This story is about a small girl who was abducted back in 2004 and for some reason the perpetrator kept her alive in a dank place that tortured the soul of the innocent girl.

The darkness and loneliness are slowly but surely eating away at her sanity but 9 year old Jessica Campbell from North Haven Miami is determined to stay alive to make sure that the creep who took her away from her family will pay a heavy price for his crime.

It is now 2007 and Jessica Campbell is still hanging on by a thread…….

‘Hello is anybody out there?’

Jessica whimpers when she gets no reply, the cold and the damp are taking a toll plus the scant amount of food that her captor supplies her with every day or so is barely enough but the wish to escape to see her parents again is the driving force that keeps her going from day to day.

The darkness is so dense Jessica’s body clock has no idea if it is night or day plus the stench of her own waste is almost too much to bare but on the bright side Jessica’s hearing has improved immensely so the sound of water dripping nearby is music to her ears plus her amplified hearing makes it easy for her to catch cockroaches when they scurry within reach.

The crunchy critters are hard to swallow but the meat they provide her with must needed sustenance if she is to survive her ordeal.

Jessica knows that it must be years since she was put down in this hellhole with no one to talk to except the voices of her mom and dad telling her to knuckle down and come back home to them ‘I will and the asshole who took me pay with his life.’

‘God knows what I must look like’ the now twelve year old muses ‘I haven’t washed so I must stink like a mule, my hair is so long and full of tangles just like Cousin Itt.’

‘Okay thanks for phoning me Missus Campbell, I understand that it has been a distressing last three years for you and your family and I assure that I will do everything in my power to help locate your missing daughter.’

After ending the phone call Wendy Gatton an investigative crime reporter for the Miami Tribune Goggles the name Jessica Campbell to get more information on her disappearance.

32 year old Wendy is a tall white woman with short black hair who is known for her innate ability to write factual stories that have boosted daily sales of the newspaper but more importantly for Wendy her research has helped the local authorities solve heinous crimes.

Wendy spends every spare hour working the case and 48 hours later she believes she has uncovered enough evidence to run a full front page story on the case, now all she has to do is convince the papers crime editor to print her story.

She discovered that seven other young girls besides Jessica Campbell went missing in northern Florida and just over the border in Georgia between 2002-2004.

All of the girls have long brown hair and they were also taken outside of their schools at around 3.20 in the afternoon.

Is it possible that the authorities in both states haven’t been in communication with each other concerning the missing girls?

At 9am the next morning Brian Freebody the crime editor for the Miami Tribune strolls past Wendy’s desk on his way to his office wearing a custom made grey cotton suit and cowboy boots and today he is sporting a $500 hair cut. ‘Jesus what a show pony’ Wendy muses ‘One day he will trip over his ego and crash back down to earth with a thud.’

Wendy gives her boss fifteen minutes to settle in before knocking on his office door ‘Good morning sir, I have been working on a story for a few days and I believe that the public deserve to see it.’

Sitting behind his desk Freebody looks up at Wendy ‘That is good Wendy, just leave it here and I will peruse it later.’

‘Alright Brian but my story concerns a mother who’s daughter has been missing for three years, plus seven other young girls are also missing so time is of the essence.’

‘I am sure that your story will be of the highest quality like all of your other stories but I haven’t got time to read it right this minute because I have a meeting upstairs with the editor-in-chief Carly Simonson so go back work now and I will call you back in here later today.’

For the next four hours Wendy works on another story silently fuming that her asshole editor still hasn’t got back to her but then just on lunchtime Freebody calls her back into his office ‘Sorry to keep you waiting Wendy, take a seat, well I read your story and I have to say that it doesn’t reach your normal standard of journalism.’

‘What are you talking about Brian? It is a hard hitting story that lets the public know that maybe there is a serial killer in our midst plus the parents of all the missing girls need to know that they haven’t been forgotten and what about the newspaper sales my stories generate?’

‘I appreciate that Wendy but your story lacks substance, go and work on it and I might print your piece next week’.

‘Next week? It will be too late by then, Jessica Campbell and some of the other girls might still be alive.’

‘Get a grip Wendy, three years have passed since the girls went missing so the chances of any of the girls are still alive is less than zero.’

‘And Missus Gratton you seem to have forgotten that I am in charge here not you, now leave my office before you are put on suspension.’

Wendy is close to tears as she stands ‘I can see that you are upset Wendy so take the rest of the day off and think about your position here at the newspaper.’

After storming out Wendy quickly unlocks her car and drives out of the underground carpark in a huff but as soon as she hits the freeway Wendy realizes that she had left her story on Freebody’s desk but there is no way in hell that she will go back and grab it because Wendy knows that she might strangle the obnoxious prick of an editor.

Once home Wendy pours herself a glass of wine before booting up her laptop.

She can’t get forget Jessica Campbell’s mother’s pleading phone call yesterday, the distress in her voice was palpable and it left Wendy numb.

