Letter 3 - Amanda Krause

This is the third story of the book.

Inspired by the Dateline NBC TV series To Catch a Predator



My name is Amanda Krause. I am a fifteen-year-old Caucasian girl from Flagler Beach, Florida. I lived there in a small house on the Palm Coast with my parents as an only child. My father Martin worked as a principal at a high school in the Palm Coast area while my mother Ashley worked as a fire fighter. Due to the schedules of both my parents, it became tough for them to spend time with me. Coming back home to the house with no one to greet me at the door made me feel a profound sense of loneliness. Because of that, I began to use the desktop computer in the living room. I was too shy to get to know anyone in my neighborhood, so I decided to do it online.
            On the computer, I visited local chat rooms and talked with numerous people on them throughout the day. Because I didn't want my parents to worry, whenever I heard the door open, I quickly exited the chat room, turned the computer off and turned the television on. Every day I would greet my parents with a simple, “Hi mom” or “Hi dad”. Because neither mom nor dad knew the truth of what I was doing, they would smile at me with a “Hi sweetheart.”
           During one day after school, while I was in a chat room, I received a message from someone who appeared to be a guy I never talked to on there. Out of curiosity, I opened the message and read it. “Hello, my name is Raymundo. How are you doing today?” Raymundo said. I responded to the message and said, “Hello my name is Amanda. I am okay I guess.” “You guess?” Raymundo said. “Well, the thing is I am only on here because I don't have that many friends in real life, so I come here just to find some attention.” I spoke. “Oh, I see. Maybe I can fill in the slot. I can be your friend.” Raymundo said. “Thank you. That would be nice.” I spoke. For the next hour, Raymundo and I talked about our lives and where they were heading. I smiled because I had someone to talk to online for the duration of my parents being at work. As usual when I heard the door open, I turned the computer off and watched some reality shows on the television. My parents never questioned me on what I was really doing.
             For the next few weeks, I continued to chat with Raymundo. While chatting with Raymundo, I received file attachments containing dozens of videos. Feeling curious, I downloaded one of them and watched it. As I was watching the video, I gasped at the sight of adults having sexual activities together in it. “If you want to, I can come meet with you and I can show you lots of these good things from the video.” Raymundo said. “Sure, I'd love to do that.” I spoke. I smiled brightly that I could meet with a real friend. My mind was so into the chatting I didn't keep track on when my parents got home. Dad, wearing his formal business attire, said his average, “I'm home” as usual and noticed that I was on the computer, so he walked over to me. I turned around and saw dad and said, “Oh hi Dad.” “Amanda, may I ask what you were doing on the computer?” Dad said. “Nothing.” I spoke. “Don't say that to me when I ask you a question. I asked you what you were doing on the computer.” Dad said as he gently pushed me aside. Dad looked at the computer and he noticed that the window was in the chat room, and he also noticed the window with the video as well. “Dad I am sorry for doing this. I really am but I only did it because neither you nor mom spend that much time with me. I miss you both. I want to do more things with you guys.” I spoke. “Really? Is that all. You could have come to me and said that, but I am still disappointed that you did this. Don't even think that you are seeing this “Raymundo” guy or whoever he is. Okay?” Dad said. “Okay.” I spoke. To protect me, Dad restricted my use of the computer for the time being.
         As the days passed by, I tried to make friends at the Turner Middle School but failed to do so because I couldn't find it in me on what to say to the other kids. Dad smiled brightly that he was not only protecting me, but he was stopping an online predator to even have the chance to lay hands on me. Dad chatted with Raymundo for weeks until a date was set to meet in person. On a Sunday to meet with Raymundo came, Dad set up his own sting. Raymundo came over to our house and parked his car in front. Dad waited in anticipation for his target to come over believing he would come. He looked out the window, stared at Raymundo and fixed his eyes on him. Raymundo appeared to be a very tall slender African American man who wore a blue short sleeved shirt and wore matching blue shorts. He had light dark skin, a clear bald head and wore a rosary around his neck. On the other hand, Dad left the front door unlocked so Raymundo could get in. Dad then quickly headed upstairs to stand by the edge of the second floor of the house. “Hey there, could you take a seat at the kitchen table? You can have a cookie or a glass of iced tea. I made them earlier today. Please wait there for a second. I am coming down okay.” Dad said talking with a girl-like voice. While Raymundo was eating some cookies and enjoying a drink of iced tea, Dad headed back downstairs to lock the door and approached him. “Um who are you?” Raymundo said noticing Dad standing in the doorway of the kitchen. “I will tell you after I explain to you what is going on.” Dad said holding sheets of the entire chat log with Raymundo. “Look I only came here just to hang out. That's it.” Raymundo said. As Dad heard what Raymundo said, I shook at the sound of the chat log hitting the table and he said, “You came here to hang out? You came here to hang out?!! Please don't tell me that bold face lie. You came here to see a little girl.” “No, I didn't. I will say it again. I just came to hang out.” Raymundo said. Dad sighed, feeling disgusted with Raymundo. “Let me ask you. What do you have on you right now? Empty your pockets.” Dad said. Raymundo, feeling like he's being interrogated by an undercover police officer emptied everything that was in his pockets. In his pockets were his cell phone and contraceptives. “Okay this