Shannon could hear the footsteps behind her as she went home
went.
The thought of her being followed made your heart beat faster.
You're ridiculous, she told herself, Nobody is following you.
To be on the safe side, she quickened her pace, but she did
steps
matched theirs.
She was afraid to look back and she was glad she was almost too
Home
was.
Shannon said a quick prayer, God please let me go safely
Home
come.
She saw the outside light on and ran the rest of the way to the
House.
Once inside, she leaned against the door for a moment,
makes it easier to be in the safe four walls of your home.
She looked out the window to see if anyone was out there.
The sidewalk was empty.
After leafing through your books, she decided to have a snack
to
take yourself and go online.
She logged in using her nickname ByAngel213.
She checked your buddy list and saw that GoTo123 was online.She sent him a message.
ByAngel213: Hi, I'm glad you're online!
I thought someone was chasing me home.
It was totally weird!
GoTo123: You watch too much TV.
Why should someone chase you?
Don't you live in a safe area?
ByAngel213: Of course I live in a safe area.
I guess I just imagined it
'Cause I didn't see anyone when I looked out
GoTo123: Unless you've posted your name on the internet.
You didn't do that, did you?
ByAngel213: Of course not. I'm not stupid, you know
GoTo123: Did you have a softball game after school today?
ByAngel213: Yes, and we won!
GoTo123: That's great! Who did you play against?
ByAngel213: We played against the Hornets.
The crazy uniforms are totally terrible!
They look like bees.
GoTo123: Which team do you play in?
ByAngel213: We are the Canton Cats.
We have tiger paws on our uniforms.They are totally cool.
GoTo123: Did you pitch?
ByAngel213: No, I play second base.
I have to go.
My homework has to be finished before my parents go home
come.
I don't want to upset her. CU.
GoTo123: See you then. CU.
Meanwhile.....
GoTo123 went to the members menu and started searching for yours
Profile.
When he found it, he marked it and printed it out.
He took out a pen and began to write down what he was up to now
above
Angel knew.
Her name: Shannon
Date of birth: January 3, 1985 - Age: 13
State she lives in: North Carolina
Hobbies: softball, chore, skating and shopping.
Besides this information, he knew that she lived in Canton because she
it
just told him.
He knows she was alone until 6:30 p.m. every afternoon
,
until your parents get home from work.
He knew she played softball on the school team Thursday afternoons.
And that the team is called Canton Cats.
Your lucky number 7 is printed on the back of your uniform.He knew she was in the seventh year of Canton Junior High School
was.
She told him that.
All in one conversation they had online.
He now had enough information to find her
Shannon didn't tell her parents about what happened on the way after
Home.
She didn't want her to make a scene and forbid her to do so
foot
going home after playing softball.
Parents always exaggerate excessively, and yours were the worst.
She wished she weren't an only child.
If only she had a brother and a sister, it would be hers
parents
not overly protective.
By Thursday, Shannon had long since forgotten the footsteps.
She was in the middle of the game when she noticed that someone was talking to her
stared.
At that moment she remembered the steps again.
You looked up from your second base to see that one
man
watched them closely.
He leaned against the fence and smiled when she looked at him.He didn't look scary at all and she quickly forgot
again
Your concerns
After the game he sat on a bench near you when she was still briefly
With
spoke to the trainer.
She noticed his smile again and walked past him.
He nodded and she smiled back.
He noticed the name on the back of your shirt and he knew
that
he
she had found.
He followed her at a safe distance.
They were only a few doors down from Shannon's home.
And when he knew where she lived, he quickly went back to the park
be
To pick up the car
Now he had to wait.
He decided to eat something until the time came
Shannons
Home to go.
He drove to a fast food restaurant and stayed there until it was time
his
To make step.
Shannon was in your room when she heard voices in the living room.
Shannon, come here, your father called.
He sounded worried and she couldn't imagine at all
Why.She went into the room when she saw the man from the field on the sofa
to sit
saw.
Sit down, her father began, this man has got a lot for us right now
told an interesting story about you.
Shannon went to a chair across the room.
How could he tell her parents anything at all?
She had never seen him before!
Do you know who I am Shannon? the man asked her.
No, answered Shannon.
I'm a cop and your online friend, GoTo123.
Shannon was amazed.
This is not possible!
GoTo is a kid my age!
He's 14 and lives in Michigan!
The man smiled.
I know I told you that, but it wasn't true.
You see, Shannon, there are people online just pretending to be
you
Children would be;
I was one of them.
But while others are doing it to find children and hurt them
,
I belong to the group that does it to protect children.
I came here to find you
and to teach you how dangerous it can be to do too muchinformation
to give out
to people over the Internet.
You've told me enough to make it easy for me to find you.
Your name, the school you go to, the name of your ball team,
and
the position you're playing in.
The number and name on your jersey just made it easy to find
easier.
Shannon was still amazed.
Don't live in Michigan?
He laughed.
No, I live in Raleigh.
It made you feel safe believing that I got this far
path
live, don't you?
She nodded.
I had friends who her daughter was just like you, only she had
Not
so
good luck.
The man found her and killed her while she was home alone.
Children are taught never to tell anyone when they are alone too
Home
are
, however, they do it all the time, online.
They trick you into giving out information, a little here
little
there.
Before you know it, you've told them enough for them to find you
can without you even realizing it.I hope that you have learned something from this and that you will be more careful in the near future
are.
I will, Shannon promised.
Are you going to tell others about it so that they are safe too?
I promise!