Moving into a new neighborhood is always unpredictable because you never quite know who you might meet. Sometimes, you make great friends next door, and other times, your neighbors turn your life into a living nightmare.\nMilitary veteran Robert and his wife Angie Hawthorne expected a quiet and unassuming retirement in their new sleepy town, but it soon became clear that problems weren’t far away. Robert never thought he’d have to rely on his training again—and he could never have predicted that it would turn out like this. "],"image":{"name":"oxz3gvpzjquxzpvk.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":399},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":221}}}},{"text":["

Life had been anything but ordinary for 69-year-old recently retired Robert Hawthorne. Growing up in Portland, Oregon, he made a choice in his early twenties that would go on to change the course of his life. \nIn what felt like the blink of an eye, Robert was now married for more than 20 years and on the cusp of his 70th birthday. For his milestone birthday, he wished to be able to settle down in a new neighborhood with his wife Angie and live out a peaceful retirement, away from the chaotic life he once knew. He had no idea that this wish would be too much to ask for."],"title":"Meet Robert Hawthorne","image":{"name":"hznz2g8muyt7rm19.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":473},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":263}}}},{"text":["

Like many of the other men growing up in Portland, Robert was motivated and highly aspirational from a young age. He knew in his high school years that he didn’t want to follow a traditional career path and that academia wasn’t for him.\nInstead, Robert chose the path less traveled—enlisting in the United States military. This was not a decision that was taken lightly, but his older brother Michael had made the same choice four years prior, and it was a well-respected decision within the Hawthorne family. Robert couldn't have known that this choice would change his life."],"title":"Strong Aspirations","image":{"name":"tw33ecjwdfmvbkli.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":389},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":216}}}},{"text":["

Thanks to his parents and his strong upbringing, Robert always had a determined and disciplined attitude. It was these traits that propelled him through the rigorous army training process. He worked up the ranks to earn himself an elite place within the military in his early twenties and he started serving in the Vietnam War.\nRobert dedicated more than four decades of his life to his service—four decades of valor, sacrifice, and commitment to his country. Meanwhile, his life was changing outside of his career, too."],"title":"A Life of Service","image":{"name":"1pv4l1vc5tys7lt6.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Scandinavian Backlash on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":267}}}},{"text":["

Along the way, Robert met and fell in love with a woman named Angie. Relationships aren’t easy at the best of times, especially not with the constraints that came with a job like Robert’s, but he knew that he would do anything he could to make things work with Angie.\nThey knew from the moment they met that they were destined to be together, and it didn’t take long for Robert to propose. Before either of them knew it, they were married. "],"title":"Falling in Love","image":{"name":"jwui7w7x3kiinnyn.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Samantha Foster/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":416},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":231}}}},{"text":["

Robert’s life was transformed after serving in the Vietnam War. He knew that in a world where nothing was certain, he had his marriage to Angie to fall back on and these two were in it for the long haul. They both looked forward to the years when they could retire together and reap the benefits of a quiet life.\nWhen it finally came time for this veteran to retire from his life of service, the next hurdle to overcome was the dilemma of where he and Angie should settle down. They couldn't have known just how important this choice would be."],"title":"Settling Down","image":{"name":"do8f92166eka4ysg.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by LeeSnider/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":490},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":272}}}},{"text":["

The Hawthornes never wanted to have children, so it was always just the two of them. This meant that there was nothing tying them down or keeping them in any city. Now, in their retirement, they had the whole world at their fingertips and they were overwhelmed with choices.\nBoth Robert and Angie were still pretty active, and they didn’t ever feel their age. They knew they wanted somewhere with a balance of peaceful tranquility and enough around them to keep their retirement interesting. After his weekly phone call with childhood friend Brian, Robert had an idea. "],"title":"Choosing the Right Place","image":{"name":"cvq19yr52r1uf6z4.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":404},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":224}}}},{"text":["

Brian Peterson had never been married, and he recently retired. Whenever Robert would call him, he’d rave about how much he loved his new lifestyle in the small, gated community of Oakshire Crescent in Ashland, Oregon.\nRobert and Angie didn’t need any more convincing—they knew that their plan was to join Brian in Ashland and finally settle down for the tranquil retirement they’d longed for. If only they knew that tranquility was the last thing they’d get."],"title":"Decision Made","image":{"name":"jxj06ckyxddcxdlg.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":415},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":230}}}},{"text":["

Robert and Angie packed up their lives, jumped in their car, and they didn't look back. They jumped into life in Oakshire Crescent with both feet and eagerly inserted themselves as members of the community. \nFrom the moment they set foot in their new home, the Hawthornes could tell there was something charming about this sleepy town. Their neighbors were mostly other retirees and elderly couples, with a few families for good measure. After such a challenging life, they could not be more excited to slow down and embrace the slower pace of Ashland."],"title":"Simple Pleasures","image":{"name":"6yuh1lzdbuqpk5hs.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":408},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":226}}}},{"text":["

Robert felt at home right away. He made the most of his empty schedule in his new neighborhood. He found a humble new routine—each day, he’d go for a long and leisurely walk through the neighborhood, stopping to chat with his neighbors along the way. \nIt was a small and friendly community and mostly everybody knew everybody. People would often go to each other’s houses for a cup of coffee or to bring them baked goods. It was quiet and wholesome, exactly what Robert was looking for. But pretty soon, Angie started having concerns."],"title":"New Routine","image":{"name":"mi6y9vje88cpaoi5.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":417},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":232}}}},{"text":["

Every Monday morning, Robert and Angie would go out to the local cafe for breakfast with Brian. It had been Brian who encouraged the couple to move to Ashland in the first place, but after having spent a year there, he gave them some worrying news.\nBrian explained that as a member of the neighborhood watch, he knew all the ins and outs of the town, and there had been a concerning rise in the number of burglaries and home invasions in the surrounding neighborhoods. It hadn’t yet affected Oakshire Crescent, but Brian thought this would soon change."],"title":"Something’s Coming","image":{"name":"s0bfawgzjmrsus50.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Wade Austin Ellis on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":513},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":285}}}},{"text":["

