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Olivia
I’d been spending a lot of time at the station with Elliot. Our job was always busy. There were always sexual assault crimes happening around us. Mine and Elliot’s daughter Josephine was 6 and just starting 1st grade. I’d given her a pep talk before she boarded the bus with her sister Kathleen. When Elliot and I had first gotten together, he already had Kathleen with his first wife. She was 15 now and a great big sister to Josie. I’d been dating Stabler for 6 months before I’d found out I was pregnant with Josie. At that time, Kathleen was almost 11, and Elliot had recently divorced his first wife. Now, Kathleen was a freshman in high school, and she had so many friends it was hard to keep up with them. I was her step-mom, but I believe she and I were getting along just fine. She hadn’t shared a lot with me at first, and she was still visiting her mother on weekends, but now, she seems to open up more to me than with Elliot. With Josie, she’s my little girl, and I want her to enjoy all the things and stay little for as long as possible. Right now, she’s into books and drawing. She wants to be an artist, and I think she can be whatever she wants. I’ll support her in it all.

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Olivia I was interrogating a couple friends of the victim we’d found in a dark alley. We’d found this young girl - the looks of her to be 17 - who had been found dead. Of course, we were waiting on the lab results from the medical examiner back at the station, but her two friends seemed terrified that their friend had just died.I had to ask the routine questions. “Do you know of anyone who would have wanted to harm your friend in any way?”“No. I don’t think so.” The one girl responded with a shaky voice. I hated to have these sexual assault crimes happen to anyone, and I meant anyone.  “Do you know of the places you all liked to go together?”“Camp. We go there every Summer.” The other responded. “Camp Seaside.”I looked at Elliot for a brief moment.“Do you know anyone that works there?” Elliot asked the two girls.“Yeah, almost everyone. There’s this one guy, he’s like super cute.”“There’s a lot of cute guys there. They’re all camp counselors.”“Do you know any of their names?” I asked them.“Not really. We just call them by their last names. Mr. Jones, Mr. Casey, and Mr. Sanchez.”“Thank you,” Elliot began to say, “that’ll be all.”

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Kathleen I followed my younger sister down the winding hallway of the school. Our school went from Kindergarten to 12th grade. I’d been spending all day with my friends and then found my sister trying to size up some boys older than her. I walked over to them. They must have been at least 4 years older than Josie. By the time I’d made it over to the boys, they’d walked on. “Josie, what were you doing? Those boys are 5th graders. You don’t try to size up those guys.”“They were trying to be mean to my friend Suzie. I was just trying to stand up for her.”“They could beat you up if you aren’t careful.” I handed her book bag over to her. “But they didn’t Katie.” Josie took her book bag and lifted it as best she could over her shoulder.“I know, but they could have. Just be careful next time, okay?” I took my sister’s hand. “Come on, let’s get onto the bus before the other kids try to steal all the good seats.”

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Camp Seaside

Olivia
I’d made it to the campsite with Elliot. Of course, there weren’t any kids here, because they’d all be in school. Also, it wasn’t Summer break for another 2 months anyway. I’d been walking the gravel road for about half a mile before I came to a small office building partially secluded by trees. I knocked on the door a couple of times. A tall blonde woman came to the door. Her hair was in a bun on the top of her head. “Hello. My name is Olivia Benson. This is my partner Elliot Stabler. I was wondering if we could ask you a couple questions.”“Oh, yeah, sure. Why don’t we take a walk? It seems to help me clear my head.” The blonde woman inquired.I took a walk with Elliot and the blonde. “What’s your name, and how long have you been working at this camp?”“My name’s Stefanie Foster, and I’ve been working here for about 2 years now.”“And, how many kids would you say you watch over at camp?”“Well, between me and Cindy and 3 younger guys - about 35 kids a year. Sometimes, 40. I have helped these younger guys become counselors over the last 4 months.”“And do you let the guys ever stay in the girls’ cabins?”“Oh, no. They’re only supposed to be around them when we have campfires or at the mess hall when we have meals. Or activities with the girls. They are never supposed to spend any time with the girls in their cabins for any reason. The boys and girls have separate campsites even for the training counselors.”I looked over at Stabler for a minute. This woman took her job very seriously. “Do you know if Cindy is in the office with you today? Maybe we can talk to you both.”“She’s not in today. I’m the only one in the office. We all have our schedules. She comes in tomorrow to work with me. You can try then.”“Thank you, Stefanie. You’ve been a big help.”The woman smiles. “Please, Detective. Call me Stef. Everyone does.”

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Olivia Elliot and I left the campsite and headed back to the station. By the time we got down to the Medical Examiner’s office, she told us the marks on the young girl proved to be sexual assault. By whom, we hadn’t figured that out yet. We’d talked to some of the girls from Camp, but they had been terrified to even speak much to us. They did however, lead us to the camp, where we spoke to this blonde woman - Stef Foster. Who seemed to know what she was doing. She took her job seriously. I looked at the clock on my cell phone. 3:30. Our daughters would be arriving at the station at any time now. I’d hoped their first days as 1st and 9th graders were eventful. Our day at the station and in town, definitely was. Not the greatest version of eventful, though, considering a young girl was raped and killed. As it almost always happens. “Mommy!” I heard a little girl say, running into the lobby of the station. I’d met them downstairs with Elliot. “Hey, there, Josie. How was your first day?”“Great. I met a new friend Suzie. She’s actually in 2nd grade. She said she’d help me with hard equations in Math. I told her I’d help her with her reading, writing and English. Those are my favorites.”“I’m glad you had a good day.”“Oh, don’t forget about sizing up 5th graders.” She seemed to be joking, but she’d just outed Josie.“What happened?” I asked both girls. I looked at Kathleen and back at Josie.“I was just protecting Suzie. They were picking on her. I didn’t get hurt.”“I told her she could’ve gotten beaten up by those jerks. I know them.”“Kathleen,” Elliot sighed. “I’m glad you were protecting your sister. And, Josie, Kathleen’s right. You need to be careful around older boys.”I smiled at Josie. “Just promise you won’t try to size them up, sweetie. You’re too young to try and talk them down. Older boys can be intimidating.”Josie nods. “Sure, Mommy. Daddy. I will be more careful. Besides,” She said with a little sass in her tone, “when I’m old enough, I know I can size them up whenever I want to.”

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Kathleen I was getting ready for bed that night and helping my sister move it along. “Josie, you weren’t supposed to tell Olivia and Dad you wanted to size up those boys when you grow up. I’m supposed to protect you.” I hadn’t called Olivia Mom before. I wasn’t ready. I had a Mom, and I wasn’t ready to consider having two Moms.“Yeah, but Mom and Dad have this amazing job trying to protect people. Help them. Why can’t I learn to protect myself when Mommy and Daddy aren’t around?”She did have a point, but I don’t think even as a first grader she understood what Olivia’s and Dad’s job was exactly. Besides, it would freak her out.“Come on. We have to get to bed. We have an early day of school tomorrow, and please, do not try to size up those boys again, okay?”“Fine. Whatever you say, Katie.” Olivia “You two better get a move on it. The bus will be here any second.” I told them the next morning after what seemed like a very quick breakfast. “You have to walk down to the bus stop, and you definitely don’t want to miss the bus.” I gave Kathleen a hug and Josie a kiss on the forehead. “Have a nice day!” I called after them, as they were rushing themselves out the front door.“I just hope she doesn’t try to size up those 5th graders again.” I added, answering the phone automatically. “Benson.”I heard Elliot next to me. “Stabler.” I had already gotten used to saying Benson that I hadn’t ever thought about once calling myself Stabler as well. By the sound of the person on the other end of the line, I knew today was going to be a very long day.

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Camp Seaside
Olivia I had hurried back to the campsite that morning with Elliot. It was a crime scene here. There was yellow tape all around the lake and trails of blood leading to the lake as if someone had been dragged. I saw the blonde - Stef - running over towards us. “Oh, my god. I’m so thankful you got here. I called the 911 operator. When I got into work this morning, I couldn’t find Cindy. She has been my best friend since I started working here. I called her name, and I didn’t know what happened, I swear. I came out here, because I was going to help her clean up for Camp in 2 months. She always comes out here to clean out the lake for the kids. They love to jump in the water when it’s super hot outside. That’s when I saw blood.”Well, there goes the plan to talk to Cindy. I thought, looking over at Stef. She seemed distraught but at the same time, keeping her cool, because she seemed to be a strong woman. I was kneeling by the body with the Medical Examiner. She took a sample of Cindy’s fingerprints. I could tell the way Cindy was laying on the ground, it was another sexual assault of some kind. Had to be. I looked over at Elliot. I sighed inwardly. Two deaths in two days. This was crazy. We had to figure out who the person was that assaulted these two women, whether it be one person or someone with an accomplice.“Stef,” I began, looking at the blonde for a brief moment, “would you mind coming down to the station? We’d like to ask you some questions.”

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The Station
Olivia “Please, have a seat.” I told Stef as I stood by the wall. I saw her sit down in the chair and I saw her hair was put up in the same bun on the top of her head.“Did you know of anyone who had any grudges against Cindy?”“No, none. I mean, not from me. We were inseperable.”“Did you know of anyone working here at Camp who would want to harm her in any way? One of the guys, maybe?”“The trainees were all friendly to Cindy. I mean, all that I could tell. I’m usually very good at reading faces, and none of those trainees would hurt anyone. They’re supposed to be there to help the girls. Become their friend, not their enemy.”“How many sets of keys do you have to the campsite?” Stef seemed to answer all these questions with no problem. “16. One for each of the cabins for the girls and guys, one for the office and one for a storage room we have. The storage room houses all the extra uniforms for the campers and staff. Cindy and I would take turns locking up the office and the storage building each night.”“We’d like to take a look around tomorrow, if you don’t mind.” Elliot began to say.I hadn’t heard him speak much this whole time. He always let me do most of the talking anyway. “Yes, Detective Stabler.” Stef nods. “You can search the place. Anything to help the situation. I want to know who did this to Cindy and to that other young girl. It’s awful what happened to them. In all honesty, Detectives, I want justice for them both.”

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Olivia “Two women dead in 24 hours? That’s crazy.” I shook my head. “The Medical Examiner said they were both around the age of 30 and only the young girl was single. Cindy was Caucasian. The other girl was Latina. Cindy had a fiancé. One of the boys from the campsite. Mr. Jones. Casey Jones.”“Wow. Well, he has to be another guy we interrogate tomorrow.” Elliot seemed to remind me. How could I forget? Sexual Assault was real and tangible in this world, and it sucked.

Late that Night

Josie “Katie,” I began to whisper. I figured my older sister was asleep, but I had to see if I could wake her. The clock said Midnight. I couldn’t sleep. I was too busy thinking about Camp and how two women had died there. “Katie.” I said a little louder this time.She seemed to stir in her sleep, trying to get comfortable again.“Katie, are you awake? I need to ask you something.” I whispered again.She mumbled. “What, Josie, please, go back to sleep. We have school in the morning.”“Do you think they’ll close down camp this Summer?”She turned over and slowly opened her eyes. She looked in the direction of her sister.“I don’t know, Josie. Probably not. Olivia and Dad will figure out who’s responsible for these assaults and arrest them.”“Katie,” I began to say in a soft voice.“Yes, Josie.” “What is Sexual Assault? How bad is it?”“Let’s just say it’s really bad and people get hurt. It’s not consensual.”“What’s consensual?”Katie slowly propped herself up on an elbow and kept looking at her sister. “It means when someone allows the other to do whatever they want.”“Why do these people get hurt? Do you think it would happen to us?”“I don’t know why they get hurt, Josie. It’s not their fault.” She gave a soft smile. “Don’t worry. It won’t happen to us. Remember, I’m going to protect you from all harm. You’re safe with me. Nothing bad will happen to you.”

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The Medical Examiner’s Office
Olivia I was looking at the fingerprints found all over the first girl’s body. I was also seeing if they matched on Cindy’s body and they had. “How about any residue from the assault?” I’d figured there would be any sort of semen from the guy who had assaulted the young girl and Cindy.“Just on the girl’s clothes. Both Cindy’s and this young girl’s. From the same guy. He seemed to have wanted revenge of some kind. I wish I knew what could’ve persuaded him. These women were very young, and one was engaged.”“Yes, I know. Apparently, Cindy was engaged to a Casey Jones.” I told the Medical Examiner.“I’ll have to check out the guy’s records, other than what we know, which is he works at Camp Seaside every Summer.”“Good luck, Detectives.” The Medical Examiner replied.

Camp Seaside

Stef I’d seen both Detectives come back in the afternoon to check out the storage building and the office. I had mentioned they could have a look around. I’d also like to know what’s going on. “How well do you know a Casey Jones that works here with you?”“Just that he was Cindy’s fiancé, and he enlisted in the Army.”“Do you know where we can find him?” Elliot asked.“Yeah, except, when he enlisted, he moved to Boston. That’s where the base is.”“Do you have his contact information handy so we can contact him?”“It’s over on his desk.” I said, walking over to his now old desk and handing Detective Benson a copy of his ID and contact card.“Thank you, Stef.” Detective Benson smiled.“You’re welcome, Detective. Also, please let me know if you find anything out. I’ve been wrestling with closing down Camp this Summer.”“You shouldn’t have to do that. I’m sure we will find out more information before Summer Camp begins.” Detective Benson added. I smiled. “I’m sure you’re right.”“We’ll let you know what we find out about your friend. Thank you for letting us stop by.” The Detectives leave, and I continue cleaning to get ready for Summer Camp, which I hope I can still pull off in a couple months with all that has been going on.

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2 weeks later
 Josie I had to go to school, I mean, it was the middle of the year, but even closer to Summer Camp. With all that Mom and Dad have been doing, I had hoped Summer Camp wasn’t closed this year. “Katie, I haven’t seen Suzie for a couple days at school. You know, I hope everything’s okay. It’s only been 2 weeks.”“I’m sure it is, but after school, we’ll head over to the station and talk with Olivia and Dad, okay?” She gave me some reassurance. I just hoped she wasn’t involved in all this Assault that’s been happening.“Can I use your cell phone, Katie?” I asked. I wanted to call Suzie’s house.“Why? We can talk to Olivia and Dad after school.”“I want to see if she’s home, please? I want to stop this from happening, especially to my best friend.”“Josie, we don’t know if that’s happening to Suzie.” I saw she had begun to take her phone out of her pocket anyway.I took the phone from my older sister. I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I knew Suzie’s house number by heart. It wasn’t hard to remember. 555-0127.  I looked at my sister. She looked annoyed that I had just taken her phone, but she stood there, waiting. I heard the phone ring, once, twice. I knew her parents worked, but maybe she was just home by herself. She didn’t pretend to be sick. Ever.Voicemail. Sorry you’ve reached the voicemail box of 555-0127. Please leave a message after the beep. “Suzie, please, pick up. Please call me back when you get this message. I have to know that you’re okay.”I handed the phone back to Katie. “No answer.”“Like I said, Josie, this doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t mean this has happened to her, it doesn’t mean she’s in danger of being Assaulted, and it doesn’t mean she’s not at home. Maybe she's at work with her parents or staying with her grandparents.”I had a hold of my backpack by the strap. I was angry. I was upset. I didn’t want to believe anything Katie was saying. Just because I was in First Grade and didn’t understand what Assaulted meant, didn’t mean I couldn’t do something about this. I had to find my best friend. We are supposed to go to Camp together this year, and I want to make sure that still happens.I threw my bag in Katie’s direction with force and it hit the wall beside her locker with a thud. Metal could be heard reverberating down the almost empty halls.I turned on my heels and ran towards the back doors of the school.“Josie!” My sister called after me. Her voice echoed through the hallways.I had to find out where my friend was and make sure she was okay.

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Josie I’d run as far away from school as I could. The station where Mommy and Daddy worked was literally 2 blocks down the street. I had to go there. I had to talk to them, but I couldn’t. Not yet. I had to run down to Suzie’s house and see if she was really home. Something could’ve really happened to her.When I’d made it to Suzie’s front door, I found it ajar. “Suzie? Are you here, are you home? It’s me.” I didn’t say anything else in case there was an attacker in the house with her. I could hear crying. I walked into her house and found her knelt down by her grandmother.“Suzie, what happened?”“Grammy fell. She fell while protecting me.”“Protecting you from what?” I saw the blood trickling down from her grandmother’s forehead.“A bad man. He tried to get to me. Grammy’s been staying here watching over me while Mom and Dad are at work. I didn’t come to school, because Grammy’s getting older. They wanted me to stay with her.”“Did you check for her pulse? Is she still breathing?”“No, I didn’t check for a pulse. She just fell, and I didn’t know what to do.”I knelt down by my best friend and touched the side of her Grammy’s neck. There was a pulse but not much of one. “She’s breathing but barely. I’ll get help. Lock the door and windows and stay here. I’ll be right back, I promise.”  The Station Olivia I heard footsteps running towards me in a panic. “Josie, Josie, are you alright?” I took her arms gently and looked her in the eyes. “Breathe, sweetheart. What happened?”“I checked on Suzie. I thought something bad had happened to her. When I got there, the front door was ajar. I found her kneeling by her Grammy. She fell protecting her from some bad man. The bad man wasn’t there when I arrived. I swear it.”“Honey, slow down,” Elliot began to say, hearing his youngest daughter catching her breath, “and don’t swear. Does Suzie’s grandmother have a pulse?”“I checked. There’s barely one, and when she fell, she must’ve hit her head. She’s bleeding. Please, Mommy, Daddy, we have to help her.”“Wait, you ran all the way here by yourself?”“Yes, Mommy. I had to. It’s the only way to get here.”I patted my daughter’s back to help her catch her breath after running all the way here. “Okay, sweetheart. Come with us. We’re going to save Suzie’s Grammy. I promise. Then, we have to get you back to school. You shouldn’t walk back by yourself.”.

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4 weeks later
 Olivia I’d helped Josie’s friend Suzie’s grandmother get the help she needed several weeks ago. I had her taken to the hospital to recuperate. She had a slight concussion from her fall. Suzie and Josie went back to school. This week is their last before Summer Camp. Stef Foster hadn’t canceled camp for this year, but had written out the rules in the mess hall for them to follow. The grades would go from 1st to 12th. That meant Kathleen would be going to camp with her sister this year. They’d gone together for 2 years.Elliot and I had gotten closer to finding out who the person responsible for raping the two women from camp and killing them had been. We hadn’t put a name to the guy, because in each picture he was wearing a black robber's mask that only showed his eyes, nose and mouth. Which didn’t seem like much help. Kathleen “Katie, Katie, where are you going? You are supposed to drive me over to the hospital. You got a car now. I want to see Suzie and her Grammy this week before Summer Camp.”“Olivia said the doctor confirmed she’s healing up, but I can’t take you today. Sorry.”“Katie, Katie, why not? You had promised.” She didn’t whine, but she was close to it.“I didn’t promise, and I’ll take you tomorrow, okay? I’ve got a date with a guy. He’s taking me to his work after school today. He works as a cop. He used to live in San Diego, and now he’s moved here.”“Is this guy the same one you’ve secretly been seeing for 3 weeks?”“Yeah, well, what if it was? You’re too young to understand what a relationship is.”“Am not. It’s when the two of you care about each other. Does he care about you?”“Yes, as a matter of fact, he does. I care about him a lot too. But, you can’t mention this to Olivia and Dad.”She crosses her arms. “Is he supposed to come to Camp next week?”“Maybe, not sure. He didn’t say he was coming.”There was Josie’s sassy tone again. “Well, he can’t stay in your cabin with the other girls. They have a rule. No guys allowed inside.”“Matter-of-fact, much? Josie, look. He’s older than you. He’s only 2 years older than me. He called me his girlfriend. I’m allowed to accept that.”Her sassy tone would get Josie in trouble one day, she knew, but I heard her say these words.“Yeah, and Daddy said you’re not allowed to have a boyfriend until you’re 19, and are you 19? No. All these bad things are happening by this one bad man that’s out there, and you’re supposed to be protecting me, Katie. Not off gallivanting with some guy.”“Woah, woah. Do you even hear yourself? Gallivanting? That’s a big word for an almost 2nd grader, now, isn’t it? And also, Casey isn’t like that. He’s a gentleman. He used to be in the Army in Boston.”“Fine. Go on your date. But you better take me to the hospital to see Suzie’s Grammy tomorrow. Or I’ll find my own way.”

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The next day
 Josie I was getting ready for school, and I found my older sister talking on the phone probably with Casey, because she kept giggling like a fangirl or something. “Come on, you have to take me to school!” I’d noticed that every single time Katie tried talking to me, she always seemed in a mood. I figured it was because of Casey. She kept talking on the phone in secret, and all I’d hear was, Casey told me… and Casey is such a gentleman. Oh, my god. Casey this and Casey that. It’s like she was obsessed with her new beau, and he was probably not even 2 years older than her. He was probably more.“No, go ask your Mom. Can’t you see I’m busy?”She said, Your Mom as if she was never going to call Olivia her own mother. Like ever.“It’s just my little sister. No biggie. Now, when do I get to meet all your cop friends?”I’d left the room, not even caring what Katie had just told the guy on the phone. “Mommy,” I began to say, “could you please give me a ride to school. Katie is too busy to even give me the time of day.”“Sure, sweetie,” She began to say, looking toward the staircase and over to Elliot.I could hear Daddy walk over to the staircase and yell, in a stern voice, “Come on, Kathleen. Let’s get a move on it. Now.”I followed Mommy to her car. I sat in the middle of the backseat as I always had. I saw Kathleen get into the car, her phone now tucked into the pocket of her backpack. “Here’s your backpack. You forgot it.” She said, trying not to sound forceful. 
After school
I stayed behind and got my backpack. I was supposed to go to the hospital and see Suzie’s Grammy today. I was going to ask Katie, but she seemed to have a problem with me today. Ever since she started talking to her new beau Casey.“Katie, could you please take me to the hospital? I want to see Suzie and her Grammy.”She looked around as if she had something better to do.“Never mind. I’ll get my own ride.”“What are you thinking? Hitchhiking? You can’t get your own ride, dumbass.”I looked at Katie. What had gotten into her lately? I didn’t have to ask what she’d just called me, because basically I was dumb to her.“I wasn’t going to… You know what, never mind.”Katie sighed. “Come on. Let’s just go to my car, okay? I’ll just ask Casey to wait on me.”

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Boston
Jane I had to get into work with Maura at the station. Ma was already up making breakfast.“Good morning, Jane. I made eggs and sausage, if you’d like some.”“Oh, thanks, Ma, but I’m running a little behind today.”“At least have coffee, please.” Ma told me. She made me a to-go cup.“Thanks, Ma.” I took the cup from her. I just couldn’t tell her the smell of it made me nauseous. Coffee never made me sick.I headed out the door and out to my car. I was about to throw the to-go cup of coffee in the trash when Maura came outside. “No, you don’t. I’ll drink it.”

The Boston Police Department

“So, have you had any messages from that guy you dated for 4 months?” She began, walking with her to the elevator to go upstairs. “What was his name? Casey.”“No. I stopped talking to him the day after he had proposed to me. I turned down the proposal, because I found something better. Someone better.”Maura smiles. “Oh, did you?” She joked. “I’m sure that someone better is around here somewhere.”I smiled and let out a soft laugh. “Maura, you’re funny. You know that?”“I’ve not really been told that I’m funny very often, but if it’s from you, I’ll make an exception.” She gave a soft kiss on Jane’s cheek. “Are you feeling any better this morning? You almost threw away perfectly good coffee.”“I could be, except that I’m nauseous today. Smelling coffee makes me nauseous. Coffee never does that.”Maura had to take a wild guess. “Have you taken any sort of pregnancy test?”We’d made it to the station on the 2nd floor of the Police Department. “What? No.” I seemed suddenly curious and surprised. “Casey’s not around to be a father. He deployed back into the Army right after I dismissed his proposal. He left in a hurry.”“I still think you should take a pregnancy test, and as a matter-of-fact, I thought this might happen so I came prepared.”I gave a small laugh again. “How’d you even know this would happen?”“Well, I didn’t, but you’ve not been enjoying any coffee or certain foods for a couple weeks now. I’m surprised Angela hasn’t figured it out yet.”“I can’t tell Ma yet, but I will. She already knows about us, but if I tell her about the baby…”“She’ll have a grandchild, Jane. You know that’s what she wants. Her kids have grown up and have their own lives now, she needs this. Please, promise me you’ll tell her.”I sigh. “You know you’re right. Okay, hand me that bag. I’ll be right back.”

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Jane I was waiting on the pregnancy test I’d just taken in the women’s bathroom. The box said wait a couple minutes. Those seemed like the longest couple minutes of my life. What if I am pregnant? I thought to myself. What am I supposed to do? Just call Casey up and say, Hey, you’re a father now. No. He’s not in my life anymore. I keep this away from him. He seemed upset anyway when I turned his proposal down.“Jane, are you okay in there?” Maura’s voice asked. She had entered the bathroom.I looked at the test. Pregnant. “Yes, I’m okay.” I walked out and showed Maura the test. “I’m pregnant. I just have to tell Ma.”“I’ll come with you, if you’d like me to.”“Yes, please, Maura.”I had gone down the elevator with Maura to the lobby of the Police Department. There Angela was making coffee at the coffee bar.“Oh, Jane, I made you some chocolate chip muffins.”“Thanks, Ma. Listen, I have been feeling off for the past couple weeks. I thought I’d let you know that I found the cause for this sudden change.”“You’re pregnant.”“Ma! How did you already know?”“Jane, I’ve had 3 kids. I start to notice changes in appetite and mood swings.”“Ma, I have not had mood swings.”Maura seemed to smile. “Jane, you got angry at the toaster yesterday morning, because the toaster strudel wouldn’t come out of the toaster fast enough for you to eat it.”I seemed to laugh. “Maybe a little.” My smile faded shortly after. “But, Ma, this baby… it’s Casey’s, and we aren’t together anymore.”“It doesn’t matter. You are pregnant, and I’ve got a grandchild now. Maura and I are here for you and the baby. You just have to promise me you’ll be careful at work, Jane. Your job is very serious and very dangerous.”I nod. “I love you, Ma.”She smiles and kisses my forehead. “I love you more.”

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Kathleen I had to call Casey. This crazy shit that had been happening in town was killing me. I had to tell him about all the killings, about all the rapings. I had to tell him everything. I didn’t know he was behind any of this as I was calling him. He was such a nice guy, and I seemed to trust him. Whatever form trust had in this situation.The phone rang once, twice. He answered the phone. He seemed to have been sleeping. “Oh, god, Casey. I’m so sorry to have woken you up.”“Oh, no. No. You didn’t Kathy. I just had a long night last night. What’s wrong? You okay?”“Oh, yeah. I mean, I’m fine. Just this town has gone to hell in a handbasket.”“What makes you say that, Kathy? It couldn’t be that bad.”“Oh, no?” I had to keep from laughing. A lot. “This town has gone crazy. I’m so thankful that my Camp counselor hasn’t canceled camp for this year… Considering there’s been 2 killings at the campsite already. My younger sister Josie told me her friend almost got hurt a couple days ago. Her grandmother took the fall, thank god.”He was suddenly quiet. Then, he said, “Killings? How do you know there’s been killings? Have you been talking to cops or something?”“Oh, my god. Casey, chill out, man. No, I have not been talking to cops.” I took a minute before I responded again. “Why are you so freaked out about this? It’s not like you’re in any danger.” I almost wanted to roll my eyes at him over the phone.He had to refrain from sounding menacing. He lowered his voice and in his tone, you could tell he was pissed. “Chill out? Don’t tell me to chill out, Kathy. This is serious. If any of this gets out, any of it, I’ll make damn sure someone will get hurt.”“Casey, you’re… you’re freaking me out. Why are you threatening me? I didn’t say anything about anyone getting hurt. I don’t know what you’re on, Casey, but you need to just take the day off. Take a break. Call me when you’re done wanting to threaten people. Wanting to hurt them.” I hung up the phone on him and threw it down on the bed. His words gave me chills, and I wanted nothing to do with him until he cooled off and stopped scaring me with words that he shouldn’t be saying. Threatening me. Him wanting to hurt people. This wasn’t like him, but then again, I honestly didn’t know anything about him. I didn’t know anything about what caused his anger. I wanted to know more about him, but I also didn’t know what he was capable of and knowing the truth would change everything.

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Josie Today was the last day of school before Summer camp started. I was packing at home with Katie, and we were supposed to head out to the bus that would be picking us up by the front of our house. There would be about 40 kids on that bus with us.The Camp counselor would greet us when we made it to camp. It sucked that she was the only female Camp counselor now that the other one - Cindy - died. I actually liked her too. I looked at Katie. She was looking down at her phone. I guess waiting for someone to call her. Maybe, her beau. I didn’t know what to say to her. She still seemed to be hating me at the moment.“Josie, I’ve been thinking.” Oh, my god. Did I actually hear her speak to me?I had a soft voice, at the moment, because I thought she was going to yell at me. “Oh, yeah?”Katie looks up at me. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. I think it had something to do with Casey. He’s made me on edge lately, and I took it out on you, instead of trying to calm down first. I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”I smiled softly. “Yes, Katie. I forgive you. May I ask you something?”“So, what…?” My voice got cut off, when I saw there were police cars at Camp. “What the heck is going on out there?” I blurted out in a partially hushed voice.“I don’t know, but I’m sure we’re about to find out.”

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Stef I was helping the kids get off the bus in a single-file line - a few at a time. I didn’t want to startle them, considering there were police out here. “Everyone stay by the bus for just a little while with your teachers.”There were 3 police officers at the Camp. There wasn’t any danger out, and I had to assure the teachers and the kids this.“It’s okay. These kind police officers are just here to watch over you, and they will stay here until all of you have made it to your cabins. There’s nothing to worry about. Summer camp is officially open this year.” Josie I was standing with Katie outside in the morning sunlight. There was a police officer standing near me, and I saw her smile at me.“What’s your name?” She asked me.“Josephine, but everyone calls me Josie.”“Nice to meet you Josie. My name is Athena. Who’s this lovely lady next to you?” She asked. She was so kind.“This is my older sister, Katie.”Kathleen looks at the police officer with a smile. “Hi, I’m Kathleen. My sister brags about me all the time.”“It’s okay to be bragged about. I have a sister myself. She’s younger.”“Oh,” I began to say, smiling more at the police officer - Athena. “Is she a police officer too?”She smiles. “No, but she is the vice principal in San Diego. Her name’s Lena.”“That’s a beautiful name. So is Athena.” “Why, thank you, Josie.”I heard Ms. Foster, our Camp counselor, speak up, and I turned my attention to her at the same time as Katie had. She was beginning to give us our cabin buddies.

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8 years ago
Lena I had just gotten out of high school. My sister and I have been inseparable since Day One. Our relationship hasn’t changed, even as Athena got her first boyfriend. Her first crush ever. Me, on the other hand, I hadn’t had my first crush, yet. She’d kissed multiple guys, but me, I hadn’t even kissed anyone. I wasn’t too shy, but I was book smart. I didn’t think a guy would be interested in someone with book smarts. Most guys love sports the best. Until this one boy found me outside by the bleachers reading a book. “Where the Crawdad’s Sing? Never heard of it. Mind if I sit?”I shrugged once then I said, “Sure, go ahead.”“I made this in woodshop. I’d like you to have it.”I smiled softly and took the creation from his hands. Our hands touched, but it didn’t seem to bother me. I didn’t feel any sparks.“It’s a bookend for your bookshelf at home. Assuming you have tons of books.” He seemed to laugh, but it wasn’t to make fun.“Thanks.” I put my book down and looked at him. He looked to be Latino. I didn’t know his name, and we’d gone to the same school for the last 3 years.“Miguel. That’s my name. You’re Lena, right?” He said, remembering my name.“Yeah. That’s me. I didn’t think you knew my name. You’re Gabe’s twin brother, right?”“How can I forget? I mean, you’re the smartest in class - and yes, I am Gabe’s twin brother. I guess that’s obvious.” I smiled softly. He was a nice guy. I didn’t know he’d want to hang with me, but here he was. “You might not be the party type, but there’s a party tonight at my house. I was wondering if you wanted to come along? You don’t have to, and I’d understand.”I had to think for a bit. “Oh, so, like a date?”“Oh… No, not really a date. More like as friends.”I didn’t really drink, and I wasn’t into going crazy at parties. That’s what I knew after school parties were like. I hadn’t been to a lot of them, but it’s something I’d heard about. I was quiet for a while. I could see Miguel’s facial expression turn into a questioning look.“Sure, why not? What time should I be there?”“Don’t be silly. I’ll have a cab pick you up at 5:30.”Okay then. I was going to an after school party.

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Lena I had just gotten ready for the party tonight. Miguel was having me take a cab to his house. I’d hoped I was dressing appropriately for tonight. Black slacks, teal ruffle top, and it only took me 2 hours to flat-iron my hair. It was made curly, because it’s always been that way. I was a smart, black woman, who unlike most girls, loved to dress up but also loved to just be casual. Just be me. I made it down the stairs to the front door, when I saw my older sister Athena coming out of the kitchen. “I’m going to a party. You can wait up, if you want.”“What party?”I had forgotten she was the protective kind of sibling.“This party at Miguel’s house tonight. He invited me.”“Miguel and Gabe Duncroft’s house?”“Yeah. There’s no other twins at San Diego High School.”“I don’t know if you should go. I mean, I’m not saying no, but-”“Athena, there’s a cab waiting for me outside. What is it?”“I know you don’t normally go to these kinds of parties. Just- be careful, okay?”I nod and give a smile. “Okay.” I hug her. “Thanks, Athena.”“You’re welcome. And - most of all - have fun tonight!”

