Obsession

Chapter 34

In recent news we've been made aware that the six hundred girls who were found at a warehouse near 22nd and 4th litherby avenue and placed under the protective care of the police have been going missing.
According to our source 50 eighteen year old girls have been reported missing within the last two months. Of course none of these young women were being searched for because they are all legal adults and were thought to have run away until the connection was made between all these women and the police were finally able to take action. The police have assured that all their resources are being used to ensure that a repeat of the incident six years ago does not happen at all costs. The police have refused to give us the name of any suspects given the fact that the sole person to blame for that incident is currently in jail. Leaving us the to question whether the person who plead guilty in court and took all responsibility for all crimes committed was actually working alone. This raises a new question based on the adequacy of our protective forces considering the fact that many of us continue to face these dangers and more on a daily basis. Nevermind the fact that these women were mostly in the witness protection program and others had highly recommended bodyguards by the police.
There is no safe place out there. We urge our readers to stay safe and provide information and help by contacting...

I looked up from the piece on my phone. I had walked in blindly and given brad and the others a half assed greeting.

"Sorry, i was just reading this terrible news piece couldn't tear my eyes from it."
He shrugged "Evidently. Its fine." He said as i gave him a proper hug as well as Rebecca. "Where is everyone?" I asked Rebecca motioned down the hall. I wasn't sure what was there cause id never been so deep in his house. I entered the room first cutting off our small talk. I met Joe's eyes, but i couldn't decipher much.
I looked away and sat down realising that Jessica was asking me a question. "Sorry, what did you say?" She huffed. "I was just asking what you were doing for an hour and a half after school that you couldn't have joined us earlier."
"Oh nothing really. I just went out with my little brother and my phone was off." She nodded and the focus was finally off me. She was about to say something when Jennifer walked in she was pale and despite the warming weather she was shivering. I walked up to her and gave her a hug. Everyone was silent. "I can't be interrogated, I'll be put in jail for sure." I shook my head. "You did nothing wrong." I sat down and motioned for her to sit next to me she leaned her head on Jess's shoulder as i spoke. "Guys I'm so sorry, I forgot to tell you but I've already been interrogated and they told me they'd talk to you guys but it slipped my mind. I told them everything." I said looking at Calvin. Most of them caught on to my small look but just in case I outlined briefly what I'd said leaving out the part about Jennifer finding the knife. After i had put everyone at ease we all settled into comfortable conversation. We were now discussing the party this weekend.

"Yeah it's going to be amazing. We're all going to be there right" Joe said looking around the room.
"Nope I'm not really feeling a warehouse party."
"Aww come on please." Jessica pleaded with me. I shook my head. "Why not?" Jennifer asked. I sighed

"Its not my scene, besides last time i went was just... Crazy. I got assaulted and...." I said letting out a groan.
"You're kidding right? You have Calvin and all of us to keep you safe y'know. I promise nothing will happen." I was still a little skeptical. Jennifer sighed. This time Rebecca took over. "Is this about that article you read." I was shocked but it was in a way about that. I scrunched up my nose. "Sorta."
"What article?" Jessica asked. I took out my phone and opened up the news article then handed it to her.
She read it and we all sorta just watched her reaction.
"Okay yeah this is really bad."
Jennifer read it. "Yikes!" She handed my phone to Rebecca who handed it to Brad and they both had similar reactions. Brad gave it to Joe and he read it and once he was done he frowned. "This is some nasty shit and really worrying, but so what? The world is a bad place how does this affect us?"
"We could be partying somewhere people suffered heavily for years!"
He rolled his eyes. "I highly doubt that would happen and even if it did they're not suffering anymore right." I heard a few murmurs of agreement around the room. My eyes stung. I stood up and stormed out the room straight into the first room i saw where i then slammed the door shut. I sat on the floor leaning on the side of the bed.
I wiped away my tears. He was right. It shouldn't affect me or anyone else at those parties.

Unfortunately i know scene for scene everything those girls went through, I am one of those girls. As much as I was rescued physically every day and night I suffer from those memories, that fear and pain I felt for four years of my life. No twelve year old deserves what I went through and no child could forget those moments. There are six hundred people who know what I went through and fifty of them could be facing our demons once again.

The door opened and I looked up. Joe.
"I'm so confused right now." He said sitting next to me. I said nothing.

He wiped a tear falling down my cheek. I shifted a little away from him. "Don't."

He sighed pulling his knees up to his chest, mirroring my position.

"What's wrong. Because the whole break was your choice and I'm trying to be OK with it besides the fact that you didn't give me any reasons and now it seems like you hate me or something like- " I cut him off.
"I don't hate you,i could never hate you. I'm in an emotional state cause of something i just cant tell you."
"Is that why you dumped me." I nodded my head. "Its just so complicated. I'm not strong enough to tell you and trust that everything will be fine between us. Any of us." I said referring to my friends outside. He held out his hand. "We're your friends and we love you. We may not know you all too well bit we've learnt enough this past month to know that we care. You know our group has never been this close, besides the fact that we lost Owen and Crystal, and Ray refuses to associate with us. Do you know what the best part about having friends is?" I nodded. "You have people you can trust and have fun with." He nodded his head. "Plus you know you always have someone to lean on."
I took his hand and we smiled.
"Thank you." I said.