In loving memory of John Bennett Ramsey,

Smile, make sure to smile. Strut, strut, smile, now look at the judges and smile. Okay now turn back. Nice, okay were done.

“That was so good sweetie,” My mom squealed as I got off stage, “You are guaranteed first.” I hated pageants. It was so horrible how I have to go and prance in high heels for money and fake publicity.

“Thanks mom, but we always win first, even if I trip,” I said, it was true too, “We're going home with a trophy no matter what.” I hated that I won all the time. It was probably because I was so “pretty.” Thats what everyone says. It's the whole gushing, You were so beautiful up there. Don't worry you'll still win, I hated that. I hated being the center of attention. I like to be invisible like at school. I am plain simple Sophie. Nobody spoke to me except the teachers, and thats the way I liked it. I only had one friend, Jess. She was my best friend, she was a fashion guru, while I wore jeans and a hoodie to school. She usually wore skinny jeans with a very tight shirt that looks like she can't breath. But I love her, She was pretty too. Probably prettier than me. She had Long wavy blond hair that went to her waist. It was very different than my hip length messy hair. My hair was 98% of the time in a pony tail.

I got off stage and there was Jess, she didn't do these pageant things, it was only me the dork.

“Soph, you did so well. Omg you looked hot in that red dress. Your so gonna win!! Omg I love you!” She was screaming hugging me and jumping up and down. Jess looked more beautiful than I did, like always. She was wearing dark jeans with a red blouse, she was the one who belonged in magazines, not me. It was weird how unpopular we were. We were both very beautiful, but I drag Jess down. She could probably be Miss Popularity, but she sticks with me. Thats why I loved her.

“I love you Jess, thanks,” I said. I tell Jess everything, we were like sisters, heck she was even my neighbor. She kissed my cheek lightly and sat down next to me. We were backstage waiting for the other children to finish up. The grand prize today was 1,000 dollars and a magazine shoot in vogue, and a shot at regionals thing, some sort of championship.

“We'd like to thank everyone who came out tonight,” The announcer guy said, “We have only one winner tonight and the winner is,” He said, making everyone nervous, except me. “ Sophie Williams!” Jess screamed so loud in my ear. I wasn't screaming, my mom was. Loud too. I was herded towards the stage. “Congratulations Sophie!”

And thats my life. It's so stupid. I was staring out my window heading towards yet another pageant. It was raining outside, Jess was holding my hand and looking out her window.

“Soph, something wrong?” She asked. My mother jamming out to 80's music.

“I'm okay,” I said, “Don't really want to do this.”

“Oh, honey you love pageants, Oh your gonna look so fabulous up there...” My mother said. I drowned her out while Jess mouthed “Sorry.”

After the pageant I went outside the building. I won, again but, didn't really care. It was really cold tonight. I could even see my breath.

“Hey, I saw you tonight, you were great,” A dark man said. I couldn't see his face or anything. He grabbed me around the neck and was dragging me while I choked. I tried to scream but I couldn't. He put a cloth on my mouth and I soon fell asleep.

I woke up with a headache and in the trunk of a car. I was trying to remember what happened but, I couldn't. The trunk opened to a bright sunny day.

“Good morning darling,” The creepy man said. He was a short man, with a crazy smile. He held out his hand for me to take it. But, I just looked at him. I was so scared. “Okay, well let us go in now.” He grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder, I struggled but it did no good. He walked up to a old house with a screen door and a rocking chair. We were on a farm, with no sign of people for miles. He went into the grungy house, and it smelled as bad it looked, like shit. I was set down on a chair in his kitchen.

“Welcome to my humble abode. You are hear to cook, clean, and be beautiful. Start with tiding up my house. I'm going to go to the shed and get my gun. And if you try to escape, I won't kill you, I will torture you 'till you die. Have fun now,” He said, and walked out the door. I got up and went to the kitchen. I started cleaning the sink, it was filled with plates that had sticky mold, and thousands of flies. I grabbed a rag and started to scrub. I wondered how long I was going to have to be here. Was I gonna die here, I was stuck in a horror movie, except it was real.

“Well done, well done. Now give me a kiss,” He said, his arms extended out. “Oh, playing hard to get are we?” He then took long strides toward me and grabbed me by the hair and pulled my head back. He kissed me whole face, his breath smelled of fish and booze.

“You bastard,” I said, gripping the counter for support when he finished.

“Now,now, ladies don't talk like that. GET ON THE GROUND BITCH, you need to learn your lesson.” I growled at him when finally he grabbed me by the hair again pulled me down. He kicked my ribs over and over again. “You... Stupid...Dumb... Women” He finished his kicking. “Finish this kitchen and maybe I'll feed you.” He left the room and I huddled to the ground. I supported my self with my right arm and groaned as I got up. I finished the dishes and then cleaned everything else in the kitchen. When I was done I went into the living room where he was.

“I'm, sorry for my behavior earlier, I was out of place,” I said, I wanted to stay on his good side.

“Oh, darling, it's okay, I forgive you. It's my fault, you didn't know all the rules yet, it's s alright,” He said, coming closer to cradle me in his arms. He gave me a hug. Eww.

“Your bedrooms this way, love,” He said leading me to a room. The room was yellow, an ugly yellow. There was a metal frame bad with itchy wool blanket. There was a side table with a picture of me. How did he get this? “Well, goodnight, I'll see you in the morning. I hope you make good waffles, because I want waffles. Well, bye.” And he left.

I laid on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. It was a popcorn ceiling and was dusty. I was so tired, and so scared. I missed Jess, and my mom, and my dad. I felt so alone, alone and scared. I slipped into unconsciousness and had a dreamless sleep.

I woke up to a bright morning. I got up, still dressed in the same clothes. I was sweaty and hot. I left my “room” to see him sitting in his chair waiting for me.

“Good morning love,” He got up and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “I got you a present.” I looked at it, very curious. “Go ahead, open it.” He said, edging me on. I tore the little wrapping delicately not wanting to offend him. Inside the box was a pair of jeans and a button down plaid long sleeve shirt.

“Thanks, this is so nice,” I said.

“Oh, your so good to me. The others just called me a bastard and tried to leave. But, I took care of them, oh yes I did,” He said, walking off and grabbing his coffee. He took a sip and gave me a smile.

“I like you though, yes I like you!!” He exclaimed. “I'm going to town, and I'm not worried about you running away, because theres nothing here for miles. The heat'll kill you before anyone knows your missing. But, I need you to weed around the house, thats all today. I just want that done please. Well, I'm gonna go now. Bye!” He said, then he left.

I ran to the shed to find some sort of weapon to save myself. I went in and was assaulted by the smell of death. I saw pictures all over the walls, over women, some beaten, some perfect. Than I saw one of myself. Above it written in black marker was: NEXT TARGET. It was written in crazy murderer text. Around were hedge clippers, with dried blood. I was disgusted by everything, I bolted out my hand covering my mouth so I wouldn't throw up. I ran into the house and tried to find a phone. I found one, and dialed 911, it wasn't ringing though. I saw then the cord was cut. I decided to just do my work, maybe I would survive today. I had just finished weeding when suddenly his truck pulled into the driveway.