When Angie heard this disturbing update, a wave of anxiety washed over her. She had always been an anxious person, but felt protected because she always had Robert by her side and knew that he would never allow her to be in danger. \nOf course, she wasn’t totally naive—she knew that burglary was never impossible and that it happens in most places. But the last thing she wanted to hear was that in her serene new neighborhood, there was a chance she could come face to face with criminals. "],"title":"Feeling Anxious","image":{"name":"uud296xm6jl6nkhl.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":429},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":239}}}},{"text":["

Robert, on the other hand, didn’t seem phased by the news. He was disheartened to hear that there were problems in the surrounding areas, but was sure that now people were aware of it—law enforcement would be able to do something to control the issue. \nThanks to his military background, Robert also didn’t mess around when it came to security, and this went for most aspects of his life. He was a remarkably calm and relaxed person, especially compared to his wife, but his home and belongings were another story. "],"title":"Staying Unbothered","image":{"name":"2dzn90jl35jm328v.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by cottonbro studio/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":267}}}},{"text":["

Anyone who met Robert was surprised at how relaxed he came across, which is why it was so contradictory to see his home. He had installed multiple locks on every door and window in his house and had an intricate system of cameras and security over every entrance and exit.\nThis wasn’t exactly Angie’s most beloved design choice, but she appreciated that Robert wanted to keep them both safe. In all aspects of life, he wasn’t taking any chances. Hearing that there was an increased chance of being burgled only made Angie more paranoid and Robert doubled down on his security. Surely no one would dare to mess with the Hawthornes—or so they thought."],"title":"Heightened Security","image":{"name":"jtdubd2d2cbgoi5q.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":404},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":224}}}},{"text":["

Six months passed since Brian told the couple about his neighborhood watch findings, and the three of them were enjoying their retirement. Admittedly, Robert was spending more time at home than ever before, though everyone agreed that he had earned it. \nOakshire Crescent had not experienced the home invasion epidemic in those six months as Brian had predicted, so the neighborhood let its guard down and continued on as normal. Robert knew that with all his security in place, he and his wife were as safe as can be. He was totally oblivious to what was around the corner. "],"title":"Six Quiet Months","image":{"name":"kiqja4p8483jww26.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":429},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":238}}}},{"text":["

One night, Robert was awoken at the crack of dawn with the sound of shouting and rustling. He bolted awake and went to the window to see what was going on outside. It was enough to have woken him so it must have been something significant.\nAngie turned over and realized Robert wasn’t next to her. She called out his name and asked what was wrong. “Nothing, dear, go back to sleep,” Robert whispered. He knew that something was amiss, so he put on his slippers and went downstairs to check the security camera footage from all angles of the house."],"title":"Strange Noises","image":{"name":"gnowzqtqhw85wr85.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":429},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":238}}}},{"text":["

To his shock, he saw a group of three men in hoods climb into his garden, looking like they were casing the property. Robert knew all his cameras were relatively well hidden and there was nothing unusual about the house. Were they really planning a burglary?\nRobert couldn’t hear anything else, and after watching the cameras for what felt like an hour, they didn’t try to enter the house. They climbed back over the fence and left, and Robert went back to sleep. He was unsettled, for sure, but it would take more than some shady-looking individuals to phase him."],"title":"Nothing Unusual","image":{"name":"baory1vvddoxro8p.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":399},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":221}}}},{"text":["

One week later, Angie noticed that Robert was spending a lot of time in the yard, but wouldn’t exactly tell her why. She knew that he liked gardening, but not this much. It was a sunny afternoon when Angie had gone out shopping, and Robert was busy baking a fresh apple pie to surprise her when she got home. \nIf one or more people were in the house, Robert was more lax about locking the doors and windows. He had always felt safe and didn’t think he’d need to be vigilant. But just as he sat down to watch television while the pie cooked, he heard the sound of glass smashing. "],"title":"Planning in Secret","image":{"name":"wcqq2nmizvy0vo5y.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":267}}}},{"text":["

Angie was due home any minute, but this wasn’t the sound of something being dropped or breaking outside. The glass smashing sound was somebody punching a hole in the front door’s window pane and unlocking the lock bar across the door. \nBefore he could run anywhere, Robert stood and was met by two masked men standing in his living room. Frozen in place, Robert had no idea what to do next. He was alone and unarmed—totally vulnerable. "],"title":"At Risk","image":{"name":"hkjb75k0wyev38vs.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":404},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":224}}}},{"text":["

“So this is your house after all, Hawthorne,” the masked intruder at the front began. Robert was visibly shocked, not only at the entire situation, but at the fact that this man knew his name. He was also taken aback by how young this person’s voice sounded from under the mask. In a way, this eased Robert’s nerves slightly. \nHe began looking around to see if there was anything he could use as a weapon or a way to escape. The men were standing so close and also looking around the living room, presumably for things to steal, and Robert had nowhere to go. "],"title":"Intruders","image":{"name":"tnpputxmegpprcah.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":391},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":217}}}},{"text":["

“We heard you're a tough guy, Vietnam Vet. Give us what we want and maybe we won't hurt you,” the intruder continued. Robert tried to play off his fear, smirking in the face of the intruders who had so cruelly interrupted his peaceful afternoon. \nHe was more confused than anything. After all, what could these people possibly want from him? He certainly didn’t parade anything valuable around or make it clear that he was a worthwhile target. The next question that popped into his head was why these people had given him this nickname. How did they know that he was a veteran?"],"title":"They Knew Him","image":{"name":"usum8imlt5uyhia6.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":404},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":224}}}},{"text":["

Robert knew the last thing that would help the situation was showing he was afraid. Instead, he smirked and remained unbothered. “You think you can intimidate me? You have no idea what I’m capable of,” the elderly calmly responded. \nThe masked intruder standing behind his companion chimed in, yelling, “We’ve got weapons! Don’t push us!” But Robert could tell from the wobble in his voice that these two boys were bluffing—if anything, they didn’t know what they’d let themselves in for. "],"title":"Completely Unphased","image":{"name":"gsbl7ubh9jm7de1z.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":430},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":239}}}},{"text":["