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At the Duncroft’s

Lena
I’d made it inside Miguel and Gabe’s home. I didn’t have to pay for the cab. Apparently, Miguel did it in advance. When I came through the front door, I saw a big bowl of red punch and many, many hors d’oeuvres. I didn’t know where to begin. My sister knew I wasn’t an after school party person. I knew they had only wanted to have this party, because we had all graduated from high school. It was a goodbye party. Most of the kids here hated school but not me. I loved to learn.“Yo, Adams!” Some dude yelled. Oh, it was just Gabe, Miguel’s twin brother.“Hi. Nice party.” I had to keep from rolling my eyes the way he’d said hello to me.“Thanks. You look hot tonight.”I smiled softly. “Thanks, Gabe. So, where’s Miguel?”“In the kitchen making more spiked punch. You want some? It’s delicious, really.”“Ah, no, thank you.”“Really? Not a drinker, huh?”I didn’t know whether he was taunting me or not. “No, not really.” It was the best answer and most honest I could give.“Are you like religious or something?”I didn’t know if I should take offense. I hadn’t gone to church in a long time. The last time was with my sister and our parents when I was 4. Athena was 8.“I beg your pardon?”“Oh, I thought since you didn’t drink much, maybe it was because you’re religious.”I looked past him towards the kitchen for a brief moment. I was seeing if I could spot Miguel. I could tell by all these weird questions, Gabe had to be drunk already. He never cared about me this much to overcompensate the conversation.“Excuse me for a minute.” I said, wanting to get away from Gabe and his ridiculous questions. “Miguel!” I called once I’d come close enough to the entrance to the kitchen.“Hey there, beautiful.” He said. I could tell he’d had a drink or two.“So, nice party. Many people I don’t really know. Did you invite just people from our school or like everyone you could?”“I didn’t,” he paused, taking a sip of the new punch. “Invite all these people. Some are friends of friends.”“Okay.”“You sure you don’t want some punch? I swear it’s amazing.”I was concerned. “How much have you had to drink?”He wasn’t slurring his words. Yet. Thank god.“Not a lot. Come on. Let’s dance. That is if you want to.”I smile softly. “Okay. Are you sure you’re up for it?”“You mean up for dancing with this beautiful young woman in front of me? Hell yes.”Before I knew it, he took me in his arms, and we started to dance.

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Later that evening
Lena Most of the people that had been invited took cabs home for the night. Partially because their parents called them and said they had curfews. Or they were grounded from what they called “Underage drinking.” I wasn’t drinking tonight. I refrained from even trying the spiked punch. I danced with Miguel half the night. He had his arms around my waist, and we were swaying to some slow song. He’d been using his parent’s record player all night. I checked my phone. Must have been close to 11:30. I had a curfew for 12:30 AM. Not by my parents but by choice. I’d had enough of tonight’s drinking and people falling over themselves at a high school party. There were easily 50 people at the twins’ house to begin with, but now since most of them left - maybe 20. “I should be getting home soon.” I said, hoping he’d get the hint. It was getting late for me, and like I said, I didn’t want to be part of the aftermath. Especially when the police showed up to shut this party down.“Wait, Lena, don’t go yet. I want to show you my woodshop collection in our guest house. Then, you can go.”He seemed so sincere. So nice about it.“I really should be going.”“I swear. It’ll only be 20 minutes tops.”I made an unsure facial expression. “20 minutes?”“Yeah, cross my heart.”“Okay. Let’s go.”

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Lena “Wow, Miguel. This place is amazing. How were you able to make all these creations?”“I spent extra hours at school in workshop. Which is your favorite?”“I’m not sure. They’re all incredible.” I looked over to him. He was holding a bird house in his hands. I smile softly. “You’re talented.” “You’re hot.”The same thing Gabe said to me hours earlier. “Thank you.”“No, I mean smokin’ hot.”I let out a laugh. “No, really, you don’t have to say that.” I knew he was still drunk. Or at least had been feeling some sort of buzz from all the drinking.“This one’s my favorite.” He said, changing the subject. I wanted to ask why, but then the creation said it all. “Miguel.”“Love is a beautiful thing, don’t you think?”“Well, sure.”“I want you to have this.”“Oh, thanks. You’re too kind, really. You should keep it. I should really be getting home. It’s late.”“I insist, please.”I nod. “Okay.” I take the creation from his hands. Again, there was no spark, but for him, there seemed to be. He kissed me. “Miguel, I-” He kissed me again.He’d seemed so calm at school, but at this party with underage drinking and the fact that I just turned 17 - when he didn’t even ask me if I wanted to be kissed - this seemed so different, so odd to me. I’d never been kissed once, but being kissed now wasn’t what I had in mind.I wanted to come up for air, but he took me around the waist and sat me on the couch in the middle of his workshop. I pushed my hands onto his chest to push him back. “Miguel, we really shouldn’t be doing this. Not tonight. Not when you’ve had one too many drinks.”“When do you want this to happen then? It’s not high school anymore, and in less than a year, we’ll all be going to college. We may never see each other again.”“I can’t. I can’t, Miguel.”“Of course, you can. We may never get a shot at this again. What better time than the present?” “Miguel, you’re drunk. You’ll be making the biggest mistake of your life if you do this while you’re under the influence of alcohol.”He gave a short laugh. “Listen, Lena, this only happens once.” He pushed me back down onto the couch and took off his shirt. He kissed my neck, and I pushed him back again. “I never said I wanted to do this, Miguel.”“It’s okay. It’s your first time, I get it.”I definitely knew I wasn’t into guys. Not because of this moment, but because I just knew my heart, and I wasn’t into guys. This was definitely freaking me out. “Miguel, stop.”“It’s fine, Lena. Give me a minute.”I didn’t have a minute. I knew what was happening. I wasn’t drunk. I was sane. I wasn’t crazy. I knew Miguel had suddenly changed his demeanor after he had become drunk. I saw him bend over me. I wanted to fight him off, but this time he had my arms pinned down. Man, he was strong.Miguel looked at me. I tried not to show how terrified I was in this moment. I knew what he was going to do. I wasn’t stupid. “Miguel, I’d like to go home now. It’s really late, and I have to-”He pulled down my pants. I couldn’t protest, because he’d covered my mouth. Apparently, he was tired of hearing me beg for him to stop. To stop talking. “For god’s sake. As soon as I’m done getting off, you can go home. You never have to see me again.”He put himself inside me. The sex lasted 20 minutes before he had finished.I hated him at that moment. Tears pricked my eyes. I was exposed. I was violated. I had been used for unconsentual sex. I watched as he removed his hand from my mouth and removed himself from me. I got up, got dressed, and out of anger and frustration, I slapped him across the face as hard as I could.I left the guest house and called for a cab. I rode in the cab in silence. I never wanted to see that bastard’s face again.

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Lena I had taken a cab back to the house. Athena was walking around the living room cleaning. I had rushed into the house and went straight for the burning fire in the main living room. The same one Athena was cleaning and threw the “gift” Miguel gave me into the roaring fire. The flames crackled, engulfed the wood in seconds and burned up.I was so angry tonight, and my heart was broken in many pieces as what Miguel did would probably haunt me forever. I’d have nightmares about the rape. I wanted to scream. Tonight was terrible, and I kept telling myself I never wanted to see Miguel or his twin brother again, and I wouldn’t allow myself to. “Woah, woah, Lena.” She knelt down in front of me. I’d found myself knelt on the rug in the middle of the living room. “Hey, what happened tonight?”“Something terrible. You told me to be careful. I should’ve listened.”“What are you talking about?”I changed the subject for a brief moment. “Do you know if you’ve been accepted into the Police Academy in Los Angeles, yet?”“Yes, I told you I was going after I had graduated. I have Police training for 6 months. I head out in a couple months. What’s going on, Lena?”“If you were already in the Police Force, you’d be able to do something. I don’t know if you can do anything about this.” Before my older sister had been able to ask me again what had happened tonight, I blurted out, “I was raped.”

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Athena I couldn’t believe what had just come out of Lena’s mouth. Had she just told me she’d been raped at the Duncroft’s home? I didn’t realize they were that cruel. I didn’t realize either of them were capable of raping someone. “Lena, are you sure?”“Are you kidding me? Athena, I swear to god. I tried to push him off, and he pinned my arms down. He pulled my pants down and did his business. Hard. How in the world do you think I’d ever make that up?”“I didn’t say you made it up. Lena, how did it start?”“There was underage drinking. I mean, honestly. Miguel was making more spiked punch. I swear, I didn’t drink. I told myself I wouldn’t. He was already drunk. He’d had one-too-many. I feel like I should’ve listened to you. I should’ve been careful, but instead, I went with Miguel to the guest house. He wanted to show me his woodshop collection he’d had since the first class.”I placed a hand on each of Lena’s shoulders. “Look at me, Lena. You listened, because you didn’t drink. You tried to fight him off. Just because he was strong or drunk, does NOT mean that any of this is your fault. You’re 17, and you’re smart. I know you.”“Just cause you know me, Athena, doesn’t mean I don’t feel used. Betrayed, violated, stupid.”I shook my head. “Not stupid, Lena. You were caught in the crossfire of his actions. He chose to use you, but that’s his loss and NOT yours. You’ll be heading into college soon, and you won’t have to see him again.”I saw the tears in my sister’s eyes. “I’m going to make you a deal. As soon as I make it to the Police Academy, I’m going to talk to them about Miguel Duncroft, and I will make damn sure they know he’s been charged with assault, arrest him, and put him into jail for a LONG time. Okay?”She nods.I hold her into my arms. She bursts into tears, shaking and holding onto me for dear life.

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Lena It had been 4 weeks since I’d been raped. I’d applied to a couple different colleges, but the one I was hoping to get into was San Diego Community College. I had applied to one other college in Los Angeles, because I wanted to be closer to my older sister. Since she would be going to the Police Academy there. I’d be seeing her off today. She’d be starting Police training early tomorrow morning, and she had to be on the next bus to Los Angeles, which wasn’t far from San Diego, where we’d been living.“Good luck tomorrow.” I told my older sister.“Thank you,” She said, hugging me goodbye. “And listen, don’t worry. I will help you figure all this out. A promise is a promise.”I nod. I hated that I had this happen to me. I hated that I barely got any sleep at night. “I love you, Athena.” I told her.“I love you more. Good luck with the college applications, and let me know where you get accepted to.”“I will. I promise.”After I saw Athena off on the bus, I headed back into the house. I straightened up a little bit and heard the timer on my phone go off. I headed to the bathroom. I picked up something from the sink. I looked down at the test in my hands.There was one thing I regretted mentioning to Athena. I was pregnant.

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Lena
I still couldn’t believe I was pregnant. It was definitely positive. I had to get out of this house today though and do something to help with the pregnancy. I wasn’t nauseous. It was too early to tell if I would be. I hadn’t spoken to my parents about the pregnancy or the fact that I was raped. I hadn’t even told Athena, and I was definitely NOT telling Miguel. He was dead to me. I called for a cab and asked the driver to take me to my favorite workout place. They had a swimming pool, and I thought the water would help ease my nerves and calm my fast-beating heart.I was pregnant. This was crazy. I’d never thought about having kids, especially this early in life, but here I was pregnant and still in shock from all this craziness. I’d have to call someone, but who, I wasn’t even sure. I wanted to call family, but what would their thoughts be? I had no idea.I thanked the cab driver when he’d arrived and parked in front of the workout gym. I gave him a tip and left the cab. I took a deep breath. I had a small bag with a bathing suit tucked inside. Today, I was going to try water aerobics. I went to the women’s locker room and changed into my bathing suit, leaving my bag inside one of the lockers at the end of the first aisle. I walked back out to the pool area and saw who seemed to be the instructor for the class. “Oh, hello there.” The woman said. Her voice was so smooth like honey. Her skin was tanned, she had dark brown hair, and she had a freckle on one side of her mouth. She carried a big smile. She seemed made of sunshine. “I’m Gretchen. I’m the aerobics instructor. Is this your first time joining the class?”I hoped I hadn’t made it seem that obvious. “Yes, I am new to the class, but I have been here to the gym many times before.” It was true. In fact, I had been here many times before. It had just been a while.“My name’s Lena.”“It’s very nice to meet you, Lena.“ Gretchen gave a soft smile. The sweetest smile. “Welcome to water aerobics. You’re gonna love it.”

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Gretchen I’d spent the whole class showing a couple exercises but also watching Lena. She was limber. I seemed to be in love with her mocha colored skin and her very curly dark brown hair. Maybe, she was hispanic or something. After class, I watched as she had gotten out of the pool. Her skin was gleaming with the water dripping from her body. “I’ll see you tomorrow for the next class.” I heard Lena say. “Lena,” I said, handing her a towel, “I was going to get coffee after I left here. How about I buy you a coffee?”She smiled, taking the towel from me. She wrapped it around herself.“Sure. Thank you.”I walked out with her after she’d gotten changed and grabbed her bag from the women’s locker room. Her hair was still damp in the back, but she didn’t seem to mind it.She and I walked down to the coffee shop that was only 2 blocks from the workout gym. I came to the coffee shop the most on Fridays, but I didn’t mind it today. Lena I’d spent time at the coffee shop with Gretchen after the water aerobics class. I’d started to make it a normal occurrence every time we had water aerobics. Gretchen was super nice, and we’d become friends. I was happy to have a friend like Gretchen. It had made me forget about the last couple months. At least for now.I went to every aerobics class she ever hosted. She’d asked me if I wanted to be her assistant at the aerobics classes. I’d said I wouldn’t mind helping out. There were 15 women in the class. None of them were pregnant, except me. I guess that made me special. I didn’t really know. I only knew I was pregnant. Gretchen didn’t know. I wasn’t ready to open up about my past, and unless she asked, I made a promise to myself I wouldn’t ever talk about it with her.

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2 weeks later
Lena I’d started to gain a little weight, but it hadn’t seemed too noticeable. I had just started to sleep better at night, but I still had some nightmares. I didn’t think of Miguel and his twin brother Gabe as much as in the beginning after this had happened to me, and I thought maybe I was starting to heal. I didn’t go to water aerobics anymore. Gretchen told me she had been a part-time instructor, waiting for someone else to take her place. She’d found someone, and now, Gretchen and I would take long walks together in the evening. She’d begun to make me laugh. It seemed to help me heal. Cope. I’d spent a couple times at her house or out shopping with her. She was one of the best friends I’d ever had. “I don’t want to seem too straight-forward, but are you hispanic?” She’d asked me.She then laughed, nervously. “Sorry about that. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”I smile softly. “It’s okay. Yes, I am hispanic, and I’m also biracial.”“Where are you originally from?”“San Diego. Born and raised.”“I’m partially of Italian descent.” Gretchen explained. “My cousin Jane is a Detective from Boston.”“Oh, cool.” I suddenly realized Gretchen was intriguing, and I wanted to know more about her. She was beautiful, and I began to have different feelings about Gretchen, and I thought back to when I’d first met Miguel and how when our hands touched, I didn’t feel a spark, but with Gretchen… I felt like there was something off with my heart. I couldn’t place it. My heart was beating irregularly inside my chest.Maybe I liked girls and more importantly Gretchen, but what did this mean if I liked this girl? Gretchen? I didn’t know for certain.

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Athena I was in the first month of Police Training at the Academy in Los Angeles. I’d been training my butt off literally, and I’d also thought of my sister the entire time. I’d hated that she was raped by some high school kid she’d met. He shouldn’t have asked her to that party. She didn’t know what she was getting herself into.I met a couple of the people at the Academy. They were hard workers and new people were coming in for training almost every week. There were 2 different locker rooms. One for women and one for men. Some of the women and men seemed to hang out around this one newbie’s computer. I’d heard these newbies laughing and watching some video online. I normally wouldn’t get involved. Not until I heard some of the words they were saying, which seemed to catch my attention right away.“You know, this guy I knew a couple years back. His two sons went to that school. What was it with those kids anyway, throwing a party? If I was a Police Officer back then, I wouldn’t have stopped the party… I would have joined it!”“And is that guy showing off his dancing skills to that chick for kicks or for real? I mean, he’s so wasted! Some shit’s about to go down there. If I were him, I would’ve just taken that girl Downtown right then.”I had known what they were watching, and even if this was my first month at the station, I didn’t appreciate their comments. “Hey, what’cha looking at?” I was curious, even if I had a pretty good guess.“Someone at this party video taped these 2 nerds dancing. He seems to be drunk, and dude, did he just give her a present made out of wood?” He laughed as if it was funny.I’d never spoken about my sister. Not yet, and they were definitely talking about her. I looked over one of the newbie’s shoulders. “How do you know that guy?” Acting as if I didn’t know the young man’s name that was dancing with my sister.“It’s my younger brother. He video taped this. He’s 16. This was before some got caught underage drinking and were made to go home. Them bastards.”“Oh, but Jeffrey knows that guy.” He seemed to look at the only quiet one of the bunch. "His name’s Miguel Duncroft. He’s 18 but got held back a year.”I wasn’t thrilled that my sister had been videotaped. “Turn that off.” I seemed to have commanded the young boys. “From the looks of this, you boys shouldn’t be in the precinct, but you’re newbies. If you don’t get your act together, the boss will be kicking you out real quick and easy.”“Woah, feisty young thing, aren’t you?” One of them teased.“I’m an adult, but by the looks of you foolish boys, you look to be 19. You must’ve wanted to skip school and get straight to the Police Academy. Let me guess. Just booze and hot girls?” I kept myself from laughing.“Sorry to burst your bubbles, but there are no girls your age here, even if they are hot.” I blurted out, sashaying back to work, leaving them speechless.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Lena
It was Friday morning and I was in need of a doctor’s visit. I hadn’t gone since finding out about being pregnant, and I figured it was about time that I went for my first ever baby check up. I was only 4 weeks pregnant now with a small baby bump, barely noticeable.I took a cab to the hospital and the nurse told me to wait in the checkup room for the doctor. Her name was Carina DeLuca. An OBGYN in San Diego.This young woman, who I had seemed to notice was Italian, came into the room. She had brown hair and brown eyes and the sweetest accent. “Hi, my name is Doctor DeLuca, but you could call me Carina if you wanted to.”I smiled. I was nervous as she’d asked me to lay back in the chair and put my feet up into the stirrups. “My name’s Lena.” I told her. I wasn’t sure how to react because I was being examined as a pregnant woman and the victim of rape.“How long ago did you find out you were pregnant?” She asked me.“4 weeks. Roughly.”“Do you know if the father’s coming?”I know she was just being nice, but she could tell it was hard for me to talk about the ‘father’ of my baby.“He’s not in my life. We went to school together. I graduated almost 2 months ago, and he was just a guy at my school. He made out with me at a party.”She paused what she was doing. She had just grabbed some cool gel to put on my stomach. “Did you ask him to make out with you?”This was hard to tell my OBGYN about this guy I never wanted to set eyes on again.“No. I didn’t ask him. He danced with me. I think he had one-too-many drinks. He was already tipsy when I danced with him. He pulled me into the dance, let me clarify.”“Have you talked to anyone in your family about this?”“No. My family doesn’t even know I’m pregnant.”“Have you talked to the Police or Special Victims Unit? You could’ve been Sexually Assaulted.”“No, I have not talked to the Police, but there’s no ‘could’ve been’. I was raped. I know it. It wasn’t consensual. I tried to fight him off, but it didn’t make matters better. It made them much worse.”“I need you to talk to the Special Victims Unit. They are located in New York, but don’t worry. I know one of the workers in SVU. She can meet with you as long as she’s in town. She seems to only be in town for the next month on a case.” Carina paused for a moment, still holding the cool gel bottle in her hands. “This may be a little cold.” She squeezed some gel onto my stomach. She moved her hand around until a few small figures showed up on the monitor. Several heartbeats could be heard.“Lena, your babies are healthy and you are almost 5 weeks along now. You have several options for your pregnancy. That is if you ever decide you don’t want to keep these babies.”I had to rehear what Carina was saying. Babies, plural?“How many heartbeats are there?”“There’s 3, Lena. You’re gonna have triplets.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The Police Academy
Athena It was the 2nd month into training at the Police Academy and the two newbies that had come in last month had been replaced with more experienced men. When the boss found out they were just there for kicks and not actually to make anything of themselves or to become Officers one day, he kicked them out of the precinct. I’d asked my boss and a couple of my buddies there about the Duncroft’s. I told them I had a younger sister who had attended school with them. “Do any of you know them and have they ever thrown a party at their house before now? My sister went to one of their parties that one of the brothers invited her to.”“Yeah. Those boys love to throw parties, but they’ve been caught by the cops a couple times. A couple of my friends said they get into so much trouble with making spiked punch.”“Has either of them been in tight corners with the law before?”“Miguel. He’s like more of the black sheep of the family. Gabe just drinks excessively at parties. Never been hurting anyone or in any kind of deep trouble. Never been arrested. Miguel has been on the run with the law for 4 years ever since he was 14 and smoked pot.”“What’d this kid Miguel do to your sister?” Some other guy asked.“Let’s just say it’s bad. She doesn’t want to have anything to do with this kid again.” I sighed. “She’s my sister and I love her. I just hate that this kid wanted to take advantage the way he had.”“Well, why don’t you give her a call? Seems like you really care for her.” Lena I had just gotten back from the doctor again. This had been my 3rd doctor’s appointment since finding out I was going to be having triplets. I was over a month pregnant, possibly a month and a half and my OBGYN - Carina - talked to me again about speaking with the Special Victims Unit. The lady that she’d said was only going to be in town for a short while was still in town. She had given me the woman’s contact card, in case I had decided to speak to her. Which would have been good, because I was a victim of Sexual Assault. I’d thought about whether or not to keep the triplets. I didn’t know whether the triplets were girls or boys, because it was too early to tell. I had never had kids before, and I didn’t want to think about if I had to give them up when they were born in 7 and a half months, or if I were to have an abortion. I didn’t like the sound of abortions. They were killing the babies, and I didn’t want that. The other option was to keep the children, and I was thinking about that as well.I was looking in the mirror at my baby bump. It wasn’t as large as I had thought it would be, but I was 1 month and a half pregnant. I heard my phone ring on the bedside table and walked over to answer it.“Hey, Athena. How’s the Police Academy?”“I’ve been working my butt off out here. I wanted to let you know I talked to some of my buddies and a couple of them have heard of the Duncroft’s. Miguel seems to be the black sheep of the family.” She paused for a minute. She had been pacing the floor.“How has it been over there? Are you missing me yet?”I wanted to tell Athena the truth. I’ve heard ‘The truth will set you free’ and all that. “I miss you every day, Athena.” I paused. I wasn’t sure whether or not to bring this up, but I had to tell Athena the truth. If I didn’t, by the time she came home, she would definitely notice the baby bump.“You okay, Lena?” I hadn’t noticed it had gotten quiet, for apparently far too long.“Tina.” I had rarely ever called her Tina, except for when I had something very important to tell her or something bothered me.“Lena, you rarely call me that anymore since you were 3. Please, tell me what’s bothering you.”“My doctor said I should see someone at the Special Victims Unit about me being raped that night at the party.”Athena seemed to agree. “Yes, you should talk to someone, Lena. Is that all?”“Athena, my doctor is an OBGYN. I met her 1 month and a half ago. I’m pregnant. Miguel got me pregnant. My doctor says I have 3 heartbeats inside me. I have 3 little people growing inside me, Athena.”There was a quiet moment on the other end of the line. “You’re serious. You’re pregnant from that bastard?”“Yes, and Athena, I was told my options, but I don’t think I want options. I want to keep these babies. I don’t want to give them up when they’re born, and I don’t want an abortion for them.”I was scared as I spoke these next words. “I can’t do this alone, Athena. I know you hate the Duncroft’s, especially Miguel, and I do too, but I have his babies inside me and I have always wanted kids. I just never thought I’d have them like this.”“Don’t worry. When I’m done with Police Training and I make it back home, I’m going to help take care of you, and when these babies are born, I’ll help care for them. I’ll be the best auntie I can be for them. You’re going to be a great mom to these little ones too. I know you will.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Lena

I had been going to my OBGYN more regularly now. I was now 2 and a half months pregnant, and I’d had to get oversized clothes. I felt I was getting bigger by the day.

Well, I was carrying 3 children inside my womb.

Gretchen called me up and asked if I was doing okay. She hadn’t heard from me in a while. She invited me to go to a fancy restaurant with her that evening. Our first official date. I tried to wear a dress, but it had to be a maternity dress. I hated wearing big clothes. I wasn’t made big, but with these triplets, it made it hard to dress myself each day.

I was surprised she didn’t notice my oversized belly. Maybe, she just thought I was putting on a few pounds like stress eating. That’s definitely more than a few pounds.

“You look stunning, Gretchen.” I told her that evening.

“You do too, Lena.”

“Oh, no, you don’t have to say that.” I had felt like a burden since I hadn’t told Gretchen the truth yet.

She smiles. “I want to. You’re gorgeous.”

I kept that thought in mind for later when I knew I had to tell Gretchen the truth about my pregnancy.

Late that night

Gretchen’s house

I’d gone to Gretchen’s house that evening after a lovely dinner. She wanted me to come over. I didn’t have anything else I would do, especially if I went home, except rest and wonder how Gretchen still thought of me as beautiful after tonight.

She touched my cheek with her fingertips. I seemed to shy away at her touch. I hadn’t been touched this way - in an intimate way before, and I knew that’s what Gretchen was trying to do.

I’d gotten close with Gretchen, and I might have found out I liked girls, especially her - but after she found out about the, not so unnoticeable pregnancy, what would she even say to me? I didn’t know if I wanted to find out.

“Lena, look at me.” She said in a gentle tone. Soothing.

I knew I had to. I slowly turned my head and my eyes met hers.

“What’s wrong? I’ve been gentle with you all evening. You know I’d never hurt you.”

I took a deep breath and it came out into a sigh. “How can you say I’m beautiful, Gretchen? I mean, seriously. I’m 2 and a half months pregnant, and I got this way because I was raped in High School.”

Gretchen tried very hard not to laugh. “I know you’re pregnant, silly. It’s hard to hide a 2 and a half month baby bump.”

“You’re laughing at me.” Of course, I would have hormones, because well,

hello, I’m pregnant.

“No, no. Lena, I’m not laughing at you. Never.” She takes one of my hands into her own. “You were raped and that’s terrible. You’re a victim of a horrible crime. The aftermath of this isn’t your fault. This isn’t something you can forget easily.”

She smiles softly. “Have you slept okay considering what you’ve gone through?”

I shook my head. “No. Not much at all. I still have nightmares about that night at the party. His hands. His moments of satisfaction…” I didn’t want to think about those moments again.

“What did your OBGYN say you should do?”

“See someone that works at the Special Victims Unit. Apparently, there’s someone in town for a short while from New York.” I sigh. “I don’t know.”

“You should go, Lena. It would help you to get some closure. If you aren’t sure, I’ll go with you. I’ll be there with you every step of the way. And, if you ever get to where you want to tell your parents about what’s happened to you and about the babies, I’ll be there to support you then too.”

I smile. Gretchen seemed to calm my nerves and my worry with every bit of advice she could give me and I appreciated her for that.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Lena

I’d been seeing Gretchen for almost 3 months. She’d told me I should talk to someone at the Special Victims Unit, and since they were all the way in New York, I had to call the person on the contact card my OBGYN had given me.

I dialed the number. It was very hard for me to talk over the phone, but Gretchen was right beside me when I’d made the call.

“Hello, this is Olivia Benson.”

“Hi, Detective Benson… Are you still in San Diego? I need someone to talk to. I heard you work at the Special Victims Unit in New York, right?”

“Well, yes, I do. I deal with victims that have been raped and/or Sexually Assaulted. My partner Elliot Stabler and I.” She paused for a minute. She did sound concerned as she spoke.

“Yes, I’m still in San Diego for the next couple of weeks. Would you be willing to come into the Precinct downtown? That’s where I’ll be for the next couple of weeks. We can talk there.”

“Yes, thank you, Detective Benson.”

“Please, you can call me Olivia.”

The San Diego Police Department

Olivia

I saw this woman come into the Precinct. She looked to be 3 or 3 and a half months pregnant. I walked over to greet this young girl. She also looked to be 18, too. “Hi, I’m Olivia. You must be the one I talked on the phone with.” I smile. “Please have a seat.”

The woman sat down in the chair I’d pointed out to her.

“What’s your name?”

“Lena Adams.”

“And, Lena, how old are you?”

“I just turned 18 a week ago.”

I looked at the young girl’s belly. “So, how far along are you?”

“I’m 3 months. I’m having triplets.”

“I hope Congratulations are okay for me to say.”

“I have slowly come to terms with my pregnancy, Detective- Olivia.” She gives a soft smile. “I want to keep the babies.”

“These are routine questions, and please, I want you to take your time answering them.”

“Okay.”

“Seems like you just graduated High School recently. What was the guy’s name you’d been talking with when all this first happened?”

“His name was Miguel Duncroft. He’s a twin. We went to school together, and he seemed so nice. He took woodshop.”

“How old is Miguel?”

“He’s 18. At the time of the incident, I was 17. He was supposed to be a Senior, but he got held back a year.” She took a breath before she added, “He invited me to a party at his house, and I wasn’t sure about it. I have never been a party girl. Especially not with drinking. I only went, because he invited me. I didn’t want to say no. I was careful, because I didn’t drink but he and his brother did.”

“Were they very drunk at the party?” I asked Lena. She was doing so well. I appreciated her honesty and her willingness to talk to me here at the Precinct.

“I didn’t think so at first. Gabe, Miguel's twin brother, seemed drunk already. He was very talkative, and I had to pull myself away. I had found Miguel. He was making more spiked punch. I could tell he’d already had one-too-many.”

“How did he act when he was drunk?”

“He pulled me in to dance. He was excited to show me his woodshop collection. He’d said he kept everything he’d made since the beginning of the school year. He gave me a present he’d made of wood. He liked giving gifts. Then, he changed. Like he was a different person.”

This moment seemed to be hard for Lena, and I stopped for a minute. “You don’t have to talk about all this now. You can give yourself time to form the words. Time to breathe, and Lena, you don’t have to be afraid of him anymore. The most important thing is,

you got away from him.

He’s not a threat to you anymore.”

I gave her a soft smile. Even if we hadn’t finished talking about what happened to her, I felt like Lena was becoming stronger and soon she was going to be able and have closure after the traumatic event that happened to her and how terrified she felt being raped by a guy she’d met in High School.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Present Day

Josie

As I was listening to Ms. Foster telling us which cabin we were assigned to, I looked at my sister. I had just hoped our cabins were close together. We would get to walk to the mess hall together. I was placed with 3 other girls older than me. Sarah, Mayberry, and Brenda. They looked to be 10 years old. But they all seemed happy to be paired up with me.

I wasn’t paired up with my older sister, but our cabins were closer together than they were in previous years. My room window was facing the lake, where there had once been yellow tape lining the trail. I wanted to go to the lake, but I wasn’t sure we were allowed on our first day because of what happened to Cindy, the other Camp Counselor.

I was starting to get settled into my room, making sure everything was the way I wanted it. I had my favorite stuffed animal Sparkles sitting on the bed against the pillows. Mommy had gotten her for me on my 2nd birthday, and I’ve never parted with her. Ever.

I’d heard the mess hall trumpet being played. I had guessed it was time for lunch.

I followed the other girls to the mess hall where there was a list of the must-haves and do’s and don’ts at camp There was a list of rules to follow. Always was every year.

I got some food and found my older sister Katie sitting with some of her friends. I thought I’d sit at least close to them. Katie let me sit by her, and I met all her new friends.

That was fast.

I thought. She’d already made friends with her cabin buddies.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

6 years ago

Stef

I’d been living in Los Angeles since I was in elementary school. Something about Mom and Dad moving because mom got herself a full time job as a bartender. Why on god’s green earth would my mom get a job at a bar? I didn’t care I guess. My mother was hardworking and she took care of me.

I was now at the Los Angeles Academy. High School was a pain in my ass. So many girls trying to flirt and get into some guys’ pants. I wasn’t like that. I was on a basketball team. I've been into basketball since I could walk. I didn’t care about dating. What’s the point, if you already knew the guy would dump you for some other chick in a heartbeat?

I was a tomboy. My mother knew so. I was also on the chubby side since elementary school. I wanted to workout and lose weight. I wasn’t so overweight anything was impossible. I just weighed 119 pounds. I called that overweight and mom called it average.

I was a Sophomore in High School. I wanted to do body-building as well as be a basketball player. So, I went to the gym every day after school and sometimes twice a day, especially on the weekends.

I had to narrow down the body-building to only once a day, because I had basketball game practices 3 times a week after school let out.

My friends Jennifer and Tess were cheerleaders and they always were there at practices. They had cheerleading practice before I had basketball practice. Then Tess and Jen would watch me play until about 8 o’clock at night. That’s when I packed up and got a ride home from my Dad, because I still didn’t have a car of my own, and he was at Church it seemed like 4 days a week working on Wednesday Class Sermons he taught and Sunday sermons he preached.

It was hard being a Preacher’s kid. I was expected by my Dad to be perfect. We were that kind of family. That’s why I took up body-building. Not just for his benefit, but for myself. I wanted to be lean and fit, because I wanted to lose weight. It would really help me, especially if I was Captain on the basketball team.

Jen and Tess always came to every one of my basketball games and cheered me on. I’d been friends with them for a long time. Probably 3 and a half years. After practices we’d hang out and go grab a bite on the days that I could just walk either to the Church my Dad preached at or to the bus stop. The bus was easier. I didn’t want to ride with Dad all the time. He’d want to talk and by the time I finished practice, I’d just be ready to get home and go to bed.

Tonight, Tess asked if I could grab a bite to eat with her and Jen. We always went to a Dairy Queen that was close to the bus stop I’d take most evenings.

