You have 3 new messages
The blinking notification bled into my dream as I lay sleeping with my face partially over my phone screen.
When I woke I could feel the heat on my cheek, it felt weird in my semi-conscious state.
‘I need to start locking my screen, or at least put my phone somewhere else rather than use it as a pillow’ I thought to myself.
Rubbing my eyes and squinting at my phone screen, I could only just read:
You have 3 new messages
I clicked on it and saw her face pop up, my girlfriend Savannah, although the custom name I created comes up as, SavanaBanana.
23:12 SavanaBanana
Hiiii! x what you up to? xox.
_
23:24 SavanaBanana
Miss you x.x Hope everything’s ok! ❤
_
23:50 SavanaBanana
Goodnight my little Yoshi x.x.x ❤
_
My name is Josh but She calls me Yoshi… I like it, I guess.
I dont know why she thought I would be awake so late on a school night.
I quickly messaged back so I wasn’t being rude.
01:33 Yoshi
Hi, I was sleeping, sorry, school tomorrow! D: You should have been sleeping too lol xD Hope you’re dreaming of me! I’ll message when I get up xxx.
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I locked my phone and put it on my bedside table, I fell back asleep in no time.
Savannah and I have been dating online for the past 2 months, we are both 14 years old, she is a month older than me, yet still calls me a toyboy, I always laugh when she calls me that!
We talk constantly and we’re always sending each other pictures of our day and of school, and we talk all day, every day!
She is from London and I live in Edinburgh, it’s about 5 hours on a train but the price is too much for me to save up, and my Mum and Dad wouldn’t let me go alone, but I’m desperate to meet her.
We always said when we are both 16, if we haven’t met by then, we will have a joint 16th birthday party and we can meet each other and eventually get married and live our lives together forever.
I love her, and she loves me, we even told each other just last week.
.
I woke up to another notification.
You have 2 new messages
02:39 SavanaBanana
I just had some news!!! Omg I’m so excited, I haven’t been able to sleep xD My Mum is going to a 3 day conference in Glasgow in the morning and she has to take me with her because there’s nobody to babysit, soooooo… I asked her if we can drive to Edinburgh!! And she said YES!!! ❤❤
02:40 SavanaBanana
Omg I’m finally gonna meet you!!! I can’t wait!! Text when you wake up! Goodnight my love! X.x ❤❤😘😘
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Savannah’s Dad died suddenly a couple of years ago and her Mum sometimes has to travel for work, usually she has to take Savannah with her.
As I read the messages my heart was racing, I couldn’t stop smiling, my body felt all tingly and, I just couldn’t believe it, finally we could meet!
I messaged back right away.
07:46am Yoshi
Wow!! I can’t wait, this is the most amazing thing that could ever happen, I can’t believe we can finally meet up. What day are you coming through? X.x
She messaged back almost immediately.
07:47 SavanaBanana
I know!! At the airport now, about to get on the flight, it will probably be tomorrow! Boarding now, love you 😊😘
07:49 Yoshi
Okay, have a nice flight. I’m on my way to school just now, but I’ll bob off tomorrow and meet you in the town somewhere… hopefully my Mum doesn’t want to drive me in tomorrow lol ❤
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I was shaking with excitement, the whole day in school was a blur, I barely even remember my classes, I was so focused on getting home, my mind was a million miles away.
It wasn’t until dinner I finally received another message from Savannah, after I had a few unanswered.
18:15 SavanaBanana
Hiiiiix Sorry my Mum has been dragging me all around Glasgow today finding the hotel and then to the conference centre, I haven’t been able to charge my phone. We will be in Edinburgh tomorrow, she’s booked a room in a Marriot that’s right next to a park called Calton Hill, we can meet there about 11, if that’s okay? 😊 Just going out for dinner and probably be going to bed soon after, so tired!! And I just want it to be tomorrow already!! Lol
Can’t wait to meet you 😘❤
.
I opened it and hid the phone from my Mum and Dad’s view, they didn’t know it was planning on not going to school, also I hadn’t really told them much about Savannah.
My Mum looked on suspiciously, wondering why I was turning my phone away and holding it half under the table.
I knew the place vaguely, it was near Edinburgh Old Town, not far from Holyrood park I think.
I couldn’t wait to get upstairs and get this night over and done with!
I messaged back.
18:22 Yoshi
Great!! I can’t believe this is happening, enjoy the rest of your night, I’m going to bed early too… so excited!!! 😊
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My phone woke me at 7am, a minute later my Mum shouting me to get ready for school put my brain into gear, and I remembered, It was finally the day!!