Without even leaving the spot he was standing in, Robert managed to convince these so-called tough-guy criminals that he was not to be messed with. “You call those weapons? Nah, I’ve seen worse,” he muttered to himself, much to the disappointment and anger of the masked men.\nThe attitude of these criminals awoke something in Robert that he hadn’t experienced in years. It wasn’t fear, and it wasn’t quite anger—more like an innate sense of defensiveness. He wasn’t about to let these petty thieves ruin everything he had built for him and his wife over the past year. "],"title":"Ready to Act","image":{"name":"y4c7k6qj17ka9his.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by sgorin/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

“I don’t know how you’ve found me, and I don’t know what you think you’re looking for. All I know is that anything you might want to steal is in that room over there,” Robert slowly and calmly spoke to the men. \nWithout hesitating, one stepped closer to Robert, as if to make sure he didn’t move, while the other kept one hand in his pocket and edged closer to the room Robert pointed at. Bursting open the door, the intruder tripped over something, and a bucket’s worth of paint rained down onto his head."],"title":"Springing Into Action","image":{"name":"3aofmqnhwg8kbwoc.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":417},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":231}}}},{"text":["

Everything from that moment seemed to happen quicker than normal speed. The paint-covered intruder stood still in shock, and his accomplice ran over to see what had happened. As he too tripped over the hidden wire, water sprayed at him and he was just as drenched as his buddy.\nRobert stood and laughed, as the sound of distant sirens got closer and closer. The men stood up and stumbled toward the front door, swinging it open and scrambling to run outside. "],"title":"Double Whammy","image":{"name":"z712lt7a0bgde4h0.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by AndreyPopov/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

Then a police car pulled up outside and two officers were standing, arms crossed, looking unimpressed. There was nowhere for them to turn. Realizing that they were helpless, they removed their masks and sank to the ground, beginning to cry. \nRobert walked outside to join the officers and take a better look at the two men who had tried to terrorize him. As the officers loaded the men in the back of their car, they looked at Robert, then each other, confused. “What’s going on? Is this some kind of setup?” one asked."],"title":"Caught in the Act","image":{"name":"call8eg229i0loiu.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":415},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":231}}}},{"text":["

“I had a feeling something like this would happen one way or another, so I got planning. The moment you broke the glass, it tripped a signal to call the police. I was stalling the whole time, so that you wouldn’t be able to get away. It was just unfortunate that you fell right into the traps I set,” he continued, triumphantly. \n“Well, boys, I told you not to mess with a Vet, didn’t I?” Robert said with a smile. The two intruders were gobsmacked and speechless. Robert thanked the officers for their help and waved as the men were taken away in the back of the car."],"title":"All Part of the Plan","image":{"name":"rc2c74n3nxcvk3py.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Pixabay/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":267}}}},{"text":["

Robert walked back inside and looked with dismay at the broken glass and paint that were now all across his home. He took the apple pie out of the oven and began clearing up the glass when Angie returned home, immediately shocked at the large piece of glass missing from her front door.\n“What on earth happened here, honey?” she asked her husband, before she could even put her bags down. Robert had got to work scrubbing the floors and looked up, only to respond, “Don’t worry about it, dear. Everything is okay.”"],"title":"Nothing to Worry About","image":{"name":"sqdtr6zs5ad7kb0c.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":404},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":224}}}},{"text":["

One week passed before Robert received a call from the Ashland Police Department. After taking the men back to the station, they identified them as members of a bigger crime ring that had—just as Brian warned all those months ago—been targeting local neighborhoods. \nThey thanked Robert for his vigilance and commended him for using his background and training to know how to deal with the situation—especially impressed by the extra measures he’d gone to to set up the traps. Robert could sleep better at night knowing that the criminals had seen justice and that no one would dare to mess with him or his neighborhood again. "],"title":"Finding Resolutions","image":{"name":"mersyaabt1ydvrbk.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":427},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":237}}}},{"text":["

When Robert Hawthorne traded in his action-packed military life for the tranquility of retirement, he could never have predicted the battleground that awaited him in his own home. Though he didn’t expect that he would ever have to rely on his training or his instincts again, he was relieved to have known what to do in the face of danger. \nWe wish Robert and Angie all the best in the future, and we hope that they can enjoy the rest of their retirement in peace, as they deserve—without having to deal with any more unwanted intruders. "],"title":"Looking to the Future","image":{"name":"dledg41j2l8s9x3a.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":267}}}}]}; window.__cf = (window.__cf || {}); window.__cf.nextArticleData = {"meta":{"id":"cms-7740","title":"Squatters Take Over Soldier's Home During His Deployment, They Learn a Valuable Lesson","code":"squat","category":"Story","subCategory":"Community,Fiction","lang":"en","version":"shz","fullCode":"squatenshz","lastTimePublished":"2024-05-22_17-54","createdAt":"2023-04-23T09:48:20.571Z","date":"2024-05-22","author":"Gabby A","nextArticle":{"id":"cms-7689"},"originalSite":"everydaymonkey.com"},"blocks":[{"text":["

After years of serving their country, many soldiers dream of returning home and experiencing a sense of stability and peace. John McKee was no different, and when his deployment in Afghanistan finally ended, he was more than ready to settle back into life as he knew it.\nBut when John arrived home, something didn't feel right. The Marine ended up stumbling upon something he could have never expected, that would threaten his warm welcome back. He even got a local biker group and the authorities involved!"],"image":{"name":"___4s82j168yz9l6efv.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":596,"height":597},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":401}}}},{"text":["

John McKee grew up in a military family. His dad was a veteran like his father before him, and his cousins had all followed in their parents’ footsteps. It felt only natural that John too would serve his due diligence in the army, and he officially joined the Marines when he was 25 years old. \nWhen he joined the forces, his family was more than supportive. And after a few years of serving in the United States, he was stationed in Afghanistan. While John and his family were proud of him for serving his country, John couldn’t help but dream of the day he could go home for good. "],"title":"Serving His Country","image":{"name":"rvx51rpfvi7h3h25.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Specna Arms on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":267}}}},{"text":["

