I held up my down jacket, stained with oily broth.

What does this have to do with me? Why should I pay? Didnt I just give you $500? Are you out of your mind from being broke?!

I reached out and grabbed Jaxs ankle. With a forceful tug, he slid right off the ladder.

This time, Brenda couldnt stay put. She instantly sat upright and then jumped down from the upper bunk.

What are you doing hitting my child?! Im telling you, if anything happens to him, Ill sue you until youre bankrupt!

I looked at her unreasonable, nagging demeanor and felt disgusted to my core. Your son poured noodle soup all over my down jacket and my bed. Im saying it again: pay for the damages.

Brenda snatched her son from my hands.

Its not like he poured it on your bed at home. The staff will clean it.

Besides, you can just take that jacket home and wash it, cant you? Havent you ever spilled anything?!

If you keep being so unreasonable, dont blame me for getting nasty.

I picked up the noodle cup from the floor. So, youre saying that because hes young, this kind of behavior is forgivable?

Then, before she could react, I flung the tepid instant noodle soup directly at both of them.

Brendas face and hair were instantly covered, while Jax, being shorter, only got some on his clothes.

A shrill shriek was about to erupt, but I swiftly crumpled the empty instant noodle cup and stuffed it into Brendas open mouth.

She sounded like a duck whose neck was squeezed, her voice getting cut off.

I then pushed Jaxs head down and, with one hand, grabbed a clump of noodles from the floor, stuffing them into his mouth.

Perhaps out of fear, he opened his mouth wide to cry, which conveniently made it easier for me to stuff the noodles in.

Brenda wiped her face and charged at me, trying to rescue Jax, but I smeared another handful of noodles onto her face.

AHHHH! You little b! Do you have a death wish?!

She lunged at me viciously, her hand flying up to slap me.

Instinctively, I held Jax up between us. I heard a loud SMACK, and Jaxs cries became utterly uncontrollable.

Mommy hit me! Waaah! Mommys a bad person!!

I looked at Jaxs face and couldn't help but marvel internally: even though Brenda looked small, she had quite a swing.

Jaxs right cheek was now completely red and swelling. From crying, noodle bits were even spurting out of his nostrils.

While Brenda was busy cradling and comforting Jax, I took both their winter coats from the hook and used them to wipe the worst of the mess on my bed and the floor.

The Amtrak police, arriving with the conductor and seeing the chaotic mess in the roomette, gasped.

The onlookers gathered at the door also had their eyes wide open.

Brenda sat on the floor, holding Jax, and started wailing. I assessed the situation; it really looked like I was bullying them.

This kind of "vulnerable" scenario was definitely not in my favor, so before the officers could even speak, I directly lay down on the floor.