"We found her."

Cragen's head whipped up from the desk he was sitting at, walking over hastily towards Carisi's desk.

"Where?" Carisi pointed up to the screen.

Cragen said, "All units to that known location. First priority, Alessa. As far as we know, Reed has taken no other girls. It's been 72 hours, people, 72 hours since my daughter was taken. Get moving."

It's been 3 days since he's taken me.

72 hours since I was safe.

72 hours of torture.

72 hours of being ruthlessly raped time after time again.

72 hours.

I'm done. I've given up. I no longer fight. I no longer care.

It was Alessa's 16th birthday.

Cragen was still at the precinct wrapping up some paperwork. Alessa had stayed up until midnight, wanting to be the first to wish herself a happy birthday. Alessa could never exactly explain why she wanted to be the first, it was just something she always wanted to do, especially when she would turn 16. Cragen was still at the precinct wrapping up some paperwork.

When she clock struck midnight, she inhaled and said, "Happy birth-" her phone went off. A text from Carisi that read, "Happy 16th birthday, Alessa :)" She smiled, feeling some funny in her stomach. She texted him back saying thank you, her smile never leaving her face.

That was the first year she hadn't been the first to wish herself a happy birthday.

It was also the night that she went to bed with a smile on her face and a heavy heart.

They busted down the door.

It happened in a matter of minutes. Carisi and Tutuola cleared the living and dining room. The house was immaculate. The squad moved on and cleared the bedrooms and bathrooms. It was all so clean. They had one more bedroom to clear, and that one was at the back of the house.

The door was closed. Tutuola kicked down the door, revealing an unconscious Alessa and a smirking Reed.

Tutuola said, "Get up, Reed." Reed did as he was told.

Reed said, "I didn't do anything."

"Shut up and turn around." Tutuola cuffed him and read his rights. Carisi rushed to Alessa's side and broke both of the cuffs. Alessa wasn't wearing anything, and Carisi quickly covered her with his jacket before anyone else, other than him and Tutuola, saw her. Carisi picked her up and carried her outside of the house, placing her on the gurney.

Cragen ran to her side and thanked Carisi before getting on the ambulance with her and riding to the hospital.

Pain courses through me as I open my eyes. I look around, seeing that I'm no longer in Reed's the bedroom. Rollins, Tutuola, Carisi, and dad are all sitting.

I said, "Dad?" He looks up and everyone realizes I've woken up. Dad rushes to my side and holds my hand. I stifle a gasp, realizing how much everything hurt.

Dad said, "You're safe now sweetheart, you're safe." I thank everyone in the room for saving me. After all of the nice gestures, my eyes fall on Carisi. His eyes are bloodshot. I feel a tug on my heart and something funny in my stomach and I remember the promise he made me. Somewhere in between our exchange, dad, Rollins, and Tutuola left saying that they were going to get something to eat and bring it back for me. Until now, I hadn't registered the emptiness I felt in my stomach. Regardless of my hunger, I remember the situation at hand.

I look up at Carisi and see that he's made he way next to me.

He's the first one to say anything, "I'm sorry, Alessa. I'm so sorry for what you had to go through, and that I wasn't there to protect you. I shouldn't have left you alone, knowing he was one the loose, I'm sorry Alessa." He choked out the last of his sentence and I knew I no longer could blame him for what happened, or anyone.

Even though a small part of me still blames them, I reach for Carisi's hand and say, "It's okay. It's not your fault." I breathe in, "Now...is he in prison?" Carisi sat down in the chair next to the bed and sighs.

"The trial is pending. Barba believes we got him, you as a witness. Still, he's pleading not guilty." My eyes water. I can't believe he has the audacity to plead not guilty.

I say, "You believe me, don't you? He-he raped me, he tortured me, he kidnapped and drugged me. He-he stole my virginity away from me, he can't-he can't not get in trouble, Carisi. Please don't let him." Tears start to flow freely and I sob. Carisi moves onto the bed and I move to embrace him. He holds me as I cry into his chest and I move over to make room for him. He doesn't say anything, he just holds me in his arms and lets me totally unload my fears on him.

Soon, I close my eyes. The beats of Carisi's heart is the last thing I remember before drifting off to sleep.

The next day comes and I wake up in Carisi's arms.

A small smile graces my lips as I look up at Carisi, who is sound asleep. I knew my dad must come by last night and us like this. Even though he was probably taken aback, I know he understands. Carisi has been like my best friend.

My olive skin is dry and I reach over to the bedside and rub lotion into my skin. The room is filled with my favorite scent, sweet peaches.

Carisi groans and lifts his head up, looking down at me.

Carisi looks at the clock and says, "It's 8 o'clock. Are you up for something to eat?" I nod and he says, "Okay, I'll go get you something to eat." I bite my lip, not wanting to be alone.

I plead, "Please don't leave me alone, please...you said you'd protect me." I felt silly for begging. I should've just let him go but of course like the wimp I am, I didn't.

Carisi says, "Okay, then a nurse can-" his phone buzzes and he answers it. "Hello?" He mouths out that it's my dad. "Okay, will do." Carisi gets off the phone and says, "Your dad wants me to bring you to the precinct. I think he said he left some clothes for you in the washroom. You'll have to ID Reed and give your disclosure." I close my eyes, processing all of the information. I didn't want anything else to do with him. Even so, I knew I had no choice. I already know I'll have to testify. If Carisi will be there, I'll be fine.

I thank Carisi and try to stand up. As I do, my feet wobble and give. Carisi catches me and walks me into the washroom. I thank him and assure him that I'll be fine. Once he leaves and closes the door, I strip from the hospital gown and get into the shower.

The warm water running down my skin feels refreshing to me. I close my eyes, not wanting the soap to get into my eyes. Memories of Reed come flashing back and I quickly open my eyes. The soap burns my eyes and I feel like I'm about to faint.

I yell out, "Carisi!" In a matter of seconds I hear the door swing open and the shower curtain pulled to the side. I start sobbing and say, "Give me a towel." As he hands me a towel, I quickly wash the soap out of my eyes. "Reed took me and I remembered how he'd talk to me and how he'd t-touch me." Carisi turns off the waters and swings the towel over me, shielding his eyes from seeing me naked.

He holds me close and says, "You're safe, Alessa, you're safe." I can hear the sorrow in his voice. I know he feels at fault for the pain I went through. I wrap my arms around him, accidentally getting his shirt wet. In the moment, I don't care. I just wanted to feel safe and protected. After a few minutes, the sobs slowly stop and I compose myself.

"I-I think I'm okay now. Thank you, Carisi." I gently squeeze his hand and send him a small reassuring smile. Carisi smiles back and nods. After Carisi leaves, I dry off as quickly as possible and put on the clothes my dad left for me. Before I leave, I brush my teeth and hair.

I meet Carisi in the lobby to go to the precinct.

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