Finally, that day arrived, and John couldn’t have been happier. He had seen enough violence to last a lifetime, and he dreamt of a simple life. Luckily, he saved up enough money that with the help of US Military subsidies, he was able to purchase a quaint home for him to return back to. \nHis family and his house were all John could think about from the time he boarded the aircraft that would fly him home to the moment he stepped off the plane. However, nothing could prepare him for what was to come when he arrived home."],"title":"Coming Home","image":{"name":"___ds5nmtbovn2cf72x.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":404},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":224}}}},{"text":["

John looked out the window with a sense of relief, the mowed lawns and quiet neighborhoods a welcome sight after his deployment. However, as soon John stepped out of the cab in front of his house, the relief he felt at arriving home was quickly replaced by suspicion. Something felt off, and after years of relying on his gut instincts, John knew not to ignore a bad feeling like this. \nHe dropped his bags by the front of the house so he had free use of his hands if he needed them, and slowly, he crept around the side of the house to enter through the back door. "],"title":"Something Feels Off","image":{"name":"___gv6ozb9xkm0t5x9t.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":404},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":224}}}},{"text":["

John’s eyes swept across the backyard as he rounded the back of the house. It looked overgrown and messy, but he didn’t think that was odd. After all, he hadn’t been there in a while, so it was bound to be a little unruly. \nHe turned back to the house and reached for the doorknob at the same time as his hand went to his pocket to retrieve his keys. To his surprise, the knob easily turned before he could even use them, and John knew his bad feeling had been correct. Why was his door unlocked? "],"title":"Not Locked","image":{"name":"9qimxl9kanflm1j6.jpg","credit":"Photo by George Becker/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":775},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":431}}}},{"text":["

John opened the door as quietly as he could. He didn’t know what lay behind the door, but he knew something was wrong. The first thing he noticed when he fully stepped inside the house was the horrible smell. He gagged and covered his nose as he stepped further into the house. \nThe house was in a state. The few items of furniture he had purchased before he was deployed were still there, but it was covered in random items and tons of trash. John didn’t want to believe it, but as he continued through the house, it was clear what was going on."],"title":"A Horrible Smell","image":{"name":"psbnb1n91l70t0fc.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by sergeypeterman/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

The only explanation for the trashed state of John’s house was squatters. His house was clearly being lived in by trespassers who had somehow come to discover that it was not being lived in for years at a time, and were they more than happy to take advantage of an empty home. \nAs he processed just what was happening here, he felt himself getting angrier and angrier. John was furious that the house he bought to provide him a safe haven had been taken over by people illegally. He wasn’t going to let them get away with this. "],"title":"Trespassers","image":{"name":"___nsksxoi63ltwfceo.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":707},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":393}}}},{"text":["

John angrily marched out of the house and went around to the front to retrieve his bags, the wheels turning in his head the whole time. He knew he had to leave his house alone for now—he had no idea what the squatters were like and if they would pose a threat to him. \nHe quickly called his parents, who were happy to provide him with a place to stay while he came up with a plan to get his house back to the state he bought it in. This was not the peace and quiet John expected when he returned to his home."],"title":"What to Do","image":{"name":"___fg6mjwk004uf8hle.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

John shared an embrace with his family, whom he hadn’t seen in a few years. Then he set his bags down and explained the situation. His parents were horrified and apologized for not checking on the house more often, but John stopped them.\nThey were getting older and were having trouble doing all the things they’d been able to when they were younger. No one could’ve predicted this situation, and he never expected his parents to care for his property. Still, he had to figure out what to do next. His parents suggested that the best next step was to contact the authorities. Surely, they’d be able to solve everything. "],"title":"Parental Advice","image":{"name":"___naxn6k2ypb8quekn.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":707},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":393}}}},{"text":["

John went to the police station to explain the situation to someone in person. He told them about the squatters with the expectation that they would be willing to go to the house immediately and remove them.\nTo his surprise, a day or two later, the police returned to John with the news that they could do nothing. The squatters had shown them documents of some sort that granted them temporary residency in the house. John had never been more baffled in his life. The police believed them over him, the owner of the house!"],"title":"Nothing They Can Do","image":{"name":"___jiyt8jdv5k2lbzkn.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

John wouldn’t accept that answer without a fight. He insisted that whatever documents they had, they had been forged and the police needed to investigate them more. He was the rightful owner, he told them, and they were doing nothing to help him. \nThe police responded that there was nothing else they could do at the moment without sufficient evidence. If John really wanted to continue with this battle, they suggested hiring a lawyer to help him set up the necessary legal process. Then, they left without another word."],"title":"Needing Evidence","image":{"name":"mg2dvveyjw1vwu0k.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by photographee.eu/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":830},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":461}}}},{"text":["

John’s disappointment with law enforcement wouldn’t help him get anything done, so he tried his best to focus his efforts on finding the right lawyer to help him. Unfortunately, many were too busy or made it too complicated for John to feel like he was making any kind of progress.\nJohn’s search wasn’t going anywhere, and the squatters were still happily living in his house. His anger was mounting—after serving his country for years, neither law enforcement nor the legal system would offer him any help. He realized he needed to try something unconventional to resolve this issue. "],"title":"A Slow Process","image":{"name":"jec7456ce2ia4b1z.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by cottonbro studio/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":267}}}},{"text":["

John started to do some research about other ways he could safely and easily get these squatters to leave his home. He was having a hard time finding anything until he stumbled across a biker group that had a reputation for helping solve smaller problems the police overlooked. \nJohn hoped this might be the solution to his squatter issue, so he reached out to the leader of the biker group, explained the situation at hand, and asked if this was something they could possibly help him with. "],"title":"Unlikely Help","image":{"name":"kma95lffuhl01xqm.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":479},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

He had little hope for assistance from the bikers, but to his surprise, a few days later, he received a response. The bikers were furious at the disregard from law enforcement and were resolute in their dedication to his cause. \nThey decided to meet John in person so they could hear the rest of his story. And after hearing it from his mouth, the bikers were even more invested and they began to formulate a plan to get his property back without messing with the law. "],"title":"Working Together","image":{"name":"5bt53ldryxerla69.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Stephen Phillips - Hostreviews.co.uk on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