“Sure. Let me get my bag and we’ll go.” I told her. I walked over to my locker and grabbed my bag. I came back out and they were waiting by the side entrance to the gym. “Bye, Coach Metlock.” I told him. He was the one to lock up every evening.

I headed down the sidewalk to the intersection where we’d have to cross the street to get to the Dairy Queen parking lot. It had been a long night, and in all honesty, I just wanted to go home and sleep, but the girls and I always came here. Regardless, if one or all of us is hungry. I just got chicken and a soda. Jen and Tess always seemed to get the same ice cream. Peanut Butter Cup. I always wondered if they’d ever get tired of paying for the same blizzard.

Every. Single. Day.

I smiled at the girls. In two years I’d be a Senior and graduating with the class. I’d get my own cap and gown and after High School, I could do what I wanted to, and that was to apply to College and get my degree. One thing I wanted was to become a Cop, and I hoped one day I could.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

2 months later

Stef

I’d applied so I could get into body-building. Since I was working out every day at the gym and trying to make extra time during Basketball season, I’d lost 20 pounds, and from 119 that was impressive for me. I wanted my goal to be 96 pounds, and after that goal was met, I’d stop doing the body-building as often. I’d just watch what I ate, even if that meant eating more healthy.

Jen didn’t spend as much time at the cheerleading practices anymore, because she’d started dating someone. I didn’t think it mattered whether or not you dated to keep yourself in sports, but my guess was her boyfriend didn’t want her flaunting herself as if to other guys. It was women’s basketball, but she’d also done cheerleading for the school’s football team as well, and I guess he didn’t want her showing off to those guys either.

I’d still hung out with Tess. She’d come to every game, and I guess she’d noticed I’d lost weight and said something to me a couple of times. That was nice of her. I mean, what were friends for if they didn’t compliment change in your life?

“Do you want to go to Dairy Queen again tonight?” Tess asked me.

I was getting tired of going to the same place all the time.

“No, thanks. I think I’d rather just take a walk and clear my head tonight.”

“Would you mind if I joined you on your walk, Stef?”

I gave Tess a soft smile. “I guess. If you want to.”

As we were walking, I’d noticed Tess was easily keeping the walking pace with me.

“I think you look good, Stef. You’ve really worked your butt off to get where you are now.”

What a compliment. “Thanks, Tess. I’m halfway to my weight goal.”

“What do you think you’ll do after High School?”

“Go to College. Get my degree.”

“I want to be a lawyer, I think.” Tess tells me.

“Well, then whatever you want to do, I think you should do.”

We were nearing the bus stop but I had decided I wanted to walk home. It wasn’t far, and I enjoyed the exercise.

“Stef, do you think you’ll ever date anyone in High School?”

“I don’t know. Not really thought about it. How about you?”

I could tell Tess was acting a little strange around me. I could read it in her face.

“Yeah, I want to, but I don’t know if that person would go for it.”

“Whoever it is, talk to them. There’s no harm in that.”

Tess touched my shoulder and I had to face her as she spoke to me.

“Okay, then. Stef, I’ve grown attracted to you since you started basketball and since you started to work out. I want to be your girlfriend. Will you have me?”

She was so straight forward. I looked at her. Somehow, I knew the way she’d been acting was strange. I should have known something like this was bound to happen.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Stef

Tess just told me she’s liked me since I started Basketball. I knew some sort of signs were there, but for her to like me and I mean really like me? And not in the ‘We’re still friends’ kind of way either.

“Tess, I’m flattered, but I probably won’t date in High School.”

“That’s fine. I’ll wait until College, and hopefully we get accepted into the same school.”

She seemed to be following me around like a lost puppy.

“Tess, I don’t know if we will be going to the same College. You want to be a Lawyer, remember? And I don’t want you throwing that away just because of me.”

“I can still be a Lawyer, Stef. I swear it. No matter where I end up, I can still be a Lawyer.”

“Tess, look, it’s not about which College you pick or which I pick. It’s not about trying to be at the same College.” I took a calming breath.

“I think you’re great and all. You’re one of the best friends I’ve had here, but I’m not into you like that. I have never been gay, and I have only been interested in guys before. Maybe, if it wasn’t High School and I wasn’t straight - well - then maybe, we could date. I’m sorry, Tess. We can still be friends. Okay?”

Tess seemed defeated and a little hurt. “Oh.” She took a minute before she said anything more. “Yeah, yeah. Totally. We’re still friends.” She gives a small laugh like this didn’t bother her.

“Are you sure you’re good? We’re good?” I had to ask again for confirmation.

“Yeah, of course.”

It was getting dark and she had stopped at my house. “Goodnight, Tess. See you later.”

Tess gave the best smile she could. Her friendship smile. “See you later, Stef.”

She turned and left and I entered my house. I went upstairs and got ready for bed. I was still thinking about Tess and her reaction to me turning her down to be her girlfriend.

I couldn’t think much longer after that, because sleep overtook me.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

8 years and 4 months ago

The Police Station

Lena

I came back to the Police station again a month later. Apparently, Olivia was still in town or she had made sure to stay in town for me. I’d guessed so anyway. I came into a private room to talk to her again about the night of the non consensual moment with Miguel Duncroft.

“Hey, Lena. How are you feeling?” She’d asked, concerning my baby bump that was growing even more so now.

“I’m doing better, thank you.” I sit down in the chair across from her. This time she had a guy with her. Must have been her partner Elliot Stabler.

“This is my partner Elliot.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Lena.” He said with a small smile.

“Nice to meet you Detective Stabler - Elliot.”

“Would you like some water before we get started?” Elliot asked me.

“Yes, please. I could really use some.”

While Elliot was getting me a cup of water, I turned my attention over to Olivia.

“Have you talked to anyone in your family about your pregnancy, since we last spoke?”

“My sister. She is happy for me and I know she’s going to be there for me every step of the way. That helps ease my worry.”

Olivia smiles, just as Detective Elliot sets a cup of water down on the table in front of me.

“That’s good to hear. Have you gotten any more ultrasounds recently?”

“I’m supposed to today. After I leave here. I’m supposed to find out the genders of my triplets.”

I took a minute before I added, “What’s going to happen to Miguel, the babies’ father? Is he going to be put in jail?”

“We’ve been told by the court that he’s going to be sentenced to approximately 15-20 years in Prison for Sexual Assault and Statutory Rape. As far as Community Service is concerned, we’ll cross that bridge when the time comes. You don’t have to worry about Miguel Duncroft ever again.”

That gave me so much relief, tears pricked my eyes for the first time. “Thank you, Detectives. Oh, you don’t know how much this means to me.”

“We’re just doing our jobs,” Elliot began to say.

“But we’re very glad we could help in any way possible.” Olivia added.

I left the Precinct, thanking the Detectives once again and headed outside. A cab was waiting to take me to the hospital for my next appointment with my OBGYN, Carina, and a part of me - a very big part - couldn’t wait to find out the sexes of the triplets.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Lena

I’d made it into the hospital and was led to another patient room to have a checkup. I waited a couple minutes, until I saw Doctor DeLuca enter the room.

“Hey there, Lena. How’s the babies and how are you feeling?”

“They’ve been kicking around some. I can sometimes feel them in my rib cage. They’ve been very active in the last couple of weeks.” I smile, looking at Carina. “I’m feeling alright.” I add. “I think more and more about how I want to keep the triplets.”

Carina gets the gel to put on Lena’s belly again. “It’s going to be cold.”

I nod. I hoped to get used to that very cold gel soon. It was very cold.

She got the monitor pulled up and I could hear their heartbeats again. Very active movement and their heads slowly forming more into baby faces I could make out.

She smiles. “You’re going to be having 1 boy and 2 girls.”

I smiled. Two girls and a boy.

“Would you like a copy of the ultrasound to show your family?”

I nod. “Yes, please. I’d love to show my sister.”

And I know I had to tell Mom and Dad about me being pregnant. Very soon. I didn’t know how that would go, but I had to find out.

I got a copy of the ultrasound and thanked Carina. I headed back to the cab. Mom and Dad lived just down the street from where me and my sister Athena lived. It was our house growing up. I asked the cab driver to take me to see my parents and gave him the address.

I had to take many deep breaths to calm my nerves. I was very nervous and worried they wouldn’t take this over so well, and I'd have to explain the whole story to them more than once.
 
Dana

I heard a car stop in front of mine and Stuart’s house. Out came Lena, who we hadn’t spoken to since probably when she’d first started High School. She looked to be wearing oversized clothes. As she came to the door, I opened it and greeted her. “Lena, my darling daughter, how nice of you to stop by. What’s the occasion?”

“I’ve got something to talk to you and Dad about. It’s important and I need you to sit down for this.”

“Well, alright.” I led her into the living room and sat on the couch next to her. Stuart came in from the kitchen and sat down as well.

“What’s this you wanted to talk about, honey?” Stuart asked her.

“4 and a half months ago, I was at a party with some people from High School. Of course, I’d just graduated and you know, I don’t normally go to parties. This guy that I’d never talked to, because I’d want to spend more time in books, invited me to the party at his house.”

“Was there drinking at this party, Lena?”

“Yes, there was, but no, Mom, I didn’t drink. I swear it.”

“Who was drinking at this party?”

She gave a short laugh. “Who wasn’t drinking at this party? I was probably the only one who didn’t want to. The cops came and told half of the people to go home. They were kicked out.”

“Well, I’d say so. Anyway, go on.”

“Miguel and his twin brother Gabe, this was their house. They were drinking. Miguel asked me to the party and he was making more spiked punch in the kitchen when I’d found him. He asked me to dance, and I wondered if he was up for it. I could tell he’d already had one-too-many drinks.”

“Gabe and Miguel Duncroft? I’ve heard of them before. I know their parents.”

“Yeah, well, Miguel wanted to show me his woodshop collection. He’d kept every project since the first day of school. I told him I had to get home, because I didn’t want to stay out too late. That was my choice. He told me it would only take 20 minutes tops. I went with him.” She took a breath. “I admired his collection. He seemed to admire me more than anything. I told him I didn’t think this was a good idea. He kept trying to touch me. I never felt a spark with him, Mother.”

I was starting to get angry. Not at Lena but the situation. Protective of my daughter. “What’d this imbecile do?”

She ignored my abrupt rudeness, because she knew I was wanting to protect her. Of course, I hadn’t known what he’d done. I knew she was about to tell me.

“He raped me. I had tried to fight him off, but he was super strong. It took about 20 minutes for him to finish his business and when I was able to get up, I slapped him. I got dressed and left as soon as I could.”

“Lena, did you call the police or talk to anyone else about this?”

“Not at first. I told Athena. I knew she wanted to be a Police Officer soon, and I told her. A couple weeks later, I found out I was pregnant.”

“That bastard got you pregnant? Where is he?”

“Mother, he’s in jail. I didn’t talk to anyone professional until about a month ago, and today I went back to the station here to talk to them. They are the Special Victims Unit. They said he was charged with Sexual Assault and Statuatory Rape.”

“Oh, dear Lord.” I didn’t know how to react. I was angry and yet, upset for my daughter. “So, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to keep the babies, Mother. I don’t want to give them up for adoption, and I definitely don’t want an abortion.”

“Honey, I’m sure this is very hard for you, but you’ve got Athena to help you with these babies. I am hoping that your mother and I can help anyway that we can.”

“Did you get the results of the ultrasound today?” I’d sounded calmer now, after Stuart spoke.

“Yes,” She began and took 2 copies out of her purse. She handed one to each of us.

“I’m having triplets and there’s 1 boy and 2 girls.”

I looked at the ultrasound picture and looked over to Stuart. I softly smiled. “Oh, Lena, they’re beautiful.” I added, “I don’t like how that boy manipulated you, but you got 3 beautiful little ones out of it.”

I looked at Stuart and back to Lena. “We are on your side, baby. We will help you anyway we can with your babies.” In that moment, I went over and hugged my daughter, which is exactly what I knew she needed right now. A hug from her Mama. Stuart came over and hugged from the side as well. I smiled at the two of them and I knew with all my heart that Lena was going to be a wonderful mom.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

6 years and 3 months ago

Stef

I’d just graduated High School and had gotten my diploma. I had just started a new job at the bar with my Mom, because well, she wanted me to work with her. Drinking wasn’t my thing. The only drink I’d ever had was a Shirley Temple. My parents won’t let me drink until 21 and that was 3 years away.

Tess hadn’t spoken to me after we’d graduated together, and I didn’t think she’d still be upset with me when I told her I didn’t like girls. She’d had a crush on me, and I was flattered but I didn’t do anything about it.

I would work evenings at the bar with my Mom as a way to make more money in case I wanted to go to more than 2 years of College. I’d already jumped the gun and applied for 2 different Colleges. One here in Los Angeles and one in San Diego.

I went to work at the bar with my Mom. She’d met a woman there who she thought she would be fast friends with. She was a blonde woman about 15 years younger than my mom. Apparently, they’d talked a lot since she got a job here.

She worked at the bar with this guy. I think his name was Vince or something. He looked to be a year older than my mother. I could almost care less about any guys. I wasn’t looking for a relationship until maybe College, but if not, I’d wait until after College to find a guy to go steady with.

I had been working at the bar with my mom for about a month, when I got a call from the High School I’d recently graduated from.

“Hello, Stefanie Elkin.”

Why the hell would someone use my mother’s last name? I hadn’t even used my father’s last name. I’d just used the last name after Jodie Foster. You know, the actress.

“It’s Stefanie Foster.” I corrected this person on the other end of the line.

“Right. Anyway, it’s Coach Metlock from the basketball team. I’m calling to let you know you’ve been accepted to a Basketball Scholarship in Los Angeles.”

“Oh, really? Wow.” I seemed to smile. “How long is this scholarship?”

“It’s supposed to last 2 years. Then you can go to any College you want.”

“Thank you so much, Coach Metlock.”

“You’re welcome Stefanie. I’ll see you in 2 weeks.”

I hung up the phone and told Mom I’d gotten accepted into a Basketball scholarship with Coach Metlock. I’d have to go home and tell Dad and pack to leave right away.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Stef

I had been on a basketball scholarship for almost 2 years now. I was on the last day, before I could finally go to College somewhere I’d been accepted. I’d been accepted to 2 places, but I really wanted to just go to Los Angeles University, because it’s where I’ve lived all my life.

I had packed to be at the dorm the next day. It wouldn’t take long since the bus was to pick all the players up in an hour. They’d just have to drop me off at the College dorm entrance. I’d already been packed for college - in fact - my mom helped me set up my dorm room while I was away at basketball. I thanked her several times, because I didn’t know how she would’ve done it in these short months after buying all the things I needed for the next 2 years. Maybe 6, if I wanted to do extra schooling, which I had.

I’d thought long and hard about what I wanted my job to be after college, and I wanted to be a Police Officer. I’d have to be in training for 6 months in Los Angeles, but that wouldn’t bother me. Maybe, I’d make friends at the Precinct when the time came.

I told my advisor I wanted to be in the same dorm for the next 6 years instead of just 2 of those years. She agreed and I signed a form. I was sharing the room with some College guys. They were so rambunctious. They looked to be 19 and a pair of delinquent kids. Two of them were twins while the other one was just a buddy of theirs.

“Oh, look. Sharing the dorm with a girl!”

I crossed my arms over my chest. I was skinny now and definitely had some muscle. I was a body-builder up until College, and I didn’t seem to intimidate these boys very much. “Look, we have rules in this room, and if you fuck with me, we will have a problem.” I warned them.

“Oooh, alright, okay. Then, why don’t you become part of our gang? We protect our own around here. Gabe here isn't part of our gang, yet, but his brother is. We are trying to convince him.”

“I’m Casey Jones, I’m actually 21 years old. This is Miguel, he’s 20, and already been in Prison. They finally let him out and told him to do time, and if he did that he could get a degree.”

“And what’s your name, big shot?”

“Stefanie Foster. I don’t need to be in a gang, but thanks for the kind offer.”

“You will, give it time.” One of the guys said.

I spent the rest of the evening listening to some Rock Music and went to bed. I had to get up for class early the next morning.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

7 years and 2 months ago

Lena

I gave birth to my triplets at the San Diego Hospital 2 months ago. They were all 2 months old today. The two girls were Mariana and Francesca. The boy was Jesus. I’d been living in the house that my sister Athena and I shared, and I had gotten the 3 babies’ rooms decorated. 2 pink rooms and 1 blue.

I had waited for Athena to get home from a long day at the Precinct. She had to drive an hour to make it back home in the evenings to help me take care of the triplets. I had spoken off and on to Olivia Benson, the one who had helped me get closure for Miguel and his actions. He had been postponed for college, but then again, so did I. I wouldn’t be able to go to College for my degree until the kids were older, maybe in a year or two.

Miguel had been sentenced to Prison for a long time like Athena had promised me. I was glad. I mean, I didn’t want to see his face again, and I wanted him gone. Him being in Prison was about as far

gone

as he could get.

I was feeding the girls first and then Jesus when my sister burst into the house, wearing her Police Uniform. “Hey, Lena, how’s my nieces and nephew?”

“Well, they’ve just started eating dinner. They should be going to bed very soon. How was your day?”

“So busy. We had so many calls come in, and we had to pair up with the firefighters for a couple of the runs. My friend Henrietta was out there.”

“Oh, yes, Hen. How is she doing?”

“She’s good. She sends her love to the triplets.”

I gave a half-smile. I hated that I hadn’t spoken to Gretchen for months. She and I found out we wanted different things, so she and I just lost touch.

“I’m sorry about you and Gretchen, though.” Athena adds.

“It’s not a big deal. She and I wanted different things, that’s all.”

“She wasn’t ready to be a Mom. That’s not your fault.”

“Yeah, I know. She just called it quits. Just like that.”

“I’m sorry, Lena.”

I smiled at my sister as I was burping Francesca. “It’s okay. It just wasn’t meant to be, I guess.”

“You will find the one, someday.” She smiles, helping me burp the kids.

“Thanks, Athena. I sure hope so.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

5 years and 6 months ago

Stef

1 and a half years of College down and 4 and a half more to go. I still had those 3 boys as my roommates for the next 2 years at least, before one of them graduates and leaves for the Army. He was more bulky and seemed like a strong young man. The other two, the twins, seemed hell bent on leaving College about the same time as him. Maybe another year after the Casey Jones guy.

I was getting closer to becoming a Police Officer and taking down the bad guys. I asked the superintendent at the College if I could work as a Security Officer on the school grounds, just to get more work in before I left College and took the job I wanted.

He’d seemed wary of my idea to work alongside the more ‘adults’. I was 21. How much more ‘adult’ could I get?

“Come on, Jordan. I literally need the extra experience, if I’m going to the Police Academy. I want to be a shoe-in.”

“Fine. You work 12 hours a week, and you’d better still be focusing on your schoolwork if you want to graduate with the degree you want.”

I would be working as a Security Officer right away and I was okay with that.

I worked my butt off to get my schoolwork finished and still had time to parole the halls when the other students had to head to their dorms at night. They had a certain curfew and me, well, I finished around Midnight starting out. I had 8 hours of sleep before I had to be in class in the mornings.

“Yo, Foster.” One of the roommates yelled in my direction.

“What is it, Duncroft?” I asked. I acted like we were in the Army or something.

“When do you graduate? I will get out of here in 2 and a half years.”

“4 and a half years, but if I work hard enough and do double time, I can graduate in 3. Why are you asking?”

“Just curious. I wanted to see how smart you are.”

“I’m smart enough to kick your ass if you double-cross me.”

“Woah, woah, okay tiger.”

That was the first time I was ever called a Tiger to my face.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

4 years ago

Stef

I just graduated from College. Last year Casey Jones and his friend Miguel, two of the guys I’d had the

privilege

of spending College with had enlisted into the Army. I didn’t have enough time with them or any interest in being their friend. They spent too much time talking about this girl one of them had banged in High School during a party they’d had at their house.

The girl was Latina. One of the boys thought she was mixed. Whichever, apparently they were drunk at this party. One said they were dating. Gabe, the twin of the one guy Miguel said she slapped his brother across the face and stormed out of that place. I’d liked to have beat up Miguel for using a girl who was probably not even into him, but I didn’t bother.

I got the degree I wanted and left Los Angeles University. I had gotten all my things packed into a van I had gotten for myself with money I had earned both when I worked at the bar with my Mom and also as a Security Guard in College. I drove back to my parents’ house. My mom was still working at the bar to this day, and my dad was still a preacher to this little church I had been to as a kid.

I was going to be heading straight to the Police Academy for 6 months. I was going to become a Police Officer like I’d wanted from the beginning. I’d made sure to spend Saturday and Sunday doing tons of laundry, cleaning my room and getting ready for Monday when I would have to drive to the Police Academy for my first day as a Police Trainee. I’d have my own uniform and I’d start putting my hair up into a bun in the back of my head.

“Everyone,” I was greeted when I had made it to the Police Academy Monday morning bright and early, “This is Stefanie Foster, and she’s our new recruit.”

“Hello, Stefanie.” Athena spoke up first. “I’m Athena Adams.”

“Nice to meet you, Athena.”

“This is Mike Foster. He’s been working here for about a year now. I’ve been here for almost 3 years. Stick with us, and you’ll be just fine.” She seemed to smile.

“Thank you, Athena. I’ll make sure and do that.”

And just like that, I had buddies my first day at the Police Academy.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Mike

I’d been working at the Police Academy for about a year. I’ve been married to my wife Clarissa for about 2 years. We have a 1 year old son Hunter. He’s been a joy. He’s into soccer, basketball and baseball. All the sports. We were thinking when he turns 4, he can be in Little League baseball.

Clarissa and I are trying for another baby. I hadn’t thought about having another kid with her, but she really wants another one. Just so Hunter can have a little brother or sister.

When this blonde-haired woman came into the Police Academy, I didn’t know how to react. Our boss introduced her as Stefanie Foster. She looked to be 30 years old, maybe younger, 26. She had blue eyes and a welcoming smile.

“This is Stefanie Foster. She is our new recruit.” Our boss spoke.

“I’m Athena.” I’d heard my Police partner say. “Oh, and that’s Mike. He’s been working here for about a year now. I’ve worked here for 3 years.”

Yeah, Athena, rub it in.

I thought.

“Hi. Yes, I’m Mike Foster.” I was finally able to say. “It’s very nice to meet you and welcome to the team.”

“I’m happy to be here. Thanks.” She said, suddenly seeming to feel more welcomed into our bunch immediately.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Present Day

Josie

“Katie, Katie, come on. We have to go to the mess hall for Lunch.” I was practically pulling on my sister’s arm, trying to move her along.

“I’m coming, Josie. You go on ahead, alright? I have something I have to do real fast.”

“You better hurry, before all the cheesecake is gone!” I headed down the gravel path to the mess hall.
 
Kathleen

I took out my phone from my back pants pocket and saw I had a text from Casey to call him. I was hoping he was ready to talk after he had freaked out over our last conversation.

I dialed his phone number and hit the green call button. It rang once, twice, before I heard his deep voice on the other end. “Casey, it’s so great to hear from you. Are you okay now?”

“What do you mean? Of course, I’m okay.”

“Our last conversation we had. You got mad.”

“Oh, no. Kathy, I’m fine. I’ve got PTSD, because I’ve been in the Army, but I’m taking medication for it. It’s all good now.”

“You sure we’re good now?”

“Yes, positive. Now, I’d like to see you in a couple days. I’ve got some business to do in town, and I’d like to see you for a short time.”

“Well, I just got to Summer Camp. They don’t allow boys in the girls’ cabins, but I’d love to see you, anyway.”

“How about I come Friday? How’s that? I can stay for a couple days and that way I’ll be able to visit with you.”

“I’d love that. I wish you could come sooner. You could meet my younger sister, and then we could probably have some time to ourselves.”

“Sure. I’ll see what I can come up with.” Casey spoke. He took a minute to respond as if he were thinking. “Oh, and Kathy, I hope we can go to the lake, if it’s open.”

“I’m sure it is. We can go swimming, right?”

Casey smiled on the other end of the line. “Oh, yeah. I’d like to check out the lake. I heard there was yellow tape all around the lake. Someone killed that camp counselor?”

“Yeah, I think so. She was found dead out there. Seems scary.”

“Not scary to me. I’d protect you if it were to happen again.” He promised.

“I’d hope so. You’re such a strong man.” I giggled.

“I hope I’m enough man for you, Katie.”

I smiled to myself. “Yes, you are, Casey. Definitely enough of a man for me.”

What I didn’t know was going to come to light, whether I liked it or not.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Casey

I hung up after the conversation with Kathy and immediately called my buddy Miguel. I had to talk to him about going into Camp Seaside this week and meeting Kathy's younger sister Josie. I'd spent this whole time with Kathy and now, without knowing it, she was sending me to the camp. No one suspected anything. I wasn't committing to anything. I wasn't saying yes or no. I was not a felon, even if people wanted to call me that. I'd known Miguel for a while, and I didn't think anyone in this town knew him anyway. He wasn't the kind of guy anyone would remember.

The phone rang once, twice. He answered. Seems I had either just woken him up, or he was stoned. "Yo, Duncroft!" I spoke in a very demanding tone.

"Yo, what, what? I'm good." He said, acting surprised. He was definitely stoned.

"How would you like to go on some trip this week, say Wednesday. I'm going to see my girl. How about you come along?"

"No, no, man. Your girl is your girl. I'm not getting in the middle of that."

"Dude, I insist, and besides, it's not about my girl, or if she were your girl. It's about getting to that Camp Seaside. We are meeting the little girl. Kathy told me about her over the phone. She's her younger sister." I paused, already having a plan in place. "We get to know her, and then by Saturday early morning, we strike. How's that sound?" I had this smirk start to spread over my face.

Miguel seemed to laugh. His laugh was mischievous. Scary, almost.

"Yes, let's get out there as soon as we can."
 
Olivia

"Remember that guy we tried to reach about a month ago, and he wasn't even home?" Elliot said. "Casey Jones. Well, seems he's back in town now. Not sure for how long though."

"Oh, great.”

“So, we should give him a call and check him out."

"Check him out?"

"Oh, my God. Elliot, we've been married almost 7 years. No! Not like that. He's a suspect in a murder!" I spat at him. "You know exactly what I mean."

Elliot stifled a laugh. "Oh, yeah. Sorry. ‘We’ should check him out."

As we were heading out, I playfully elbowed him in the side as I'd passed him heading for the exit of the Precinct. He laughed and followed after me. I'm glad he found that funny.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Olivia
I'd asked Casey to come down to the Precinct. I'd needed to ask him some routine questions about the killings at Camp Seaside. I'd hoped to figure out when they all started, and I hoped to learn Casey Jones' backstory in the process. I'd been alone in the room with Casey. Elliot was behind this plexiglass, watching us and listening to the conversation we were having."Did you ever know any of the girls at Camp Seaside before?""No. None of them. I can't believe they were all killed.""Do you know someone who might've had some sort of grudge against them?""I don't guess. Me and my buddies, we never went to camp before.""Who's your buddies?""Joshua and Miguel and I swear we ain't never been to that Camp."I think of the name Miguel and it brings back memories of 6 years ago when I'd met this very kind biracial woman Lena Adams. I'd wondered if she was doing okay."How long have you known Miguel?""Since Middle School. We reconnected more in College." He paused for a second, then he said, "We didn't date no chicks." He sounded so hip. He seemed more in control than that. I wasn't sure if he was high or something during this interview."Do you think Miguel would be willing to come in and talk to us?" I'd asked."I'm sure of it."I'd told one of my buddies to escort Casey out of the room. I left the room, thinking about Lena. I wondered if she was okay. We hadn't talked in probably 2 months, maybe 3. Her triplets were now 6 years old, almost 7. I thought maybe, I should give her a call. It'd be nice to hear her voice. She and I had grown to be good friends. I'd helped her through the roughest patch in her life, and now she was raising the most beautiful daughters in the world. I'd seen them a couple times. And her son Jesus was getting tall.I called Lena, hoping to catch up. I'd hoped she was doing good at her job. She'd been working at this Community Charter School for 2 years now as the Vice Principal. 
Lena
"Hello, this is Lena." "Lena, hey. So good to hear your voice.""Olivia, hi. Yes, it's been a couple months. How are you?" In the background, kids could be heard. It was lunchtime in the cafeteria at the school.I smiled. "I'm doing so good. Josie misses you. She's in Summer Camp right now this week. Having a blast with her older sister Kathleen. I know you only come to New York when you have time off, but I hope you can come back.""Yes, I hope so too." Lena paused for a moment. "I heard on the news about these murders at Camp Seaside. How terrible!" She was super surprised. "And they kept the Camp open this year?""Yes, I know and yes, they kept Camp open this year. Ms. Stefanie Foster runs the Camp. The kids love her."Someone knocked on Lena's office door and the noise could be heard on the other end of the line. "I should get going, but I'll make sure to keep in touch. Let me know how all this investigating goes." She smiles and adds, "I miss you, Liv."I smiled wide. I turned to Elliot. He seemed happy I was happy. "Yes, absolutely, Lena. I'll keep you posted. Tell the kids hi for me, and I'll see you soon. I miss you too." I hung up the phone. The call with Lena seemed to make everything much better, even if the world around me was falling apart. I hated this case with the murders of these women and the Sexual Assault that came with it, but Lena seemed to make everything better. I was glad we have been friends this long and will always be.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

10 years ago

Casey

High School sucks. Completely. All my friends and I care about is skipping school and eating pot brownies in our spare time. We've always tried to pass the drug test and yet we haven't got caught once. It doesn't seem to set it off. We skip so many days of school. Miguel and I. All we care about is banging girls, not keeping girlfriends. Our parents have tried to keep us in school, but what's the point in learning? We learn more from smoking pot and eating brownies than we do with the school shit.

Miguel and I have been friends since Middle School. Outside of school grounds we've started a gang. It consists of us two and then some others we met on the street corner. I have told Miguel multiple times that we would survive on our own out in the world on the streets than doing some crazy ass learning in school.

I'd been banging chicks since 8th grade, and my mother told the principal at my school she didn't know what to do with me. I was called a bastard once by my father. He wanted me to do more with my life. Like what, dear ol' dad? Become a drunkard like you? No thanks. I mean, do you call smoking and eating pot brownies being drunk? Hell to the no. I call it being stoned and not giving a fuck about real life.

I'd been into rap since 8th grade. Eminem is my jam. "IDGAF" is my favorite.

Now, High School was different. I mean, not much different than middle school to be honest. Like I said, I eat pot brownies and feel all hyped up. I call girls up, mostly cheerleaders, and if they want to be fucked, I fuck them. They have no attachments and no strings. No questions asked. They don't get offended when I dump their sorry asses after a couple weeks.

Now, Miguel and I are getting ready to graduate. We'd finally bumped up our grades. I might've actually passed because I got a tutor. I got a B in all my classes, because I just wanted to pass to get out of this fucking high school. College would be around the corner, but I'd rather enlist in the Army after a couple years of College. Miguel wanted to do the same. We wouldn't be in the same platoon, but we'd sure as hell try.

After High School, I'd told my mom I was going to leave home with Miguel and his twin brother Gabe and we were going to live on the streets. I had wanted Gabe to be a part of our gang, but he had said no. I was too stoned to care by this point. I'd said "Okay, Man. I'll ask you in a couple years, how's that?" He had agreed and we'd never talked about it again. I had let him hang with us in our gang, even if he wasn't a part of it with us.

"So, let's give ourselves a name. Make ourselves bad ass." I paused for a minute and looked at the other guys. "Any ideas?"

"The Vipers."

"No objections here." I said, seeming to think the name suited us. "Gabe. Miguel. Jonathan. Vee. Big Boo? Any objections?"

"Hell no. Vipers are bad ass." Jonathan said.

I'd not really known any of these women. Miguel knew Vee but briefly. Not much about any of the other gang members. Big boo had several tattoos and was heavy set. Vee was a very authoritative black woman who was the oldest of us. In her early 30s and who was technically my boss. So I wasn't the leader. She was.