I grabbed my phone and unlocked it
You have 3 new messages
I opened the app.
23:37 SavanaBanana
Goodnight my toyboy Yoshi! x.x.x.x
I smiled, I was in disbelief that she was only 50 miles away from me.
05:31 SavanaBanana
Good morning xD Today is finally the day!! Omg XoXoX
05:31 SavanaBanana
The park is behind the Marriot, on a street called Greenside Row, it kinda runs into the park from the road. I’ll get you there around 11! Getting ready now and having breakfast then we will be leaving. Love you, miss you, can’t wait to see you!! ❤❤😘😘
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I put the street name into my maps and began getting ready for school.
My Mum popped her head into my room, ‘will I drive you in today?’.
‘No that’s okay, I’m meeting my friends at the bus stop’ I lied.
‘Okay son, I’m just leaving for work then, love you’. She called as she closed my room door.
Around 7:40 I was ready to go, I would have to get the bus into town and walk through the Old Town, it was only about 35 minutes so I would be waiting for some time for her to arrive.
I had saved my lunch money for today and for yesterday and some money I had at the weekend, I had £15, so I could take Savannah to get some ice cream or something.
I navigated my way through the maze like Old Town of Edinburgh and suddenly came to a main road, I could see the Marriot hotel not too far in the distance.
I began walking in the direction, taking note of any possible places we could have something nice to eat.
I passed a florist about halfway and decided to buy a long stem red rose which cost me £4 but the florist assured me it was a nice flower.
By about 10:30 I was getting bored of seeing the same streets and everyone looking at me wondering why I’m not in school.
I walked round to the back of the Marriot and towards Calton Hill pulled my phone out.
10:31 Yoshi
Im a bit early but I’m here, I have a surprise for you xD x.x.x
My phone was barely in my pocket when I felt it vibrate.
10:32 SavanaBanana
Omg I think I see you, I got here early too, I’m coming over!! X.x.x
My body instantly filled with adrenaline, I felt so excited I thought I might pass out.
Where was she? I looked around, breathing heavily I started feeling light headed, I couldn’t wait to see her beautiful face, I held the rose up proudly displaying it, awaiting her arrival.
But, there was nobody else in the park
I looked in every direction, then I began walking toward the street leading into the park, Greenside Row, it was obscured by some trees but not so thick that you couldn’t see through to the road, maybe she was still in her Mum’s car.
I squinted my eyes in an attempt to se into any of the parked cars as I got nearer to the small wodded area.
My phone buzzed again
10:36 SavanaBanana
Sorry, still in my Mum’s car, I see you though, omg is that a rose?? xD You are adorable!!! X.x.X.x Be out in a sec!
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I laughed nervously, this was really happening, I couldn’t wait to hold her, to give her the rose she so deserved, just to be around her and talk to her, listen to her, start laying a foundation on which we would begin to build a long a fruitful, happy life together.
This was it.
Before I even had the chance to react to the rustle of a bush next to me, a massive gloved hand completely wrapped around my face.
I laughed a bit a first, not knowing what was happening, but I quickly realised this was not a joke.
The hand was huge, within seconds another arm wrapped around my chest holding my arms in place.
The rose fell to the ground.
I tried to scream but the massive leathery glove stripped me of the ability to breath let alone scream.
I could feel the grip tightening, hot breath on my face and they slowly licked my cheek.
I winced at the smell of rotting teeth and gums, the prickly beard rubbing up my face felt like it had given me a rash.
I was utterly helpless, there was nothing I could do, I couldn’t move.
I was carried to a blue van then bound and gagged before being thrown inside.
I still hadn’t got a look at whoever it was, I didn’t even want to think about what might happen to me, the thought of Savannah standing in the park alone and finding the rose made me feel so upset, she will think I stood her up, I hope she isn’t hurt.
I need to get out of here.
The sliding van door opened after a fair amount of time had passed to reveal a smaller than average but overweight man, he had small round spectacles, matted hair almost to his shoulders and a rough looking short beard.
He never said anything, he just kept licking his lips and staring at me.
He grabbed my leg and I tried to kick him off but I was no match for him, he simply threw me over his shoulder with ease and closed the door.
We were in a run down looking alley and he carried me in through the unkempt back garden of a very dilapidated house, he pushed the door open and carried me down to the basement level.