The bikers knew that the best way to achieve anything with these squatters would be to approach them peacefully first. John agreed that there was no need for any kind of rash action. The bikers and John decided that the whole group would go to the house together, and John would explain the legal situation while the bikers acted as witnesses. \nHopefully, the squatters would be reasonable and agree to vacate the premises. No one would want any further conflict, right?"],"title":"Planning it Out","image":{"name":"___yjj6a8awplckq0yg.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":596},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":331}}}},{"text":["

John pulled up to his house with a whole group of bikers behind him. He could only hope the intimidation of his witnesses would convince the squatters to avoid any more issues. \nHe knocked on the door. When it opened, John controlled his anger as best as he could and explained to the people inside that he owned this property and they were occupying this residence illegally. He explained the situation, but the squatters weren’t interested in leaving the house they had occupied for months now. John couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but they weren’t done."],"title":"A Confrontation","image":{"name":"ul5k64gpzvqppkkp.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by nikolaev/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":627},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":348}}}},{"text":["

There were a few people standing in the doorway, but it was the one who had answered the door that told John they had nowhere else to go. After living there for a while, they had legal rights to stay in the house, and wouldn’t voluntarily leave.\nThe unsaid threat hung in the air between the squatters and John and the bikers. The only way they’d leave would be with force. Once again, John tried to reason with them, but they were no longer interested in anything he had to say, and the tension grew between the two groups. "],"title":"Standing Their Ground","image":{"name":"___fp9iwroxoo6qaxbd.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

The squatters began talking over John as he tried to speak to them calmly. They started cursing and even threatening him. John and the bikers were very aware of a possible escalating situation, and while he really wanted to say something back to them, John knew it wouldn’t help him take back what was his. \nWithout risking legal repercussions, there was nothing John and the bikers could do, so they decided to take a step back and regroup. Now that they knew the squatters were hostile and not afraid of violence, they needed a completely new plan. "],"title":"Hostility Grows","image":{"name":"azsjk9zb3444upjp.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by Seth Woodworth/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)","creditUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":479},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

John knew pressure needed to be applied to both the squatters and the police force if this situation was going to change at all. And the best way to do that was to alert the media. He reached out to the local newspapers and channels to see if anyone would be willing to cover this story. \nThey were. In fact, many of the local channels were greatly interested in the developing issue and the story gained local attention. Soon, it surpassed even the state-wide level and it reached national news. The entire country knew what was happening on John’s property. "],"title":"Alerting the Media","image":{"name":"tsmk5b9zr175goeq.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by macor/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

John had no idea just how impactful including the media in this issue would be. People across the country were infuriated to find out that John was receiving no police help or legal action. Using the power of social media, brought a ton of pressure down upon local authorities and law enforcement. \nThere was no other option but to revisit the case. With more time on their hands—and more eyes on their every move—the police found much more evidence against the squatters and agreed to take action. "],"title":"Applying Pressure","image":{"name":"6p4qdc5klb6nazu4.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by photographee.eu/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":666},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":370}}}},{"text":["

The bikers hoped the squatters would be more willing to leave on their own if they knew that the authorities were about to come sweeping into the house to collect evidence and information. John could negotiate with them and this could all be over.\nThose hopes were quickly destroyed when they pulled up to John’s property. This time, the squatters were ready for them, waiting behind barricades with weapons. The situation was tense. John and the bikers were apprehensive to approach the house. How had the situation turned so violent? "],"title":"A Second Try","image":{"name":"___iavm7sdwn5oapx87.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":706},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":392}}}},{"text":["

John walked towards them with the group of bikers behind him. He once again told them that he legally owned this house and they were illegally living on his property. No one budged. In fact, the tension seemed to increase, and the group was nervous about the probability of a violent altercation. \nThen, a woman walked out of the house. She seemed to be their appointed leader. When John stepped forward to talk to her, she shook her head in a way that made him stop dead in his tracks and hold his breath. "],"title":"The Spokeswoman","image":{"name":"reluyaki7hke1zkt.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by Dmyrto_Z/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":1080},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":601}}}},{"text":["

The woman asked John if he was the supposed owner of the house. John had to hold in a frustrated breath. Didn’t she just hear what he had said? He was at his wits’ end with the disrespect. This was his house, and he was being questioned! \nHe told her that he was, but she didn’t seem impressed. If he really was the house owner, she needed him to show them his papers for the house. If he could question them, then they could question him, she said. John was so outraged, but the woman walked back inside before he could say anything else. "],"title":"Questioning John","image":{"name":"___w01he16lx5k8ezuo.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":620},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":344}}}},{"text":["

John turned back to the bikers, who seemed optimistic. All he had to do was grab his papers, and maybe they could end this issue once and for all. Then they saw John’s face, and their positivity was replaced with concern. \nJohn couldn’t remember where his paperwork was. He had been deployed very shortly after getting all of the necessary paperwork after signing for the house, and he couldn’t remember exactly where he had put his documents. He hadn’t thought a situation like this would ever occur, but here he was, without a house or the paperwork to go with it. "],"title":"Misplaced Papers","image":{"name":"przc0yyaketzagw2.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":705},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":392}}}},{"text":["

As always, the bikers were quick on their feet and had an idea. They would stay at the house, keeping an eye on the property and the squatters, while John went into town to retrieve his paperwork from the city offices. \nJohn knew he had no other choice, so he quickly got in his car and headed to town. He was nervous. While the group of bikers could handle themselves, he was worried about the tense standoff they would have in his absence and any possible future damage they would cause to his house. He sped up at the thought."],"title":"Moving Quickly","image":{"name":"hfrw68u3fljqgyyw.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":352},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":196}}}},{"text":["

