Life was a struggle from the day of the funeral and on. My doctor had referred me to my own therapist that I saw at least once a week, sometimes more. They tried to put me on antidepressant medications but I refused. I wasn't going to be taking a bunch of medications that may get rid of my depression but also cause a lot of other problems. My depression wasn't severe, just some days were better than others. But I was slowly recovering from everything that happened.

Ethan and I officially started to date each other. He was always by my side and helped me through the terrible year that would follow. He went to every doctor's appointment with me, he came over whenever I needed him, and he was totally understanding about everything, even when all I wanted to do was lay in bed all day. I could talk to him about my kidnapping and he could understand some of it because he was kidnapped and held captive too. He was an excellent listener at the parts he couldn't even imagine going through, like being shot. He was doing everything my dad would have wanted for me. Between Ethan and Maddie, I was rarely alone.

I hadn't heard anything about Kyle except that he was sentenced to have his death penalty at the age of fifty, so about thirty years in prison before his ultimate punishment. I wanted him dead. I hope you don't think that's too harsh but I do and I'm sticking with that. At his death, I will be seated in the observation room, right in the front row so that he can see me right before he dies. I want him to see the very person who caused his death and I just hope everyone else who was taken by him will be there too.

I was able to catch up on my school work from when I was kidnapped so I managed to pass all my classes before the end of freshman year. Then that summer went by in a blur and so did my sophomore year, well most of it anyway. There are only a couple more months left of my sophomore year. Thankfully my grades are perfect; I refused to let this ruin my school GPA.

Sure, I have struggled but I have also gotten stronger by what had happened to me. Haven't you heard the saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger?" That saying is like my life motto because that is what exactly happened to me. I will never forget what happened to me but I will take my experiences and make myself stronger because of them. I have many people who care about me and that will keep me safe. I know that they will help me whenever they can. I refuse to think of myself as a victim anymore. I am going to live my life to the fullest because I have the chance too, unlike some of the other people who lost their lives. I want to live so that the others who died didn't just die for nothing. I am living for my mother and father who died trying to save me.

As I'm ending this story of mine, it is the one year anniversary of the day I was kidnapped from my life. It is the same time in March and I am thankful that I am alive. I will visit many graves of the people who died. I will thank them for everything and also grieve for them. There will be smiles and tears but that just means that I'm alive to have those tears and smiles. I will see Officer Robbins and Officer Dole and thank them for saving me from the hell I was living in.

Every second I was with Kyle, I was in my only living hell and I am just grateful that I'm away from him. I'm extremely overwhelmed by how much I took for granted. When it was all gone, I knew that I didn't appreciate it. It's like Helen Keller, she didn't have her hearing or sight, yet she lived and did everything to the best of her ability. Most of us who can hear and see take our sight and hearing for granted. I bet most of you take your parents for granted but when they are gone, you will know it.

I just want everyone to know that they need to see what you have right now, before it's gone. When it's gone, it will not come back. That is why you need to see that what you have is amazing. Sadly, I learned the hard way about this and now my parents are gone forever and I will never be able to see them, talk to them, or hear their voice for the last time. They are just gone.

Well, this is it then, this is my story. I want everyone out there to know about this so I can help inspire those who have been through my pain. I hope I helped you some and made you think about life for a minute. How about when you are done here, you go and give the ones you love a huge hug and kiss and tell them you love them because, in a blink of an eye, they could be gone. Since it is the one year anniversary, I got to open my letter from my dad.

The letter said, "Dear Kelly, it has been a year since I died. I know you think about me and are hopefully still not grieving too much now. If you are grieving then I beg to you to please stop, you have had a year to grieve and I think its time for you to be happy and not let me drag you down. How are Ethan and Maddie doing? Sorry if Ethan isn't in the picture or Maddie for that matter. I know people come and go all the time. I hope you will visit my grave today and tell me how life is going for you. I hope everything is looking brighter for you and that Catherine and Jim are taking great care of you. I'm not sure what else I should say because I am writing this before I actually died and I don't know what to put for my one year anniversary of my death letter. I'm not sure how many times I can tell you that I love you but I love you so much. I'm sure I could just make a letter telling you that and you'd appreciate it. I miss you so much and I know you miss me. Live on and stay strong. I love you again baby girl. Love, Dad."