And whatever she says goes. If you cross her, she beats you up, breaks bones and gives you life-threatening injuries. Just ask anyone we've ever come across that has crossed her in the last few months of being on the street. Never underestimate Vee Griffon.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

6 years and 5 months ago

Lena
The triplets are 1 and a half years old. They are into everything, and I have kept in touch with Olivia since she'd helped me to get closure for that scum bag of a man in High School. Miguel Duncroft. Who in the hell knows where he ended up after he'd been arrested for assaulting me. I hadn't heard from Gretchen ever again, because she didn't speak to me much anymore. I'd been pregnant, and she'd hurt my feelings a bit, because she'd laughed already knowing I was pregnant. She didn't mean to laugh, but us being together for months, and she didn't want to stay with me. She said she wasn't ready to be a mom. Thanks, Gretch. So, my mom heard how Gretchen broke my heart and left me alone, after she thought Gretchen was a nice woman. She wanted to make her life a living hell, but somehow I just tried to convince her to let it go. I didn't want to fool with such drama anymore, even if I thought I was in love with Gretchen.I'd gotten a job after College as a Vice Principal at this Charter School, working with this woman Ms. Sanchez. Not the best relationship with her that I've encountered. I have only just started working at the Charter School and my sister was proud I got a job. Sometimes, she'd either take the triplets into work with her, or my mom would care for them if Athena and I both had jobs now. I had guessed Athena finally told her buddies about having a sister, because, she'd never really talked about me before. She told me there were these delinquents when she'd first started working at the Los Angeles Precinct and all they cared about was booz and getting into young adult girl's pants. Stupid. I hadn't gotten another single invitation from anyone here at the Charter school. Thank god.Ms. Sanchez gave me this humongous stack of paperwork to do at my desk. I thought it was leftover, because she was too lazy to do it herself.After work, I'd come back home to my triplets. Athena told me Henrietta was so happy to see them at work today. I didn't know she liked kids. She had never had any. Not that I was told. Athena told me she was a lesbian. I liked girls, because of Gretchen, but I hadn't dated since she and I lost touch. I didn't know if I was ready for that dating pool again. "I have a favor to ask you." Athena said as she was changing Francesca's diaper. I was fixing dinner for myself and Athena."What's that, Tina?" I hadn't called her that in a while. Not since I told her I'd been raped."I'd like for you to hang out at the station with Hen tomorrow night." She seemed all innocent whenever she'd said this."What? No, no. Athena. Don't be putting me on a date. I'm not ready to date.""No, it's not a date, Lena. It's just hanging out at the Fire Station tomorrow night. I swear. No date.""Not a date? Are you sure I'm not going on a date?""Yes, Lena, I'm sure. This is not a date. You two are friends. That's what this is. A hangout with a friend. Think you can handle that?"I sighed. "Okay. Fine, I'll go. You or Mom will have to watch the twins tomorrow night, though.""Already got that covered. I'll do it. Please dress nice and show off those natural curls." She prodded.I didn't say much. I felt like Athena was still putting me on a date with Hen, but I couldn't figure out if that was true or not. I guess I was going to find out tomorrow night.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

4 and a half years ago

Stef

I'd been working at the Police Department for 6 months. Captain Roberts was my boss. Athena was my buddy in the Precinct. Mike Foster was a good friend at work. He sometimes got me coffee from Starbucks, because I hated the Precinct coffee. I just as well make coffee from my home. It was better. Starbucks was the best. Mike was a gentleman, but even if he'd been working at the station longer than me, I never figured he'd be so nice to me. He's my friend at the station, nothing more. At least I didn't think so. I wondered if he might.

I'd heard a little bit about Athena's sister. She was younger than Athena by 4 years. She never really told us her name, just that she was the Vice Principal for the Community Charter School in San Diego. I didn't think I'd been in San Diego. Maybe my Dad had. He was a preacher and he traveled wherever he felt the Lord led him. Like I'd said before. I hadn't been to church for a long time. My mother had even stopped attending, and when she did, she'd told me I could do as I wanted as long as I got a degree and followed my dreams to be what I wanted in life. I was never a religious person. My father liked best that I was into guys. He said if I were a lesbian like Tess thought she was when she flirted with me - My Dad said being gay was a sin.

I'd heard so much about Athena's sister, I felt like I knew her, except for her name. I don't think Athena's mentioned it once. She had said their parents were a biracial couple. Their dad was white and their mom was black. Apparently, their aunt was not really around much, and their half-brother didn't mean much to them. He wasn't her brother from their mother, but he was their brother, because of their father. I never had siblings. I was an only child. My Mom never had more kids.

One night, Mike was working late at the station. I was about to drive over to the bar, because my mom would be working late. 3 AM to be exact. I saw Mike was still at his desk. "Don't work too hard."

"Do I ever?" He joked. He laughed.

"Sometimes." Of course, I was serious.

He sighed. "Ok, fine. I'll take a break. Where are you headed?"

"My Mom owns a bar in downtown Los Angeles. I need to head over there and at least see her before I head home. My father normally makes it home most nights before she ever does."

"Could I join you?" He asked. He preferred not to mention he was a drinker, or that he was married already.

"Yeah. Sure. I won't be there long, though. You might get bored."

He laughs again. It was a deep laugh. "No, never bored when I work with a beautiful blonde."

"Are you flirting with me, Foster?" I asked him.

"No, I would never." He joked.

"No seriously, Mike. Do you flirt with all the women you work with?"

"Nope. Just the hot ones."

Okay... That wasn't funny. I laughed, though. "Every woman here is hot to guys. If you had to pick, you could have any one of them."

"Yeah, I'm sure I could." He said.

"And then why don't you, slick?" I'd asked him. I gave him this serious look that could have bore into his soul.

"Because you've caught my eye first."

I didn't blush. I wasn't going to just because he tried flirting with me. I was the 'play hard to get' kind of woman.

"You're just picking on the new member. I haven't even been here a year, and you're already flirting. What a surprise." I teased.

He scoffed as if he'd been hurt. I wasn't sure where our silly banter was coming from. We began to take each comment the other gave in stride. I smiled, getting out of my seriousness for the first time. "You're very slick, Foster. One day, you're going to find that girl and sweep her off her feet in a heartbeat."

"Yep, I'm sure I will." He got his things and got up from the desk.

We walked out of the station together and down the street to the bar. I'd once thought Mike was a good friend, but now, I was thinking about many other options. My face was hot, I was admiring his slender build. What did this mean? Was I attracted to Mike or was Mike attracted to me? I had no idea.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Stef

I had finished the training at the Police Academy and our boss Captain Roberts had assigned me with Mike. We were to be partners in Los Angeles. "Really? That was fast. Did you choose him, or what?"

"I asked to be your partner."

This guy that flirted with me not 24 hours ago, asked to be my partner until further notice?

"You sure I can't think about this first?"

"Nope, it's already been decided."

"Okay then." I said. I was slightly annoyed.

"So, what do we do today, Stef?" He asked me.

I just wanted my coffee and to get into the Police car maybe without him trying to flirt with me.

"Not much. Not unless someone's speeding or robbing a bank." I said with a sarcastic tone.

"Is there a problem, Stef?"

"Problem? No, Foster, why would there be a problem?"

"Because you're giving me the cold shoulder."

"You asked for me, Mike. Me. Why? Because I turn you on? That's not what this job is about."

"Well, no. I know that, Stef. I just feel drawn to you, that's all."

"Right. That's not crazy at all."

"I'm serious, Stef."

I parked the car outside of some jail. I was now facing him. "Well, then, Mike, enlighten me, please."

"I've only known you 6 months, but I'd like to take you out for drinks and a nice dinner sometime. How about tonight?" He sounded so forward.

"Tonight? I don't know. I don't want you to hold up any other commitments you might have."

"Commitments? Like what?"

"Like a wife."

He took a long minute before he said anything.

"You're married, Mike? And you're flirting with me?"

"Look, I am married, but it's not a big deal."

"Do you flirt all the time? I don't do cheating, Mike. Especially not when someone's got a WIFE."

"We've only been together for almost 3 years."

I tried to keep my cool, but I couldn't believe it. "3 YEARS! That's a long ass time to be married and then cheat. I'm not going to be the other woman, Mike. If you're having trouble in your marriage, FIGURE IT OUT. It's your marriage, your responsibility not mine."

After the call, we rode back to the station in silence. I didn't want to speak to him the rest of the day - and I didn't.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

3 years ago

Stef
I'd done my training at Los Angeles Police Academy. I'd worked with this guy Mike, who I'd thought was cute. We'd worked a year together, and after 6 months in training, I'd gone on a Police call with him and found out he had a wife. Apparently, I looked Mike Foster up and did a Background Check on him. He had a wife named Clarissa and they really had been married almost 3 years at the time.I got a job in San Diego after training in Los Angeles to work at the Police Department in San Diego. I'd heard my Mom put in a good word for me. So, I packed up everything from this apartment I'd been renting in Los Angeles and moved right away. My Dad and Mom both were happy for me. I didn't have to drive very far from Los Angeles to San Diego. Only several hours.I started at the Precinct right away. Captain Roberts had also been transferred to San Diego. I didn't mind that. I actually appreciated my boss. I got partnered with this overweight guy. He didn't talk much or really flirt with me. Thank god about no flirting. I hadn't heard from Mike, but since I moved away from him, we didn't keep in touch much at all. I kept in touch with Athena though. She told me about her sister Lena and how they were inseparable. I'd never had siblings, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.I was a 'skinny mini' as some of the new officers began to call me. I didn't mind it. I'd take it better than ever believing I was overweight.I found my new desk as I had arrived into the Precinct. I got my own uniform. A different one at that - my new badge made and paperwork to start out. 
Lena
Today was Mariana, Frankie, and Jesus' birthdays. They turned 4 today. I told my mom I had to go into work again. I've worked at the Charter School for 3 years now and am loving every minute. I loved talking to the kids and helping them find their classes. My boss Ms. Sanchez was a pain in my ass. There was a new student who'd been in a foster home, his 6th one so far, and he was behind all the other students. He needed to pass the exam to stay in school here at the Community Charter. I'd help him after hours at school and go to his grandparent's house to help him study. His father's grandparents lived in town, and his mother and mother's grandparents lived in Boston. He told me he only came here for school half the time, and the other half of the time he lived with his foster mothers and their parents. He wants his father's grandparents to move back to Boston, but he's not sure they ever will. "Hey, bud. Don't be so down. I'm sure your grandparents will move back to Boston soon." They weren't very old, and they were of Italian Descent."Yeah. I hope so too. My foster Mom has another baby. She's my younger sister.""And what's your little sister's name?" I asked him. He'd come to my office in between class periods. "Natalie. She just turned 4 months old last week."This young boy was 11 years old. I heard the first class bell. "You should be heading to class." I smiled, giving him a side hug. "I'll see you later, Jude."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Stef

I had to come into the office on a weekend. A Saturday. Apparently, my boss had two people coming in to begin work. I'd greeted some of the new employees I'd been working with for the last 6 months. When I entered Captain Robers' office, I smiled when I saw Athena. I gave her a hug. When I heard an all too-familiar male voice, I stopped in my tracks.

"Hello there, Stef." Mike said as if nothing had ever happened.

"Captain Roberts, what's going on?"

"These are your new Recruits. I need the best Officers from the older Precinct and you 3 are the best I've got."

"Mike Foster, though?" I'd asked, not believing he was actually here in San Diego.

"Is there a problem with him being here, Stef?"

I sighed. "No, not a problem at all."

"Good, because you 3 have been assigned as partners. You each will switch off on calls. That's the only rule I have. You can make that call, but I want you to pair up together at least once with Mike. That's all I ask."

Great, I had to pair up with Mike Foster.

After the meeting with Captain Roberts, I went straight to my desk. Mike's was across the way from mine. "Really?" I asked, under my breath. Mostly.

"Stef, I'm sorry how things went last year. Everything's different now."

I was staring at my computer screen and stifled an unbelievable laugh. "How is everything different, Mike? Last I checked, you have a wife."

"Not anymore, Stef. I divorced her 3 months ago."

"You supposedly had a good thing going, so what happened? I'm sure she found out you tried to cheat on her with me."

"No. It wasn't that way at all, Stef. I told her I was into someone else. I told her I was sorry. I didn't know what else to do."

I almost rolled my eyes in front of him.

"How do you just leave your wife to pick someone else?"

"I don't know Stef, but I have. If you'll have me, I would still like to take you out for a drink sometime."

I shook my head in an unbelievable state of mind.

"You better not have any more secrets up your sleeve, Foster."

He did the 'cross-my-heart-hope-to-die' bit. He was showing off now.

I sighed again. "Okay, Mike. Fine, I'll go to have drinks with you. That's it."

I hoped I wouldn't regret this decision.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Present Day

KathleenI had been excited about Casey coming to Camp and meeting my younger sister. I was glad we were better now. More so than normal. His reaction he'd said was because he'd been in the Army and he had PTSD. I knew Army wives and men had that a lot. Maybe he was taking medication for it or something. My sister said she was going to the Mess Hall. I'd hoped the cheesecake wasn't all gone. I loved cheesecake. I got a text from Olivia. She was wondering how we were doing. I decided to text back, "Great. Enjoying ourselves."I headed down to the Mess Hall. There would be food still down there, and I didn't want to miss out. I wanted to get some before it was all gone. I found my sister sitting with another young girl. Maybe 2 years older than her. Maybe, she'd make a friend. I had made several."Hey, Josie, are you gonna introduce me?""Oh, yeah. This is my older sister Kathleen.""Nice to meet you..." I said, trailing off my words, waiting to be introduced to her as well."Emily. It's very nice to meet you both. I just got moved into Josie's cabin today. The counselor said I could move in there.""You came a day later? How come?""I enrolled myself. My Dad doesn't remember much about these things. He's the only one I have.""Oh, I get it." I said, as if my Dad was the only one I had too.LenaMy daughters are 4 and a half now. I'd wanted them to be able to go to Camp, but 1, they were not old enough, and 2, Camp may be closed indefinitely soon.I'd also have to drive quite a ways, and I worked full time with Principal Sanchez at the school. It would be hard. I still worked during the Summer.I got a phone call from Athena. She said she'd be late getting home. She had to work overtime tonight. It was Wednesday. Not the best day, because Mariana had a dance recital, and I knew she'd want her auntie Athena to be there. "I wish you didn't have to miss Mari's dance recital tonight.""Oh my gosh, Lena. I'm so sorry. The day just got away from me. I promise, I will try and be there. Captain Roberts just wants us all on deck tonight. Me and 2 others. Remember, I told you about Stef, well, she's working as a Camp Counselor this Summer, and I'm working with this other guy, Mike.""Right. I remember you mentioning them. Please try and make it and don't go flirting with that guy.""What? No, no, Lena. He's divorced and he's got 2 kids. One's 6 with his first ex-wife and one's 5 with his second ex-wife.""Wow, two ex-wives? Athena, aren't you glad you can dodge that bullet?" I laughed a bit."Haha.” She laughed. “I'll see you later. I love you, Lena.""I love you too, Tina." I told her. I smiled as I hung up the phone.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Casey

I'd made the decision to come to Camp. It was Wednesday. I'd promised Kathy I was going to come early. At least see what I could do. I was hiding in the woods watching the kids playing jump rope and on water slides. It was hot. Maybe 90 degrees. My buddies Miguel and Jonathan were with me. I'd asked them to stay out of the way. Kathy was only expecting me. Not any others. Kathy seemed to be on the phone, so instead, I wanted to surprise her in a different way.

I came down the pathway to the cabins. I found her sitting on a tree trunk. I came up from behind her. "Guess who?" I whispered, covering her eyes.

"Casey, you really made it." She said not to draw attention to them.

"Of course, and it's a couple days earlier than I had planned. What are your plans today?"

"My sister wants to go to the lake and swim. I guess she knew I wanted to head over there too."

I took her hand. "Well, then. Let's go together."

The Lake

There was no one around except Josie and her friend and me and Kathy. I headed down with Kathy but I stayed behind until she introduced me.

Josie

"Katie, come play jump rope with us. Hold the rope with Emily."

"Okay, but first, Josie, meet Casey."

"Your beau? He's actually here? How'd you swing that?"

"Careful, Josie. It's not that big of a deal. As long as you don't tell Ms. Foster."

"Fine. Hi, I'm Josie." I say to the young man who seems to be 'much' older than me or Katie.

"I'm Casey Jones. It's very nice to meet you Josie. Who's your friend?"

"This is Emily." I looked at Katie. "Can we jump rope now?"

"Alright, we can jump rope now."

That Evening

"Your sister seems smart." I heard Casey tell Katie.

"Yeah, sure. More like Sassy. Trust me. She tells you how it is."

I turned to my sister. "I look out for you."

"You're not supposed to. I am, remember?"

"I'm glad your sister looks out for you. My Dad always seems to be out of the house. He doesn't seem to be around for me. I'd guess he's drinking."

I was concerned. "Drinking? Does he hurt you?"

"No, I mean... yeah, sometimes."

"You should tell someone. Anyone you know. Maybe my Mom and Dad can help you."

"I got help when this happened before. But he stole me back. He's not really my Daddy."

"What? How do you know that?" I asked as we were jumping rope.

"When he's drunk, he tells me so. He wishes I was never born. But he never tells me about my real parents."

"That's... that's terrible." I stopped jumping now and put the rope away. We sat on one of the benches.

"I know." She shrugs.

"What do you like to do in your spare time, Josie?" Casey asked after several minutes, catching me off guard.

"I don't know what you mean."

"She loves to start fights with me. You know, the usual." She jokes.

"Katie, that's not funny. I do not." I didn't know what she'd been telling her beau.

The Next Day

Kathleen

I'd woken up to the trumpet blaring down at the Mess Hall. I'd found myself curled in the bedsheets with Casey. I looked over to see Casey, but he'd already gotten up and left the cabin. I looked down to just wearing a bra and panties. I got up and went to shower. Casey wasn't anywhere to be found. I hoped whatever happened we hadn't gotten caught. I went to the Mess Hall for breakfast and found my sister talking with her friend Emily again.

"Hey, Jos, so have you seen Casey?"

"No, not this morning, what, why?" She saw how disheveled my hair looked. I hadn't really fixed it but in a ponytail.

"Oh, just curious."

"Oh, my god. Katie," She got up and got so close to me. She whispered, "Did you have sex with him last night?"

"Jos, that's ridiculous! Of course, I didn't have sex with him last night. You don't even know what sex is."

"It's how I was born and how you were born. How everyone was born."

"Look, Jos, mind your business, okay?"

"You're not even 18 yet. You're 17 now, as far as I know."

"Yes, I am Jos. Look, there you go again with the sassiness. Can you stop doing that?"

"Sorry I can't."

"Obviously." I stormed off to find Casey myself. I didn't care that I'd just left her standing there alone.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Kathleen
I go to find Casey. He's nowhere to be found. Maybe he's just staying low because of Ms. Foster. I decided that's what he was doing. I headed back to the lake, and he was standing there talking to some of his buddies and some of the other camp counselors. I didn't want to interrupt, and after a couple minutes, he noticed me. "Hey there, Kathy. Sorry I disappeared like that. I didn't want to get spotted by that camp counselor lady.""Ms. Foster. Right, of course. That's fine. Are you coming back to the cabin tonight?""Yes, I plan to." He'd said, as his friends walked away from him. They'd apparently finished their conversation."Okay. Can we talk about how long you're staying? Can we take a walk?""Sure, Kathy, let's take a walk. Why don't you talk about your sister again. I'd like to know more about her."I laugh. "You don't want to know about her, Casey. She's just my sister.""I do, please. Enlighten me." He said, seeming intrigued.I sigh, starting to walk down the camp trail with Casey. I didn't realize this was someone he wanted to talk about."Okay, well," I began, holding Casey's hand as we walked, "She loves horses, and constantly wants to ride them. She's got an incredible sense of style and even if she gets on my nerves, trying to tell me what to do, I love her. She's really not that bad.""She's almost 7, isn't she?""Yeah, Saturday. Olivia and Dad, well, we were all going to celebrate with cake, and we don't get back from Camp until next Saturday afternoon. So, we won't be able to do this big party like she wants.""Oh, well, I'm sure you can have a small party for her. Right?""Yeah. Possibly. Anyway, she wants to make something of herself in a couple of years. Be somebody. I told her, find a nice guy. Get married when she's 20. I don't know. She said she didn't want to marry any guys. So, I said, good. She didn't have to. She keeps badgering me about you, though.""You don't suppose she has a young crush on me, do you?""What, my sister? No way. Besides, you're all mine, Casey Jones. Don't ever forget it."He kissed me so hard, I had to catch my breath a couple of times. I wanted to have sex with him. I didn't say it out loud, but it's something I wanted.
Josie
Friday came and went. It was a quick day. Tomorrow, I'd be 7 years old and I wanted this big party. I knew I couldn't have one of those big celebrations until I was back with Mommy and Daddy. I kept seeing Casey with Kathleen. Following her around everywhere, always on her arm. She walked around and he was always so close to me. So close to Katie. I get he was her beau, but they were joined at the hip. I'd gotten ready for bed that night. I'd shared my space with Emily. We'd had so much fun the first week of Camp. She even wished me a happy early birthday. I'd wake up tomorrow spending my birthday with her more than with Katie. Right now, she'd spent so much time with her beau, she acted like I didn't exist. I sighed. Sometimes, she'd just glance at me. I spent more time with Emily, and she told me how when she was 2 she got adopted and then her drunken Dad stole her away before she had the chance to get too attached with her adopted family. It sucked. When I had told her about my parents, and I showed her a picture, she'd said, "Josie, that's Detective Benson. She is the one that saved me the first time. Her and Detective Stabler, they... they saved me from my Dad. From this drunken man. He's not my daddy, I swear. Detective Benson, your Mom... She adopted me. She took sole custody of me, and then...""Wait, so, you're supposed to be my sister? Biologically, I mean, adopted?"Emily nods. "I think so. But, this man, he's got me wrapped around his finger, and...""No. He can't. If you're right, my Mommy should have custody of you. We need to see documents. It's wrong, Emily. It's wrong that he took you away. I didn't know about you being my sister until now, and it sucks that you've been kept a secret because of this man.""Look, Jos, I don't think...I don't know what you can do. You'd have to get Olivia... you'd have to tell her.""I know. I do. I should do something." 
Saturday Afternoon
There was this big party. Not as big as I wanted, but it was good enough. Casey wasn't around. I guess he had other things to do. I didn't want Katie to have all her attention on her beau and none on me. I laughed with Emily. If she really was my adopted older sister, I wanted to know. I was surprised she knew at 8 years old. She was almost 9 and I was now 7. She wouldn't be 9 until another month away. I hugged my sister once. She didn't seem happy with me as she had on other birthdays. "Katie, could you please be happy for me on my birthday?" I'd asked her.Katie was acting the same as if Casey were right there. "What's the point?" She said under her breath. "It's just another birthday. You're just 7. Woopty doo. There's no big milestone in your life.""I'm 7, Katie. I'm only 7 once." I seemed hurt that she'd acted this way."Look, stop bragging. If something happens to you on your 7th birthday and it's a surprise, I'd LOVE to see it." She gave a laugh.I pulled away from her. "Fine. If something surprising happens, I'll let you know - so you can stop standing on your high-horse." 
Casey
"Okay fellas." He'd said in the dark night. It was 11 PM. All the girls would be asleep, including the camp counselors. "Let's getter done."I headed to the girls' cabin where Josie was with 4 other girls. I came over to the door and opened it a crack to peek in at the sleeping little girl. "Happy birthday, Josie, time to hit the road." I whispered mostly to myself.I'd turned around and told one of the guys to hand me some rope and a rag. "Miguel, you got the truck running out front?""I got it.""Then, let's go."I came into the room and slowly began to hover over Josie.
Josie
I slowly opened my eyes, after feeling a warm hand on my cheek. It was a tall man, and in the dark, I really had to adjust my vision."Get up, Josie.""Casey, what- what are you doing in here? You shouldn't be in-""Quiet, little girl. You want to wake up these girls with your constant chattering?"I was a little scared of Casey right now."Get up." He'd said, grabbing my wrists in a firm grip and tying them together with the rope he held.I wanted to scream because the sudden force startled me. "Ow, you're hurting me.""Shut up and get out of bed." He pulls me up and I almost yelp. He covers my mouth with a very large cloth and ties it around my head in the dark."Don't you dare make a sound. Follow me, and no one gets hurt." He hissed. "You understand?"I nodded quickly a couple times.He jerked me out of the cabin. He picked me up by the waist and threw me over his shoulder. I wanted to hit him, but I couldn't. My hands were tied. This was not good. Not good at all.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

2 years ago

Stef

I had gone on a few dates with Mike after the Academy. I'd moved to San Diego to work there, and he'd been assigned as my Recruit with Athena. I had finally gotten along with him after the incident with him being married and flirting with me at the Academy. He'd told me it was over between him and Clarissa and I guessed I'd believe him. He said they had divorced and yet they had a 6 year old son named Hunter. Mike and I had to talk to my Dad. My dad was happy I'd met a decent man. He wanted us to get married and in a church. The church he preached at in Los Angeles. I told him I lived in San Diego now, and I'd rather have a small party if I got married.

I married Mike with just a couple friends of the Precinct invited. I sent Mom and Dad a postcard. It's been 4 years since we've been married and we have a son Brandon who is now 6 years old. I was pregnant 2 years before we married. My Dad wasn't too keen on that, but as long as I'd married a guy, I guess it didn't matter.

The problem was, Mike drank a lot. I didn't know if he wasn't happy in our marriage anymore, or the fact that his ex-wife Clarissa wanted full custody of Hunter. Just because Mike was a drunken man. She didn't want her son to get hurt if Mike ever got physical. I understood the safety in that aspect.

I was going to enroll my son into the San Diego Community Charter School today. I wanted to make our lives here in San Diego permanent and not only because we found a house here to live. My parents would probably be moving closer to me and Brandon soon. They'd rather be closer than in Los Angeles which was a few hours away.
 
Lena

My twins were 5 years old. They had just begun to go to school where I worked as the assistant principal with Principal Sanchez. Again, the pain in my ass. I'd enrolled all three of my kids into Kindergarten. Athena was around more often, and Mariana and Francesca were both taking Dance, while Jesus wanted to do basketball. There was a game of basketball for the little kids and the coach was so nice. I'd hoped he would be my little boy for a long time. As I hoped my girls would be too.

I was told by Mrs. Sanchez that I had a visitor outside. I would meet her and enroll her son into 1st grade.

I came outside and saw the blonde haired woman standing with her son. "Hi, you must be Mrs. Foster," I said. I gave a warm smile and looking down at the young boy, I said, "and this must be Brandon."

"Yes, I'm hoping to get him started into first grade."

"I'm Lena." I told this woman in front of me." I held out my hand for her to shake.

"Stef. My name is Stef." She shook my hand. We stood there, looking into each other's eyes for a minute.

"Um," I laughed, "Will your husband be joining us?"

"No, he's... He won't make it." Stef told me.

"Okay, then let me give you a tour."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Present Day

Emily

I had woken up to an empty bed beside mine. It was Josie's bed. Her stuffed animal was still in the same place as if she had been sleeping all night. I couldn't imagine her not being able to sleep after her party yesterday. The trumpet startled me, even if I was already awake. "Josie?" I asked, looking around the cabin. The other girls just started to wake up. I got dressed and headed outside. The ground was damp from the morning dew. I saw an extra set of footprints, but no one was around. I went around the footprints and sprinted to Kathleen's cabin. "Kathleen, Kathleen!" I called out to her. "Please, be awake." I said to myself.

"Emily, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not. I can't find Josie. She's not in the cabin, and when I came outside there were 2 sets of someone else's footprints."

"What?" She said, shocked. "Show me."

I took her to the tracks that were outside of the cabin door. We were careful not to step over them. They led all the way to the front of the campsite.

"Go get Ms. Foster. I'll call around and see if I can find her. If I can't, I'll call 911, okay?"

I nod a couple times. "Kathleen, if we don't find her..."

"Someone will find her, I swear. It's okay, don't worry."

I watched Kathleen leave and walk back to the woods to see if she could find Josie. I headed straight for Ms. Foster's office. The one secluded by trees. I knocked a couple of times, and my heart was beating fast. "Ms. Foster, Ms. Foster." I said a couple times.

She came out and greeted me. "Emily, are you alright? What's wrong, love?"

"Josie's not in the cabin with the other girls. I woke up and she was gone. There's other people's footprints outside the door. The shoes are way bigger than ours. Kathleen went searching, but what do I do?"

"Are you sure she's not at the Mess Hall with some of the other kids? It's breakfast time."

"I haven't looked, but Ms. Foster, I'm scared. What if something bad has happened?"

"It's okay. Emily, go check at the Mess Hall, and if you can't find her, call 911 dispatch okay?"

I nodded a couple times and left Ms. Foster's office. I headed straight for the Mess Hall. "Please be there, Josie. Please." I begged myself out loud.
 
Kathleen

I came back to meet up with Emily. I couldn't find my sister, and I was getting worried. I didn't see Casey anywhere either. I was scared about what was happening. I went to the entrance of Camp and saw tire tracks. Must've been some sort of truck that had run through here. I took out my phone. Emily seemed to be scared too, and she was shaking. I decided to call 911 myself.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"My sister, she's gone. We've only been at Camp a week, I swear."

"Slow down, miss. What's your name and what happened?"

"My name is Kathleen Stabler, and I don't know what happened. That's the problem. I was woken up by my sister's friend, and she said she was missing. We've looked all over Camp and we can't find her."

"Call your parents. I'll send the Police over there now, okay? I want you to stay as calm as you can."

"Okay. Please, hurry. I'm so scared."

"I know. I'm contacting the Police now, Kathleen."

I hung up and called Olivia and Dad without skipping a beat.

"Kathleen, honey, what's wrong?" I heard Dad say right away.

I was shaking and my heart was pounding. "It's all my fault. Oh, my god - it's all my fault."

"Sweetheart, what are you talking about?"

"Josie's gone. She wasn't in her bed when we got up this morning for breakfast. Dad, where's Olivia?"

"She's right here." He seemed to put me on speaker.

"Kathleen, what happened?"

"I don't... I don't know. Yesterday she was here. She was happy, and she was fine. We were celebrating her birthday. I was so upset with her." I took a breath. "I didn't mean to say what I said, I swear..."

"What'd you say?"

"I told her to stop bragging about how old she was. I said if something more exciting happened to tell me about it. I didn't know this would happen. I never wanted it to. It's all my fault."

"Kathleen, slow down." Elliot said. "It isn't your fault. We will figure this out. Did you see anything out of the ordinary this morning?"

"There were 2 sets of other people's footprints. Emily found them. That's Kathleen's friend. I went to the entrance of Camp and there were tire tracks too. Large ones. Maybe a truck."

There was a pause on the other end of the line.

"Oh no."

"What, Dad, what?"

"It's possible, sweetheart that your sister's been abducted."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Olivia

I drove out to Camp. It was early for the girls to be going home, but since Ms. Foster knew about Josie's disappearance, and there were yet again Police at the scene, I had to take Kathleen home. She was distraught, and she worried about her sister's safety. At the same time, I had to question the girls there. I hated that they had to be questioned, but I had known they'd done nothing wrong. It was just standard procedure.

I saw 4 girls huddled together. They were terrified. One biracial girl was standing with Kathleen. "Hey, Kathleen, I know you already told the 911 operator, but you need to give me the rundown again. What happened?"

"I told you." She sighed. "Sorry." She looked at her friend who looked to be around 7 or 8 years old. "I woke up this morning, and I heard Emily screaming. She asked me to come outside, and she'd showed me the 2 sets of footprints. We didn't interfere with them. We walked around them to the front of the Camp. There were big tire tracks. Looked like a truck had been through here."

I looked over at the biracial girl. She looked so familiar. I knew why. "Emily?"

"Hi, Detective Benson."

"You two already know each other?"

"Yes. I adopted Emily when she was 2 years old."

"Well, then, why isn't she living with us?" Kathleen questioned.

"This man, he took me from Detective Benson before I even had a chance to react." Emily said. "I know it's crazy that I can remember what happened at age 2, but I can. He's always been this drunkard guy. I want out, and he's hurt me so much..."

I touch her arm gently. "I promise you. I will get you out of there. Okay? You are my daughter. Josie's older sister."

"That is if we find her." She handed me Josie's stuffed animal from the cabin.

"We will. We just have to talk to the Police, and we need to get samples of the tire tracks and the footprints."

Athena

I'd come to the Camp after Kathleen had called 911. I met up with my Police partner Stef Foster. I wanted her to come back to the Precinct and work. I know she wanted to work the full Summer, but so many of these incidents had been happening, I'd rather her be on the force and watch from that angle. I had to talk to her. I walked up the gravel road to the offices. "Stef. Hey, I need to talk to you."

"Sure, Athena. Anything would be better than this. I hate that this is happening to Detective Benson and the family."

"I know you only wanted to do this Summer and you were done, but we all want you to come back to the station and work. Would you be willing to do that?"

"Is Mike still there?"

"Of course but not much longer. Not when they learn of his drinking. He thinks he hadn't gotten caught, but I've seen it."

"I loved being with kids, but I hate that this is happening to so many people, and I would give anything to work in the Precinct again. It's always been my dream job. I just stopped, because I had been doing Camp in the Summer."

"I know," I began, taking Stef's hand. "and I understand that. You'd still be protecting people. Back at the Precinct. Please come back, Stef."

She nods. "Okay. We can go, but first I want to say something to Detective Benson."
 
Olivia

"Hey, Stef. Could you tell me anything that happened here?"

"Wait, Olivia," Kathleen began, "I know of one person that shouldn't have been at Camp."

"Kathleen, what do you mean, 'shouldn't have been'?" Elliot asked.

"My boyfriend. He came to surprise me. I wanted him to meet Josie. He wanted to meet her."

"Kathleen, I don't think your boyfriend would have caused any of this."

"I don't know that for sure. He was angry with me a couple days at Camp. I called him and he got mad at me. When I mentioned the killings and attacks, he got offensive. I didn't do anything wrong, and the next conversation he blamed it on PTSD. I thought it was over."

"Kathleen, this is very important. Is your boyfriend a member of the Army?"

"He said he got PTSD from the Army, but I don't think he's enlisted right now. Josie kept saying he had to be older than me, and I knew I couldn't have a boyfriend until I was 19, and she knew too. I don't know how old he is."

"Let's go, Kathleen. Head to the van. Olivia and I need to head to the office. You're going home."

"Dad, I swear, I didn't think he'd have a problem with Josie."

"We don't know that yet. Right now, you're banned from seeing that boy you've been dating until we figure all of this out."

I sighed, looking at Elliot. "Kathleen, anyone is a suspect right now. Okay?"

She nods and heads to the van in a hurry.

The Precinct

Fin

He was looking at the papers on his desk. He got up and looked at the suspect board. "I don't know if you should be doing this, Olivia. She is your daughter."

"So is Emily, and Josie met her. I need to go back to court to finish what I started."

"I agree, Olivia, but Josie is yours, too. You shouldn't be wearing yourself out. Let Munch and I handle this case."

"It's a kidnapping, Fin. An abduction all the same. I need to stay busy. I need to question people."

"Okay, well, speaking of the first people to question, could you tell me about Miguel Duncroft?"