John was so preoccupied thinking about the situation back at his house, that he was essentially driving on autopilot as he made his way into the city. He was angry that the situation now required him to retrieve his papers, and that he had misplaced them in the first place. \nIn his swirling thoughts, John was focused only on getting to the deeds office. Suddenly, he realized something strange. He made a left turn and then a right, and the car behind him did the same. After a few more turns, John knew someone was following him."],"title":"Driving Into the City","image":{"name":"24w13bjrbhhqji6c.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Arslan Ahmed on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":481},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":267}}}},{"text":["

His heart started beating faster as he realized that the squatters must have sent someone after him. John couldn’t believe there was yet another obstacle in his way and one that was so serious. \nHe quickly dialed one of the bikers, Jake, to let him know the situation, as he tried to lose the person behind him at the same time. He sped up, making more turns than necessary and swerving in and out of cars. The car matched his every move and gained on him. Clearly, they were willing to do anything to stop him from getting those papers. "],"title":"Determined to Stop Him","image":{"name":"9i4owioycu4kr1gt.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Alexandre Boucher on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":369},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":205}}}},{"text":["

John cursed the person behind him as he continued to speed through the city. Not only did he need to lose the car, but he looked at the clock and realized that he needed to get to the deeds office in 10 minutes, or it would be closed and he wouldn’t get his papers until after the weekend. \nJohn’s adrenaline was through the roof as he drove. Time was running out. In a final attempt to lose the guy, he made three quick turns—and found himself three whole blocks further than the deeds office. "],"title":"Running Out of Time","image":{"name":"526vv6x2z7oo6ycn.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Oscar Portan/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

He couldn’t believe it. John quickly pulled a U-turn and tried to get back to the office as quickly as he could. It didn’t matter anymore that he was still being followed. He had five minutes to get to the office and he was determined to settle this today. \nHe tried not to focus on the clock in his car, which seemed to be counting down the time quicker than it had ever before. Still, he realized he was driving a bit recklessly, and slowed down just a bit. A car accident would surely not help the situation at hand. "],"title":"A Mistake ","image":{"name":"n0cfa4w000ssb5xn.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by welcomia/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":481},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

Despite his best efforts, John pulled up to the office a minute too late. He threw his door open without even turning his car off, but the clerks were already cleaning up and turning off the lights in the office. \nJohn pressed his forehead to the glass and sighed defeatedly. This was his chance at finally getting his house back, and he had missed it by three blocks. He heard an engine behind him and turned around just to see the car that had followed him drive off. They had gotten exactly what they wanted. "],"title":"A Minute Too Late","image":{"name":"8dznf0ctxw4768kw.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Craig Whitehead on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":561},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":312}}}},{"text":["

John decided it was time to turn back to the law. Despite the complicated process, he agreed to hire a well-known property lawyer, who was known for winning cases such as John’s, and was determined to get him his property back.\nThe legal battle was exhausting, as the lawyer fought with the squatters, trying to prove that their documents were fake while trying to retrieve John’s at the same time. John realized how thankful he was to have a lawyer helping him deal with these aspects of the issue because confrontation clearly hadn’t gotten him anywhere. "],"title":"Turning to the Law","image":{"name":"c0udzgqv30ozzl2v.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by Zozereblola/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":472},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":262}}}},{"text":["

The squatters put up a good fight to remain on John’s property, but there was a reason the property lawyer hired by John had such a reputation for winning his cases. He challenged the legitimacy of their claims and gathered as much evidence and witness statements as he could against the squatters.\nThe story of John’s fight against the squatters remained in the public eye, as the local news channels continued to cover the case. Squatter issues were something quite a few people could relate to, and John’s situation continued to get national attention. "],"title":"Fighting Hard","image":{"name":"___qp44bku513oymb5k.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":596,"height":597},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":401}}}},{"text":["

With so much attention, the authorities once again felt pressure from the public. The last time they had promised to look into the evidence against the squatters, nothing had changed and John hadn’t heard any updates from them. \nHowever, this time, the presence of a lawyer and another round of news coverage made the authorities feel the need to actually step in. They were only a few weeks late, John thought, but it was better than nothing. "],"title":"Stepping In","image":{"name":"3ypz7lhy29hh21j1.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Erik Mclean/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":267}}}},{"text":["

Determined not to give up, John and his lawyer were preparing for yet another hearing in an attempt to get the squatters off the property. Then, just in time, the bikers stopped by with a court order in their hands. \nThe court had finally ruled in favor of John’s ownership of the property and was ordering the squatters to vacate the property immediately. John couldn’t believe it. It was all over. \nHowever, not even this court order could get these squatters out of his house, and they refused to leave yet again, resisting the authorities’ attempts to remove them peacefully. "],"title":"A Court Order","image":{"name":"m5vqgy4d1um12ma5.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by Canadian Press/Shutterstock (629468b)","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":449},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":249}}}},{"text":["

The squatters threw a fit, and the bikers stepped in to back up the authorities. In order to not get directly involved, they formed a human chain around the yard of the house to keep the squatters from running away. \nThe situation was no longer peaceful—now that the authorities had been brought in, there was hostility in the air, as the squatters faced off against both the bikers and the authorities. John had no idea how everything had led to this. "],"title":"A Chaotic Afternoon","image":{"name":"rvgcjlwwt1ysbjou.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by dechevm/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

John and his lawyer stood to the side as the bikers blocked the squatters' escape. The tension in the air became palpable. The squatters barricaded themselves and bellowed for everyone to leave, while John's heart raced with anticipation.\nDespite the authorities' efforts to reason with the squatters, they remained resolute, and the standoff intensified. With every passing moment, the sense of unease grew, and it seemed as though the situation could erupt at any second."],"title":"A Tense Moment","image":{"name":"___ajl42kjugfy3ix4x.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":504},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":280}}}},{"text":["

No one was willing to make a move. The squatters didn’t move, and the authorities were hesitant about making a move, in an effort to keep a violent altercation from occurring. \nThe bikers, however, had had enough of this. They were sick of these squatters taking control of the situation and the authorities doing nothing. They had experience dealing with tense situations, and they used their expertise to plan a course of action. Still, John watched anxiously, as the bikers began to slowly move into action. He didn’t want a physical fight to ensue. "],"title":"Taking Action","image":{"name":"a4rqrp2nfknw50po.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by gl0ck/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":481},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