If you are curious about more of my letters, I did turn sixteen over the past year. I did read the letter from my dad on my birthday and as usual, it was emotional for me during this milestone and not having my parents with me. The letter read, "Dear Kelly, happy sweet sixteen, baby. I can't believe that you are finally sixteen. Hope you are doing well and that there haven't been many problems for you. You should be driving soon, so you better be careful. There are maniacs that are on the road and I want you to be safe. Remember no texting and driving. This is a big day for you so congratulations. I'll let you get back to your day. I love you and happy birthday again. Love, Dad."

I adore the letters that my dad took the time to write to me even when he thought he was going to die. I'm not sure that I could have done that. My dad is my hero and will always be my hero. This isn't the end of Kelly Hunter, this is just my beginning and I will make the most of it.

As for Officer Robbins, she took a long and well-earned vacation to Europe for a couple weeks. Officer Dole was promoted to a senior detective, just like Officer Robbins, for his hard work and dedication for the job. Both officers were given awards for bravery and courage. Officer Dole took over all of Robbins' cases while she was gone on vacation. Kyle had many instances where he was found hurting and almost killing other prisoners so he was sentenced to be locked away in isolation for twenty years before being considered to enter the general population.

Kyle seemed to love the isolation though and didn't go crazy like some prisoner did. No one seemed to understand if he had any plans up his sleeve but he was calm for someone who was going to be locked away forever. Kyle never spoke either, not to guards or to any prisoners when he wasn't in isolation. Some people thought that he was going mad but others just thought he was taking in that he was going to be locked away forever and then killed. No one but Kyle was sure about the silence.

Andrew Olive decided to move back to Colorado, where he grew up and bought a house there. He has lived his life the best he could, trying to get over the many years of prison. He thought about visiting Kyle but knew that he never wanted to see Kyle's face again, unless it was at his death sentencing being carried out. Andrew met a nice woman named, Claire and started to date her. Life was getting better for him.

Everyone was finally getting back to normal. As the one year mark approached, horrific memories blinded everyone who was involved in the world famous, Olive Kidnappings. Life continued on, and there wasn't a care in the world for anyone who had survived the killings and kidnappings. Everyone was just grateful that they were still living and moving on with their lives.

The guard silently walked down the hallway of the Denver Colorado Maximum Security Prison. His shoes clicked on the ground as he walked along the linoleum floors. He didn't know what he was getting into. Poor guy was new to the prison and was faced with the challenge of dealing with Kyle Olive. All the guards hated dealing with him so they pawned him off onto the rookie. Anyone could tell that the new guard was terrified by his pale white face and clenched fists. His gun was holstered to his side but ready to be fired at any time.

The guard wasn't sure why only he had to go and check on Kyle but he didn't dare question his higher ranking guards. He reached the cell, 872, where Kyle was located. He shook in fear as he grabbed the keys from his pocket. He unlocked the isolation door and walked inside. Kyle was lying on his bed, writing in a notebook. He peeked his head up and greeted the guard. He didn't seem like a dangerous person but after reading his file, the guard knew how terrible of a man Kyle was.

"Just checking in. Need anything?" The guard asked fearfully.

Kyle threw down the notebook, making the guard jump. Kyle stared at the guard for a few moments as if sizing him up.

"Nope, but damn, you look like you've seen a ghost. I don't bite, Newbie." He said loudly that echoed in the small cell.

"But you do kill." The guard replied, a sudden burst of confidence built up inside him.

Kyle started to laugh and said, "True, true my friend. Tell me, why'd they send the rookie here?"

"Not sure." The guard lied, knowing full well that everyone else hated or fear Kyle.

"As I told Kelly Hunter so many times, I hate liars. What's your name?" He asked.

"Rick." The guard answered, seeming unsure if he should have told Kyle his name.

"Well Rick, admit it, the others are scared of me." Kyle demanded.

"Yes." Rick replied hesitantly.

"Those cowards. Why work in a prison if you are too scared? I like you, Rick, I'll put you on my good list and trust me, you would rather be on my good list than my bad list." Kyle said with a grin.

"Goodbye Kyle." The guard said as he left the cell, wanting to get out of there as soon as possible.

"See you around." Kyle replied as Rick slammed the door shut and locked it behind him.

Rick did feel a sense of comfort, knowing that Kyle liked him but he also feared that. Did he really want to be friends with one of the most vicious criminals in Colorado? Kyle Olive would never be forgotten and that's exactly what he wanted.

This chapter is now edited, let me know if you see any mistakes. The sequel to this book is called "Forever and Always." The sequel isn't edited yet but I'm going to start it soon. Thank you everyone for reading this and I hope you loved it as much as I did.