is all that I have on me.” Raymundo said. “Are those condoms on the table? Let me ask you: What does that say about your intentions?” Dad said. “Well, I always have them on me.” Raymundo said. “You always carry condoms on you even when you are in the presence of children?” Dad said. “Yes, I do. So, what?” Raymundo said. “Another question I have for you. Were you happening to be chatting online with someone by the name of Amanda.” Dad said. “Well...yes.” Raymundo said. “How old do you believe Amanda is?” Dad said. “I believe that she is eighteen or nineteen years old.” Raymundo said. “The problem with that is that I have your entire internet conversation with Amanda. She said that she is fourteen.” Dad said. “Fourteen?!! That is not true. She is eighteen or nineteen.” Raymundo said. “You are totally lying to me again. Now I am going to call the police. You are not going anywhere until they come here.” Dad said. Raymundo began to cry hearing that Dad was calling the police to come to arrest him. Dad managed to record the entire verbal conversation he had with Raymundo on his phone. After he finished recording, Dad called the police, and they managed to come very quickly to take Raymundo away. Dad provided the police with all the evidence needed to arrest Raymundo. As Dad noticed that I was watching the entire scenario he called me out to look at Raymundo being put in the police car. “I understand dad. I am so sorry for doing that. I will never do it again.” I spoke. “I am glad to hear that you won't. It's good that you now see what would have happened if I allowed you to continue chatting with this man. You could have gotten raped, molested, or worse killed. Your mother and I love you and we are sorry that you felt so alone to chat with this guy.” Dad said. While Dad and I were hugging near the porch of our house, the police drove off to take Raymundo away. I smiled brightly knowing that I have a father who will protect me and slightly shed a tear knowing that there are people out there who use the internet to do evil, crude, and disgusting things with it. I vowed to never visit a chat room ever again.
            Four months have passed since I quit visiting online chat rooms. I focused on doing well in school and making friends. I managed to form a bond with an African American girl named Jessica Dickson who was about the same age as me.  During the free period, I would spend it with Jessica. As Jessica and I were having a friendly conversation in the hallway, we noticed that there were a flock of students standing near the public poster board by the entrance to the computer lab. Feeling curious, we approached the other kids. “Say what's going on?” I spoke. “Didn't you hear? The school will be throwing a boxing tournament that's allowing any kid to compete.” said the student from the crowd. As I heard the news of a boxing tournament happening in school, I smiled and said, “That sounds so cool. How about I sign up?” “What?!! Amanda, why should you sign up for this? You don't have to do this. You could get hurt bad.” Jessica said. “I am glad that you asked me that question Jessica. The reason why I am signing up is because I want to make something of myself. We got to try something new sometime.” I spoke. “Okay but please remember to be careful whenever you are in the ring.” Jessica said. “I will.” I said as I approached the poster board and signed up to compete in the boxing tournament.
            Meanwhile back at home on the night of that same day while I was having dinner with my parents, I decided to tell them about what I did at school. “Mom. Dad. I have an announcement to make.” I spoke. “Oh, really? Well, tell us Amanda.” Mom said. “At school, there is going to be a boxing tournament. I decided to sign up and compete.” I spoke. “What?!! You signed up for that tournament of violence and mayhem?!! You shouldn't compete in that.” Mom said. “No honey. Let her compete.” Dad said. “But what if she gets terribly hurt?” Mom said. “We shouldn't worry about that. There's no way they wouldn't allow our child to get terribly injured in a fight.” Dad said. “Okay but please Amanda be careful.” Mom said. “I will mom.” I spoke. “I will help you, Amanda. Did you know that your old man used to box too when he was little?” Dad said. “Really dad?” I said, giving dad a smile. “Yes, but I didn't compete in a tournament. I just did it for fun. Hearing you wanting to fight in one has made me want to train you. So, starting tomorrow after school your boxing training will begin. Got it?” Dad said. “Yes, thanks dad.” I spoke. So, Dad trained me to be a fierce boxer, and it helped me to win every match at the boxing tournament no matter how difficult they were.
             Now at the semifinals of the tournament, it's now down to only four competitors left. The ones remaining were a Japanese boy named Sasuke Kiryuin, a Caucasian girl named Elle Mitchell, an African American boy named Krillin Breda and myself. Since the semifinals were to start in the next month, we took that as a chance to be able to relax, have fun and get our minds on something else. I spent the month taking a head start on my schoolwork and when I had nothing else to do, I went out and had dinner with my family and best friend. “Amanda, I can't believe how proud I am of you. You become an even better boxer than me.” Dad said. “Thanks dad” I said. “I am with your father. I am so proud that you are doing so well in this boxing tournament. I am so glad that your father allowed you to compete and look where it's got you.” Mom said. “Thank you too mom.” I spoke. “I am so amazed of your boxing prowess Amanda. I wish I had the courage to fight in that ring because if I did then I could score a few hits on whoever I face.” Jessica said. I smiled and said, “Thanks Jessica.” I then ate my food with complete excitement about the finals. At home before going to sleep, I would practice my attacks on the large punching bag dad bought for ne to hang in my room. After a month of anticipation, the fateful day of the semifinals arrived. Fortunately for me, I triumphed even more and dominated in the semifinals and reached the championship round to face Krillin.