As John contemplated the situation, his mind raced with the potential dangers that lay ahead. John trusted the bikers and their ability to handle tense situations like this, while he hung back, anxiously awaiting updates and hoping for a peaceful resolution.\nHe watched as one of the bikers, Jake, led the others to their bikes and drove them back to the property, setting up strategic formation between the squatters and the authorities. This kind of move was sure to advance the situation in one way or another. Everyone held their breath as they waited for what could be a violent interaction."],"title":"Anything Can Happen","image":{"name":"aaubjzgto8pyu9w8.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by Evgeniy Isaev/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)","creditUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":479},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

Nobody was willing to back down or make the first move. Suddenly, a shot rang out from one of the squatters and chaos erupted. \nThe bikers ran for cover behind their bikes and everyone started to choke as the law enforcement finally decided to make their move, deploying tear gas canisters towards the squatters. Some of the squatters panicked and tried to flee to safety while others were determined to keep resisting and fired their weapons in a wild frenzy. "],"title":"Clash of Sides","image":{"name":"kyjyaola2sw5m45v.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by ifeelstock/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":266}}}},{"text":["

Using their bikes as shields, the bikers were able to protect themselves from the hail of bullets coming from the squatters. They moved as one impenetrable force, with the agility of a group that had been through this kind of situation before. \nTheir strength and power in numbers helped them gain on the squatters and overpower them. Even through the thick air of tear gas, the bikers moved, determined and focused on diffusing the violent situation. "],"title":"Bikes vs. Squatters","image":{"name":"iruuuj2x1td3qn41.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by Anita_Bonita/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":473},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":262}}}},{"text":["

Thanks to the bikers’ efforts, the squatters were subdued, and the authorities were able to step in to take them into custody, finally bringing the standoff to an end. It had been a nerve-wracking experience for all involved, but thankfully, no one had been seriously hurt due to the bikers' strategic movements. \nAs the dust settled, John approached his property with cautious relief. To his surprise, Jake approached him, nodding in a common understanding that the situation had finally been settled. It was a small but satisfying moment of recognition for John, and he felt grateful for the bikers' support throughout the ordeal."],"title":"Subduing the Squatters","image":{"name":"pqz6ylmaj4rjhv2d.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Kindel Media/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":540},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":300}}}},{"text":["

As the last of the squatters were removed from the premises and the bikers said their goodbyes to John, he settled the last of his affairs and took a deep breath. His house was finally his again. \nThe next few months were spent deep cleaning and renovating his house, but John didn’t mind. After the last few harrowing months of fighting for his home, he was happy to do it. He looked at this experience as a lesson and felt grateful that so many people had been supportive of him throughout the situation."],"title":"Finally Going Home","image":{"name":"v2frb13avvfyc5ii.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by Kallihora/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":267}}}},{"text":["

