Acknowledgments

I thank God for blessing me with the talent to write and share with others.

I thank my family and friends for supporting me in my endeavors.


 
Introduction

As the bell rung for dismissal of classes from Letton Elementary School, 10 year old Destiny Strong walked out of the main door with her best friend Cheryl Jones. Cheryl asked Destiny to go to her house for a little while. At first she said no, but changed her mind and mentioned that she would only stay for 30 minutes. Destiny left Cheryl’s house anxious to get home and was unaware of the danger ahead.

*Based on a true story*


 
It was 3:00p.m., in May 1970 on a nice sunny day. 10 year old Destiny Strong was about to walk home after school, but her best friend Cheryl Jones asked her to come over to her house. The girls walked to Cheryl’s house which was on the same street as Letton Elementary school to the right about a block away.

When Cheryl got home she introduced Destiny to her Mother and brother Michael. She showed her bedroom and they played a game of Scrabble. Destiny was winning and about 35 minutes later she asked Cheryl “What time is it”? And she replied “Oh no, 30 minutes have gone by already." Destiny said “I like playing Scrabble with you and next time we can play again. I have to go home now. Bye Cheryl, Ms. Jones and Michael. It was nice meeting you Ms Jones and Michael." She picked up her purple jacket and book bag and ran down the stairs and headed home.

Destiny sung and skipped down Maine Street to make her way home as fast as possible. When she noticed Letton Elementary School, and the red and white brick house across the street with the seven white chairs on the porch; very pretty red flowers and plants decorated in a white box around a white light post, and a white fence around the front yard. She remembered to turn right on Andrew Street and walk seven blocks then make a left turn to get home to 2130 First Street.

Before Destiny had a chance to turn right a tall dark skinned Stranger with a white tee shirt, torn blue jeans, a blue baseball cap, white and blue track shoes, and a black mark on the left side of his face approached her and said “Hi, pretty little girl what is your name and where are you going?"

Destiny said “I am on my way home why are you asking me?, do you know my Mother and her friend Carl? and what is your name?" The Stranger said “Yes, I know them very well and my name is Steve. I will take you home to them now."

The Stranger took Destiny’s hand and started walking very fast down Maine Street, but she pulled away from the Stranger and said “Wait a minute we should have turned right down Andrew Street near Letton Elementary School which is across the street." The Stranger replied “We are going a different way it is a much faster way to get to your house."

Destiny sensed something was wrong, but she did not know what to do. Her heart was beating fast and she pushed back the tears that were coming to her eyes. She attempted running to one of the houses, but the Stranger stopped her by pulling her arm. She tried to scream, but he covered her mouth and whispered into her ear to be quiet or he would hurt her.

Destiny looked around to see if she noticed any of the houses or buildings and anything else that will help her to remember where she was.

The Stranger walked a little longer and Destiny noticed another school and memorized the name Dayton Middle School, the green and white gas station across the street at the corner, Nick's Party Store, The Flower Shop, and Andy's Ice Cream Store with tables outside. He turned right on Delaware Street and they walked six blocks.

The Stranger held Destiny's hand and lead her into an old abandoned building. She said “Why did you bring me here? I need to get home now! I want to go home right now! My Mother is waiting for me." The Stranger ignored her and looked around the vacant building and finds a mattress lying on floor of the old abandoned building.

He told Destiny to sit down. She started to worry and pouted as tears streamed down her little face. She stomped her feet and screamed at the Stranger. He told her that he would not hurt her, but to lie down and she said “no! no!no!” to the Stranger several times, but he forced himself on her.

When the Stranger finished forcing himself onto her, Destiny cried and said “Why did you lie to me and why did you do what you did to me? That was not nice at all."

The Stranger fixed his clothes and told Destiny not to say a word to anyone or he would hurt her family. He ran from the building and left her there all alone crying so hard that she could barely breathe.

Destiny breathed in and out slowly and wiped the tears from her eyes, got up and fixed her clothes. She stood in the doorway of the old abandoned building for a few moments thinking “I wish I had gone home, instead of going to Cheryl’s house." Destiny turned to the left because she remembered coming from that direction and started walking anxiously down Delaware Street to find someone to help her get home. She arrived at Dayton Middle School and remembered the green and white gas station across the street at the corner, Nick's Party store, The Flower Shop, and Andy's Ice Cream Store with tables outside.

She cried and walked up the stairs, knocked and banged on the door and windows of the school. A very concerned man finally opened the door and said “Hi, what is wrong little girl”? What is your name”? My name is Destiny and I am lost. Please help me! I need help getting home." Destiny asked the man his name and he replied "My name is Alex and I will help you. The Principal Ms. Jenkins is still here in the building I will take you to her until the police arrives."

Alex walked into the principal's office and said "Ms. Jenkins this is Destiny and she is lost and needs help getting home." Ms. Jenkins anxiously replied "Yes, we are going to call the police right now." Ms. Jenkins picked up her phone and dialed 911 and explained that she needs the police to come to Dayton Middle School on 3003 Delaware Street as soon as possible because there is a lost little girl at her school. Ms Jenkins says "Please hurry she is crying and needs to get home as soon as possible."

While waiting for the police to arrive, Ms.Jenkins and Alex talked to Destiny to keep her calm and occupied. The police arrived about 10 minutes later. Destiny said "Thank you Ms. Jenkins and Alex for helping me, I really appreciate all that you two have done for me."

Destiny explained what happened and gave the police her home phone number and address, and a very thorough description of the Stranger. The police officers Sargent Dion and Sargent Michael took Destiny home and explained to her Mother what happened and mentioned that they will be investigating to find out more about the Stranger.

As soon as the officers drove out of sight, Destiny’s mother did not give her a chance to explain anything that happened to her, but her Mother yelled and whipped her with some braided switches from a tree next to their house.

Although this was Destiny’s first time not going straight home after school. She apologized to her Mother, but she did not believe Destiny’s story about the Stranger.


About the Author

Tonya R. McRaft is a Poet, Lyricist, and licensed songwriter. She has six self published books “Reflections of Life”, “The Shiny Blue Ring”, “The Sweetest Touches”, and "To My Loving Sister", and "Songs of My Heart" on www.bookrix.com

She lives in Detroit, Michigan and has two grown sons, Jeremiah and Justin.

Impressum

Texte: © August 15, 2011 Revised December 22, 2011 No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of the author. All rights reserved.
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 04.09.2011

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I dedicate this book to my family and friends.