Once we arrived at our home, I helped my daughter to wash up and get to bed. However, when I lay down to sleep, it would not come so easily. I tossed and turned until the clock struck three.

That was when someone started pounding on our front door.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The knocks were so loud and urgent that I sat up in a panic.

Then sounds also stirred Aaron awake. He was already halfway to opening the door when I held him back in a flash.

I pressed my index finger to my lips as a sign for Aaron to stay silent. Then with hurried steps, I went to the door and peeked through the peephole.

That was when I saw Cassandra. Her wide evil eyes looked straight at me from the other side of the peephole.

Fear overtook me and my body went weak. I had to clamp a hand over my mouth to keep myself from screaming.

However, she remained persistent. After she paused for two minutes, at first it came the sobs then the crying.

"Auntie, Uncle. I knew you were in there. Please, save Cassie! …. My adoptive parents have been beating me since they picked me up. I barely escaped with my life!"