While at first, this situation seemed hopeless, John’s perseverance and determination at finding a solution shows us that anything can be solved if you work hard and ask for help, even from people you might not have thought to ask before.\nWe’re glad that John was able to finally settle into his own home, and we hope he’s able to live the simple life full of peace and quiet he had been hoping for since he first stepped off the plane. "],"title":"Looking to the Future","image":{"name":"x7y0hyhiqipckttp.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by vershinin.photo/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":267}}}}]}; window.pbjs = window.pbjs || {}; window.pbjs.que = window.pbjs.que || []; window.pbjs.que.push(function() { const enabledBidders = { "vidartb": true, "33across": false, "medianet": true, "sharethrough": false, "grid": false, "onetag": false, "triplelift": true, "nextmillennium": true, "vidazoo": true, "pubmatic": true, "rubicon": true, "seedtag": true, "outbrain": false, "openx": false, "rise": true, "underdogmedia": false, "appnexus": true, "criteo": true, "pgamssp": true, "imds": false, "teads": false, "vidartb_s2s": true, "33across_s2s": true, "medianet_s2s": true, "sharethrough_s2s": true, "grid_s2s": true, "onetag_s2s": true, "triplelift_s2s": true, "nextmillennium_s2s": true, "vidazoo_s2s": true, "pubmatic_s2s": true, "rubicon_s2s": true, "seedtag_s2s": true, "outbrain_s2s": true, "openx_s2s": true, "rise_s2s": true, "underdogmedia_s2s": true, "appnexus_s2s": true, "criteo_s2s": true }; window.pbjs.onEvent('beforeRequestBids', function(adUnits) { for (var iAdUnit = 0; iAdUnit < adUnits.length; iAdUnit++) { adUnits[iAdUnit].bids = adUnits[iAdUnit].bids.filter(function(bid) { if (enabledBidders[bid.bidder.toLowerCase() + (bid.bidSource && bid.bidSource.server === 100 ? 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} } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container.__wpd__landscape-full { padding-bottom: 0; } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container.__wpd__landscape-full .__wpd__sldshw { -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -ms-flex-direction: column; flex-direction: column; } @media (min-width:770px) { .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container.__wpd__landscape-full .__wpd__sldshw { box-shadow: none; } } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container.__wpd__landscape-full .__wpd__sldshw .__wpd__sldshw-details { margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container.__wpd__landscape-full .__wpd__sldshw .__wpd__sldshw-image { position: relative; } @media (min-width:770px) { .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container.__wpd__landscape-full .__wpd__sldshw .__wpd__sldshw-image { min-height: 300px; } } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container.__wpd__landscape-full .__wpd__sldshw .__wpd__sldshw-image .__wpd__sldshw-nav { display: block; } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container.__wpd__landscape-full .__wpd__sldshw-nav { display: none; } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw { position: relative; display: flex; box-shadow: 0 0 24px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, .2); -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -ms-flex-direction: row; flex-direction: row; min-height: 1px; } @media (max-width:770px) { .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw { -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -ms-flex-direction: column; flex-direction: column; } } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-header-container { display: -webkit-box; display: -ms-flexbox; display: flex; -webkit-box-pack: justify; -ms-flex-pack: justify; justify-content: space-between; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 20px; } @media (max-width:480px) { .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-header-container { margin-bottom: 0px; } } @media (max-width:770px) { .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-header-container { display: none; } } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-header-container.__wpd__mobile { display: none; } @media (max-width:770px) { .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-header-container.__wpd__mobile { display: -webkit-box; display: -ms-flexbox; display: flex; } } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-image { margin: auto; position: relative; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; min-height: 1px; text-align: center; } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-img-wrapper { display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100%; max-width: 750px; } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-image img { margin-bottom: 0px; height: auto; width: 100%; } .__wpd__sldshw-disabled-link { pointer-events: none; cursor: default; } .__wpd__sldshw-enabled-link { cursor: pointer; } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-image .__wpd__sldshw-img-credit { position: absolute; bottom: 10px; left: 10px; background: rgba(0, 0, 0, .3); padding: 5px 6px; } @media (max-width:420px) { .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-image .__wpd__sldshw-img-credit { bottom: 8px; left: 0px; } } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-image .__wpd__sldshw-img-credit>p { margin: 0; padding: 0px!important; font-size: 10px!important; line-height: 12px!important; color: hsla(0, 0%, 100%, .75)!important; text-align: left; } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-details { margin: 20px 14px 5px 24px; display: flex; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -ms-flex-direction: column; flex-direction: column; width: 100%; -webkit-box-pack: justify; -ms-flex-pack: justify; justify-content: space-between; } @media (max-width:770px) { .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-details { margin: 0; } } @media (max-width:770px) { .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw-text { margin: 0; } } @media (max-width:770px) { .__wpd__sldshw-slide-text { margin-top: 15px; } } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container h2 { font-size: 23px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0; line-height: 25px; } @media (max-width:770px) { .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container h2 { font-size: 20px; } } .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container p { font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; } @media (max-width:770px) { .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container p { font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; } } .__wpd__sldshw-view-single-page-container { margin-top: 95px; text-align: center; width: 100%; color: #bbbbbb!important; font-size: 15px; position: absolute; } @media (max-width:420px) { .__wpd__sldshw-view-single-page-container { margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 95px; } } #__wpd__previously_seen_top { font-size: 12px; } #__wpd__previously_seen_top_link { font-size: 12px; } span#__wpd__previously_seen_top { color: #a7a5a5; 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width: 100%; display: inline-block; } .__wpd__ad-med-rec-above-nnxxtt-button-center { text-align: center; width: 100%; } #__wpd__ad-med-rec-above-nnxxtt-button-right-wrapper { display: none; } #__wpd__ad-med-rec-above-nnxxtt-button-left-wrapper { display: none; } #__wpd__ad-tab-med-rec-above-nnxxtt-button-right-wrapper { display: none; } #__wpd__ad-tab-med-rec-above-nnxxtt-button-left-wrapper { display: none; } .__wpd__page-block-spacer { margin-bottom: 10px; } #__wpd__ba_widget_content { margin-top: 30px; } .__wpd__sldshw-before-image { overflow: hidden; } #__wpd__feed_between_articles { padding-top: 25px; } @media (max-width:480px) { header .td-module-meta-info { margin-bottom: 7px!important; } } .__wpd__adspot-title-container {line-height: 20px!important; text-align: center; background-color: rgba(128,128,128,0.1);} .__wpd__adv-block {text-align: center;} .__wpd__adspot-title {font-size: 12px; font-weight:bold; text-transform: none; text-align: center;color: #bbbbbb!important; margin-bottom: 10px!important;} .__wpd__adv-block {overflow: hidden;} .__wpd__content-container div[class*=column]:first-of-type {margin-right: 0px;} .__wpd__sldshw-header-container-bottom {display: none!important;} .__wpd__main-container {margin-top: 0px!important;} .__wpd__content-container {padding-top: 0px!important; margin-top: 0px!important;} .__wpd__sldshw-details {margin-top: 0px!important;} .__wpd__side-column {display: none!important;} #__wpd__mobilefooter_320x50-adspot-title-container {z-index: 99998;} @media (max-width: 1018px) { .td-container {padding-left: 0px!important;padding-right: 0px!important;} .td-post-title {padding-left: 10px!important;padding-right: 10px!important;} .post-body-wrap {padding-left: 0px!important;padding-right: 0px!important;} .__wpd__sldshw {padding-left: 0px!important;padding-right: 0px!important;} .__wpd__sldshw-slide-text p {padding-left: 10px!important;padding-right: 10px!important;} .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container h2 {padding: 10px!important;} .__wpd__sldshw-img-credit-text {padding: 0px!important;} } @media (max-width: 1018px) and (min-width: 768px) { .td-pb-span8 {width: 100%!important; padding-right: 0px!important; padding-left: 0px!important;} } @media (max-width: 770px) { .__wpd__content-container .__wpd__sldshw-container .__wpd__sldshw {border-radius: 0px!important; box-shadow: 0 0 0 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)!important;} } .td-post-content {margin-top: 0px!important;} img.entry-thumb {opacity: 1!important;} .author-box-wrap {display:none!important;} header .td-module-meta-info {margin-bottom: 0px!important;} .td-ss-main-sidebar > .td_block_wrap {margin-bottom: 25px!important;} 500px#__wpd__ad-tab-med-rec-above-nnxxtt-button-left-wrapper { display: none; }#__wpd__ad-tab-med-rec-above-nnxxtt-button-right-wrapper { display: none; }.__wpd__sldshw-slide-text p {font-size: 25px!important; line-height: 32px!important;}#td-top-mobile-toggle {display: none!important;} .tdb_mobile_menu {display: none!important;} div[id*='__sbrbinscrl-'], div[id*='__beforeimage_728x90-'], div[id*='__page-block-spacer-0'], div[id*='__ad-med-rec-above-nnxxtt-button-left-wrapper-'], div[id*='__ad-med-rec-above-nnxxtt-button-right-wrapper-'], div[id*='__sidebarextrabottom_300x250'], div[id*='__tabafterimage_728x90-'], div[id*='__tabbt_728x90'], div[id*='__middletext_320x50-'] { display:none!important; 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