Everybody Has a Story--"It's Over Baby"

---before I even get to the room I know whats happening.  My heart racing I know that he's doing it again.  I can hear loud piercing screams coming from my mother.  I am almost running down the hallway now.  I open the door and realize that my mother is bleeding.  Crying & screaming I see her laying on the floor as he continues kicking her.  He looks at me and smiles.  A burning feeling of rage engulfs me as I begin running towards him full force.  His body barely moves to the side.  The weight of my 7 year old body isn't able to do much.  I'm scared now, and I start yelling for my mommy, as she's yelling for him to stop.  The next thing I saw were his big hands, throwing me into our antique dresser.  My mom gets to her feet and pushes him away from me, her body almost falling in its weakness.  In the blink of an eye his belt is off his pants and in his hands.  He whips my mom one hard time to the face, making a gash in her cheek and her nose bleed.  As she turns away he continues to whip her back as she's screaming in agony.  "Don't! Stop!  Stop hitting my mommy!" I yell as I thrust my whole body at him, trying to help in anyway I can.  As the tears roll down my face I see the big body turn towards me, suddenly whipping at my shins-I fall to the ground, reaching for my mom.  He kicks me twice in the side before my mom pushes him away.  She picks me up and runs for the door.  SLAM...we hit the wall with another great push from the big man I once trusted.  I cant hear what's going on anymore.  We are both screaming and crying for help while he screams at us to keep quiet.  He's holding my mom by her neck now.  Im panicking, I don't know what to do.  I punch him in the back as hard as my tiny fists will let me.  I pull at his arms, pinching, biting, punching, & pulling.  he releases her finally, and her frail body falls to the ground as she gasps for air.  He kicks me hard behind my knees, and then I too fall to the ground.  He picks me up by the arms screaming "why don't you ever learn?!".  At that very moment I hear sirens and I begin screaming for help as loud as I possibly could.  He gives me one last shake, banging my head into the hard wall.  He runs, and I crawl to my mommy as she curls me in her bloody hands and cries to me saying "It's over baby, it's over."

TH, age 16

Everybody Has a Story--"Little Sister"

One life changing story for me is when my little sister was born.  having a new little sister I had to take on more responsibilities I had to be a better role model for her.  I have to show that I love and care for her.  It was a life changing experience to be four years old and have my little sister being handed down to me by my mom from her hospital bed.  ever since that day I remember always being there for her, always making sure that she was happy and no one was hurting her.

CM, age 14

Everybody Has a Story--"The Day My Cat Died 2 Times"

I had a cat it name was Shurburt it was striped like garfield But was so fluffy but I have a girl dog that gets Jellus of everything it thinks my mom is its mom so it killed it There was blood everywhere it head was off and so we did not know happend so we got a new one that looked just like that but my dog killed it again and there was blood everywhere and the dog had blood on Its mouth and walked up to me and my mom and tryed to lik us so we called the Pound and got rid of it.  Then we got another one that looked just like it but gave it to my little sister and got a new one and it looked like it was whereing a tux so I named it PlayBoy.

TR

Everybody has a Story-- "My Best Friend "

Sometime in February, I was texting my friend and hanging out with my other friends. We were having such a great time. Then all of the sudden, my friend ____ called me. She was freaking out way bad. I couldn't understand what she was saying. I told her to stop crying and say it slowly. It took her a couple minutes to calm down a little bit. Then slowly she told her that my bestest friend in the whole wide world had gotten into a fight in _____ and was stabbed until he died. I was devistated. When I found out, ti was like my heart had gone dead. Then I felt tears rolling down my face. I couldn't breathe and I couldn't stop crying. I had just lost my best friend. A couple days before that, he told me to keep smiling and being me and to love and never forget him. I didnt know why he said that. He wouldnt tell me I think he knew something bad would happen. I just wish I could have helped him and kept him safe. He still would have been there. Thats when I decided to try to quit drugs.

BM, age 13

Everybody has a Story-- "What Goes Around Comes Around"

My name is _____  i am the only one in my family with that last name i don't no how that happned but it happened. But i was born in 1997 in California. And when i was 12 years old i got jumped into a gang buy five homies and i got my but kicked. but now being in her is kind of making me change. But now is kind of too late because i can't run away from this. i don't want too be looking behind my back for the rest of my life waiting for someone too stabe me or shoot me. that's not the type of live i wan't. i wan't a good future for me and my family. And me and my homies aculy shot someone and like they say what goes around comes around. but ya that is my story.

Everybody has a Story-- "My First Time"

My when I was 11 years old I broke a window and I got the cops called on my and so I ran to the skate shop and hidd there for about 20 minutes and walk back to my house with my skateboard and road to the church by my house and was gonna hide there but the cop pulled the corner and he ask me my name and I told him "My name is ____" and he said hold let see to check with this guy and he went to the corner and got my step dad and he said yeah thats him and the cop took me to DT for lying to him and thats the first time I got in trouble with the law.

The End

Everybody has a Story-- "Aichs & Pains"

FOr the past 3 years I have grow up with hypocryts, liars, unfairness, and absolute corruption. I'm not saying I've never been a part of it, cause I have. the only people I have ever seen make a selfless manuver was me and 5 random strangers, isn't that sad. The whole world should be selfless, we should help people who are being raped out instead of being rapist, I was raped and it messed me up and made me act out as of a cry for help. I act bad because of what happened to me. It would've been nice if a cop or someone saw me get knocked off my bike and get dragged into the bushes and come over and help. that's my story. but if you blame me your part of the corruption. Dont let your kids grow up in this world. Together we can live without the terrible aichs and pains of fears.