Sitting in front of her computer Wendy racks her brain for some inspiration but nothing comes to mind so she pulls up a map of Florida and Georgia and leans in close to really study the map where the kidnappings took place and immediately she notices numerous abandoned mines scattered around both states.

Feeling a little better Wendy phones Captain Michael Brady her police contact at Dade County.

”Well if it isn’t Wendy Gratton herself, have you won a Pulitzer Prize yet?

Wendy smiles ‘Not yet Mike, would it be possible to meet somewhere tonight? I am working on a missing person’s case and I really need your help.

After telling Brady all about how her editor refused to publish her story about Jessica Campbell and the other missing girls and her theory about the abandoned mines the pair agree to meet at Dolphins beach cafe at eight o’clock.

After locking her apartment Wendy walks over to a nearby news stand to buy a copy of the Tribune’s late edition but when she gets closer the headline ‘SERIAL KILLER?’ screams out at her.

‘Brian Freebody, this time you have gone too far.’

Tucking the paper in her bag Wendy makes her way towards the shoreline with her anger growing stronger every second.

Reaching Dolphin Beach Wendy strolls into the cafe and takes a seat at a table looking out at the tumbling waves but she doesn’t take in the pleasant vista.

When the waiter brings her espresso Wendy thanks him before laying the Tribune on the table than she reads the front page feature story and aside from a few minor changes the story is exactly as she wrote it ‘Just you wait until I get into the office tomorrow Freebody because the doo doo is going to hit the fan.’

A few minutes later Captain Mike Brady arrives, Wendy stands and gives her friend a hug ‘I haven’t ordered yet Mike, get what you want because I will be putting the bill on my work expenses card.’

They both order a cheeseburger with fries plus a pot of coffee and as they wait Wendy tells Mike about the missing girls ‘Jessica Campbell’s mother rang me the other day worried that her daughter’s case might have been forgotten so I told her that I would look into it.’

I am familiar with the case Wendy and I assure you that one of my officers is working on it but there aren’t that many leads to go on.’

Wendy grabs her cell phone from her bag and shows Mike the picture of the abandoned mines bordering both Florida and Georgia ‘I am aware of these mines Wendy but I haven’t got the resources to search them all plus and I don’t mean to sound callous but it has been three years so it would most likely be a recovery effort.’

‘I realize that Mike but couldn’t a K9 unit search the mines closest to where Jessica went missing because there are only four or five of them I think.’

Down in the mine shaft Jessica’s physical health has improved slightly because she has been able to catch plenty of worms, crickets and cockroaches to keep hunger at bay plus with all the moisture in the shaft Jessica has been able to quench her thirst but the darkness and the cold has sapped her mental strength significantly to almost breaking point.

The next morning arrives early waiting for Freebody to make an entrance and when he does Jessica is hot on his tail entering his office before he can close the door ‘Good morning Brian, do you remember yesterday when you told to ‘Think about my position here at the paper? Well i have taken your advice and I have come to the conclusion that I can no longer here as long as you are the editor, so I resign effective immediately.’

‘I will need a resignation letter plus it is customary for an employee to give two weeks notice.’

‘That is correct but it is also customary for a boss to give guidance and nurture an employee not stab them in the back and claim their work as your own.’

‘Oh, did I mention that I know Carly Simonson the editor-in-chief upstairs and your boss very well, we grew up together so maybe you should start cleaning out your desk.’

The look on Freebody’s face is priceless ‘I will leave my resignation letter on my desk Brian, bye for now.’

Wendy doesn’t bother writing the letter but she does send a quick email upstairs.

At home Wendy is busy packing her groceries away when her landline rings ‘Hello is this Wendy Gratton?

‘Yes, who am I speaking to?’

My name is Peter Robotham the crime editor at the Miami Herald, I hear that you might be looking for a new job?’

‘News sure does trave fast in this town but yes I do need a job.’

‘Carly Simonson rang me a few minutes ago and I vacancy for a crime reporter if you are interested.’

‘I sure am Peter, could I come to your office first thing in the morning?’

‘Yes that is fine Wendy, see you tomorrow, bye.’

Wendy can’t believe her luck but before she can pour a glass of wine to celebrate her phone rings again.

‘Hello Wendy just letting you know that I have a team and a K9 unit searching some of the old abandoned mines within a 20 mile radius from where Jessica Campbell missing back in 2004 plus I also informed the authorities up in Georgia of the situation and they promised me that they will look into it.’

‘But the best news Wendy is that the mine on Springmount Road has signs of recent activity and as we speak the K9 unit is moving in for a closer look.’

‘That is great news Mike I am on my way to the Campbell residence and I will stay there until I hear back from you.’

Trooper Donavan a young white man who has been part of the K9 team for six years holds onto his bloodhound’s lead as closes in on the mine ‘Slow down Marcie we need to wait for other troopers to arrive.’ but Marcie isn’t interested in waiting, she pulls Donavan forward for twenty feet before dropping to the ground beside some rusty sheets of corrugated iron.

‘Good girl Marcie, you have earned a reward now lets go play with your favorite toy shall we.’

