LOCKED.

There are connections, laces, moments that make us trust people in unexplainable ways. That's what I felt when I first saw Sarah. Sweet, honest, smart, ... She was my own reflection complementing me like no one had before. She was the best friend I could ever ask for, the only one that could see me as who I really was, but all of a sudden it all became a blurred spot in my life.

It had been 4 days since I last heard from her and even if police told me not to worry, I couldn't take it out of my mind. Just imagining her murdered or kidnapped gave me goosebumps.

I loved running. It was the only way I could relax and clear my mind even if it was only for a moment. That's what I did that cold Saturday morning at 7.30am. I went out and run into the forest to try to get lost as I found some answers.

Leaves were rustling. I was panting. I could feel the wet mud splashing my legs as my feet struggled with the ground. Strong melodies danced the way into my ears from my headphones. It was a song playing to the rhythm of my heartbeat. A song that got lost in the distance as Sarah's voice came into me. I remembered her enthusiastic last words as I pictured her smile in my head.

"This is amazing Emma! Finally I'm going to be happy. I can't wait to see you too!"

Words that disappeared into my heartbeat while I felt my lungs stop working.

I ran home and took a look at my old, worn out notebook where I kept everything I knew. Sarah's last words, the address of her new house, the name of her new host mom, the number of the flight she took,...

Clues that were nothing but laces I couldn't tie together.

She was gone.

Tuesday, January 14th , 12.04pm

Sarah: "OMG a host family has texted me!"

Emma: "Really? Where are they from? Are they cool?"

Sarah: "It's a single mom with a 12 year-old and they live 6 months in New York and another 6 in San Francisco! The mom works in the fashion business and I could help her with that! I'll send you the screenshots of the conversation in a minute!"

Emma: " That's great! I think you're finally going to be happy with your new family! I know the last month has been really hard for you because of your host mom and stuff, but this sounds amazing!"

Sarah: " Yeah, they are perfect! I even have a small apartment for myself and I can bring friends!"

Emma: "I can't wait to visit you! I'm so happy for you! When are you leaving?"

Sarah: "The mom told me they need me as soon as possible so I'm leaving tomorrow!"

Emma: "Good luck! I'm sure you'll be happy and will have a great year with them! Don't forget to text me when you arrive!"

Sarah: " Yes I'm sure I will! I've sent you a picture of my flight number so that you know when I get there!"

Emma: "Perfect! Can't wait to see you!"

Sarah: "This is amazing Emma! Finally I'm going to be happy! I can't wait to see you too!"

Tuesday, January 14th, 11.23pm

I was so happy for her that I didn't even take the time to look at the screenshots of the conversation Sarah and Marion had. It all seemed too perfect though but I just thought she had good luck and had finally found a family that would love her and appreciate her work.

It wasn't until that night that I knew something was wrong.

I took my cell phone and I started reading all the screenshots Sarah sent me. They looked quite normal in the start but as I continued reading things started to get quite creepy. I started to read things like "call me ma'am or mistress", "Which are your limits?", "private room", "serve me", "be submissive", ... I couldn't stop thinking that woman was trying to sexually harass my friend or at least make her do things we were not supposed to do as au pairs.