Watched

Before

I grew up in Bailey's Harbor, Wisconsin. A small town, but I loved it. We had a large farmhouse, some land, and even a couple horses. I went to school, joined the elementary school choir and theater program, and even played soccer. Nothing was really unusual, until 2nd grade. One day at recess, a couple of my friends and I saw a man walking a dog. Of course, we asked the teachers if we could go pet it. So we did. The man was tall, dark hair and bright green eyes. He had the cutest dog, a black lab. The kids loved it. He was nice to us all, but that day, he paid particular attention to me.

"Well, aren't you pretty! You have lovely blonde hair. Oh my goodness, and what pretty blue eyes!" He said. I turned away, focusing back on the dog. "Hey now, don't be shy! I'm John. John Meyers." I looked up at him. "Ava." At that moment, the teachers called the students back inside. He waved as we walked off, but kept his eyes on me. Only me.

Soon after, he showed up more and more. He always tried to get my attention. He started showing up at school every day. After a couple of weeks, the teachers called the police. "I'm just here to see my friend Ava! Ava Ruby." He told them. I had never told him my middle name. Soon after, it was more than just school. He started sending me flowers at home, at my performances... He even showed up at my soccer games. The police said as long as he wasn't hurting me, they couldn't do anything. After 3 months, it got worse. One day, my mom got the mail. There was a letter, to me, with no return envelope. We, of course, knew who it was. She opened it at the kitchen table, and when she did, she screamed. Inside were polaroids of me sleeping. It continued on for another month when he finally made his move.

It was right after a soccer game. Our team had just won 5-0. I was waiting a bit away from the field, while mom and dad talked to Coach Jones. Mr. Meyers walked up to me, telling me how proud of me he was. I started to walk away, but he grabbed me. Before I knew it, I had a bag over my head. I screamed as loud as I could and began to kick and thrash as hard as I could. I felt him pick me up and start to carry me, and then I hit the ground. Mom picked me up, taking the bag off my head. I watched as he punched my father, then ran off. He was later found, arrested, tried, and convicted, but not just what he did to me.

"So, he's gone? For good?" She asked. The officer nodded.

"Yes, ma'am. He was sentenced to 40 years, not just for what he did to your little one."

"W-What do you mean "not just what he did" to my daughter?"

"He confessed to some... Pretty nasty stuff. It's pure God's Grace he didn't do anything else to her." The woman glared at the officer.

"Anything else?! He stalked her! He tried to KIDNAP HER! I know worse could have been done, but... It was enough." The woman sighed. The officer frowned, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"You don't have to worry anymore. He won't be bothering you ever again."

*15 years later*

"Yes mom, I know. Keep my doors locked. Don't go anywhere without my taser. Really? Don't talk to strangers? I'm 22." I laugh. "Alright, well, I'm gonna grab dinner and head to bed. Jetlag. I love you too. Bye." I smile as I hang up the phone. I didn't really lie, I am tired. I mainly just wanted to get off the phone. I love my mom, but she can get... overprotective. Can't really blame her, after what happened. I finished elementary school, middle school, high school, and then? I took a break. Why did I take a break? Mom didn't want me to move off on my own. Oh well.

A studio apartment, in New York City. I caught a lucky break, getting this thing. Cheap monthly rental, which is good. I start classes at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in two weeks. Mom and dad flew with me to New York. We moved all my stuff in, and then, they left. I didn't cry, but my mom did. Mom cried a lot. It took a lot of convincing to get her to leave. Dad basically had to carry her out. She worries about me, and I understand why, but it's not really needed. I've changed.

I'm 22 now. I don't look the same as I did when I was 7. I'm not as... Vulnerable. I've taken self-defense classes and learned to trust my instincts. My hair is no longer that "lovely blonde", but now a bright teal blue. A couple tattoos, but not many. I'm no longer skinny, but I now have nice curves. Mom suggested I change my name, but the guy is in prison! He can't touch me now. He never will. I'm living my dream. I got accepted to an amazing school to study theater. I'm living in New York City. I'm making a whole new life. A whole new me, even. I'm not scared to live. I'm not scared to be Ava Ruby Masterson. That fear is long gone, as is my life as a small, helpless girl living in a small, Wisconsin town.

This is me now, and NOTHING will stand in my way.