The Findings

Lynn, Mya, and I are now leaving the police station after filing a missing persons report. The police told us that because Crystal is an adult, that they have to wait at least 48 hours before they can file a missing persons report and start an investigation to find out if she actually indeed is missing. After informing them about her attack that happened a couple of days ago; telling the officers in detail about how I found her in the middle of a park unconscious and bleeding everywhere. The officers decided to make an exception to our ordeal by going ahead and filing the report for us. 

Getting into Lynn's car since she was the one who drove us here, we started heading back towards Crystal's and I apartment. 

The whole drive back I couldn't get my mind off Crystal, praying to the heavens that she is at least safe. Honestly I'd rather her have run away than be kidnapped. Trying my hardest not to start crying all over Lynn's car, I close my eyes and rest my head against the car's window. It felt like hours had passed before Lynn pulled into my apartment's parking lot to drop me off. Silently getting out of the car, I turn to give Lynn and Mya a forced smile before turning around to head into my apartment building. " Juli!" Mya screams out the window to me trying to catch my attention before the doors close behind me. I turn to face the direction I just came from "wha.."

" Don't worry too much about Crystal, okay Juli. You know Crystal is a strong woman, wherever she is, I'm pretty sure she's doing just fine, and if not… she's fighting tooth and nail to survive. So try and have faith in her okay. We'll find her soon. Now go up to your apartment and get some rest, we'll come by again in the morning to figure out what we're going to do next."

Without responding to Mya's attempt to cheer me up, I turn around and continue on my way into my apartment building. 

I instantly dismiss the idea of taking the elevator, and decide to take the steps up to the 11th floor.

Now standing in front of Crystal's and I apartment, room 1107. I can't seem to get the key inside of the door, getting frustrated. "Stupid ass door, I swear I can never choose the right key." Looking down at my hands, I only then notice that my hands are trembling….. But why?

Sniffle sniffle…. "Uhg! I'm crying again." I don't know if I can sleep here tonight knowing Crystal is missing. Crumbling down to the floor into a tight bawl, I start crying uncontrollably. 

— Flash back — 12 Years Ago…

Wahhh! Wah Wah Wahhh! "Didn't your parents ever teach you to keep your filthy little hands to yourself?" Looking up from the ground I see the little girl who looks like she's my age who was just quietly swinging on the swings by herself, now beating the crap out of the two little boys who just pulled my hair and pushed me to the ground. Calling me ugly…. I thought mommy said I was the prettiest girl in the world. Except now, I think this girl who is standing before me is wayyyyy prettier than me. By the way….. Why did she help me? She's usually quiet and minds her own business, never helping anyone.

"Would you like it if I pulled your hair!" The little girl says to the boys, while she's straddling the bigger one, yanking on the little bit of hair he has. The other little boy has already run away, after watching everything unfold before me, I'm no longer sad. " Hahahah ha ha haa!" Oh just look at the fat boy now "ha ha ha ha ha!" Not realizing when the other little girl stopped her beating of the little boy, I jump when I feel someone trying to pull me off the ground.

"It's okay, please don't be afraid of me, I scared the boys that were messing with you away." I don't respond, I just stare at her like she's grown two heads. The little girl drops my hand and turns around to walk away from me, "Sorry for scaring you, I shouldn't have gotten in the middle. I'll get going now, again sorry and I hope you feel better." Oh NO!!! Don't leave, how stupid can I be, she just helped me when she didn't have to.; Jumping to my feet I run after her. "Wait! Please wait for me!" Jesus, can she not hear me? I'm already out of breath, "Wait! For God's SAKE! Could you just stop for a moment!?" Grabbing a hold of the little girl's arm, she finally stops for me. " Jus… please….. Wait a seco….. I can't …..brea...." After taking a few more moments to gather myself, I brush off my clothes and stand straight up to face the girl. " Hi! My name is Juli, I wanted to say thank you for helping me back there. I really wasn't expecting you to honestly…." Okayyy, now she's just staring at me like I'm crazy, wasn't she just the one who beat the crap out of two little boys less than 5 minutes ago? Still she hasn't said anything, maybe I should ask what her name is? " Umm…. I…. back there I thought you were really cool, and wanted to know if maybe we could be friends?" Hmmm…. Still no response, did I make a mistake when I didn't accept her help in getting up as soon as she offered? I put my head down, at the same time letting go of the girl's arm, "Could you maybe start off by giving me your name?"

Seeing how this isn't going to work out, I turn around and start walking away. 'Danggit! I was really hoping to make my first friend here; we only moved to the U.S from Korea two weeks ago.

"You can call me Crystal….My name is Crystal." Oh my God , she finally spoke. I instantly turned back around towards her and jumped into her arms screaming, " Your name is Crystal! That's such a pretty name, and you're such a pretty girl too…."