It was almost pitch black save for a small red lamp with the lowest watt bulb I’ve ever seen in my life.
‘You just lie there’ he said, his voice was high pitched and slimy.
‘Wh-what are you going to do with me?’ I asked, although I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer.
He laughed and slapped my face.
‘Don’t you worry my little Yoshi, I’ll take good care of you’,
…
‘Yoshi….’ I said to myself as my head fell in shame.
My heart shattered at that moment, and I felt like such a fool.
He started taking huge breaths and began running his tongue up and down my cheek, his breath and his decaying teeth gave off the most horrendous smell I could ever imagine.
He took his shirt off, his sweaty body was all over me making my clothes damp, he smelled like he had never washed before.
I couldn’t do anything with me hands tied tight behind my back.
He started getting undressed some more and laughed.
I just lay there crying and whimpering, pleading with him to let me go.
‘I have £11, please, please let me go and you can have it and I won’t say anything I promise’.
He just laughed some more.
‘I’ll take that £11 anyway, and I’ll be making sure you won’t say a word to anyone, don’t you worry about that!’ He howled with laughter again as he gestured to a dark corner of the room, it was difficult to see but there was almost definitely a hole in the ground.
I just cried and cried and cried for my Mum and Dad.
My mind eventually went blank.
The rest of the night was so traumatizing I can’t even bring myself to think about it, I couldn’t even share the details if I wanted to.
.
I woke up sore, my whole body ached, I was dying for a drink.
I could hear footsteps slowly coming down the stairs.
He appeared in the dim light, completely naked, breathing heavily.
‘So… you were Savannah then?’ I asked, words struggled to escape my cracked lips.
He looked at me like he wanted to hit me.
‘Yes, I was Savannah’ he said in an almost sarcastic tone.
‘Who’s the girl in the pictures then?’
‘I don’t know who she is, but she has kept naive little idiots like you flowing into my house on the regular for years, I’m almost never alone’.
I didn’t want to ask this, but I had to, ‘so… where are these other boys now?’
He tilted his head forward looked at me through the top of his specs with a wry grin on his fat sweaty face.
‘Why… they’re all around you…’ he waved his hand across the ground, ‘when I get bored with a particular subject, I put them in my floor, simple as that!’
‘Dont worry’ he winked, ‘I think we will have lots of fun for a very long time.’
He chuckled to himself, he really seemed to think he was hilarious.
I had no idea what time it was, if it was even the same day.
I heard his front door bell ringing.
He looked up.
I stared at him as he looked slightly confused.
He pulled a gag over my mouth and slapped me across the face again, ‘it’s in your best interests to stay quiet!’ He growled with his stubby finger almost poking my eye.
I heard lots of movement upstairs, no doubt he was getting clothes on and seeing to the door.
After a couple of minutes I could hear muffled screaming and shouting and a lot of banging and crashing.
I had no idea what to expect when the basement door flew open.
A torchlight shining left to right as someone began descending the stairs.
‘Police!’ A voice called.
I didn’t make a sound, I wasn’t ready to trust anyone just yet.
I saw 2 men in uniform enter the basement.
I finally tried to make any sound I could, they heard me immediately and came to pick me up.
The rest of the day was a blur, I was taken to the station, reunited with my parents, spoken to by numerous trauma specialists, police officers and a family liaison officer.
Turns out I had been missing for 2 days, and was found in a small town called Blackridge in West Lothian.
The police have apparently found multiple bodies of young boys buried in the basements aged between 8 and 15.
I haven’t seen the man since, I dont want to, I’m just glad he’s been caught.
So, that really brings me up to now.
I have nothing else to add.
I can confirm that this document contains my full statement to Police Scotland - West Lothian, and is factual to the best of my knowledge, from my own point of view. I am making this statement voluntarily without reward, promise of reward, threat or force. This statement has NOT been made under the influence of any person(s) nor substances, illegal or otherwise. I understand my testimony can and will be shared with relevant parties, my testimony can and will be used in a court of law, this testimony is my own and I am happy to turn this document over to the relevant authority to be presented in evidence. I understand that I may be be called to stand as witness in a court of law.
I declare under penalty of perjury that my testimony is true and correct.
Signed
Joshua Cairns.
23/06/22
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The officer took my statement and has assured me I won’t be called as a witness in court.
I’m allowed to go home now, I have appointments scheduled for the foreseeable future with doctors and therapists, hopefully I can move on and that man never sets foot outside out a prison for the rest of his life.
Please, please be careful with who you meet online.