My Daughter Called To Ask If She Could Sleep At A Fake Friend’s House — I Knew I Had To Move Fast

Part 1

My daughter called to tell me she was spending the night at Jessica’s house.

I have never been more scared in my entire life.

She had gone to a small party that evening and was supposed to be home by ten o’clock sharp.

We had discussed the curfew multiple times before she left.

At nine forty-five, my cell phone buzzed on the coffee table.

The screen illuminated with her contact photo.

Relief washed over me for a brief second.

I assumed she was calling to say she was on her way back.

I picked up the device and answered with a casual greeting.

Hey Mom, I just wanted to let you know I’m going to spend the night at Jessica’s house.

Her tone sounded slightly elevated, almost rehearsed.

My first thought was that I must have forgotten one of her friends.

Raising a teenager means trying to keep track of a million different names and faces.

I wracked my brain for anyone in her circle with that name.

Okay, honey, remind me which one Jessica is.

You know Jessica from school.

I waited for more details to follow.

None came.

Silence stretched over the line for an uncomfortable moment.

My daughter tells me everything about her social life.

She has never once expected me to just know someone without giving me their entire life story first.

Usually, she provides completely unnecessary background information about everyone she meets.

I had absolutely never heard the name Jessica in all my years of parenting her.

Then I realized something else.

My teenager has never told me she was spending the night somewhere.

She always asks for permission first.

It was an unspoken rule in our household.

She was explicitly telling me not to come looking for her.

My hands instantly clamped onto the edge of the coffee table so hard my knuckles popped.

Every drop of blood seemed to drain from my face, leaving my skin ice-cold.

The room suddenly felt much too warm.

Of course.

What’s the address in case I need it?

She gave me a street number and road name.

I grabbed a pen and wrote it down with violently shaking hands.

The ink smeared slightly on the notepad.

I did not recognize the street at all.

Is Jessica’s mom there?

I was desperately trying to figure out who else was in the room with her.

No, just her older brother.

He’s being really nice.

A grown man had my daughter.

My throat closed up.

That’s so sweet of him.

How was the party?

It was fine, pretty small.

There were only like three people here.

I counted quickly in my head.

One man and maybe two other vulnerable kids.

Do you want me to come meet Jessica’s family before you stay over?

No, it’s fine.

You don’t need to come.

She was practically begging me to stay away.

That meant I needed to get there right now.

My husband was sitting across from me on the sofa.

He was watching a sports game on television.

I scribbled furiously on the notepad.

Call 911.

Show them this address.

I shoved the paper across the table towards him.

He glanced at the words and his eyes widened.

Without a word, he grabbed his phone and left the room.

I kept my voice as steady as humanly possible.

Actually, you know what?

I’m going to swing by and bring you your pajamas and your toothbrush.

You forgot to pack a bag.

Mom, that’s really not necessary.

It’s no trouble.

I’m already getting my keys.

I stood up and grabbed my purse from the counter.

Mom, seriously, I’m fine.

Jessica said I can borrow something to sleep in.

I heard a deep male voice rumble in the background.

The sound made my blood run cold.

Is that your mom?

Tell her you’re fine.

My daughter’s voice came back lighter and much more forced.

I’m totally fine though, Mom.

You really don’t need to come.

I sprinted toward the front door.

My hand fumbled with the deadbolt.

Too late, I’m already in the car.

Stay on the phone with me, okay?

I want to hear about the party.

Okay.

I started the engine with trembling fingers.

I drove with one hand white-knuckling the wheel.

The other hand pressed the phone tight against my ear.

My husband called from his cell phone.

I merged him into the call silently.

He whispered that police were already on their way.

He warned me not to approach the house alone.

Mom, how far away are you?

Her voice was noticeably shakier now.

The bravado was slipping away.

About ten minutes, baby.

I’m coming.

Okay, can you maybe drive a little faster?

I pressed the accelerator harder against the floorboard.

I’m going as fast as I can.

Keep talking to me.

Tell me about your week.

It was fine.

School was boring.

I had a test in chemistry that I think I failed.

She was desperately trying to keep the conversation going.

She wanted to stay on the line with me.

The male voice came back, sounding far more annoyed this time.

Why are you still on the phone?

I’m just talking to my mom.

She likes to talk while she drives.

Hang up, she’ll be here soon.

She gets anxious if I hang up.

It’s fine.

She’s almost here.

I heard the sound of heavy movement through the speaker.

My daughter made a small, stifled noise.

It sounded exactly like someone had forcefully grabbed her.

Honey, are you okay?

Yeah, I just dropped something.

Her voice was incredibly tight now.

I could hear her breathing getting faster and shallower.

Mom, are you close?

Five minutes, baby.

Stay with me.

Okay.

I heard the male voice again.

I could not make out the specific words.

The tone was harsh and threatening.

Then my daughter said something that made my blood freeze.

Please, I told you.

My mom is just bringing me some stuff.

She’ll be here soon and then she’s leaving.

She had actually said the word please.

My beautiful teenager was begging a stranger.

My husband’s frantic voice came through the merged line.

Police are two minutes out.

Do not go inside.

She is my daughter.

Wait for the police.

I turned onto the unfamiliar street.

I spotted a house at the very end with a dim porch light on.

There were no police cruisers in sight yet.

Then I heard my daughter scream and the line went dead.