            A week later, the day of the championship round happened. Krillin decided to have a private chat with me in the locker room the day before our match started. I was wearing my regular green sports tank top along with blue gym shorts while Krillin was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and black striped gym shorts. “Hello so why did you call me over here for?” I spoke. “I called you here because I want to tell you why I signed up to compete in this tournament in the first place.” Krillin said. “Okay? So what reason is that?” I spoke. “The reason I competed in this tournament was to fight you and take you down.” Krillin said. I looked at Krillin with a very confused look and said, “What? What have I ever done to you for you to have a grudge against me?” “It's not what you did to me. It's what you did to my father.” Krillin said. “Your father? I don't even know your father.” I spoke. “Yes, you do, and I will explain more to you. Six months ago, my mother died. The loss of my mother affected my father so severely. The scars he incurred from her death refused to heal. He tried to cope through it all by dating countless women but no matter how hard he tried every woman he met would reject him. So, he tried another approach to find a new wife, so he went online and began chatting with girls there. There were times I sat next to him as he chatted with a certain girl named Amanda. I figured out that girl he chatted with was you. Now because of you my father is in prison.” Krillin said. I gasped silently as I realized that Krillin was the son of Raymundo. “Look I am sorry about your mother. I really am. I am also sorry about your father failing to find a girlfriend. I understand now. Your father was the one who I chatted with online. I am not responsible for your father's arrest. Your father was the one who began chatting with me. I didn't start that conversation. He should have stopped with the messaging when he found out that I am only fourteen.” I spoke. “I don't care about any of that. You put my father in prison. I am going to slaughter you in the ring tomorrow. You better be prepared for it.” Krillin said. I sighed and walked away as from Krillin to do one more night of practice.
            On the day of the match, Krillin glared seriously at me. I just ignored him as I climbed into the ring and sat in my corner. We then walked out to each other and looked in the eye. “May the best boxer win.” I spoke. “You are going down and you're going to regret what you did to my father.” Krillin said. “For the last time, it's not my fault!!” I spoke. At the sound of the bell, Krillin took off his shirt and began the fight with a left jab. I ducked under and dodged the attack. While I was down, Krillin ruthlessly hit me. I did all I could to deflect the attacks but couldn't. Krillin then punched me right on my forehead knocking me to the ground. The referee came over to me and did the count. Luckily for me, within five seconds I got back up on my feet. I persistently continued to fight and gave Krillin an uppercut as I got back up pushing him away to the ropes. Krillin maintained his balance and remained standing. The fight between Krillin and I continued to escalate. Krillin continuously attacked me with the hope of getting revenge for his father. “Your father got what he deserved!!” I said as I deflected Krillin's blows. “That's enough of your nonsense!! I am going to make you pay!!” Krillin said as he ran head on after me with a right hook. Since I noticed that Krillin's eyes were closed, I gave him a hook to the face so hard it knocked him to the ground. Ten seconds later, I was declared the winner of the match. Krillin felt angry up to the point of wanting to beat himself up, but I stopped him. “Please don't take this so seriously Krillin.” I spoke. “Why are you stopping me? I lost the fight. I deserve this.” Krillin said. “No, you do not and matter of fact I want you to come with me to meet my father. He can tell you everything.” I spoke. I signaled my father to come to the ring. “Sweetheart you did it. You won the tournament! Congratulations.” Dad said. “Thanks dad. Can you please tell Krillin that I am not the reason his father is in prison?” I said as I explained everything that Krillin tried to accuse me of. “Oh yes you are right. Krillin, my daughter had nothing to do with your father being arrested. He put himself there and I will give you full proof.” Dad said as he handed Krillin his phone and he listened to the recorded conversation of Raymundo. Krillin gasped as he listened to every word his father said. “Is this for real?” Krillin said. “Yes, it is.” Dad said. “Okay. I am sorry for accusing you, Amanda.” Krillin said as he sighed out of realization and conviction. “No hard feelings Krillin. Anyway, you did an excellent job during the match. I had no idea how to react to your moves.” I spoke. “But that was when you found an opening and emerged.” Krillin said. “Yeah, I guess that's true.” I spoke. The principal stood at the entrance of the ring with a confused look and said, “Um I am sorry to interrupt the conversation, but I need to grant the award to the winner.” I turned around and noticed the principal and said, “Oh I am very sorry sir.” “No worries. Okay I am pleased to announce the winner of this year's youth boxing tournament. Amanda Krause!!!” the principal said. The entire room flooded with applause for me. I smiled and raised my gloves high to all the people in the audience. Krillin joined in and helped me keep my glove high in the air. I took the accomplishment as another life changing moment for me and kept myself devoted to the sport of boxing and persistently avoided doing things that would make my life miserable.