Page 102 of Caged

"You're going to be fantastic. You've talked about this for months." Jessica grabbed his arm. "You've rehearsed this so many times you could do it in your sleep. If you get nervous, just find me in the back and keep your eyes on me. It's no different than when we practiced at the house."

Marshall cleared his throat. "Better yet, focus on me." He playfully elbowed Jessica out of the way. "I'm the one you should stare at."

Danny laughed. "I love you."

"I love you too." Marshall kissed him softly. "Think of the difference you could make by doing this. You're always talking about the kids that we save, well, this is your chance to save kids too. This is your path at protecting them."

Danny took a deep breath. Marshall was right, this was what he wanted to do. He might not be hunting pedophiles or going into homes and saving kids, but he could do this. He could make a difference. He listened to the sound of hundreds of little voices as they filled the gymnasium of the elementary school. He had been that age once, laughing with friends, thinking he had his whole life ahead of him. He'd thought he would always be safe, that his mother would protect him. How wrong he'd been. Maybe if someone had talked to him, warned him about strangers with puppies. If someone had just told him to always keep his mother in sight.

"I know you're scared, but you're going to hate yourself if you back out," Jessica said. "The first time is always the hardest. Get this over, then you'll be able to do it again with ease. Once you see that there is nothing to fear, you'll love doing this."

Nothing to fear. Wasn't that how he was trying to live his life now? Hadn't he lived in fear for long enough? They were right. He could do this. Would do it.

He brushed a stray strand of hair back from his forehead and took a deep breath. "You'll both be in the back?"

Marshall nodded. "We'll be there for the whole thing. If you get nervous just look at us. Like Jessica said, this is no different than practicing for us at home. You know your speech. You've almost memorized it. Go in, look at all those kids and know that you are going to save one of them by talking to them today."

That was exactly what he needed to do. He needed to focus on the experience this could have on the children. It was better for him to face his fears than for one of those children to face what he had when Larry took him. He gave Marshall and Jessica a single nod. "I can do this."

"You can. I love you and I'll be right here waiting for you when you get off that stage." Marshall kissed him.

"And I'll be waiting with my secret cookie recipe when you get off the stage." Jessica grinned.

"You're going to share that with me?" While she'd shared most of them already, there was one for mint chocolate cookies that she hadn't been willing to share. He'd tried everything to create the cookies the way she did, but nothing worked. He just couldn't get it right.

"I will." She gave a nod. "It's the last secret I have, but I'm willing to share it with you. You're the only one I think can do them justice." She hugged him tightly. "Go teach these kids how to be safe."

Danny turned for the doorway where he could hear a man talking about what they would be hearing today. It was a topic that would be hard for some children to hear, but one they sadly needed to. Parents lined the outer edge of the gym, many requesting to be there to hear his speech also, and he noticed one news station with a camera set up in the back of the gym to cover the story. He was okay with that. With Larry locked up, he found he was more willing to talk to the press and share his story. He didn't answer all questions, but he said what he could without making it uncomfortable for himself or those who might be listening. Today, he would keep the graphic facts from his story, adding only enough to put a healthy dose of fear into the kids so they would be safe. He'd talk about being locked up, about being alone, about his fear. He would not talk about what was done to him.

Taking comfort from Marshall's hand on his back, he took a deep breath, and as his name was announced, he walked out and onto the stage.

The gym was full. Hundreds of small children sitting on the floor, staring up at him. He smiled, remembering when he had done the same thing so many years ago. Only he hadn't heard this story. He hadn't known the dangers. It was up to him to tell them.

He looked to the back of the room, found Marshall staring up at him. Knowing he wasn't in this alone, he started his speech. "Hi, my name is Danny and I'm a kidnapping survivor. I'm here today to tell you my story."