INTRODUCTION
Hi, I'm Anna Watson.
The stories in this book are my real-life experiences from when I was just 16 years old—a struggling high schooler trying to survive.
I was born to a beautiful couple: my father, Robin Watson, and my mother, Tina Watson. Dad used to teach me boxing whenever he had time, and Mom loved baking cakes and cookies for us.
We were a very happy family. Despite their demanding jobs, my parents always spent every spare minute with me. I didn’t know much about their work—only that they worked for the government.
Everything changed on the dreadful day of December 17th, 1995.
The air was chilly, and I was excited about the holidays. This time, my parents had promised we would spend the break together. But around noon, they got a call—an emergency. They had to report to work immediately.
I was upset, but they gently explained that people like us could enjoy holidays only because someone else sacrificed theirs. They promised to be back the next day.
Still a bit sad, I said goodbye and continued with my day. But the next morning, when I came downstairs, they weren’t there. My disappointment turned to fear when I didn’t receive a single call or message from them—even though they had never gone silent before.
I kept calling the emergency number they had left me. After what felt like an eternity, someone finally called back. The attendant asked whom I wanted to speak with. With a shaking voice, I said, “I want to speak with either Tina or Robin Watson.”
“There was a pause on the line… one that changed everything.” Then she asked if there was an adult she could talk to. “I told her my babysitter had stepped out and wouldn’t be back soon. Then, silence.”