"I have heard of him," Olivia starts to say, "My friend Lena Adams got raped by him years ago, when she was in High School."

"Do you think he's in a gang with anyone else?"

She shrugs. "I don't know, but I wouldn't put it past him."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

1 year ago

Stef
I was enrolling Brandon in Second Grade, and I was going back to the San Diego Community Charter School. Lena had been working there for 5 years. I'd gotten coffee out with her at the nearest coffee shop. She and I talked for a long while, and she seemed happy to have triplets. I was able to meet them. Mariana and Francesca, "Frankie" as I'd liked to call her, and Jesus. It must have been extremely hard to take care of triplets. I wondered what happened to the father. I saw her at school again and went to her office. I didn't want to be rude about asking of Lena's husband. "Do these sweet babies have a father?""No, he's not in the picture. I'm not into men, Stef. I'm into girls. What happened with him wasn't meant to." She whispered. The kids seemed to be in class, but what she was telling me was very delicate to her."He hurt you, Lena? When?""High School. A high school party. After Senior Year.""He raped you." It wasn't a question. She was furious with this guy. She hoped she'd never meet him, because then she would beat him senseless."Yes, Stef. He did. My sister was there throughout the whole process. I talked to the Special Victims Unit. I saw an OBGYN. I wanted the triplets to have their best lives. So, I wanted to keep them. They don't know about the father. I don't want them to know yet. If they ask, I'll tell them the truth. I'd rather say he's dead.""You can say that, Lena. What he did is inexcusable. It isn't your fault. You are allowed to feel pain." I told her. I touched her hand gently with my own. 
Lena
Stef touched my hand. I felt this spark. I hadn't felt a spark like that since I was with Gretchen. "Thank you, Stef." I showed tears and she hugged me for a long time. I closed my eyes, thinking about how Stef smelled of vanilla and spice. "If you want me to stay, I can call the station and say I'll be in later.""I believe I'll be fine. Thank you again, Stef.""Any time, Lena. I'll see you later." She told me."Yeah, see you later." I thought she looked so hot in her Police uniform. 
2 weeks later

Stef
I was supposed to meet Mike for breakfast before I headed back to the station. There was a lot we had to discuss. I'd spent almost every minute with Lena. Got to know her triplets, and they seemed to really like me. They didn't seem to ask Lena about their daddy, because they'd seen me at Lena's house so often. I wanted to tell Lena the truth about how I felt about her. With every passing moment, I had a feeling I wasn't in love with guys anymore especially Mike, and I had to tell him."Mike, thanks for coming.""I have to talk to you, Stef.""Mike, you first then, please."He took a moment to gather his thoughts. "I know we've been apart and I've been thinking a lot about what's been going on. I know I've been distant, but I know we can work this out. Be a family with Brandon, Hunter, maybe."I just looked at him. "We can all be a family. You know Clarissa thinks I'm not a fit father, but I'm working on my drinking Stef, and I swear I can be there for you and Brandon. All 4 of us can be a family.""Mike." I had to stop him right there. "I'm taking Brandon off your hands, because remember, I got full custody of him, because of your drinking. But, Hunter, Clarissa - I know she's keeping him. That's your son with her. Brandon has been in Little League for a couple years, and you can take him to a couple games, but I want to spend the most time with him. He's going to live with me, and you need help with your drinking. I don't want our son in danger.""Danger, what are you talking about, Stef?""And Mike, I'll say when you can see Brandon. You need to get cleaned up first. Sobered up." I told him. He looked surprised."Stef, sounds like you don't want to stay a family anymore. I love you, and I always will.""I know. Mike, I don't love you that way. Not anymore. I've... I've met someone."Mike seemed confused. "Who? Who is this guy?"I shook my head. "Not a guy, Mike. A woman. I'm gay, Mike. I'm a lesbian, and I've fallen in love with the most wonderful woman. She's grown attached to Brandon. I've grown attached to her children as if they're my own." I sighed, pushing some of my long blonde hair behind my ear. "I want a divorce, Mike. I've already called a divorce lawyer." I got up from the table and pushed the chair in. I knew I would still see him at work, but all of this was over now between us. I took my ring off and set it on the table. "Goodbye, Mike."I left the coffee shop. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I sighed as I sat in the car. I had to go see Lena. I had to tell her the truth of how I felt about her. I just knew I couldn't live without her.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Present Day

Josie

I was laying in the back of this big truck. The sun had already risen outside. I was laying on my back staring at the ceiling. I hadn't had anything to eat since last night's dinner at the Mess Hall. I lifted my hands up slowly and realized they were still tied with rope. The rope was pretty tight, digging into my wrists. I could still feel cotton over my mouth. That stupid gag. Where was I going?

I heard the truck hit smooth pavement and then stop. My breathing was ragged, but I tried my very hardest not to breathe much at all. Someone got out of the van and was talking to another one of the men in the truck with them. I couldn't sit up enough to see out the window. I heard the door open and I was carried out of the car. I saw this large brick house. It had white shutters and a teal door.

"Get her downstairs to her quarters. I'll be inside in a bit. I have to call the boss."

I was carried down into this basement and put into a dark room on this bed. The walls were gray.

The guy untied the ropes on my wrists.

"Miguel will be down soon." Is all the guy said.

I wanted to get up as the guy left. I went to the door, but he'd locked me in. I beat on the door a couple of times, but I knew that wouldn't do any good.

I leaned my back against the door and stared up at the ceiling. There was not much light in here. I turned on a lamp which gave some light, but I still didn't know what was going to happen to me. I was smart, but I wouldn't put it past those guys if they decided to do the same to me as they had those other girls. That was terrifying.
 
Casey

I was on the phone with my boss. "Yo, Griffon."

"Casey Jones, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I've done it. I've got a girl locked in the cellar in the house."

"And what do you plan to do with this girl?" She asked, not aware of which girl he was talking about.

"Keep her here. Do what I want with her. Her sister didn't see it coming, and she led me to the Camp in the first place."

"How old is this girl you've captured, Jones?" She asked, as if she were ever in the Army. But she was the leader of the gang.

"Just turned 7. She's viable to us."

"I need to see this girl. Send me a picture of her, Jones and tell me her name."

He goes inside the house and finds a photograph of the girl he'd posted on the wall. He takes a picture and sends it to Vee. "Her name's Josephine."
 
Vee

I saw the picture he'd sent and I knew Josie. Since Day One. She was my niece's friend's daughter. She was considered my niece because Olivia was Lena's friend. I did not like this at all. I was furious. I had to act indifferent. I was going to get Josie out of this. I was going to save her.

Oh, Josie,

I thought.

I'm so sorry.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

24 hours later

Olivia

I was looking through my daughter's case files. Stef definitely went back to being a cop, and Camp was officially done until further notice. All the kids were sent home early, and I was stuck thinking on what to do. Then, I thought of this woman's card. She was a lawyer, and I wanted a lawyer for my daughter in case anyone thought anything ill of her. I took out the card just as Cabott walked into the room.

"What are you doing, Detective Benson?"

"What does it look like, Cabott? I'm calling this lawyer for my daughter."

"I don't think that's a good idea to call her for Josie's lawyer."

"You can think all you want, but you didn't meet her. I did. Once. I'm calling her. Ms. Porter is the best lawyer I could find out there."

I looked at Elliot who tried not to laugh at the way I presented myself to Cabott. "What? I know my daughter would not feel comfortable with a male lawyer."

I called Bette Porter up and wanted to talk to her.
 
Bette

She answered the phone. "Hello, this is Bette Porter."

"Bette, so great to hear from you. This is Detective Benson. I'd like to talk to you about becoming Josie's lawyer. If you'd like to meet for coffee or at your office, I can do either."

"Yes, Olivia. You can come to my office. How's 12 PM this afternoon sound? I'll make sure and get Josie's paperwork together."

"Thank you," Olivia began, "You have no idea what this means to me."

"Absolutely. See you then."

The Basement

Casey

"Jonathan! Get up here for a minute!" He calls to him through the floorboards upstairs.

"Yes, Jones?" He asked, bounding up the stairs two at a time.

"We might be having some company today, and we need to be ready. Keep Josephine in the cellar beneath these floor boards in the bedroom and tell her not to move. It'll be over quickly. They can't search the house unless they have a search warrant."

"Yes, sir." Jonathan replies.

"Another thing, if they ask where she is, we are to say we don't know her. Say you have a daughter named Jennifer. She goes by Jenna. Got it?"

"Yes, Jones. What if they want to see 'Jennifer'?"

"Say she's in school. Even if school has let out, she's doing homework."

"Okay."

"Now. Make sure Josephine has plenty of water and if she needs to go to the bathroom, bring her upstairs now. We need to hurry in case the Special Victims Unit comes by."

"Okay."
 
Josie

I heard footsteps as the same guy that had been watching over me came downstairs.

"If you need to go to the bathroom, right now would be a good time. Come on." He takes her arm and leads her upstairs. In that bathroom, there is one window.

He takes me upstairs and I head to the bathroom. I saw one window, but I couldn't open it. Even if I could, there's bars on the other side. I grunt in aggravation.

I leave the bathroom and he's waiting for me. He takes my arm, just as there's a knock on the front door.

"Just a minute!" I heard Casey yell.

I am partially dragged back down to the cellar and put back into the bedroom.

"Put these in your eyes, just in case the Special Victims Unit wants to see you."

I see the jade green contacts. "Are you serious?"

"Do as you're told. We don't want you to get into trouble."

I put the contacts into my eyes. Now, my once brown eyes are green.

"And put on this outfit. We want you to look as unrecognizable as possible."

I saw the overalls and white Keds shoes. "Fine but don't look." I put on the outfit. I looked ridiculous.

"Brush out your hair, and if you need to come up, I'll come to the basement and call for you. Understand?"

I nod. "Do I need to be anymore fake?" I spat.

He grabs my arm in a firm grip. "Don't start with me. Casey wants me watching over you, and if you misbehave, you'll get hurt."

"You're... You're hurting me."

"Good." I heard him say. "Now, stay here and behave."
 
Olivia

"Hello, Mr. Jones. Remember me? I'm Detective Benson and this is my partner Detective Stabler. We'd like to talk to you."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. What's this all about?"

"Do you know Josephine Benson? She's my daughter."

"I met her at Camp once. That's it."

"And I've been told you're seeing Kathleen Stabler. Is that correct?"

"Yeah, yeah. She's my girl."

"Would Josie by any chance be living here with you?"

"No, no. Just me and my 2 buddies."

"Oh, and my daughter Jennifer." Jonathan answered.

"Where is your daughter now?"

He checks his watch. After 3. "She's doing homework."

Elliot looks at Jonathan. "May we speak to Jennifer?"

"Yeah, yeah sure. One second." He goes downstairs for a few minutes.
 
Josie

"Jenna, the Special Victims Unit wants to see you."

I darted past him and toward the stairs. I was trying to escape. I'd only been here 36 hours. I wanted out of here.

"Uh uh uh." He laughed following me. Before I even got to open the door to the main living room area, he caught me and turned me around. He scraped something across my face. He put a cloth over my mouth to keep me from screaming.

"Go wash up in the bathroom upstairs, for Pete's sake, and when you're done, I'll come in and bandage the left side of your face." He got even closer to me until I felt his breath on my face. I cringed.

"If you try to run away again, it'll be much worse. You got it, little girl?"

I nod quickly several times. He opened the door and I went straight for the bathroom. I cleaned myself up to keep myself from bleeding.

I heard,

"She'll be in soon."

I cleaned up and peeked my head out of the bathroom door. The guy, referred to as Jonathan came over and bandaged the left side of my face with small bandages. I followed him into the main living room area. I saw Mommy and Daddy, but I was supposed to pretend to be this guy's daughter. Stupid.
 
Olivia

"Hello, Jennifer." She looks at Elliot. "Is it alright we talk to you?"

She nods.

"In private, if you don't mind." She looks at the 3 boys in the room.

"Oh, sure." Jonathan says. He turns Josie to him. He whispers something in her ear and walks away with the other boys.

"Okay, why don't we sit on the couch?" I asked, kneeling down to the girl's height. I could tell something was off. I'd never heard of Jonathan having a daughter.

"How old are you?"

"7."

"And Jenna, what happened to your face?"

She looked down. She wasn't allowed to say she'd been hurt. Jonathan must have threatened her and told her not to give anything away. "I fell down the stairs. I scraped my face on the rough wood stairs. It was an accident."

"Sweetheart, you can speak freely, you know. We are only trying to help you."

She nods. "I can't..."

"Okay, that's enough, Detectives." Casey broke in. "She has to get back to her homework now. Thank you for stopping by."

Casey and the other 3 guys led the Detectives out. The little girl looked at me for a few long moments. I knew something wasn't right here.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

I had learned French when I was 5. It wasn't a tough language for me. It was supposed to be a love language. I never used it, but I could hear Casey and his 2 buddies speaking out right now. They were planning something big and something dangerous.

"Nous l’emmenons hors de la ville. Ils vont la chercher." Miguel said.

They're going to take me out of the city? Of course, I want the Special Victims Unit to find me. That's the point. I wanted to get away from these awful men.

"Lequel d’entre nous va la violer?" Jonathan asked.

Excuse me! Rape! No freaking way are you going to rape me. I'm a kid and I would like to keep all parts of me untouched, thank you very much! I'm too young for this. I knew my parents worked for these kinds of incidents, but for me to be a part of this? No way. I didn't want this.

I was in the cellar and there was only one window. There were bars on the outside of the window. I couldn't get out that way. There had to be another way.

I walked to the door. Someone had left it unlocked. Thank you. I stepped outside of the door. There was that same staircase leading to the living room of the house. I turned around and found a second door. I peeked out. It was getting dark outside.

"Nous devrions partir le matin. Jonathan, descends dans la cave et va la chercher." Casey ordered.

I heard Casey tell Jonathan to come and get me. I didn't have much time to try and escape again. If I was going to do it, the time was now.

I found that the back door was unlocked and flung it open. The night air was chilly, considering I wasn't wearing much of an outfit. I still had on those overalls. My hands were not tied with that awful rope, and I could actually move my wrists. I ran through the grass, my arms swinging at my sides.

"Damn it, she's out. She's loose!" He actually yelled in English.

Crap. If I were to figure out where I was going, I needed to make it fast.

I kept running, not really knowing where I was going. I saw a road up ahead, and I also heard running following behind me. I couldn't look back. I knew it was Jonathan and Miguel chasing me.

"You go that way, and I'll go this way. We'll cut off her escape!" Miguel said.

I made one big mistake when looking back. I didn't see either of the men. When I brought my focus back in front of me, I knew that looking back was a big mistake. I tripped and fell face first, hitting my face on the hard ground below me. I found my lip was bleeding. Miguel grabbed me into a firm grip and dragged me back to the cellar. Casey was waiting. I pulled away with all my strength, and Miguel pushed me into the wall. The force jarred my teeth a bit. 
 
Casey

"This will teach you not to run away. You were told if you ran away you would get hurt. It gets worse each time you run away."

"Eat dirt and die, trash." She spat in my face. Her body was shaking as she spoke those words to me.

"Such strong words for a 7 year old, but not enough to shake me up." I tied her hands together in the same rope she was in before and drug her to the bed. I laid her back onto the bed. I knew she was fighting me, but it was no use.

I stripped her of the overalls and pulled her panties down. Her face said it all. She was terrified and her face was turning blood red. She was angry. Upset even.

She was trying to fight me. I turned to Jonathan and said, "Get the syringe. It's time this little girl learned a lesson in talking back and trying to run away from us."

I put myself into the little girl and had sex with her. It lasted 10 whole minutes. I looked over to Miguel who seemed to be turned on. Jonathan put the syringe into Josie's arm. It was some sort of relaxing drug. Valium, possibly.

"Your turn." I told Miguel, before he had a chance to ask. I got out of Josie and let Miguel have a turn.

She screamed and writhed in undeniable pain. Until the Valium kicked in. Then, she had no choice.

Miguel had sex with her for the same 10 whole minutes, and I said, "Get her dressed and get her into the van. Change of plans. Miguel, you drive to San Diego. We have a hideout at this hotel there. I'll stay here with Jonathan. You watch out for her, and we will meet you all there as soon as we can. In case the Special Victims Unit comes back, she will be moved if they want to search the house."

I watched as they got Josie dressed and packed her outside and into the van. They were going on a roadtrip to San Diego. A new town with new surroundings. Maybe, she'd have a fresh start there with the guys. Learn to behave.

Or maybe Josie would truly be able to get away.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Olivia

I'd found a couple of Josie's friends from her school. They'd all piled into the Precinct. There were maybe 6 of them. I recognized them as a grade or 2 above her. They all were concerned and I talked to each of them. I told them we'd continue looking for Josie but for everyone to go home. It was too dangerous for all 6 of them to go searching for their friend, especially since this was an abduction and probably a gang of guys were out there.

I hadn't gotten any sleep for 3 days. Neither one of us did. I saw Elliot was trying to get himself some coffee. He was tired, upset and angry. Definitely angry. He knocked his cup of coffee completely off the table. It clattered on the floor. "Elliot, hey. I know this is frustrating, but we have to stay strong. I know I have to. She's our daughter, and we have to work together to find her. One of us can't be throwing angry tantrums."

"I know, Liv, but what should we do? We almost have no leads. None. Except Casey, and he seems to be of no help. It's like he's covering for someone."

"Or a few someones. We need more information before we go barging in his house again, looking for Josie. I know that Jonathan guy doesn't have a daughter. His file says no kids in the present. She died when she was 8 years old."

"Then we were onto something. We know they have her, so let's go back to the house and talk to Casey again."

San Diego

Miguel

He sighed. They'd just made it into San Diego and to the hotel. He got out of the truck and went straight to the back. He opened the back and found Josie curled in a ball in the far back corner. "Come on, you delinquent, we'll go inside and use the bathroom. Then I'll put you back in this truck. You wait here until Casey and Jonathan appear. You got that?"

She snorts. "Sure, I do."

"You better watch your mouth or you get it smacked." He warned her.

"I bet you hate being a groupie with these guys." She said, matter-of-factly.

"Watch it, little girl."

"Well, don't you?" She spat.

He came into the truck and slapped her across the face. "Yeah, what's it to ya? You're just their newest pet."

She felt as if he'd just about spit in her face. She stared at him. "Well, then do something about it. Get me out of this mess. Or can you even do that?"

"You've got a lot of spunk and bravery thinking you can talk to me this way. You know that?"

She stared at him longer.

"Fine. I know a lawyer, but if any of this gets out, I'll deny every bit of it." He got closer to her. "And don't think because I agree to this that I'm on your side."

"Fine." She agreed.

He exited the truck and took out his phone. He dialed a number and waited for it to ring. "Yeah, Robert, it's me. Miguel. I need a favor."
 
Olivia

I parked in front of Casey's house. There were fewer cars. I thought maybe some of the gang was out. I knocked on the door and a black woman answered. "Hello, I'm Detective Benson. Is Casey Jones around?"

"Oh, yeah. Just a minute. Please, come on in. Have a seat." She told us.

The woman came back with Casey, who seemed to have a black eye and a busted lip.

"So, what happened to you?"

"She happened. She done punched me in the face."

I tried not to laugh. He got punched by a woman? "And why would she punch you in the face?"

"I punched him, Detective, because he roughed up my niece. I hear you're my niece's best friend. Lena Adams."

"Well, yes, I am."

"Well, Detective Benson, Josie is considered my niece too, because of you being Lena's friend. I was just looking out for her safety."

"Hé, salope, tu ferais mieux de ne pas parler à des bidonvilles." Jonathan spat.

The woman got up and got in Jonathan's face. "Who you callin’ a bitch, anyway? These aren't slum bags, and if you're paying attention, the Detectives are back." She said, "Now, get muscles here, a bag of frozen peas for his black eye." She ordered.

"What's your name?"

"Vee Griffon."

"And, Vee, are you part of this gang too?"

"Yeah, for now. I can't stand what this guy here did to my niece. He banged her up pretty badly. Don't even get a search warrant. She's not here."

"Vee! The hell??" Casey got angry.

"Remember, you answer to me, muscles. I'm the boss of you." She made sure to put Casey in his place.

"Hold on, now, before anyone gets hurt again," I began, "We need to take samples in case any of you have been taking any drugs. I do not want to find out if you've drugged our daughter either." I'd said. I was angry. If they had drugged her, I'd have their heads. She was only 7. She was a kid!

"I don't do drugs. I might vape, but I don't give anyone drugs or do any dangerous drugs." Vee pointed out.

The Precinct

Jeffries

"Why did the Captain want Elliot in his office?" I asked Olivia.

"Because he'd made an outburst this morning, when we didn't have any leads. If I was to guess."

"You're on thin ice, Stabler." I looked at Olivia. This wasn't good.

"So, we have no leads. She wasn't at the house, Captain."

"So? You keep looking. Don't be blowing up in my Precinct. Get your act together, or you're doing desk duty until further notice."

I looked at Olivia. I just gave her a look. I huffed in almost an unbelievable laugh and walked away.

San Diego

The Hotel

Miguel

"Robert, I need a favor." Robert Quinn was a lawyer in San Diego. He had 2 daughters and a wife Colleen. Robert was supposed to help Josie get out of this mess way before it got any worse with the other 2 gang members, and preferably before anyone got caught.

"I have this girl, Josephine, and she's been abducted and I want to get her out. Before this gets any worse. What should I do?"

"I'll talk to my lawyer friends and give you a call back. I'd turn her loose and make sure she runs to the nearest Police station. Anyone there will protect her."

He nods a couple times to himself. "Okay. If these other gang members come back before I can get her out of here, I have to find a way. I have to keep this a secret from the others, but I want to meet you in town and discuss this."

"Okay, how's tomorrow afternoon? My daughters will be out riding. I'll have plenty of time for you to head out here to the country and meet me."

"That's fine." After the conversation, some relief came over Miguel. Until he came outside. Casey and Jonathan were at the Hotel.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Casey
"Miguel, hey there, man." He jokes. He was standing by the truck where Josie was still sitting inside."Casey, you're back. Great. I'll get us dinner out and be back within the hour. What would you all like?""Chick-Fil-A is fine, man. I'll get the rooms arranged, and we'll settle in for the night."He nods and leaves. He walks down the street and disappears around the corner. 
Miguel
"Hey, Robert." He speaks to the lawyer. "I'm glad you could meet me." "Aren't you in this gang, though, Miguel?" Robert asked in all seriousness."Look, Bob, may I call you Bob? This isn't about me. I'm trying to get this girl out. Get her a better place to live, so she doesn't have to live in this gang for a long ass time. Do you think you can help get her out of this mess?""I can call around. See who will take her for the time being. Maybe a foster home for now. I'll call one of my lawyer friends and get back to you.""Thanks, well, I gotta run. Get food, so my buddies don't think I'm up to something. See you later."He heads out of Robert's house and walks back down the road to the Chick-Fil-A which is 2 blocks from the Hotel they're staying at. He had to make an excuse about the line being so damn long. He got the food, enough for all of them and to sneak food to the little girl. He headed back to the hotel within the hour. "Here's the food." He says, plopping down the 2 bags of freshly made food."I can't remember when I've had Chick-Fil-A." Jonathan points out. "Thank god for chicken sandwiches." 
2 days later

Josie
I'd been staying in this truck for days. The last thing I ate was some chicken sandwich the guy Miguel brought out. Why was he suddenly being nice to me? I'll never know. He came back to the truck when his buddies left to go get some drugs or something 3 blocks down the street at the gas station."I talked to this lawyer, and he's agreed to put you in some foster home or something. Get you out of this hell hole.""Um, excuse me, but didn't you conspire to put me in that hole?""Well, yes, but look, Robert knows this lady lawyer, Ms. Porter. Apparently, she's become your lawyer and he's going to conspire with her and work something out.""Aren't you afraid you're gonna get caught by your gang buddies?""Nah, I mean, how would they find out in the first place? There aren't any cameras around. Look, I'll deal with the other boys. You just keep in mind that this might be your ticket out, okay?""Okay, fine. I'll hold you to that." 
Casey
He came back to the Hotel and Miguel was taking out a cigar from the new box. "Yo, Miguel, do you want some of this shit? It's some good ol' fashioned weed.""Not now. I got this ol' fashioned cigar. Do you want to smoke?""We need to talk. Man to man.""Yeah, sure, Case, but I don't know what you want to talk about.""Oh, no? Well, do you know anyone by the name of Robert Quinn? The Police have somehow been contacted about some gang members in the area.""I don't know Robert Quinn, personally, no." He mentions to his gang buddies to grab him and pin him to the back of the truck which was closed. "We're going for a little walk and you best not be lying."He pushes him along and he brings his 22 Caliber Pistol Revolver with him. It's in his gun holster on his hip. Just in case he has to use it."Get the girl out of the truck. She's going to watch this." He ordered one of the men. 
The Beach

Josie
I was ordered to stand in the sidelines. I was not allowed to get in the way. I mean, why would I want to get in the way of a man and his gun? Insane. I watched Casey interrogate this man Miguel multiple times. I heard Miguel lie through his teeth about knowing this lawyer Robert Quinn. I leaned against the nearest tree. I was out of the way completely. The next thing I saw was blood. Casey had shot Miguel 3 times. Once in the head, once in the heart and once in his back. He fell face first into the sand. He turned to me and I was ordered to come to his side. He grabbed my arm and threatened me. "Don't say a word of this to anyone."We headed back to the Hotel. Miguel was dead. One less gang member. I hated that I wasn't allowed to say anything. Now, I probably didn't have a chance out of here, because Miguel was dead. I was told to march into the hotel. I'd be staying in the back room. Better than the truck I guessed. "As long as you behave," he began, "and I won't have to threaten you at all."I stayed in the back room. There was a window, but I knew I couldn't even attempt that. I curled on the bed. I didn't dare move unless I was told to."Casey, stay here. I'll get the girl." Some woman said. I waited for the door to open, and who I saw standing there, I thought I knew her from somewhere."Don't be afraid little girl." She whispered, coming into the room. "I'm Vee. I'm your honorary Auntie."Vee? Huh."Come with me. I'll get you some food." She holds out her hand to me. "Also, don't worry. Just do as you're asked. I've got your back otherwise."I follow her into the living room and she gets me some food. Casey's talking on the phone with some guy. Gabe he keeps saying. Whoever that was. I ate food as if I hadn't eaten in a week and plopped myself on the couch, orders made by Casey. Apparently, I'd be meeting this Gabe person tonight.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Casey
"Josephine, this is Gabe. Gabe, this is Josephine our new addition.""Hello, there, Josephine. I'm Gabe. As you can tell, my brother and I are twins."She nods. "And, I'm the newest member, since I heard my brother got caught in the cross-fire, and now he's deceased." He said, as if 'deceased' was a nicer word than 'murdered'."Okay. Nice to meet you then.""I heard you're 7 years old. Am I right?"She nods. "That's right.""Have you heard of weed?""Yeah, I heard of it.""Would you like to try some?" He offers."She only takes Valium." Casey corrects him. "She's not old enough for the weed.""Then, how much Valium are you allowed?""None," she mumbled to herself, "but these men keep making me take it.""Just 2 doses a day. We might up her meds to 3 doses a day. The maximum.""That's fine. Imma make us some brownies.""I'll take 3." Casey seemed to joke.She walked to the couch. "I'd rather not have any." She said under her breath."You haven't had your dose yet, today. After your dose maybe you'll calm down this mouth of yours."Casey made her have the first dose of Valium. It didn't take long to kick in. 
6 months later

Josie
"One Valium, it dopes her up. 2 Valiums and she's clueless. 3 and she agrees to everything.""Fine, then, like I said over the phone before I came here, let's take some pictures and get a move on it."They take pictures of me with clothes on, without clothes on, with parts showing, with them over me. Etc. I wasn't doped up enough to have no care in the world. I didn't like that they were taking pictures of me. "Would you take a break now? I just want to rest.""Not yet, a couple more pictures." Jonathan spoke up."I'm tired. Just let me sleep." I said again. Casey touched me in places I wasn't comfortable with. I was still a kid. None of this was right.Then Gabe was taking more pictures. He was a striking double of his twin Miguel. Like so identical it was scary."Will you let me sleep now?" I asked, even if I was afraid to ask again.He pulled the gun out of the holster that was on the floor and pushed the barrel to my head. "Not yet! Oh, my god. Why are you so impatient? This will teach you to be cooperative." He said. He turned to Jonathan who gave me a syringe dose of more Valium I guess."Now, LET US FINISH!" He yelled.Vee came into the room, because of the distress. She had to stay calm, even if she was furious that Casey was holding a gun to Josie's head. "Vee, what do you suggest we do?""I suggest you both get dressed. You've got enough pictures for the album today. You always talk about how 30 pictures is enough."Casey sighs. "You're right. Okay, then. Tomorrow." 
1 year later

Kathleen
"Dad, Olivia, it's been a year. Where is Josie?" She was so frustrated they hadn't gotten very far in her case."We don't know, sweetheart. It takes as long as it's gonna take." Elliot pointed out."No, I won't accept that. I won't accept anymore waiting. The more we wait, the more she's getting hurt. By the minute.""Olivia and I are handling it. You are not getting any more involved. It's too dangerous.""It's my fault she's in this mess, because of Casey, and who knows what's happening now. Today's her birthday and again, we're celebrating alone.""Last year, Josie wasn't alone. She had you at Camp Seaside." Elliot adds."Yeah, and then she got abducted, kidnapped, whatever. And that's my fault.""Kathleen, we've been over this. You aren't blaming yourself again.""Yeah, I wouldn't blame myself, if I knew she was okay. I have to find her, and I want someone to actually help me.""We aren't sending you out into immediate danger. Sorry, Kathleen.""Fine." She crosses her arms over her chest. "But can I at least call the Police?"They both nod. "Okay, but you are not to go out and do something dangerous. Got it?"She nods. "Okay." 
Robert
He hadn't done much in the last year with Josephine's case, but now he was making it more of a priority. He'd talked to his wife about saving this girl from a lifetime of hurt. He called Bette Porter and told her the same story. He hated that there were others involved. He apparently couldn't call just anyone because Casey and the gang would know and find out what's wrong, and he wasn't ready for that.He decided to figure this out himself. He calls the nearest Police station and has them look up Miguel Duncroft's name and see what pops up. When he heard about Miguel's first time in Juvi and how he'd gotten out 6 months later only to say he was guilty, they had to be in court.Then he died just like that. 
Josie
I had to be quiet. I had already had the same gun pointed at me twice. I was only 8 and I hated being treated this way. I took more Valium, and it started to calm me but I just wanted out of here.I sighed and when I found an information card inside one of the guys pockets, I read the title. Stef Foster, Police Officer from San Diego Precinct. As far as I knew we were in San Diego right now. All I had to do was find a way to escape here and I was golden.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Robert

He made a point to call his lawyer friend and talk to her about getting Josie out of this huge mess, according to Miguel. Since he'd found out that Miguel was murdered by someone, and the Special Victims Unit found him dead on the beach, he couldn't talk to anyone else who knew him. He called Bette Porter, his lawyer friend and who he found out was already Josie's lawyer set up by her parents Olivia and Elliot.

He was taking his oldest daughters to school that morning before he headed to talk to the nearest foster home. When they didn't have room, he called up the Police in San Diego and talked to a woman named Stefanie Foster. She had said she would keep an eye out for the young girl, and she would look around and do some research about where the young girl Josie might be. It was a possibility if he remembered correctly, Josie was abducted, and Miguel was once part of the gang before he was killed.

He helped make sure that Josie would get out way before the day the gang members wanted to keep her. It had already been a year and a half now. She was 8 and a half. He had to try really hard to get her out of there. He'd never been in a gang before, but he knew that without going to court to help get her out of that place, she may never be able to leave.
 
Kathleen

I left the house that afternoon. I told my parents I wouldn't do anything stupid in order to rescue my sister, but that didn't mean I was promising anything. I'd gotten a small bag together and my cell phone. I had an idea as to where I should start looking. The beach, because of the news and what had happened to this bad man. I had a feeling Josie was there, and she had to play some part in it because of Casey. I had to break up with him soon. I was beginning to realize I couldn't trust him.

I made it to the beach where the body was found of that guy Miguel. I would go to the police, but after I'd had a lead on my sister. I followed the tracks deep into the woods. I found a brick house. Really secluded out here. A couple of miles from the beach where the guy was killed. There was a van parked in the driveway. I stood on the tailgate and peered into the truck windows. Dark, but I didn't even see the outline of a body in there.

I walked around back and climbed up the trellis on the side of the house, until I made it to the top floor window. No girl in there. There was however a woman. Black. Maybe 37 years old. Maybe 39. She was talking to some guys. One guy looked exactly like the guy who'd died and was shown on the news. The other 2 guys were Casey and this other dude I didn't recognize.

I climbed down the trellis and walked around to the very back of the house. I opened the door a crack and saw I was standing in the living room area. I could hear the guys talking to the black woman from downstairs.

"You guys need to chill. I'm going into town soon to get us some food at the market. You don't need to be taking anymore hostages today."

I tried to stay calm. There was a door down to the basement, but it was locked all the same as the place outside. I saw pictures on the wall of other victims besides Josie. Cindy from Camp, the other girl, I think her name was Laura, maybe. Josie's face, body, naked body. A biracial woman. Looked to be 17 at the time. All these pictures were going to be proof to get my sister out of here. I took out my phone and shot a picture. I turned around when I heard footsteps and clanked into a lamp.
 
Casey

"Yo, listen." He heard a clank downstairs and Vee was already headed that way.

Scurries across the floor could be heard.

He runs downstairs, when he sees Kathleen, he grabs her and drags her out to the empty van and throws her in. Vee is now staring him down.

"You let her go."