A forensics team move in and quickly take photo’s of the iron and the surrounds especially the tire tracks and flattened grass area that the police units carefully avoided.

After forensics give permission the iron sheets are cleared away revealing a round wide shaft opening into the unknown.

‘Good job team’ Captain Mike Brady says taking charge of the situation ‘Lets shine some light down into the shaft to see if we can see what the dog reacted to.’

‘Fifty feet below Jessica Campbell is laying on the damp cold ground just waiting to die when she hears voices from above, opening an eye the teenager notices that for the first time since her capture she can see the sky above but when a bright light hits her face Jessica’s eyes burn so she cowers away into the darkness.

‘I don’t believe what I am seeing’ a rookie holding the light utters ‘There is somebody down there but she just moved away from the light but I swear I saw an old woman with long white hair.’

One of the troopers suggests that they bring in a helicopter ‘Might be dangerous with all of the trees around plus the power lines’ Brady responds ‘But I will put in a request, in the meantime call down the shaft and tell the person that we are here to help and she will be brought back to the surface as soon as we can reach her.’

After thinking about the situation Brady calls for a S.W.A.T team ‘Okay everyone a S.W.A.T team is on the way so prepare to assist, also the press will probably be here soon so keep them away and guys keep an eye out for any suspicious activity because the perpetrator could be watching us right this minute.’

Brady was 100% correct because just as he thought because the perp mingled with the journalists but unfortunately for Brady as soon as the S.W.A.T team arrived the perp slinked away unnoticed.

20 minutes later a S.W.A.T member is lowered into the shaft and he soon encounters a wild haired crazy eyed female making strange grunting animals noises holding a hand over her face to shield her eyes from the glare of the spotlight. ‘Holy shit, I might have a situation here.’ the S.W.A.T officer whispers to himself so to calm the female down he moves the light away from her face ‘Jessica? Is your name Jessica Campbell? Your momma is mighty worried about you so if you can come to me and I will take you home.’

After another series of animal sound’s the person slowly slides along the damp ground until she reaches her rescuer ‘Hold on Jessica, once I have tied to securely to myself we will go up into the sunshine.’

And with a quick tug on a rope the pair are pulled up towards the surface and when they appear all of the police break out in applause but they quickly step back at the stench aminating from the girl.

Jessica starts screaming when the sunshine hits her face ‘Jesus look at her eyes they are on fire’ one of the troopers gasps.

‘Cover her face for God sake’ Brady yells at the trooper ‘If you had been stuck down a mine shaft for over three years you would be screaming to, now put her in your cruiser and transport the child to General hospital ASAP.’

As soon as he knows that Jessica is in safe hands Brady calls her parents ‘Hello this is Captain Brady from Dade County can I speak to Lorna Campbell.’

‘Oh lord, please tell me that Jessica is alive and well.’

‘Yes she is Lorna but she is in bad shape as you can understand, she is unable to talk at the moment and mentally Jessica is very frail.’

‘She is currently being transported to General hospital so make your way there but when you see your daughter be prepared for a shock because you will not recognize her at first.’

‘My husband and I can’t thank you enough for not giving up searching for Jessica and how she survived is a miracle.’

‘Take care Lorna, I am mighty happy that you finally have good news but the person you should thank is Wendy Gratton because she is the one who pushed me in the right direction.’

Wendy and the Campbells hug in the middle of living room still not quite believing that Jessica has overcome her ordeal.

A week later Wendy visits the hospital and is led to an isolation room by a friendly nurse ‘Please when you enter make no loud noises plus the patient is unable to speak, she just makes weird grunting sounds so it would be best to remain silent.’

When the nurse opens the door Wendy is shocked at the sight of Jessica’s long silver hair and scaly white skin plus she has two large cotton pads covering both of her eyes and another strange thing is that two large flashlights sit on the table next to her bed.

Sensing that someone is watching her Jessica looks over towards Wendy who remains silent as her tears run down her cheeks.

Suddenly Jessica reaches up and rips the bandages from her eyes but this time Wendy can’t remain silent because Jessica’s eyes are now bright pink like an albino’s.

At the sound of Wendy’s scream the nurse comes rushing in ‘Oh sorry I should have warned you but I wasn’t expecting her to remove the bandages.’

Wendy looks at Jessica again and this time the girl smiles at her ‘I am glad that you are safe Jessica, now just rest and let the nurses look after you.’

Once they are outside the room asks the nurse about Jessica’s eyes ‘Will they return to normal and what’s the go with the flashlight’s?’

‘We had a power outage a few nights back and the patient went berserk at the sudden darkness so the doctor believes that the patient has Nyctophobia which is a condition where someone is afraid of the dark and concerning the patients eyes all I can say is that she will receive the best treatments available now I need to return to the patient.’

Wendy shudders as she walks away because Jessica’s situation reminds her of the poor girl in that old horror movie ‘The Exorcist.’

THE END.

Part Two coming soon.

I hope that you liked reading my story and if you did please leave a comment.

Plus if you have the means please make a donation so that I can become a fulltime writer Thank You.