The things you didnt know.

Its not funny how often bad things happen to good people. This story isnt mine but if i know my friend i know she would want her story told. This story takes place freshman year, im not too sure as if it was her freshman year as well, because she dropped out soon after her world came crashing down. All i remember about the day she disappeared was a announcement on the intercom at school about her missing and talk about her running away to get attention. Sadly i believed it, till a year later when by chance we became acquainted and i heard her story.1

Naomi was, you could say, a sheltered girl by her parents. Staying over at friends houses was something her parents seldom let her do. In my personal opinion and im sure others would agree, their shelter of her allowed her to be naive and trust anyone. I remember rolling my eyes as she told me i needed to be careful of who i trusted and how i opened up to much. Internally i wanted to smack her for judging me and thinking i hadnt been through anything. Who was this girl thinking she knew about my life and what i had been through. To me she didnt know shit.2

I set my anger off to the side and let her continue.3

I remember hearing her voice tremble as she tried to put the words together. Starting a story like hers is never easy, nothing about her story was easy to tell any person, let alone a stranger. As i listened to her breathing and understood how it felt to be on her side of the conversation she spoke the words that started her story.4

"Not to long ago i was in a position like yours. I trusted people, people i shouldnt have," i stopped her there.5

"I dont trust everyone, i trust very few people. My parents just think they know more about me than they do." I tried not to get angry. My mother gave Naomi my number because she thought i was whore and wanted to show me what kind of life i could fall into. My mother was far from the truth about me.6

"At least your a step ahead of the game," she replied. "I just trusted someone when i should have followed my instincts and run.7

"I became close to girl at school. We hung out a lot and became fast friends. My mom didnt like her but i begged to let her come over. My mom was reluctant for a while but she finally caved and i was allowed to bring Alice to the house. Alice seemed like your average girl from our town. She wasnt well to do but she didnt seem to mind," she took a deep breath. The story was going deeper into the memories i knew she wanted nothing more but to forget. 8

"Alice wanted me to clean condos with her and her father one weekend. I knew what my mom would say, so i sucked up. I cleaned the house did all my work and thought of the perfect way to ask. Mom said no, so i told her she could talk with Alice's dad to prove that's what we would be doing. She hesitated before she finally said ok.9

"Alice and her dad came Friday. Mom made sure i wasnt lying and asked a lot of questions about our plans. He told her we were just cleaning condos and that we would be making some money. He gave her the address of where i would be staying and told her we had to get going. I was so happy as i hugged mom goodbye, she finally let me go but with a look that seemed like it would be the last time we ever saw each other. I knew it was nothing more than mom worrying."10

Though i couldn't see Naomi's face i could picture it. Red eyes, fighting tears, knowing if she had just stayed home nothing would have ever gone wrong and she would be the same girl she always was.11

"Things started to seem fishy when we got to Alice's house. Her dad dropped us off and said he would be back for us in a bit. We waited 2 hours before i finally asked for a glass of water. As i drank it i noticed a funny taste but i thought it was just tap and around here the tap water was always funny tasting. Thats where things get fuzzy. I dont remember anything after the water until i woke up," her breathing got heavy and i could hear the pain in her voice as she continued. "I was on a mattress, just a mattress on a floor, in a dark room. I had no clothes and my head hurt. There were voices i could hear coming from the hall one sounded like Alice but i was to groggy to be sure. My purse was in the room with my clothes in the corner. I stumbled over and found my cellphone. The only thing i could think to do was call mom. The second she answered all i could say was 'mommy help me please' then my phone died and a man came in the room. Ill never forget his eyes," she told me. "There was this glint like he was getting pleasure from seeing me frightened, naked, and helpless. I tried to run but it didnt work. I was either knocked out or i wont let myself remember much. The parts i do remember i wish i didnt. I would wake up to someone on top of me. I was now tied down and my wrists and ankles felt like they were bleeding. Id scream and they would hit me. My stomach felt as if something was eating its way through it and i knew there was blood between my leg. It was the worst feeling to know i should have ran the second i met Alice, i should have listened to mom, and i should have known better.