"No way, bitch, are you crazy?"

"I am your boss, Jones, and I made you. I can easily unmake you."

"You don't scare me."

Vee grabs his shirt collar and lifts him off the ground. "I'm a black woman, and I've been the leader for 16 years. You tell her how it's gonna be. You tell her to leave this place. If she doesn't comply, I'll deal with it myself."

He nods. "Fine."

She sets him down. He walks over and opens the van doors. He steps inside. "You are not supposed to be here. You're to leave this place and never come back."

"I came for my sister, Casey, and to tell you I'm done with us. You're so messed up."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not the messed up one, Kathy."

"No? For all I know my sister is here somewhere with her virginity compromised." She was angry. "And she's only 8 years old. I know she'll be 9 next month, but it's still not right to treat her the way you have."

"Leave. Kathy, go home."

"Not without my sister. I can't. I won't."
 
Kathleen

Vee came into the van and pushed Casey out. She stood as close to me as she could.

"You're to leave here. I promise you your sister is safe with me. Yes, I am part of this gang, but I deeply regret it. Especially with all these delinquents. I have a niece here in San Diego. I consider your sister my niece. Family. I will make sure she gets out of here one way or the other. You have my word." She whispers.

"When you get to town, talk to the cops. When you get home, tell your parents to get a lawyer. This will definitely be happening in court someday."

I heard what she said. I nod in silent approval and exit the van. I turn back to her. "Make sure my sister is safe." I remind her.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

I just turned 9 years old. The door opened to the cellar and Jonathan came in the room with Gabe. Casey was trailing behind with a brownie. Not just any brownie, of course. I was supposed to eat it for my birthday.

"Here. Here's your birthday brownie." Casey said, setting it on the table next to the bed.

I nod.

"Eat it. Then we will go out. We have errands to run."

"I'm not hungry." I felt for the back of my head. My hair was finally growing back where they'd chopped it off so I was unrecognizable. I looked like a boy. It was not long enough to make me be a girl again, but it wasn't as short to make me look like a boy, either.

"No thank you."

I could hear buzzing. I thought it was the razor to trim my hair again or some other part of my body, but when Casey had pulled it out, I saw a taser.

"If you don't eat the brownie, it'll hurt my feelings." He pretended to pout. "I don't want to see you act like you don't care."

"Just one bite. It won't hurt."

Casey handed the taser to Gabe.

"I

don't

want the

pot

brownie." I said, putting emphasis in my voice.

Casey turned to Gabe and gave him the look. Gabe came over to me and tasered my neck and arms, until my neck turned red like there was a sunburn and my arms had started to form burn blisters on them. He kept doing this every few minutes until my body became weak from the pain.

"Now, take a bite and behave. We're going to do some errands."
 
Olivia

I was at the Precinct talking with Lena about Miguel. The triplets were with their grandmother Dana in the main foyer of the Police Department. "As you know, Miguel has been murdered. We are looking into who killed him, but we want you to know, he's not a threat anymore. I know you told me years ago what he'd done to you, Lena, but I need a statement for when we have to go to court for this gang."

She nods. "I know. If we have to go into court, we have to, but please I want to make sure my niece is okay." She sighs. "I want to make sure Josie's okay."

"Thank you very much. We want to make sure of the same thing, and also we are worrying about her older sister Kathleen."

"We have reason to believe she went out of town to find her." Elliot answered.

"No, Detective Stabler... Elliot, that's too dangerous."

"We know." He smiles softly.

"Do you know of anyone else that can testify about Miguel or anyone from the gang to help us find out who killed him?"

In the other room, Kathleen's voice could be heard. She was out of breath. "I swear, I need to talk to Olivia and Dad right now."

"Not now, Kathleen. They're interrogating someone about the murder of Miguel Duncroft." Jeffries said.

"I have someone that can testify. I met her. Her name's Vee."

"Excuse me? What'd you say?" Lena asked, coming through the now open door of the interrogation room.

"Vee, um, Griffon, I think. Why, you know her?" Kathleen asked.

"Yeah," Lena had said, looking at Kathleen and back over to me, "She's my aunt."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

I had been following the boys around for hours. Days even. 1 year. They introduced me to some of their druggie friends as Carter, because of my short hair. Was I anyone's daughter in this gang? No, but if I was, no one was talking. I was to stay quiet. We stayed with the druggies for a couple of days, until I had to take another errand with them. They had to get their bags of money. Not just one bag, probably 10. They might've robbed a bank in their previous years. I don't know.

I wasn't gonna stay with them no 3 years. No more syringes or drugs. No more taser burns or rape. I was done with all that crap. I was 10 years old. 10 and a half. I wasn't staying with these guys any longer. I opened my bag. There were 3 large pouches inside. No one was watching. They were too busy laughing up a storm now. I guess contemplating their next moves on me.

Not anymore. I stuffed money in every pouch until they were completely full and zipped up every pocket on my backpack. It was so heavy but I didn't care. I didn't even count how much I stuffed. Not now, maybe later when I was miles from these gang members. Each of the stacks of bills was rubber banded together. My guess was 10M dollars.

I turned on my heels and jogged down the street and turned left. I jogged part of the way, until the bag didn't seem as heavy anymore and I ran until I found the Police Station. I was breaking out in a sweat. It was 80 degrees out and humid today. I was shedding tears. I couldn't believe I had run away, especially without getting caught.

I walked inside and sat down. It took some of the weight away from my backpack. I was shaking. I still hadn't eaten anything for probably a couple of days. The gang members were running nonstop. They'd go do errands and keep walking around. They rarely ever went back to the Hotel unless Vee was there. When they got food, they wouldn't share. Miguel, even if he was a bad person, he shared food with me. In the end of his life he felt bad for me.

Months ago, Vee had helped me withdrawal from the drugs. I was having shakes. Not because I wanted the drugs, but because the withdrawal process was terrible. I'd be sick one minute and shaking the next. I'm surprised I didn't OD. I made a promise to myself I was going to get out of here if it was the last thing I ever did.
 
Stef

I came back to my desk and looked over at the bench. I looked at Mike. "What's she in for?"

"Maybe she wants all your free candy."

"She's a missing person." Another guy began to say. "She's been drugged and beaten as far as I can tell." He sighed. "She seems brave, but she's in shock and pain."

I walked over to the girl, holding a lollipop in my hand. I knelt down to her height. "Hi, my name's Stef. What's yours?"

"Josie."

"Well, Josie, I had this lollipop. I don't know if you like candy but just in case." I smiled and handed it out to her.

She slowly takes the lollipop from Stef's hand. "Thank you."

"I was going to be leaving soon. I have to be getting home to my partner and our kids." I looked into the young girl's eyes. "How would you like to come with me?"

She nods and then she stops. "It's okay, Josie. I'm a cop, as you've figured out. My house is safe. You'll be safe there."

She nods again.

I hold out my hand for her to take. When she does, I take her out to my car and take her home.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie
Stef parked in the driveway at her house. She helped me out of the car. Her house seemed big from the outside. Might've had 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. I followed Stef into the house. When she gave me the tour, I saw the upstairs first. 2 boy rooms upstairs. I guess it was her son and then her partner's. Hers and her partner's room, 2 girl bedrooms and 2 out of the 3 bathrooms. I walked back down the stairs into the living room and was now facing the kitchen. The other bathroom was down the hall. It was a big house. Her partner wasn't home yet. Stef said she worked as a vice principal at the Charter School, and I guessed if I was staying here for a while, I'd have to go to school there."Josie, you can bunk with Mariana. I'll put an extra bed in there tonight. My partner and I can talk about you going to the Charter School with the kids for a while.""Okay.""Would you like a snack before dinner? The kids should be home any second now."I nod.She got me a snack of peanut butter and crackers. I sat at the island in the kitchen. A couple minutes later, I heard a car door. I got down from the stool and threw away the plastic. The front door opened, and kids bustled in. "Brandon, how was piano practice?" Stef asked him."Good, I have my next recital Tuesday." "Mariana, how about you and Frankie and dance?""Competition's in 2 weeks."Everyone was talking at once. I kept myself out of the way. I didn't know these kids. Not really. 
Stef
"Lena, I wanted to talk to you about someone. She might be staying with us for a while... See, she was in some trouble and she ran away. Might've been beaten up somehow and my co-worker says she may have been... well," she whispers in Lena's ear about Rape. She didn't want the kids to hear. "This has been happening for a while.""Where's this little girl? My friend told me about some incidents where she lives, and her daughter was taken while at Camp, Stef. Didn't I mention that?""Yes, love. I'm sure you did." I smile softly. "She's over here." I came over to the corner where Josie had migrated to. She was the oldest of everyone in this room. She'd been through a lot. "Josephine, meet Lena, my partner." 
Josie
I knew Lena. She was my mama's best friend. I wanted to say something, but the words caught in my throat. "Josie? Sweetheart? Hi, you remember me?"I nod. "You two already know each other?""Like I said, Stef, her mother is my best friend. Her mother helped me when I was going through the same things that Josie is going through now."I looked down at the floor."She's in shock and pain. I was definitely in pain. She won't want to talk about it now, but she will trust us enough to do it when she's ready.""I wanted to talk to you, Lena, about her going to school with the other kids, at least for a little while, and bunking with Mariana until further notice.""That would be fine. Let me introduce you to everyone, Josie.""Everyone gather around and meet Josie. She'll be staying with us for a while." Lena said."I'm Mariana, and I'm 10 years old.""I'm Francesca, but you can call me Frankie. I'm also 10 years old.""I'm Jesus, and I'm also 10. All 3 of us are triplets.""I'm Brandon, and I'm almost 12. It's nice to meet you, Josie.""Mariana, I'm going to be putting Josie in your room for a while, okay?" I heard Stef say."Okay, Mom.""And she will be going to school with you all for a while. Please, show her around and make her feel welcomed. She's been through a lot and will need you guys."Stef and Lena helped me set up into Mariana's room until further notice. I put my backpack under the bed. It still had all that money inside it. I know I was living under a cop's roof, but I would make sure not to get caught. 
San Diego Community Charter

Lena
I got up the next morning to fix everyone's breakfast. It was Friday and all the kids would be riding in the van with me. "Okay, you guys. Here's pancakes this morning and the fruit if anyone wants bananas or apples for breakfast.""Josie, honey, how'd you sleep?" Stef asked, coming into the kitchen.She shrugs. "Were you warm enough last night?"She nods. "Would you like some pancakes? What kind? I've got regular and chocolate chip.""Chocolate Chip.""See, that's the best one." Mariana smiles. 
Josie
After breakfast, I headed upstairs to grab some cash in case I wanted to get me something special after school. Maybe, a new outfit. I needed new clothes. I didn't have anything other than this stupid overall outfit I wanted to burn and never see again.I rode to school with Mariana. The school was right on the beach. There was a brunette talking to a younger boy about the age of 9. He was, I guess, being introduced to the brunette and her friend. I walked to the school entrance and Mariana helped me to get my schedule. "Don't worry. We're mostly in the same classes, except for 5th period after Lunch. We'll sit together and you can meet my friends."I nod. "Okay." I head to my first period class with Mariana. All the triplets had the same classes as us. Just one difference after school. Mariana and Frankie had dance class. Jesus had basketball. Brandon was going to practice the piano in the music room. I sighed. My first class was hard, because one, I hadn't been in school for 4 years, and 2, I was smart, but I was in the 4th grade. I just liked Music class, Dance class, self-defense class, and Reading and Writing class. I wish they'd taught me self-defense years ago. When I was 5, I learned French."Yo, farmer girl!" Some boys yelled."Hey," This one brunette was sitting to my left. "It's not bad to be a country girl. I am." I smiled softly at her. "The name's Callie. I'm 15. This girl over here is my younger sister, Sophia. She's 13.""Hi." She said with a smile. "What's your name?""Josephine, but everyone calls me Josie. I'm almost 11.""Nice to meet you, Josie. Say, want to hang out after school?"I nod. "I really want a new outfit.""Well, then, we can arrange that."I smile. This was so exciting. Now, I had some friends.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

I hung out with Callie and her sister Sophia at Lunch. We were talking about the horses on their farm. I hadn't ridden a horse before. I wanted to ask who that boy was she'd been talking to that morning. "Hey, Callie, who was that boy you were talking to earlier?"

"That's Jude. He's 9 and according to my Mom, he's supposed to be my younger brother."

"Your younger brother? Did you know about that?"

She shakes her head. "Not really. I've only heard stories of him. We've never met." She takes a breath. "He lives with his newest foster home, I think. He doesn't complain, but I don't think he likes the place."

"Is this the first time you've met Jude?"

She shakes her head. "No, I've seen him here at school a couple of years. We pass each other in the hall sometimes and say hi, but never had a full conversation. Until today. He said his foster family... well, he wants out. He doesn't have a way to get out."

"You can get Stef Foster. She's a cop. She's helping me get a safe place to stay for now, until I can get back home safely."

"Where are you originally from?"

"New York. I went to Camp Seaside."

"Oh, Camp Seaside? I heard so many bad things happened there. Were you caught in the cross-fire?"

I nod. "You can say that."
 
Casey

He was yelling at Vee. His boss, technically. Josie had escaped a week ago. She dragged him to the New York precinct to stand in a room with like 3 other guys for victims to choose who had hurt them. "Chill, Vee. I am only here because you made me come."

"And I'm here to be questioned too. We all are. We are here whether we like it or not."

"Fine, but unless we are in court and I have to tell the truth, I'm not talking. I'm allowed to make that decision. Not without a lawyer."

"Doesn't everyone say that?" She snorts. "You do what you want." She walks off.

Olivia

I was in the interrogation room with Vee Griffon. "Vee, are you still in this gang with these people?"

"Yes, I am. Like I said before... Not much longer."

"Why's that?"

"My niece got hurt from people who don't give a damn about other's lives. I'd rather find Josie and save her than be here."

"Were you around when Casey and the others were hurting Josie?"

She nods. "Yes. I was the one to help her. She valued me."

"Would you be willing to testify in court about Casey and the others?"

Vee nods. "Yes, Detective Benson. Yes, I would."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

After school, I watched Mariana and Frankie dance. Then the two girls and Callie and her sister Sophia and I went shopping. They wanted to help me pick out a couple new outfits. Something that didn't scream, “I've been beat up and Raped!” There were so many options, and Callie offered to buy the outfits for me, even if I had my own money. "Thanks, Callie. I appreciate this."

"No problem. Anything for a friend."

I took one of the outfits I'd just bought to the back of the store and pulled the tags off and put it on. The shirt had sparkles all over it. The pants were black leggings. I walked out of the store with my friends and we passed this hoverboard shop. "Woah, do you guys own one of these?"

"Nope, never had one. Heard they're super expensive." Frankie told me.

"Can we just go in and look?" I asked the girls.

"Sure, if you want to."

We walked into the hoverboard shop. It would help me to get a ride to the Charter School and to get away from anyone suspicious faster than running on both my legs. "This one is so cool!" I said in utter excitement.

"It's 30 dollars." Callie read the price tag.

"It's actually marked down for 15 dollars. See?" I showed the discount.

"I wish I could have one. I don't know if our Mom would go for it." Sophia seemed to blurt out.

"Don't worry." I said, taking out 80 dollars from my backpack and zipping it back up. "Here. I'll get you all one."

"Josie, we don't want you to spend all your cash on us." Callie said being modest.

"It's okay." I reassured her. "There's more where that came from."
 
Lena

I had to go to the precinct and ID the one that had raped me all those years ago. When I didn't see him there, I told Olivia his name to remind her, and she seemed relieved especially for my sake.

"He's dead, Lena. We found him on the beach last year. He was shot 3 times. We're here to ID the one to have killed him, but we wanted you here so you could possibly tell us if you know all these people standing in this box."

"Yes, I do." I told her. "Gabe was Miguel's twin brother. I don't know Casey all that well, but as much as my aunt Vee has told me, he's part of that gang too. She's told me she is a gang member, but she wants to leave."

"She told me the same thing. I think it's a good idea." Olivia told me.
 
Josie

I paid for each of us to have a hoverboard. Mine was 2 shades of blue with a purple tint. Mariana's was Pink shades. Frankie's was pink and purple. Callie's had a sunset pattern and Sophia's had a hodge-podge of color. I got onto my hoverboard so I could get used to it. We rode outside around the block. There were no cars around.

"Thanks, Josie." Frankie and Mariana thanked her.

"Yes, thank you, Jos. You are the best." Sophia smiles.

"This is so cool." Callie was able to say. "Thank you."

We headed for a ride, and we rode out into this field to watch the grass blow up as we rode into it.

"You should come to our farm sometime. We'd love to show you the horses." Sophia wanted to brag.

"And we'd love to come. I'll see you tomorrow." I smiled.

"Thanks again, Jos!" Callie called as they had disappeared down the street and around the corner. Mariana, Frankie and I rode home. Both Stef and Lena were home. I suddenly called Mariana and Frankie's house my home. For now, at least, it was.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Callie

Sophia and I rode home. Dad was on a call for work and Mom was making dinner. "Hey, Mom. What are we having?"

Colleen laughed. "How was school? We're having chicken and rice."

"Good. We met a new friend Josie. She's almost 11. We went shopping today after school to help her get some new clothes. We went to this hoverboard shop and looked around. She offered to buy us both a hoverboard. Turns out, they were only 15 dollars. I hope that's okay, Mom. It'll help with getting us to school."

"That way, if you or Dad have to work, we'd have our own rides without having to walk every day." Sophia added.

"Well, it's alright, since your friend offered. You'll have to invite her over for dinner sometime so we can meet her."

"Thanks, Mom. We already invited her. She said she'd love to come, and she hasn't ridden a horse before."

"Alright." Colleen laughs again. "Go wash up for dinner. Your father should be finished with work soon too. Dinner will be ready in 10 minutes."
 
Sophia

"Can I ask you something, Cal?" I asked, washing my hands in the adjoining bathroom.

"Sure, Soph. What's up?"

"I know it's rude to ask a friend this, but why do you think she only had one outfit?"

"Josie? I don't know. Could be a million things."

"Well, she seems to have enough money, but she doesn't have any clothes."

"We don't really know if she only has a couple things to her name. She's so nice, Soph. We don't want to pry. If she ever wanted to talk to us, I'm sure she would."

I followed Callie downstairs as soon as Mom called that it was time for dinner. I had hoped Josie wasn't in any trouble.

Josie

I stuffed the remainder of the money back into my bag with the other stash and pushed it under the bed again.

"Hey, Jos, Moms want to talk to you downstairs."

"Okay." I head down the stairs and enter the kitchen.

"Hey there, sweets. Mind if we talk to you?" Stef asked.

"Okay."

"Come and sit in the living room with us."

I come sit on the couch. I put my hands together and place them on my lap.

"Have you adjusted to living here?"

I nod.

"That's good. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible."

"You seem to have made new friends today."

I nod. "Callie and Sophia Quinn."

"Right. We're glad you're making friends here."

"Lena saw hoverboards in the yard."

I smile softly. "Yeah, yeah. One's mine. I bought the other 2 for Frankie and Mariana."

"That's very nice of you, but you didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to."

Mariana was listening. "She just wanted to do something nice for us."

Stef looks up. I turn around to look at Mariana.

"Miss Thang, what have I told you about eavesdropping?"

"I know, Mom, I'm sorry. I just don't want her to get punished because she did something nice."

"Now, Mariana, did I say I was going to punish her?"

Mariana sighs and shakes her head no.

"Right." Stef looks back at me.

"I'm not going to punish you, Josie. You all can keep the hoverboards. We both want you to be careful on them. Okay?"

I nod. "Okay."

"Now, you both go upstairs and do your homework. And Josie, you and the girls can hang out with Callie and Sophia any time."

I smile softly. "Thanks, Stef and Lena." I get up from the couch and head upstairs with Mariana to do homework.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

The next day was Friday. I had another day of school, trying to ignore the people that were trying to tease me and trying to learn some of the hardest subjects for a 4th grader. I didn't know how long I'd be going to this charter school considering I lived in New York and only got separated from my parents for 4 years and ended up all the way in San Diego. The only people I knew the most were Lena and Vee, her aunt, and Stef, who was the Camp counselor.

My mom was probably trying to catch Casey right now. I didn't like that Kathleen never saw him as a bad guy and yet, I suspected it. He was an Army man. They were supposed to be loyal men, not psychopaths.

I ate lunch in the cafeteria. Maybe, I should have a phone at almost 11, but I doubt I could. I didn't think I could until I was about 13 or 14, but no one said so. I got on my hoverboard and rode around the school yard while others were finishing their lunches. 
 
Olivia

Vee was being interrogated. She told us all about how Casey had hurt mine and Elliot's little girl. More than once.

"Look, I can't tell you everything, because Josie went through it all. I stayed silent, but not forever. I'm coming out now. Casey's the one who killed Miguel. I beat him up on the account of hurting my niece. Whatever happened to him before he killed Miguel was probably Miguel's doing before he was shot. I wasn't at the beach, but I heard it from the "grapevine" as they say."

"Would you say you know Casey well enough?"

She shook her head. "Not enough. I thought he was a good Army man but turns out he was the opposite. I don't get what changed him, but he has an anger streak, Detectives. A bad one at that."

Cabbott ran in. "Sorry to bother you, but Casey's gone."

I saw Vee curse under her breath. "Vee, please don't tell me he's going to try and go after Josie again."

"I can't promise that. If he found a way to see where she is now, he'd do anything to finish whatever he started."

Josie

I watched Mariana and Frankie at Dance class again. Mariana wanted me to join Dance, but I didn't know how long I'd be going to school here. I watched Jesus' basketball practice until 3:30 and Mariana, Frankie, Callie, Sophia, and I rode to Callie's house. Callie and Sophia's mom had invited us over for dinner. Colleen wanted to meet me.

Callie and Sophia set the table, while Mariana, Frankie, and I looked around the house. I didn't see Callie's dad. Must've been working. I walked around, until I saw a couple pictures of a baby I didn't quite recognize. "Mrs. Quinn, who's that in the photo?"

"Oh," Colleen seemed to begin, "that's supposed to be my son. He... had to be put up for adoption."

"Why?" Mariana asked.

"My boyfriend at the time, before I met Robert, wasn't ready to help me raise my son, so I was forced to give him up for adoption. He was 2 when I had to put him into the foster system."

"Has he ever gotten adopted?" Frankie asked.

"No. I've checked the foster system records and he's being fostered right now. It's in the sketchiest part of town. San Ysidro."

Mariana looked at me. We'd met her son.

Jude.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

2 months later

Josie

I had just turned 11 and I had spent another weekend at Callie and Sophia's house. Mariana, Frankie, and Jesus were all supposed to have a birthday party in a week to celebrate them turning 11. I'd stayed with Stef and Lena for over a year now, and Stef was at work more often now. She didn't talk much about what happened at work, except for with Lena. I decided to do something simple at school and continue self-defense classes the most for extra-curricular activities.

I was heading out into the hallway to head to my next self-defense class when I froze in the hallway. A tall figure was standing at the end of the hall at the entrance of the school. The person had the same build as Casey. The same muscular build. I shook my head really fast. I wanted to scream. I hadn't seen this man in over a year, and I told myself I never wanted to see him again.

I knew the girl's bathroom was a short distance away. I slowly walked over there and hid inside a stall. My breathing was shallow. My heart beating ever so quickly in my chest, I thought it was going to explode. 
 
Casey

He came into the girl's bathroom and forced his way into the stall after he'd found Josie. "You didn't think I would find you again, did you?"

Josie didn't say anything. She was shaking with fear.

"Like when I went back into the Army before I went to that precinct, it was quick. I'm going to make this quick."

She kneed him in the stomach. There were footsteps heard where someone had come in to use the bathroom.

He covered her mouth so she couldn't scream for help.

"I'm going to finish what I started." He hissed in her ear.
 
Josie

As soon as he began to do what he'd done over a year ago, I tried to push myself to the wall as far as I could go.

"See, there, not so hard is it?" He'd finally been able to say when there was no one in the bathroom but them now.

He pushed through the stall door and was forcing me against the long porcelain bathroom sink. I knew that would leave a bruise.
 
Callie

I had headed to the bathroom and I heard distress and when I peeked into the girl's bathroom, I immediately took out my phone and called the Police.

"Hello, this is Stef Foster."

"My name's Callie Quinn. You need to get over to the Charter school now." I said. "There's a man in here. Josie's in trouble."
 
Josie

I was able to elbow him in the jaw which caught him off balance and he fell backwards. I was just wearing bottoms and no pants when Stef ran into the bathroom with handcuffs. She was telling him his rights, which I'd heard my mom say before. I was shaking as I put my bottoms back on and wrapped my arms around myself. This guy Stef was working with dragged him out of the bathroom.

"Josie, oh my god, sweetheart..." She put her hand on the middle of my back and led me out of the bathroom. "It's okay, come on. We need to tell Lena."

I walked beside Stef. I was done with this guy. I wanted him to be put away for life.

After school

Lena

We all made it back home. I'd told Josie she could hang out with Callie and Sophia in the backyard while I had to talk with Stef.

"Stef, I think it's time we just called Elliot and Olivia. It's been 4 years already. I know we didn't call before, and that seems so wrong on my part."

"Lena, you and I didn't call because we wanted Josie to feel safe here. She can't feel safe here if he's around. He's going to be taken to the prison there in New York, but Josie can't avoid court. She will have to testify. Be interrogated by her parents. She's going to hate it, but it'll help her cope. She needs her family, and even if we have been family to her, she needs her parents and her sister."

"I hate Casey and Miguel. All those guys are no good."

"I know, love, I do. I'm going to do something about those guys. I'm going to search them on the database at work and I'm going to arrest them. They are all part of this gang he was in. I'll make sure Vee stays out of the way, but the others will be arrested."

"They better be. I hate what Casey's done to Josie. She doesn't deserve that. She's only 11."

2 weeks later

Callie

"Dad's been drinking, and I think Social Services might have to take me and Sophia to a foster home."

"Why?"

"Well, Mom died in a car crash. Some man was drunk and hit her. I know I told you that in school, but now, the Social Services think that if Dad won't get help, we have to go somewhere else."

"Not a random foster home. Those aren't safe. I know, because well, I know Jude's in a foster home in San Ysidro."

"Those are definitely not safe." I pointed out.

"What about with Stef and Lena?" I asked. "They can have you stay with them. It'd beat being in Juvie and a random foster home."

"I want Jude safe too, he's my brother, Jos."

"I know. I won't be staying here much longer sounds like. I... I think Stef and Lena are finally able to take me back to New York."

"Is that where your parents are?"

She nods.

"Will I see you again? When are you supposed to be leaving?"

"I don't know when I'm going. You will see me again, I promise. Remember Lena is my family."
 
Josie

I walked back inside. Lena was on the phone. I went to Stef who was sitting on the couch on her laptop. "Stef, I need to talk to you."

"Sure, love, what's up?"

"Remember when I told you about Jude, Callie's brother?"

"Yes, love, I remember."

"Have you figured out a way for him to stay here with Callie? I want them to stay here with you and Lena. I know it's not permanent, but what if it could be their forever home?"

"Well, of course, Lena and I love Callie and Sophia, and to add Jude would be a great thing. We have a foster's license. We would just have to have legal papers to adopt Callie, Sophia, and Jude, since Robert is not going to have sole custody of his girls anymore."

"And what about the guy Jude was living with?"

"Mike arrested him for aiming an armed weapon and beating up foster kids for starters. Love, I am already in the process of adopting Jude, Callie, and Sophia."

"Really?"

She smiles. "Yes, love, really. You can go tell Callie the good news if you want."

I hug Stef tight and head out to talk to Callie.
 
Lena

I was on the phone with Bette Porter. It was Josie's lawyer.

"If you could pass this message along, my partner and I have Josie. We've had her for a year. Stef rescued her from a bad place, and she arrested all the men from the gang. Stef and I want to come support Josie when she has to testify in court."

"I'll come out to San Diego as soon as I can. I'll contact Olivia and Elliot for you if you want."

"It's alright. I can call her, thank you."

"You're welcome. I'm glad you've been taking such good care of Josie."

After the phone call with Bette, I called Olivia. I was now walking around the house. I had to keep moving some in order to have this conversation with her.
 
Olivia

"Lena, hey." I sounded so exhausted. I had been sleeping but not the best.

"Liv, Stef and I have had Josie for a year. We rescued her from the worst gang members. Casey being one of them. I don't know if you've interrogated him or met him, but he's bad news. I called Bette Porter, Josie's lawyer. She's going to come to San Diego. I'll give you our address so you can come out here too. I know you and Elliot want to see her. I will warn you, though. She's going to be in shock and pain..." She paused, "I know you already know this. You deal with Rape victims all the time."

When I heard my daughter's name, I immediately shed tears. I breathed a couple of shaky breaths in and out. "Thank you, Lena. This means so much to me to hear you say she's with you. Is she alright?"

"As alright as can be expected. She's been going to school at the Community Charter where I work. She's made friends at school and friends with Stef's son Brandon and the triplets, more now than when they were 2. I told Bette I wanted to be in court to support Josie. I know I probably have to testify also, but I want to be there to support Josie."

"Yes, Lena, please. I would love it very much if you were there supporting my daughter." I continued after I'd wiped my cheeks with a tissue, "I'm going to tell Elliot about this news and we'll be in San Diego as quickly as we can to see our daughter again." I sniffled a couple of times. My voice cracked. "Thank you, Lena, and please tell Stef I said thank you as well. Really, thank you."

I hung up the phone and got up from my desk. I went straight to Elliot. I had to tell him the good news about Josie. We would be heading out right away.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie
I came outside to tell Callie the news about her, Sophia and Jude. I smiled as I came outside to her. She saw my smile and put her hands on my shoulders."What? What did you do?""I talked to Stef. She would have you and Sophia and Jude stay here with her and Lena. She said she's already in the process of wanting you all to be part of the family. I know that's something that you may want and well, she is making sure Jude is safe. She and Lena have their foster license, and Stef said she's working on you 3 being fostered by her and Lena. Right now.""Are you serious? She is?""Well, yeah. I asked her about it a couple days ago. I hope that's okay."Callie was so excited she found herself giving me a kiss on the lips in impulse.I was shocked. "Wow.""Oh, my goodness, Josie. I am so sorry. I just got excited, caught up in the moment..." She found herself blushing.I wasn't upset about it. "It's okay, Cal.""Are you sure?"
Oh, was I ever sure.
"Yes, I promise. Since we are celebrating your new home, I think we should take a ride before Lunch." 
Olivia
I told Elliot about Josie and we left to board the next plane out to San Diego, California. It took us 5 hours and 25 minutes to make it to the San Diego airport. We left and grabbed a cab. We told the cab driver about the address we were headed to. "Elliot, I can't wait for us to get to our daughter.""Aren't you glad you and Lena are the best of friends? She'd take care of Josie any day.""I know. I'm thankful for her and Stef."

Josie
I rode back to the house with Callie and I saw a cab parked on the road in front of the house. A woman was talking to the two people that exited the cab. She was a brunette and she had brown eyes. She was a lawyer."Josie, what are you going to do? What if those are your parents down there?"I shook my head. I didn't say anything. I rode down the street with Callie and stopped across the street to watch. "Josie, is that your mom and Dad?" She asked without pointing.I looked over. They didn't have Kathleen with them. Maybe she was with my grandparents. I don't know. "Hey, Dad, Olivia, thank you for letting me come.""Kathleen, please tell me you were safe driving here."I saw my sister. When I was 6, she was 17, and now, she was 21. A college student. "Who's that?""Katie..." I whispered. I looked at Callie. "My older sister.""Well, go say hi."I shook my head. I was suddenly losing my voice again."What do you mean? They're your family. You haven't seen them for over 4 years, right?""Everything just went wrong when I was 6...""It was Camp. That's not your fault, and it's not theirs either."I knew it wasn't their fault, but my heart hurt. I hated that all this happened to me. I looked at Callie. I saw Stef and Lena come out of the house and I rode my hoverboard over to them. 
Lena
"Hey, Josie. Where's Callie?" She looked to her left and I saw Callie."Did you get to meet Bette Porter? She's your lawyer. Your parents told me they got her for you."She shook her head. She gave a smile to Bette. "Hey, you know, look over there. Your sister's here. Kathleen.""Hey, Jos, what's wrong?" Callie asked."Cal, she's been through a lot and she might have talked, but what she's been through has been hard for her. She just can't handle it all." 
Josie
"Hey, Jos. I wanted to tell you I'm sorry about Camp."I nodded, but what was I supposed to say? It's all about Casey. I hated him the most. I was quiet."Josie, honey, are you okay?" Elliot asked. "We're so glad you're with Lena and Stef.""You've grown up so much, sweet girl." Olivia said. She was so gentle, as always. "We've come to take you back to New York, but I promise you, you'll see Stef and Lena again."I finally spoke but only a couple words. "And Callie?""Everyone, love." Stef broke in."And Callie too." Olivia held out her hand to me. "Come on, we'll get your things and head back to the airport. How's that? You'll be in your bed again.""Can I... say goodbye first?""Of course, sweetheart."I turned to Stef and hugged her goodbye."It's okay, love. You'll see us again. We promise."I hug Lena. I shed tears."Hey, hey, it's okay. Your mom and Dad will help you to cope with what happened okay? And I know you don't want to relive everything, but you have to answer their questions when they ask you. You understand, don't you?" Lena asked.I nod a couple of times. She wiped the tears from my cheeks. "Have a safe trip."Mariana and Frankie engulfed me in a hug at once. "Don't forget about us, okay? We'll see you again, but we'll miss you."Jesus hugs me. "Here, don't forget your bag. I know it's heavy, but I could manage it." He said. He handed me the bag and I put it onto my back. The shopping bags he handed me were the outfits I got at the outlet mall."Thanks, Jesus." I placed something in his palm. "Just get yourself a skateboard whenever you want." He looked in his hand. "Really, Jos? Thanks." He smiled. I'd given him 50 dollars. I hugged Brandon next. "You have the best talent when you play the piano.""I'll play again for you sometime, Josie." He promised.I walked over to Sophia and Jude and hugged them both. I didn't know Jude that well, but I was glad to have met him. I turned and walked over to my parents and sister Kathleen. I felt mama put her hand on the middle of my back the same Stef had back in the girl's bathroom at the school. I got in the back of Kathleen's new wheels with my Dad in the passenger seat and Mama in the back. They thought it would be better to drive back than to ride the plane back home. I waved at the Adams Foster family until the car was out of sight.I'd be going home, and I knew Casey would be in jail there. I didn't know if I was ever going to cope with what happened to me, even if it took a long time. I just wanted to be happy again.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

I made it back to New York. The house I'd lived in when I was 6 hadn't changed. My bedroom hadn't even changed. I went over to the window seat and sat down. I wanted to look out the window. I'd unpack later. It was a nice day out, but I didn't know if I wanted to go out and play in the same tree I had with my sister Kathleen when I was 6. I didn't even want to kick around the soccer ball I had when I was 6. I should be happy I'm home, and I am, but, I knew I'd have to be interrogated at the Precinct sometime, and I knew like Lena said, I'd have to go to court and I knew I would hate it. But if it meant putting those guys in jail then I'd do it.

I sighed. My bed didn't change. When I saw the same stuffed animal I'd had my entire life and at the Camp that summer, I furrowed my brow for a minute. I forgot Casey had left it in the cabin bed and I hadn't had it with me for 4 years. I get up from the window seat and go to the bed. I pick up the stuffed animal and hold it to my chest. I expected tears to shed. There weren't any. Everything I'd gone through seemed too much to comprehend right now.

"Hey, Jos, Olivia wants to know if you want anything to eat."

I shake my head.

"I found your stuffed animal in the bed at Camp. I saved it for you. I know you'd want to see it when you returned home." She gave a soft smile.

I nod. I set it down and went to the mirror to look at myself.

"You know that whatever happened to you isn't your fault, don't you?" She asked.

I shrug. I didn't care about Casey anymore. No snide remarks from me about him.

"I broke up with him recently, if that makes any of this better. You knew there was something off with him, and I didn't." She sighs. "I'm sorry, Jos."

I nod and touch my lips, thinking about 2 things. One bad and one... surprising. Casey gagged me. Callie kissed me.

"Please try and come down to eat, or at least drink something. I don't think Olivia or Dad would want you not taking care of yourself."

Without a word, I followed Katie downstairs.

Olivia

"Hey, sweetheart. How about some juice, huh?" I asked, starting to get a glass down from the cabinet.

She nods.

"Now, you'll need to go to school but not right away. First, you'll have to come to the station and talk to us." She paused, "But, you take your time. You don't have to tell us everything now. You've been through a lot. We know that."

She nods slowly.

I set the glass of orange juice in front of her on the island counter.

"Now, honey," Elliot began, "You will also have to ID the men from the gang and the one that hurt you." He paused, "But not until later, either."

I softly smiled. I hated that this had happened to our daughter.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

I didn't sleep through the night very well. My sister's room was down the hall from mine. Our parent's room was across from hers. I sighed. I didn't understand that I couldn't sleep, so I grabbed a little bit of cash from under the bed, maybe 20-30 dollars and looked at the clock. Almost 5 AM. I had to hurry if I was going to do this. I didn't want my parents knowing I had millions of dollars stashed under my bed.

I rode my hoverboard down the street to the gas station. It was somehow open this early. I walked in and got 2 iced coffees. One for me and one for Kathleen. I got everyone a sausage muffin. By the time I paid, it was almost 5:30. I rode back home and walked into the back door. Dad was just now waking up. I went to my room really fast and closed the window. The sun was just coming up. I'd left the sausage muffins downstairs. I walked downstairs after I put the remaining money back into my backpack. I had a pencil pouch to keep any loose change.

I came into the kitchen wearing one of my new outfits I'd gotten in San Diego and heated up my sausage muffin. Then, I heard Mom get up.

"Sweetheart, you're up early."

I nod.

"Are those sausage muffins?"

I nod again, taking mine out of the microwave when it was done.

"Did you go down to the gas station? You know we could've made breakfast." Dad told me.

I shrug and take a bite of the muffin.

"Well, Bette's going to be at the station today with you. She's also going to help you when you testify in court later on."

Kathleen came down. I saw her out of the corner of my eye.

"Does she really have to testify? We already know this is all my fault."

"Yes, Kathleen she does. This isn't your fault. Casey was the one who did all this with his buddies. You just wanted to see him at Camp, and that was all."

"Shouldn't I still be punished?"

"No, because your punishment's over, Kathleen."

She sighed.

I finished breakfast and left my bag here at home, except for maybe a couple bucks. 5-10 in case I got a snack at the Precinct.

This was going to be a long, hard day.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie
When I first entered the Precinct all I saw were people I had known from birth. They were glad I was back in New York. They knew I was nervous about today, but I had Bette, my lawyer, present. She would help me have less nervousness, and if I had to take a break, I could. I wasn't a suspect but a victim in a horrible, horrible crime that was committed against me. To me. Around me.I felt like my heart stopped beating. Every time I looked inside the interrogation room. There were supposed to be 2 chairs in there. One for me and one for Mom and Dad to switch off. Mom, I knew, would mostly stand, but it was me and not some other perp. It was her own flesh and blood she had to interrogate."It's okay, Josie. I'm right here. If you ever need to take a break, we will stop. I know you can't talk right now, but you can at least nod yes or shake your head no for now, okay?"I nod. I looked at Bette. She was so nice. Really nice, in fact."Come on, let's sit." Mom told me. I hesitated. It wasn't the room, but it was all this. I had to go through this part. I didn't know I was going to be on this end of the spectrum."It's okay. I'm right here. You can do this."I looked at Bette and over to Mom. I nod slowly. I walked into the room and sat down in the chair at the desk. Bette sat near the wall, but she was still there to support me. She smiled. She was so gentle."It's going to be routine questions, okay?"I nod."It's just you and me and Dad. If you need to take a break, I promise we will."I nod again.I pushed the hair from my face. I knew this was being recorded and taped. It was what all of Mom's and Dad's interrogations were."You and Kathleen went to Camp together that Summer, right?"I nod."Were you put in the same cabin together?"I shake my head no."Was Stef your camp counselor?"I nod. I gave a soft smile. I missed her right now."Did you make friends there at Camp?"I nod my head. I liked all my friends."Did Kathleen's boyfriend come to Camp?"I nod."And, what did you think about him? Did you like him, maybe, at first?"I nod. I could feel my heart racing."Something changed to where you didn't like him anymore? You knew something might've been off about him?"I nod. I looked down.Mom put a hand onto mine. "It's okay. We can stop. Do you want to take a break?"I nod."Okay. Come on. Go with Bette for a second. I need to talk to your Dad."I got up quickly and walked out of the room with Bette. When there was a place we would be able to be away from all the people, I looked at her. I was shaking."You're doing great. I know you are. It doesn't get fixed right away, but you're doing great." She gave me a soft smile. I had to lean against the wall. I hated what had happened to me.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

A week and a half later

Josie
I just turned 12 years old. I had been going to school at the New York Charter school. It was similar to the one in San Diego, except it didn't have Lena or Stef and Lena's kids here. I have been interrogated for a week and a half now, and I still haven't spoken. Bette has been here this entire time. She talked to me and made me feel more calm. I thank God for her."Happy birthday, Josie." Bette told me. She gave me a flower pin and helped me put it on. I smiled softly. "Your parents told me today is your birthday, but also I knew it was because of your file."I smile softly. I heard a male's voice and I whipped around. There was a man in handcuffs. He had burn marks up the side of his face. He scowled at me.
Jonathan.
I made a short gasping sound."Hey, hey, Josie, look at me." Bette took my hand. "Look at me."I looked at Bette. I must've seemed terrified."He's not going to hurt you. You're safe. He won't hurt you. We make sure he won't, and not anymore.""Come on. Let's get a snack."I followed Bette to the snack machine. We each got a snack each and sat on a bench. "Josie, it's just you and me right now, and you haven't talked in a while. I'm not going to make you talk, I promise. You get to talk whenever you can. It's up to you, and no one is forcing you."I nod. "Okay."Bette smiled. "We are trying to help you. You are beautiful, smart, brave and strong." She continues, "I know you can talk about this, even if it hurts."I nod. "Okay." I smile. "Thank you." 
Olivia
I brought Josie back into the interrogation room. "Sweetheart, I know you're not ready, but I need to ask you more questions, and you know the drill."She smiles softly. "I've seen you do it one hundred times."I smile. I was glad she was able to talk again. I knew this was hurting her."Let's start from the beginning again and take your time." I said in a gentle tone. "How many friends would you say you made at Camp?""4. Suzie I met in school, but then there was Emily, Sarah, Mayberry and Brenda.""Did you and your friends notice anyone new at Camp?"She had to think. "Not at first. Everyone was the same. There was one guy, but that was only because Kathleen invited him.""And what was this guy's name?""Casey. She said he was her boyfriend. I knew she couldn't have a boyfriend until 19, at least, but there he was. I... I didn't like him.""And why didn't you like him?"She looked over at Elliot."It's okay. It's similar questions to what they would also ask in court." He smiles softly. "Take your time."She took a deep breath. "I thought there was something off about him.""Like what?"She shrugs. "I don't know. Maybe, like, he was hiding something. He seemed nice enough, but I didn't know what he was capable of."I saw her face. She was straining not to scream or cry, but I knew she was being brave and strong, and I wanted her to be all those things - and most of all, honest.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

I needed a break. All this hurt, and yet, Bette was there. I hadn't cried since that horrible 4 years started. I hated feeling like I couldn't let out my emotions as if it was wrong or something. I sighed. I had to go back into the interrogation room. I just had a break. I sat in the chair across from Mom and Dad.

"I know this is hard for you, sweetheart, but we need to know everything that happened. You've been doing so well. We just need to know more so we can help you."

I looked at Dad. "How much do I need to tell you?"

"Just focus on the questions. You're doing great. Bette is behind that glass, and if you need to stop, again, we will."

I nod. "Okay."

"What happened that Friday night at Camp?" Mom asked me.

I looked down at my hands. "There was a campfire. I was hanging out with Kathleen. We got into a fight. She told me to basically leave her alone. We were supposed to be celebrating that I was going to be turning 7. She was bored. She said if something exciting happened to let her know."

"She didn't think your birthday was exciting?"

I shrug.

"What happened Saturday?"

I began to have flashbacks as Mom asked me what happened on that Saturday.

"Josie. Josie, honey."

I came out of the flashback for a minute. "I can't..." I shook my head and found myself getting up from the chair. I headed out the door and into the main hallway of the precinct. I couldn't do this. It was too hard for me. I knew I had to testify in court, but couldn't I just wait until court, honestly?

I looked at the wall. Feeling Casey gag me and carry me to the truck still feels so real. I wish he could just go to jail already. I wanted this all to be over.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie
I had a phone now. I called Lena's sister Athena. She was a cop. She was my honorary aunt as well. I knew she'd probably be in town. I was standing in the hallway of the precinct. After I had left the interrogation room, I had to breathe, but ever since I was younger, even in San Diego at the time, Athena was there with me too. "Hey, Josie, what's going on?"I was breathing heavily. All this interrogation just started and my heart felt like it was beating a mile a minute. "I thought I could do this, Athena. I can't. I can't stop thinking about what happened. I love my Mom and Dad, I love my sisters Emily and Kathleen, but I can't talk about what happened." I was freaking out. "I don't want to remember any of this... Could you please just arrest Casey and the others, Athena? Please...""Josie, I can't just arrest them. Olivia and Elliot are right, you have to go to court.""I can't do this alone. No one has any idea what I went through for 4 years. They can't possibly understand.""You have Bette, your lawyer, don't you?""Yes, but you were always there, too. I know you're at work, but you're my friend. Family to me. You and Lena helped with my panic attacks. My parents weren't there.""Listen to me, Josie. I will be there for you in court along with Lena and Stef and the kids. I promise you. You need to do this for your parents. Honey, I have a daughter who's 17. I know this hurts. I would do anything for my daughter. You are like a daughter to me too, you understand?"I nod. For the first time in a while, I could feel tears on my face. "I wish this didn't hurt." I heard my voice crack."I know, baby, trust me, I know." She continues, "I tell you what, I'll come over in just a minute on my break, and we'll talk then, okay? I'll even give you a big hug."I nod and sniffle a couple times. "Thank you, Athena."

Bette
I came out and found Josie sitting alone. She seemed to have just gotten off the phone. "Hey, I wanted you to know that I talked to your Mom. You don't have to say anything about Saturday at all until court. You're not alone, and you don't have to feel like no one understands. I know you want him in jail, Josie. All of us want him put away."She looked up at me. I could see the tears on her face. "Josie, I'll be right there with you. Right next to you, and I know this hurts, more than you'll know. But you," I began, touching her cheek with my hand, "you are worth more than whatever they thought you were. You're priceless. You're a precious gem. Josie, you are worth everything. You are so, so loved." I smiled at her.She sighed."You can do this. You have so many people behind you to lift you up. Never forget that everything that happened, isn't your fault. That you are brave and strong because you made it out of there. You overcame that place, Josie."She softly smiles. We were standing so close to each other now. I knew she was almost 13 and I was almost 20. I didn't think age mattered at all, and even if our friendship was professional, I felt like I wanted it to be more.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Cabott
She marched herself right into the main part of the precinct. She looked frustrated. "Stabler, I just talked to the Captain. I don't think it's a good idea that you interrogate your own flesh and blood."Elliot whirled around in his desk chair. "She's our daughter, and we need to talk to her.""She's a victim. She's not the one you need to be speaking to. What about Casey Jones or his gang members? I don't feel that you've asked them enough questions." And before Elliot or Olivia could speak, she added, "Josie has been through enough interrogating. She might've just started talking, but you don't want to lose her and have her run away from you. She needs a break. Stop interrogating her.""We know what we're doing, Alex."The Captain came out. "Cabott, drop the attitude. I did say they needed to back up a little, but I didn't say to stop interrogating her. Just give her some space. Cabott, get back to work." He ordered. 
Josie
I sighed, walking around the precinct, pacing more like it. When I saw Athena enter the precinct, I walked quickly over to her.She gave me a hug. "Honey, have they given you a court date yet?"I shook my head. "I don't think so.""Okay, okay. Let's sit." She brings me over to a bench and we sit. "Why would your parents be the ones to interrogate you? There should be someone else for that, right? You only tell them in your own time.""Yeah, well, apparently not.""You know you can ask for someone else to do it."I shake my head no. "They're my parents. I'd be hurting their feelings.""You couldn't possibly, Josie. They're your parents and they love you unconditionally."I nod. "Okay." 
Two days later

Gabe
He was out and about in town, searching the streets. He thought he'd seen Josie entering a martial arts studio downtown. He knew about the court date, in a couple weeks, and he hadn't managed to get arrested yet.He found himself trying to be discreet when he came upon the martial arts studio. He peered in the window to watch her work. In his pocket, he had a knife and in a holster, he had a gun. He had to make sure they were both still there. 
Josie
I was learning martial arts. I had been for a month now, from a woman named Sydney Bristow. I told her a snippet of what I had gone through. We became friends and I confided in her. After the lesson, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I felt for my phone in my pocket. I turned and saw Gabe staring through the window. I didn't think much. I ran through the building to the back entrance. I had my hands at my sides, swinging them in motion as I ran.My hair was long enough down to my lower back that when I ran, the wind caught my hair and some of it flew in my face. I didn't dare look back. I just knew he was following me and I heard him call out my full first name."Josephine! Josephine! Get back here!"I ran until I thought my legs were burning, and I ran even more. I thought I'd lost him, until I ran face to face with him down a long alley. I was able to fight him off and roundhouse kicked him in the head. I ran past him and took out my phone. This was not going to go well for either me or Gabe. I had to call Athena. Now.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie
I found myself pressed to the dirt ground. I grunted. Then, I thought today wouldn't get any worse. But I was going to be 14 in 2 months, and I had my court date in a few days. I looked up at Gabe who had an evil grin on his face. "You bastard." I spat out dirt. It tasted more like grass."What are you gonna do about it? Nothing." He laughed down at me.I got up, because I didn't have a choice. He was pulling my head up by having a hold of my hair.I know it hurt, but I spun and kneed him into the stomach. He fell to his knees. That made him let go of me.I was getting ready to take out my phone when he pointed a gun at me. I remembered the time in the hotel where the gun was pointed at me. Too bad Vee wasn't around to beat Gabe to a pulp.  
Bette
She was getting ready for the court date in a couple days, and she wanted to talk to Josie before then, but she couldn't find her at the moment. She called Olivia, and they talked about where Josie would be. She hoped she wasn't in immediate danger, and when she found out from Olivia's and Elliot's Captain that one of the gang members was missing, she immediately called Athena and Stef at once.She talked to Stef on the phone, reminding her who she was, and explaining what happened at the New York Precinct. "I'm on my way," Stef began to say, "and I'll bring Athena with me. Thank you for the update, Bette." 
Josie
I had to follow him to this car he stole. I took a police tracker out of my pocket, and bent over, saying I had to tie my shoe, and I put the tracker underneath the car Gabe must have stolen. It didn't seem to be his. I got in the car when I heard him seem to raise his voice at me. "Fine. So, what did you do? Hotwire this thing?""None of your business. Get in the car and buckle in. It's going to be a long ride."I got in the car. I buckled in, but I didn't say another word. He still pointed the gun at my head, keeping one hand on the wheel."Shouldn't you keep both hands on the wheel? You know, um 10 and 2?""What are you, Driver's Ed? I know how to drive.""Fine, fine. Just don't let your careless driving be the reason we wreck...""And don't let your smart-mouth be the reason you get shot." He adds. "Now, shut up, so I can drive!"I looked out the window. I was in the same position I'd been in over 4 years ago, and I would've preferred to have left Gabe behind and ran, but I couldn't. 
The next day

Athena
She was looking at her phone. There was an alert for a Chevy Equinox driving down the highway, 5 miles south from where she knew Josie's martial arts classes were. She headed to see her friend Hen. Then, she would head out with Stef and Hen to catch the guy responsible for attempting to kidnap Josie once again. "Let's go. Stef, we have to make it there, before they cross the bridge to the lake. I have a feeling, this guy is taking her back to Camp Seaside where this all started.""The only guy from the gang members you said was missing was Gabe, right? He has to be taking her back where it all started over 4 years ago. He thinks he can get away with what he's about to do." "Then, let's get him, before he tries anything dangerous to hurt Josie." 
Josie
I woke up from this nap. I could smell smoke in the car. The hood was smoking. "Dude, don't you think we should - I don't know - stop this car before it overheats?""Nah, it's fine." "The gas light's on, too. When you hijacked this car, I guess you didn't think about if it had gas in it, did ya?""Hey, are you a mechanic or something? You always act like you know everything. Why don't you shut the hell up, so we can just make it over the border?""Over the border? Why would we go over the border?""To see Santa Claus." He snorted. "What do you think, smarty-pants?"I saw the bridge where the Camp trail started. It was just maybe 2 miles up ahead. "Camp. Why are you hell-bent on bringing me back to Camp?""It's where it all started.""You won't get away with this, Gabe. Someone will come looking for me. Stop the car, just stop the car. It might not overheat if you just stop the car."He slapped me across the face. Not to count for the scar that went all the way down one side of my face from over 4 years ago.I saw a police car up ahead. I knew what Stef's cruiser looked like. Lena was in the car with her. I opened the door while the car was moving. He grabbed my shirt. I pulled free from him, just as Athena got out of her police cruiser. I could see flames coming up. I was terrified. I tumbled out of the car and rolled down the hill, before the stolen vehicle burst in flames and exploded. Gabe was inside when the explosion happened. 
Athena
I came running down the hill, making sure Josie was alright. The fire department had come quickly. Hen was helping some others put out the fire. There was no way they could save Gabe. He was gone. I slowly helped Josie up from the ground. "Are you alright, is anything broken?"She shook her head no. I saw she was bleeding from whatever Gabe had done to her. "Come back up with me. We'll get Hen to patch up your cheek, okay?"She nods."I'm so glad we found you quickly. It would've probably taken us days, if we hadn't seen the alert.""I put a tracker on the bottom of the car." She said."Would you like to be a police officer when you grow up?"She smiled softly. "Maybe." I helped her back up the hill and Hen patched up the place on her cheek. "I'm so glad you're alright. I know we talked about your court date, and I know you aren't ready, but we are all behind you with this. We are all here."She nods. "I just want to get this over with. I want Casey and Jonathan put away. I never want to see them again."I nod, taking her hand with my own. "We will make sure that happens for a very long time, Josie. I promise you."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Court Day

Josie

Cabott was at the witness stand. I was called to the stand and she moved out of the way. I stared right through Casey, and Jonathan seemed to bore a hole into my soul.

"Raise your right hand. Promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God."

"I promise." I sit in the chair and Cabott comes up to me first. She seemed annoyed and when was that never a thing?

"State your name, age and who you belong to."

"Josephine Benson-Stabler. I'm almost 14. My parents are Olivia and Elliot."

"Would you say you know the two perps in this courtroom?"

I nod. "Yes, I would."

"Where did you meet these men?"

"At Summer Camp."

"And would you say you're friends with them?"

I stared at Cabott. "Not now, no."

"But would you say you were friends?"

"Just me and Casey Jones."

"How did you hear of Casey in the first place?"

I sigh. "He was my older sister Kathleen's boyfriend."

"Are they together anymore?"

I shook my head. "No, not anymore."

"Why not?"

"Because she found out he was a bad person. She broke it off with him."

"What made him a bad person?"

"He hurt me."

"How did he hurt you?"

"He kidnapped me or abducted me, whichever, for starters."

"How old were you then?"

"Almost 7."

"Would you say you talked to him about yourself to make him want to take you?"

I shook my head. "No, I barely talked to him. I didn't seem to trust him."

"But you did introduce yourself."

"Objection."

"Overruled. Cabott, watch yourself."

I looked out into the courtroom at Bette, who seemed to give me the courage I needed. "Yes, I did introduce myself."

"And would you say he seemed nice enough?"

"I was just looking out for Kathleen, which she didn't seem to want."

"Did he seem nice enough, though?"

I shrug. "Yeah, sure."

"So, back to what you were stating before - about Kathleen - why didn't Kathleen want to be around you?"

"I don't know. She just acted strange after she talked with Casey, every time."

"Strange, how?"

"Cabott, wrap it up. We need other people to ask the questions here."

"She would get mad at me when we talked. I just told her how it was - how I felt about her and Casey, about different things, and she told me to basically back off."

Cabott sighed. "No further questions at this time."

The judge got her gavel ready. "Let's take a 10 minute recess and come back." She banged the gavel on the desk.

The 10 minute break would begin. I got up and left the courtroom to get a snack. I knew I would be questioned probably back and forth with Casey or Jonathan, and I just wished I could get it over with. Quickly.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

I sat in the chair next to Bette while Casey was being questioned. He told about what he'd done to take me from Camp, but he seemed to also be stoned. High, maybe. Hearing everything from him, made everything much harder to process. When Jonathan came up to the stand to sit in the court chair, my heart felt like it was going to explode.

Cabott was being extra annoying in court today. Asking questions that even the judge thought was too much to ask at this time. She seemed to get frustrated that she couldn't speak freely. I mean, was she probably thinking, "What's the point of being a District Attorney, if I can't speak freely?"

I had to get water. I took a moment to get some and came back to sit down. Bette touched my arm. "Are you okay?" She asked, once I'd settled back into my seat.

"No, not really."

Kathleen was put on the spot, and of course she had to tell the truth. One thing I heard Kathleen say, made my heart break into a million pieces.

"I was mean to my sister when she was 6, almost 7. She was annoying because she wouldn't quit bugging me. Then, I realized the more I hung out with Casey, the worst attitude I had. I didn't realize what I'd done had really hurt my sister's feelings. By the time I wanted to say I was sorry, she was gone. I couldn't talk to her," her voice had begun to crack, "I couldn't tell her how sorry I was. When I was able to see her again, I just wanted to be punished again for all the rude things I ever said to her. It wasn't fair."

"What did you do, when you heard she'd been raped?"

"Objection, Cabott, I want to speak to you at the sidebar."

"One more outburst from you, and I will ask you to step down from the witness stand."

"How am I supposed to ask the questions, if I don't ask them this way?"

"Either ask them in such a way that the witness will want to respond, or even talk about it on their own, but don't be forcing them into the conversation. If this happens again, you're to stay away from the witness stand."

An hour and a half later

We were done with Court. The Judge told the audience in the courtroom that Jonathan and Casey were both guilty of rape, assault in the third-degree, and kidnapping/abduction. They were to be sentenced to community service and a lifetime in prison.

"Court is adjourned."

I got up from the chair and found myself shedding tears. Thank god that was over. I hugged Bette as tightly as I could. Somehow this felt new, right. Maybe, in a couple of years if I knew what I was feeling I'd pursue it. For now, I was only almost 14, and I didn't know what I was wanting or feeling. Bette was my lawyer, my friend, and not necessarily was I thinking about dating her at all. I just somehow felt safe around her.

I walked over to Mom and Dad, and Emily had made it. Mom and Dad were already done with the papers to adopt Emily fully this time. She'd be living with us forever, and the guy that had pretended to be her father would be in jail too. I hoped Casey and Jonathan and that man got along, but honestly, I didn't care. I was just glad to be free with family and friends and actually live my life. I hugged Mom and Dad, and we all left the courthouse. I headed home. I wanted to reorganize and redecorate my room. I used some of the money I had to revamp my room. I found my jacket I'd worn to the courthouse and felt for this piece of paper inside.

"Josie, please, call me anytime you'd like. Here's my card." The note said. I held the card in my hand for a minute. "I'm so glad those guys are put away for good now. I'm not asking for much, but if you want, I can take you for a coffee or something on your birthday in a couple months. Just friends. Bette Porter."

I softly smile. Bette was so nice. We were friends, and I appreciated her. I laid in the new bed and curled under the covers. I closed my eyes and started dreaming.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie
I woke up at 8:30 AM. My dream was vivid. It made me think about whether it was real or just a dream. I got ready for school and grabbed my hoverboard. I would be riding to school. Emily was now going to the same school with me and my other friends that were at Camp that Summer. I would be 14 in a month. I had to keep thinking about that note Bette, my lawyer, gave me. Then, there was that vivid dream. I grabbed my bag and mentally counted how much money I still had from when I'd taken it. Too much to really count. Perfect. I walked downstairs after I stuffed about 30 dollars in my pocket. Breakfast was pancakes and French toast. Emily was sitting at the table with Kathleen. "Hey, honey. You can have breakfast if you want some."I just took an apple from the basket on the table. "You sure you don't want pancakes? I'll save you some for later after school."I smile. "Thanks, Mom." "Josie, the trial's done, sweetheart. They're in jail. There's nothing to worry about." Dad tried to reassure me. "Do you tell your victims that too? 'Nothing to worry about? It's all over?'" "Josephine...." Mom began to say."There's always more to it than going to court and putting bastards in jail, Dad. I have to get to school..." I left the kitchen and went out the front door. I didn't know how to survive 7th grade, but I had to. I didn't have Athena, Lena, Stef or the others. I just had to 'toughen up, buttercup.' 
Lunchtime
I went to the lunch table. I ate my lunch alone until I looked up and saw a familiar face. "Cal? What... hey! What brings you to New York?""College now. I'm studying to be a lawyer. Do you think you can help a young girl out?""Yeah, yeah. I know a lawyer. I could hit you up." I smiled softly. I seemed to almost be done with my lunch."I heard about the court day last month. How'd it go?""The worst. The boys are in jail, but none of it is real, Cal. They have community service and then in jail a lifetime, but what does that even mean for me?""They can't come after you again, Jos. They'd have to make up for the consequences.""I just want to forget school, travel the world, be something of myself. I know I'm almost 14, but I can get school somewhere else. Go to college in a couple years...""Jos, you can't run away." "Who says I'm running away? I can be a cop like your mom, or go to college to be a Detective like my parents.""I say you can't run away, Jos. I know this hurts and I know what it's like to be hurt. Raped, even.""No, Cal, you don't know..." I started and she cut me off."Yes, yes I do, Jos. Before I was adopted by Stef and Lena. It wasn't a foster home, because you kept me away from that. This guy I met. He said the sex was consentual, but it wasn't. He raped me after I told him I didn't like him the way he thought. He was a nice guy, but I was not into him like that." She sighed. "Then, I learned he was part of this secret gang."Hearing the word gang made my blood run cold. "What was his name, Cal?""Liam. Liam Olmstead.""Casey's cousin.""What?""Liam is Casey's cousin. He didn't speak of him much, but when he did, he only talked about them being in the Army together.""Jos, did he hurt you too?"I was frozen. "He was angry. I don't think so. I don't know.""Well, I heard he's in jail too. Something about robbing a bank. That's all I know."I sigh. "Did Stef tell you about this?""Yeah, a couple times we talked about it."I nod. I didn't want the money to be a problem if it came up in conversation, and I wished all this rape and information would go away. I didn’t want to relive it forever.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

I was 14 and a half, and my parents had already thrown this birthday party where I could invite my friends for this sleepover. I hadn't started having these nightmares. Not in a while since the incident when I was almost 7. We were supposed to play games and the girls wanted me to play with a Ouija board. My parents were Catholics and I was supposed to visit Stef and Lena in the Summer before I would be going into 8th grade, and I knew Stef's Dad would have a heart-attack if I played with a Ouija board.

He would have a heart-attack if I even joked about being a lesbian. I didn't know if I really was into girls, so it shouldn't matter. I didn't want to play with this Ouija board. It already put my stomach in knots thinking about such a thing. So, with our friends, we played Spin the Bottle, instead. I only played a couple rounds. Our friends Spencer, Melissa and Allison came. Of course, there were no boys allowed at this party. I even made sure of it.

After the party, I got a note saying, "Happy birthday, Josie" and there were flowers from Bette, my lawyer and best friend.

I packed my bags and went to San Diego to spend the summer with Lena and Stef. I was actually able to see the others, and Athena at the Police Department.

I brought my heavy bag of all the cash I had. There was still a bunch in there. I offered to stay on the couch for a while, until Stef had me stay in the same room with Mariana as last time. Callie was in that room also on that mattress I had once slept on.

"So, are you staying all Summer?" Callie asked.

"I don't know, maybe."

"No Camp anymore in New York?"

"No. They closed permanently because of all the deaths before the Camp even started."

"I finally have a break from college, and I talked to that lawyer you referred me to."

I smile. "Great. Is Bette helping you get started with your career after college?"

"Yeah. Definitely. Thanks, Jos."

2 days later

I was able to visit Stef's work and see Athena. I hadn't slept well since being in San Diego. I knew I'd have to talk to Stef about these nightmares, but I wanted to weather through them first. I spent half a day with Stef, until she had a very important call to make. I offered to go along, but she thought it was too dangerous.

"Come on, Stef. She can just stay in the Police cruiser." Athena adds.

"Okay, fine. But keep the doors locked and stay in the car."

I stayed in the police cruiser. The doors were locked and I was in the backseat. I was taking a nap. I was woken up by glass shattering. I ducked under the back of the cruiser to stay hidden from view. The car alarm was starting to go off. My heart was racing, but I dared not to move. 
 
Athena

I came out to the car alarm going off and I thought the worst. I was ordered by Stef to stay here while she went after the perp. I saw his car a mile away, and I saw he was starting to run. I saw Stef starting to go after him. I opened the car door and found Josie partially under the seat. "Josie, you can come out here now."

She came out from under the seat and I could tell she was shaking.

"Come on. I've got you, okay?"

She clung to me. I could tell she was terrified. I hugged her and began to calm her fast beating heart. I put her into my van and took her back to Stef and Lena's house. I stayed with her most of the afternoon. She was shedding tears. All the things she'd been going through in her young life seemed to be a lot and I understood that. I stayed with her until Lena got home. I reassured Lena that everything was alright now, after I told her what happened.

"Would you call Mom and Dad and Bette, call Bette, please." She began.

I nod. "I promise." I gave her a soft smile and kissed the top of her forehead. I left Stef and Lena's home a few minutes later. I didn't know why Josie was being targeted but I knew I had to figure out why, and I promised myself I would - soon.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

Around June, I had called Bette and told her what happened while Stef was on a call. I'd talked to her a couple times before when it first happened, but now I talked because I wasn't sleeping well while being in San Diego. I still hadn't told Stef what I was going through about losing sleep. I was sitting on the bed after a long day at the pool with the others, and I found myself not speaking like I'd lost my voice again.

When Callie was looking out for me, she told me to call my Mom or my Dad. She even took my cell phone and called them herself. I didn't stop her. I didn't have the gall to. She was telling whoever answered about what my stance was, and I had never gotten over what happened to me, but I wanted some normalcy in my life. Maybe, grieve over this situation before I could heal. I don't really know.
 
Olivia

I went to San Diego. Kathleen let me and Elliot take her vehicle. When we made it to the Foster's home, I walked into the house. Callie invited me in. She led me upstairs where I found Josie. Sitting on the bed. She was stiff and her expression didn't change. She seemed to be staring at the wall. "Callie, could you give us a little time together?"

"Sure. Come on, Mariana." She got her sister out of the room and closed the door.

"Josie, sweetheart, it's Mama. Now, I know you don't want to talk about this, but you have to start healing. Callie told me you haven't been sleeping well. I know she's been watching over you this Summer."

Her voice was soft. "She didn't have to do that."

"I know, but she wanted to help. Would you like to talk to me about it? It might help if you do."

"I don't know how to talk about any of it. I know I went to court, but this is deeper than just going to court."

"Baby, I know it is deeper than just going to court. You were hurt, and I know it is painful, but it will help you heal if you talk about it. What did the guys in the gang do to you?"

I shake my head. "What do you mean? You heard them in court, mama. Regardless of how honest they were, I hate them, and I never want to see them again."

"You won't have to see them again. Baby, this is to help you heal. Please, talk to me. What did they do to you?"

"What didn't they do? They made me pretend to be someone I wasn't. Someone's daughter. They called me Jenna. That was the beginning. They shaved my head. Made me look like a boy the second time. They wouldn't let me leave their hideout. They stuck me with a needle a couple times, raped me more than once..." She sighed, sniffling. "It hurt the first time. I didn't know what was going on..."

"What did they give you?"

"Valium. They started on one dose and ended with 2 at least, sometimes 3. There wasn't much I could do. They said it would 'relax' me. Enough Valium and I wouldn't have a care in the world about what they did to me. I didn't say a lot in court, Mama, and please don't make me do it again, okay? I've been scared out of my mind..."

I nod, touching my daughter's cheek with my thumb, starting to wipe her tears away. I held her tight and it was the first time in a while she'd cried in my arms since this all happened. I found her shaking. I hated this for her. I told her some encouraging words, though. "It'll all get better, baby girl. Mama and Daddy love you so very much." I hugged her very close to my heart.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

I’d told Mom and Dad what happened to me and still had to identify some man. I was told this man they caught was not necessarily part of the one gang but was friends with Casey and his buddy Jonathan.

I had to go back to school with my sisters Emily and Kathleen. I knew the people would be talking about me, wondering if I was alright. That was their job. If only I knew who was targeting me, we’d get this over with. I didn't even know his name. Apparently the guy Stef arrested was just an accomplice and he definitely wasn’t talking. Not to Stef. So, Stef brought him to the station where Mom and Dad worked. Great.

The Station

Olivia

“What’s your name and who do you work for?”

“Why would I give that away? I don’t think he’d appreciate it too much.”

“He? Who’s this guy, and why were you targeting my daughter?”

“Because he asked me to.”

“And his name would be?”

“Chucky for all I care, Detective.” He was getting annoyed. “I just call him Boss.”

“Would you prefer our daughter to keep being targeted? Seems to me, you don’t want to rob banks or hurt pre-teenage girls.”

“Look, all I know is where he stashed the money, alright?”

“How much money did he take?” Elliot seemed to jump in.

“Don’t know. I wasn’t in charge of the money. Larry was.”

“Could we speak to this Larry?”

“Yeah, he works at the nearest gas station.”

“Thank you.” I told him. I look at Elliot and back to this man. “Stay here until further instruction. Got it?” I leave with Elliot and we head out. We had to find Larry and talk to him.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

I got home before my siblings, and I found a large manila folder on the doorstep addressed to me. The note inside said, “Here’s another advance. Wherever that first $10 million went, as long as you keep this in a safe place, I’ll make sure no one targets you again. By the way, you don’t have to trust me. I’m just the messenger.” -JCK

I looked inside. I took it straight to my room and counted out the money stash. Who would be so generous as to keep me out of trouble?

I counted the money. $25 million! You gotta be joking. I was only almost 15, and really already a feisty teenager. Who was also protecting money so I didn’t get caught or worse, go to female prison. This made a total of 34, almost $35 million.

I stuffed the money in my bag and took it all out to one of my favorite hideouts I made last year. I stuff some money in the bunker. I only take out $200. The bunker was an old cellar no one uses. Also, I had made my own passcode for the place. So in order to stay out of trouble, I had to hide this money. Nobody said I couldn’t use it - maybe I’d get more. This was dangerous, but I was willing to play along.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

It was the middle of 8th grade. Kathleen just turned 25 and Emily was 17 now.

Hadn’t talked to Bette in a while since the court date or after I told my mom everything that happened to me. Yes, I regretted mentioning the money then or now. It was on purpose so I could stop being targeted.

I didn’t have to identify anyone right now as far as I was concerned, but I was still playing along and keeping this huge secret for this guy JCK. Whoever that was who sent me the money and the note. I wouldn’t write him back. Even if he was the messenger and protecting me, I still didn’t trust him enough to talk to him or acknowledge him.

If he ever came up to me, or saw me, of course, I’d act like I didn’t have a voice. And I was getting out of school, and I wanted to get myself a PlayStation. It was on sale for $150. Not just for me but for Jesus – some guy Stef and Lena adopted – and I could come over and play anytime, especially in the summer.

“Josie, I need a huge favor.” Emily piped up after school.

“Sure, Em. What’s up?”

“I really want my own laptop to do my homework so I can stop asking Kathleen if I can borrow hers.”

“Oh, yeah? Have you found one you like at the store?”

“Yeah. It’s a touchscreen and I wanted a decal of my initials on it. It’s $175, though.”

“Tell you what, this weekend we’ll go look and I’ll get you one. Mom and Dad won’t care. Besides, I’m hoping to get a job this weekend – maybe get more cash. just don’t say anything yet, okay?” I smile at Emily.

“Okay, but be careful.” She cautions.

I said, “I promise.” Not telling her I already kind of had a job to keep me from being targeted was enough.

We went to the electronics store - better known as a Best Buy - and I bought her the computer and decal she wanted. Then, we headed home to do homework.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

Mom wanted me at the station with her to meet this guy she had been interrogating. “We don’t know his name, but we want to know if you know him.”

“Um, why would I know him, Mom?”

“Maybe he was a part of the gang you were with. I’ll give you a minute. I’ll go out into the other room. Tell the officer outside this door when you’re done. Remember, you don’t have to say anything to this man. You understand?”

I nod. “Okay mom.” I watch her leave and I face this guy. He hands me a piece of paper with the letters JCK.

I look at the man. No way.

“I’m keeping you safe. I have eyes out there. As long as you don’t get caught and stay safe, I give you more cash. Is that detective really your mom?”

I tilt my head to the side.

“Okay fine. Do you have a lawyer?”

I raise my eyebrows at him.

“Look, I’ll give you double if you can at least get your lawyer to get me one. I am not a snitch. I’m not putting you in danger, I swear.”

“How is me telling my lawyer to get you a lawyer not putting me in a dangerous spot?”

“It won’t if you and your lawyer are tight and she trusts you.”

I almost rolled my eyes at this guy. “How are you getting these rewards to my house?”

“I got my own friends. They know you’re legit, so, do we have a deal?”

“All right.” We shook on it.

I didn’t care how long this lasted – as long as the people that were targeting me were put away for good – I didn’t care.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

After the visit at the Precinct, I took my hoverboard and rode back home to get a little cash from the cellar. I had to get to school after the meeting with the guy. I really didn’t know him, but my mom had insisted I see him in case I knew him and just forgot or something.

I headed off to school to see my friends and my sister. I didn't dare tell my friends or my sisters about the money because I didn't want them to get into trouble and besides, I was already being protected so if I told anyone I would probably be targeted again.

I had not talked to Bette in a while. I had hoped she was doing alright, but maybe I should text her or something. I took out my phone to text her and I said, “Hey Bette, I hope everything is well with you. I just wanted to check in and see how you were doing.”

I knew it would take her a minute to respond. I knew she was working late at the Law office. After a couple minutes, she responded. “I'm so glad to hear from you, and I hope you're doing okay. I've missed talking to you.”

“I've missed talking to you too.” Josie ended up smiling as she read the text message. “Please call me anytime. I would appreciate it."

“I'll make sure and do that. How about I call you later after I get off work? I'd like to hear about your day at school, and I'd really like to catch up with you. Is that okay?”

Josie smiled again. Of course, it was. I didn’t mind at all. It would be nice to hear her voice. Of course, I was still unsure about the feelings I’d been feeling for the last couple of years when I’d first interacted with her. Those feelings had slowly subsided as I had gotten busy with school, friends and family that they weren’t as obvious anymore. I didn’t know what to do when they started popping up again after seeing Bette again and talking to her.

I headed into the school building. I wasn’t expecting to see anyone from any of my classes. It was lunchtime by the time I arrived later than usual. I would have to make up the homework from the morning classes. I had hoped the principal, or my teachers would have had to call my parents. It was the day that I had to go into the Precinct, so I’m sure my teachers already knew I’d have to be out for the first couple of classes.

I headed to the cafeteria to get my lunch, and my friends had already been saving me a seat at our usual table. “Thanks, you guys. Sorry it took me so long.”

“How did it go at the Precinct with your mom and Dad?”

“It was okay, for sure. I don’t like having to identify people that did wrong by me. This guy didn’t seem to be a part of the same gang. I didn’t know him personally.”

“Great, now that that’s over with, what are you going to do this weekend? Have you talked to Stef since the day on the call that you took with her and Athena?”

I shake my head. “No. That’s when I first got targeted. I haven’t talked to her much since. Callie and Mariana may want me to come over there this week, and maybe it will help to clear my head.” I paused for a minute to think, “But I don’t know. I was supposedly supposed to hear back from someone this evening.”

My friends looked right at me. “No… By ‘someone’ do you mean that Lawyer, Bette? You haven’t heard from her in a while. Are you sure that’s a good idea to talk to her and catch up?”

I almost snorted. “What’s the big deal? She’s my Lawyer, yeah, but she’s also my friend.”

“Who’s about 5 years older than you. That’s illegal, right?”

I shrugged. I didn’t know what they were talking about. “Illegal, how?”

“If you had any relations with this woman. She is a woman, and you’re a teenager.”

“Okay? We’re teenagers. The only adult is Kathleen, and she’s in college, almost graduated.” The bell rang, signaling lunch was over. I sighed, putting away my lunch tray. “I’m going to Study Hall. Are you both coming or what?”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie

I left school after Study Hall and headed to the Precinct. On my way over there, I got a phone call. Callie. I was almost expecting Bette, but to hear Callie was exciting. “Hey, Cal, what’s up? I’m heading to mom’s work.”

“Bette got that one friend of yours a Lawyer. His name’s Robert.”

“That’s great. I’ve heard of Robert.” I made a turn left onto the street where the Precinct was. “And that guy and I are not really friends.”

“You and Bette seem to be very tight. I’m glad you referred me to her.”

“Yeah, well, anything for a friend.”

“Would we still be friends though if I told you what happened with me and Bette last week?”

I refrained from biting the inside of my cheek. “What do you mean, ‘what happened with you and Bette last week’?”

I was now stopped on the side of the road. I had to hear Callie out.

“I kissed her, okay? It was in the moment, but I swear, I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

Why was I feeling jealous right now? Hurt maybe?

“You kissed her? Accidentally?”

“I know, I know. It’s unprofessional, because she’s your Lawyer, and she’s supposed to be helping me with my future dream. I swear, Jos, I didn’t mean for this to go out of hand.”

“It was just a kiss, Cal. You did that with me once too, remember?”

“Yes, I know, you’re right. It’s not a big deal. Besides, she somehow didn’t seem to be phased by it, and she also didn’t react.”

“Like she didn’t kiss back, or what?”

“No, she didn’t kiss back. Jos, come on, she said it was okay. You two are close. I’m sure she had a good explanation for not reacting.”

I wanted to change the subject briefly. “Am I supposed to come to your house this weekend? I wasn’t sure if Stef approved.”

“You practically lived here for a short time before me. Of course, she’s okay with you coming over this weekend. You just have to talk to Olivia and Elliot about it.”

“Good. I’ll be there for sure.”

I avoided the conversation about Bette after that, but something made me think about why Bette would have not reacted to Callie kissing her. Part of me wanted to know the reason, and another part of me didn’t know why I cared so much about the reason.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Olivia
I’d spent the next couple of weeks searching for the people that were targeting my daughter some time ago. I’d still been working on it with Elliot, and we had almost had a lead, but then the lead fell through almost instantaneously. Like someone was not wanting to be found and knew we were onto them.I’d asked Kathleen to drop both Emily and Josie off at school today. It was the last day before the holidays. We would be finishing the decorating for Thanksgiving and having some family over.After my lunch break, Elliot and I went back to work. I thought I’d talk to Stef or something, since she was working for the Police. I figured she could help us with finding the others who targeted Josie that day. I decided to take out my phone and call her. She answered on the first ring.“Hey, this is Stef.”“Hey, Stef, it’s Olivia. I have a favor. Could you look up who else would have been targeting Josie? The guy we had a lead on… he disappeared right away. I thought maybe you could see about the gang Josie was a part of and see if they have any more alibis, they’re also working with.”“Sure, and I’ll also ask Mike.”I knew she didn’t like hanging with Mike much. They were divorced, and they only worked together, because they were put together as partners by their boss.“Thanks, Stef. That’s really a big help. Also, I know Josie and Emily are supposed to come to Thanksgiving with you Friday. I want to make sure they’re both safe.”“You know they’re safe at my house. I won’t let anything happen to them. I’ve got them both taken care of. Lena and I have this under control. We hope you have a great Thanksgiving tonight with the family.”I smiled to myself. “Thanks, Stef. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Lena and the family as well – and thank you for the help. Let me know what you find out.”“Of course.”I hung up the phone and turned to Elliot. “Better remind Josie and Emily they will both be at Stef and Lena’s for Thanksgiving Friday. They can probably have a sleepover with the girls and enjoy the holiday together.”“Of course, they can, Liv.” Elliot began. “They should really start school with the Adams Foster girls next year for high school. Hopefully all this craziness with the gangs and targeting will be over by then. It had better.”“I know. Trust me, I know. I hope it’s over in a year too.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

-Thanksgiving Friday-

Josie

Emily and I were going to Stef and Lena’s for Thanksgiving and staying the whole weekend. Callie let us stay in the room with her and Mariana. It was crowded, but we were determined to make it work.

Emily and I would be safe, because Stef was a cop. Also, we weren’t planning to go out alone. Callie and Mariana would come along.

We were going to buy coffee at the coffee shop while Stef and Lena cooked at the house. I offered to pay for the coffee and cookies. As we were leaving, some man about bumped into me. I saw his face briefly as he took off his shades and had this “flashback” moment. I turned to Callie. I was so caught off guard, scared. “Let’s go, now.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Callie

I was riding my hoverboard down the sidewalk behind Josie and Mariana was trailing behind. We were in a rush now as soon as Josie had said she wanted to get out of there. I was doing my best to keep up with her speed. “Hey, Jos, slow down. I don’t get what’s going on.”

Josie didn’t seem to respond right away. She was waiting until we got to the driveway of the house. “Jos, what happened back there?”

“That man was familiar. That’s all.”

“You were scared. I saw it in your face. Who was that man?”

“I don’t know his name, okay? I just know I saw something, and he was a bad man.”

“Was he in that gang from before? What?”

“I. Don’t….” She sighed deeply. “Maybe an alibi.”

“You should tell Moms. Stef and Lena should know about this.”

“No. Not until I’m certain. I can’t.”

“But, why not? It’s supposed to help you stay safe. That’s what Stef said, right? That she would keep you safe.”

She sighed. “Yes, that’s what Stef said.”

Josie

I headed out to the backyard. Callie followed me. Mariana did the same. I know they were looking out for me, but I knew this conversation would end in me telling them about the money and I couldn’t risk that, because then I would lose more “benefits”, and I would be targeted again – almost immediately. I knew it.

“Can’t you at least think about telling Moms?”

I nod. “Just don’t tell them. Not yet.”

“I can’t lie to them forever, Jos.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not asking you to. If worse comes to worse and you have to, don’t worry about it. Otherwise, I’d wait.”

“That’s fine, but I don’t get why you’re keeping it a secret. You’ve seemed to tell them everything else that has been important.”

I sighed. “It’s complicated, and I intend to be honest. It just needs to be a secret for a while longer, I swear.”

Callie sighed. “May I ask you this – are you in immediate danger if you told right away?”

I looked Callie straight in the face. “Yes.” It was a simple answer and that was about all I could give right now. I just hoped, for the time being, it was enough of an answer for everyone involved.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Callie
I couldn’t just let something happen to Josie, whether I told Stef and Lena or not. Josie was my friend and whatever this was, I wanted her safe.After the talk with Josie, I headed upstairs. I only found $25 to her name. There had to be more to the story she was telling. I put the money back. Maybe, there was a good reason why Josie wasn’t talking. Why was she protecting us instead of the other way around? Stef was a cop, sure, but she could help.
-The Next Day-
After school, I walked down to the police station to talk to Stef. If Josie found out, I told, it was better this way. She could be better protected.“Stef, we need to talk about something. It’s about Josie, and it’s important.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Callie

I sat down in a private room at the police department with Stef. I knew I had to start from the beginning.

“What’s going on, love? What did you want to tell me?”

“I was told I shouldn’t say anything, but this is Josie. She is my friend, and me telling you what I’m about to tell you, she could be in immediate danger. She told me herself.”

“Danger from who, Callie?”

“I don’t know who, exactly. She just said if anything gets out, she’s in danger. Whoever it is will be targeting her again.”

“Not on our watch, Callie.”

“Stef, please, whatever this is, it’s very serious.”

“I know. I believe you, Callie. Thank you for telling me. I’ll talk with Lena, and we will talk to Josie.”

“I should talk to her, too. She should know I told you.”

“That’s fine. Walk home, and I’ll be there soon. Don’t worry. We will figure out the real person targeting Josie and the real reason why.” She gives me a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

I leave her office and head on to the house to see Mariana, Lena and the others. I’d soon need to talk to Josie, and I knew for now, she might not speak to me. Who knew for how long.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Josie
I headed out to the hiding place where I'd put the rest of the money and grabbed 200 dollars. I stuffed the money on the inside pocket of my sweatshirt jacket. I had to get to another lesson for Kimaguri, otherwise known as self-defense, martial arts, karate. Whatever. I rode my hoverboard to this empty studio in the middle of town. I had met this woman, Ms. Bristow. We did an hour session where she wanted to see some of the basics I had learned. I had my own outfit she'd given me for the practices. I worked hard. After the practice, I gave her 30 dollars and left. I didn't want anyone to know. I had so much going on, I didn't want even the Adams Foster's to know. I hoped I'd be able to go home soon, but not until some of this targeting stopped.It was working well enough, until I had a feeling about Callie. I came back to her house. I had only promised to stay for a weekend, technically, but she had twisted my arm to stay longer. I walked into the house and saw both Stef and Lena were home. The Cop and the Vice Principal. "Hi, I have homework.""Could we talk to you for a minute or two?"I shrug. "Sure, I guess. What's up?""Please, sit. It won't take long."I sit down at the table in the main dining room. "Is everything okay?""Yeah, everything's fine. I have tons of homework. I just had to take a walk on my way back.""If something wasn't right, you'd tell us, right?""Yeah. Look, I'm sorry, I don't understand. Did I do something?""Not that we're aware of. Josie, I know, we've heard you might be in some trouble.""What? Why would you say that? The one targeting me is in jail, right?""Yes, love he is, but we don't know if he has an accomplice. We just want to make sure you're safe.""Yes, I'm safe." I turned my head and saw Callie. "Oh, I see.""See what?" Stef asked."Callie." I sighed deeply. I could use a talk with Bette right now. It'd been a while, and she was my friend. But right now, I knew Callie had to be behind this questioning. "Josie, they're just curious."I stood up. "Thank you for being so straight-forward." I looked at Stef and Lena. "I'm sorry, but I don't need anyone to worry. Everything is going fine." I pushed back the chair and left the room, hurrying upstairs. 
Callie
She followed Josie upstairs and closed the door behind her. "What's going on? They are just looking out for you.""Yeah, but they wouldn't have known anything if you hadn't insinuated something was going on with me." She sighed. "I specifically asked you didn't say anything, Callie, and I mean anything at all.""They don't know exactly what, and I don't either. That's part of the reason why I couldn't say much of anything.""I will be targeted if anyone knows. Do you understand that?""Can't you let anyone protect you?""Yeah, sure, I can. Just don't want to talk to Stef. She's a cop. You aren't talking to Robert. He's a lawyer.""Yeah, so? They can help.""Not until this is over.""What is over, Josie? You won't tell me anything!" "Because I can't, Callie. Just drop it. Okay?"I sighed. I hated that she was pushing us all away. I wanted her to tell us what was happening, but I didn't know what she was involved in or what she was scared of. I wished I knew and I'd be able to help.I wasn't going to give up, until I had more information. I wanted to help Josie, and tomorrow, I'd talk to Robert.

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Callie
I went to Robert's house. I hadn't really been over since Sophia and I had lived with Robert. I had to talk to him about Josie and see if he could do anything to help the situation. I didn't know anything, and I knew it was probably confidential, but I wanted to know what was going on with Josie and do something. It wasn't just about her, it was about all of us. My family included. The Adams Foster's. All of it.I made it inside his house, and I didn't see anyone else. Following him into his home study, I sat in a chair, facing him."What's this about, Callie? Anything I can help you with?""It's about Josie, and I'm sure it's confidential, but I need to know what's going on with her. She could be injuring herself or the Adams Foster's. She keeps hiding something from me. From us. I just want to get to the bottom of this.""Yeah, I understand." He began, "I can't tell you everything, but I have checked in with Josie's lawyer, and she's keeping it all confidential. Except for one thing, Josie got this one guy a lawyer, and I learned he's in jail. In New York.""Did she get the guy a lawyer for a price? She is being targeted. Question is, who is this guy?""I know how Josie got this guy a lawyer. I don't know about any price. Josie talked to her lawyer, Bette Porter. I guess as a favor to her."It made me ask more questions, but I got enough information for now. "Thanks, Robert.""Sure. Also, my wife Jill and I talked, and we want to know if you want to join us for dinner tomorrow night."I got up from the chair and smiled. "Sure, I'd like that. I'll see you later."I wasn't sure if tomorrow night was the best time to be at Robert's, but I thought I'd go anyway. Even if I knew he was my father. 
Josie
I got a phone call from Bette. I hadn't heard from her in a while, and I couldn't wait to hear her voice. It's what I wanted to hear right now for sure. "Hey, Bette." I smiled, until what she was beginning to say, worried me, but didn't shock me."Robert contacted me. He talked to me about you getting a lawyer for that guy. I know he wanted to know. I'm sorry.""It's not you, Bette. You're keeping it confidential on my part. I know why Robert asked. Callie won't leave it alone." I sighed. "I need to tell you something, but I am afraid it will make this situation worse.""Please, Josie, tell me.""I am being targeted. I know, you knew that. The guy I asked you to get a lawyer for, is in jail. In New York." I sighed. "He told me I'd get a 'raise' if I got him a lawyer, and he would keep me from getting targeted. He doesn't know who's targeting me. Well, because it's more than one person. He told me if I told anyone, I'd lose most of my 'benefits' and kind of- threatened me that I would be targeted again, if I didn't just follow along and he would keep his promise.""Why would you let this guy give you money? How much?""It depends, but I would if I didn't want to get targeted. I don't want to get caught.""You're putting yourself at risk. Don't you notice that? What about those you're staying with?""Bette, it's not- It's not that bad. I mean, it's not just about this guy.""What do you mean?""I took money from a large bag back when I was raped by these men. It was about 10M dollars. Stef told me where they got it. I knew they probably robbed a bank. Now, apparently, if this gets out, I'm not only an asset even if I just took money, but I could be in serious danger for lying and continuing to be apart of something this dangerous. Not only am I targeted, but I know why. The men I took money from, they want it all back.""How do you know that?""I don't. I just know, if I don't cooperate, they'll do something worse to me. I can't do that. I am putting everyone in risk already, so how would this even make a difference?""It does. Josie, you have to do the right thing. You need to tell Stef and Lena, even if you don't want to. Those that are targeting you, Stef can catch them. You'll be put off with a warning. I'm your lawyer, and I've got your back, but you need to be honest. Jos, and with your parents. They don't know anything, but they need to. They should. You have to do this. I know it's hard, but you have to."I know she was trying to help, and this was giving me a lot to think about. I sighed and took a deep breath. "I'm scared, Bette." I found my voice cracking."I know. It's going to be hard, but you have me and your family. You can do this. Okay?"I sighed again. "Okay. I'll do it.""Good. I'll come out to San Diego and help to get you back home. Besides, it gives a chance to see you and talk." I could hear her happiness on the other end of the phone. I was worried and scared, but I promised to do this, and I was going to. I just didn't know what the full extent of the outcome would be. Guess I had to ride it out till the end.

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Josie
I had gone into the woods where the hiding place had been for I don't know how long and got the bag with the 10M dollars and then some inside. I walked back to the house. I saw both Stef and Lena's cars in the driveway. I had to do this now. I put the bag onto my back and headed into the house. This was going to be very bad for everyone involved, and more than likely me - even if I didn't want it to be. I threw the bag on the floor in the living room in front of the couch and looked at both Stef and Lena. "We need to talk. I have something I have to tell both of you." 
Callie
I went to Robert's house for dinner and saw his wife Jill. I didn't know the reason Robert wanted me here, but I didn't want to refuse an invite to his home for dinner."Hello, Callie. I'm so glad you made it." Jill said. I shed my jacket and hung it on a hook. "Thanks." I told Jill."Please, sit. We wanted to talk to you about something, and we wanted to show you this." She handed Callie an envelope."What's this for?" She asked, opening the envelope. Inside was adoption papers. “I don’t understand.”"Callie," Robert began, looking at Jill and back to Callie. "I know this is a shock to you, but I want you and Sophia back.”"And, I can be your step-mom." Jill said."To live here with you and Jill? And what about Jude?”“Well, yes, Jude too.”“You were an unfit father. The court told you you couldn’t be our dad anymore. Sophia and I have not seen you for years.””I know Callie and I wanted to apologize for that. I hope that these adoption papers will make up for all the times that I was not a great dad.””So, what? You expect us to come back to you just like that? The Adams Foster family has already claimed us as their own.””Just think about it, please.”As Robert hands over the adoption papers, Callie thinks the only reason Robert helped her know more about Josie was because he wanted to get close to her again. Callie leaves, upset and afflicted because of her father. 
Josie
I heard a car door. Had to be Bette. It was late that night. "Here. Look in my bag." I had been telling the story about how I was talking to the guy that was in jail and I had helped him get a lawyer. I was friends with Bette, and she had my back. I told them how if I had told anyone, I'd be targeted again. I was going to hate the consequences but I had to take them. "There's over 10M dollars in there. I would team up with that guy J is what I had to call him. He said I wouldn't be targeted if I kept my mouth shut. He didn't know them personally, but they wanted to find me because they want the money back. I put so many people in danger. I thought I could deal with this myself, but as Callie and so many others pointed out, I can't."Stef and Lena got up and greeted Bette.They didn't say anything as Bette showed them proof of a conversation she had with Bette, but also the same truth about the money. "I'm here to take her back home. She needs to talk to her parents about this as well." She looked at Josie.My heart was crushed. When I heard Bette ask the Adams Foster's what was going to happen to me, I looked at Stef."Normally, you would have been given a warning, but since you are 19, you're old enough to go down to the station for questioning. The worst that can happen is you're put on probation, if the court grants that. Otherwise, if you had to go to jail for being included in a crime for the stolen money by the rapists, no matter what your intentions, you'd probably have to stay there for 6 months to 2 years. It all depends."I looked to Bette. I knew I was in trouble. I let this go too far. "Okay. Do what you have to do, then."Stef got up and went to grab her handcuffs. She hated to do this, but it was her job. "Turn around and put your hands behind your back."I knew how this worked because I'd watched my Mom and Dad do this their entire lives. I just never thought I'd be on this side of a crime before. And it sucked.

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Stef
I was driving my Police car, and we were on our way to the San Diego Police Department. I hated that I had to take Josie there for questioning. She was after all 19 years old.Lena and I had already talked it over with the kids and we were going to go to Court Day, whenever that would be. I was hopeful that it was just going to be probation and not jail.  
Josie
I was sitting in the back of Stef's Police car. I had never been on this end of the equation before, but I was here now.When the Police Station came into view, I was just ready to get this whole questioning thing over with. I'd been asked so many questions before that I might as well do it again.Bette told me back at the Foster's home that she would be waiting with me to get through with the questioning, so I could get ready and go to the airport - back to New York. Back to where my parents would be involved. Again.I got out of the Police cruiser. Stef was holding onto my arm. These cuffs were hurting my wrists, but I knew they would take them off while I was being questioned.Would they go back to the beginning? Yes. Would they make me relieve everything again? More than likely, yes. Great.

Interrogating Room; 4:30 PM

I was asked to sit in a chair. My parents weren't here. They would, however, be waiting for me when I arrived in New York. I had a long day, but I was willing to get through it. Bette was here. She was standing in the back of the room. I was facing Stef. Mike was there to remove my handcuffs. Good. I got to let my wrists breathe. Thank you. "Let me remind you how the Court will be questioning you on everything. They more than likely will start from the beginning when you were 6 years old. They will be specific, and you are to answer in as little responses as possible until you are asked another question."Here it was. The rundown of how everything worked. "I know. Trust me, I know.""I'm just making sure you are well-aware."Bette was giving me some leniency, but she didn't have to do that. I was 19 like Stef had pointed out before. I was almost an adult. "Thank you.""We don't know if you will just get probation by the Jury, or if you will be sentenced to Jail for a period of time. We will see. But I want you to know, we will do what it takes for you to serve your time as quickly as they will allow."I had to think about this. Even though I was involved in a horrible crime of stealing money that the kidnappers had stolen and been a witness to many shootings, I would rather be sentenced to Jail and get it over with.But, I also had a feeling this would be on my permanent record. 
Bette
I would be doing the questioning. Stef and Mike asked me to. I didn't want to interfere that they were working together on this. "Remember to keep your answers as brief as possible." I took a breath and continued, "When you were 6 years old, you were going to camp with your sister, correct?""Yes. Kathleen.""Would you say you have a good relationship with Kathleen?"Josie nods. "Yes, I would." Now. I thought."And, she's your older sister right?""Yes, she is. She's 29 now.""Did your sister have a boyfriend at the time?"Josie sighed. "I didn't know right away, but yes, she did.""Do you know the name of this man?""Casey Jones.""Did you know how old he was?"Josie shook her head. "No. I just thought he was too old for Katie."I stopped for a minute. "Other people from Casey's past will be there. I want you to look at me when you are being questioned. Don't look at anyone else." I paused. "It helps keep your focus on the questions being asked."Josie nods. "Okay.""I've already talked to Alex Cabbott at the Special Victims Unit in New York. Your Court Day is set for 2 weeks from today. We will be heading to New York right away. I'll help you get acquainted some more with the questions. You can get your things back at the Foster's home, say your goodbyes, and we can be on our way."Josie looked at Stef. I hated she was involved in something so complicated as this, but, I hoped it would be over with soon.

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Josie
I was arriving in New York with Bette. We were going to see my parents and my sisters. Great. Now they would know what's going on. I'd have to tell them.I arrived at the Detective's office where Mom and Dad worked. Man, these handcuffs hurt. "Are we going to the interrogation room or what?""We are. Just have to talk to your parents first. It's mandatory, Josie.""Fine." I saw Mom and Dad. They were talking with Alex Cabot. Great. "Josie, oh my goodness. There you are." Elliot looks at Bette. "Why is she handcuffed? Honey, what happened?""Stef handcuffed me. I was involved with some bad men. They were part of a bank robbery, and don't worry. I didn't rob a bank.""Well, then, what do you mean, 'involved with bad men'?""I was an accessory. I'm to be questioned and put on trial in a court room. Can we just get this over with? It's embarrassing as it is.""Let me get Olivia." "Dad. Dad, don't. It's already going on my permanent record, probably. I'm already a disgrace to this family as it is.""Josephine Benson-Stabler. You are not. Just a misunderstanding, that's all.""Please, Dad. Don't.""It's your mother, Josie.""I'm 19 years old. I'm already old enough to be going to trial and possible prison. It's my own damn fault.""Josephine, language.""Sorry, but it is.""Let's tell your Mom, okay? Alex, take Josie and Bette to the interrogation room and have them wait in there. I'll get Munch or Fin to join them.""Got it." I followed Bette and Cabot. I wasn't happy about this. I felt like such a failure to my own parents even if it wasn't 100% my fault.

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Josie
I sat in the interrogation room waiting for Cabot to return with Fin or whomever. I wanted to cross my arms, but with these handcuffs, I couldn't. Great. I had to wait for Mama. That's what Dad said. I sat in the chair and just swiveled back and forth. I was bored. "Josie, come on, what's wrong? I said you'd have to talk to your parents before the trial.""Yes, I know you did." I sighed. I was irritated. "Look, I didn't want to get involved with these bad men. It's my own fault. I was an accessory, Bette. It's going on my permanent record. I'm going to prison."Bette walked over to stand next to her. "Josephine, look at me."I sighed. I was feeling too much at fault to look at her."Josie, I'm serious. Don't think this way. Look at me."I sighed again, turned the chair around and slowly looked up to meet her gaze. "You were apart of what those bad men did, but it's not your fault. If you end up going to Women's prison, then, we will figure out a way to get you out. Okay?""Why would you save me, Bette?"Bette was confused. "What do you mean, 'why'?""You have Callie back in San Diego, right? I was the one to introduce you, and you both kissed once."Bette laughs. "You're not serious, are you? She kissed me once. I was flattered, but I don't like her like that. She's 16.""She's older now. I'm 19, Bette. 7 year gap.""Yeah, so? I don't have feelings for Callie. I made that perfectly clear to her."Before I had a chance to say anything more, the door to the interrogation room opened and Fin, Cabot and Mama walked in.