Everybody has a Story-- "Gangs"

My story was I was a fighter I grew up in ______ and had to fight all the time in school I was also introduced to gangs at a young age. At 9 I was jumped into the the _________ game and ever since Ive been bangin and doin what I had to do then at about 10 I was dealing pot then at 13 I was dealing harder drugs like cocane and XTC and GHB and i got caught and ever since Ive been in that sort of life style but now I wanna change and get out of the game. because Ive seen to many of my friends get shot on the block and stabed or beatin to death and Im sick of losing people I love as homies are as family.

Everybody has a Story-- "An Axident"

This is the part or begining of why I always have probloms. My mom and dad were never marryed so I was basicly an axident. While I was growing up my dad was never around to gide me or tell me what I should act like. I've only known him for four to five years of my life. I've had to teach myself how to servive. Which was the werst disition. I know that I have basicly lived on my mom besides my mom and grandpa to help me with my problems. Then once he started to see me and take me on week ends I felt like I was the luckyest kid in the world. So I asked my mom if I could live with him. But that's when every thing went wrong. I started to feel I was being left out again after he got maryed. Then came my brother and I was pushed ferther away from him. I love him and my brother and step mom, but I feel because of them I am being thrown ferther and ferther every day. Then the whole process of me getting locked up started again because I don't know how to tell him that I want to be with him and have it like old times.

CW, age 13

Everybody has a Story-- "Skateing"

I like to by skates and have fun with my life and go to the skateparks with my friends and play skat and do a lot of thinks with my skate of skate all over town and BY thinkgs for my skate wher i can have fun and do same think in my life to dont get in to trouble or have negative behavior cuz you want to be good at skateing or at anythinkg like new trills with a skatebored and have fun with skateing all the time and dont get mad if you mess up at skateing cuz you can get better at skateing and it will help you out where you dont get in to trouble. What can you do if you mess up at skateing and you stop skateing for a week what would you do.

ZC

Everybody has a Story-- "Consequences"

My story is about recognizing the important things in my life. When I first started to get in trouble I though my friends were more important than my family was. I didnt care about anything except living my life how I wanted to live it. I never thought about my consequence before I did something I knew was wrong. I thought I wouldn't get caught because I didnt get caught for most of the stuff I did but the day I got sent to detention with felonys and misameters was when my life got worst. I got put on probation and I kept doing what I wanted to do even though I was involved in the court system. I didnt want to change and being locked up I got use to it. but finally they took me out of my house sent me to programs after programs but I did complete and did put effort in the programs which I felt like I changed in so many ways but they still wouldnt send me home. I dug myself a hole that is hard to get out of but right now I dont have my family, friends, and freedom because of my actions. If I listened and thought about my consequence about my actions I wouldnt be in this situation right now.

SW

Everybody has a Story-- "Addictions"

My story is about my drug addictions I started smoking weed when I was 12 and it was always off and on and I would never smoke by myself I would only smoke with my friends and I would just get smoked out by them I started smoking and more at first I was always scared to get caugth and I would always be really paronoied when I smoked I was never at hom and I didn't want to go home until the high was gone but when I was 14 I started smoking spice I was addicted to it for about 2 and a half months I would only smoke some it with my friends but about my 3rd week smoking it I was mowing my neighbors lawn for $10 and once I got it I went to smoke shop and spent it I started smoking it at home and alone this went on for a month and a half and I was smoking before school during lunch and after school and then one day my first period teacher noticed I was high and then the principal came and took me to her office then asked me what I was on and I told her I smoked spice in the morning I was with two of my friends she asked me who I was with and I said I was by myself I think she knew I was lying but she never found out who I was with then the school cop searched me I had 2 grams of spice zigzags a rolled joint and a lighter on me I got suspended and charged I whent to court for that and some other charges and got locked up for a week I got out and was clean for about a month and then thats when I started smoking weed again I started out smoking weed like 2 times a week then 2 weeks later I was smoking every day I would smoke at home by myself most of the time and I would skip my program that I go to school at every day to smoke and then I got a call from my p.o. and he said he wanted me to come in for a drug test and I failed it but after I left there I knew I was getting locked up so I didn't care to stop smoking then about 2 weeks later I went to court I got locked up for a week and a half and then I got brought to O&A in Farmington and I spent my 15th birthday in O&A That's my story.

TL, age 15

Everybody has a Story-- "Wishing I had a Dad"

For the past three years I have be put in a residential treatment center for six & a 1/2 months, then locked up for six days in DT, then sent to live with my grandpa for 8 1/2 months, then lock in DT for another six days and then put in O&A for 56 days. I have had a problem with tobacco for those three years. I always wanted my mom to stop smoking. Then I find myself doing the same. This time in O&A is my last chance to prove to my judge that I can follow rules and stay out of trouble. I have also had a problem with anger and swearing and arguing with my mom. My mom was beet every day of the week when she was married to my dad. If she did not clean how he wanter her to he would beat her. If she was pregnant & was exghausted and did not jump for him he would beat her again. My dad has never been a part of my life and he has always depended on girls to pay his way he can't even keep a job for more than a month and he is wanted. I believe if I had a dad that it would help out a lot with my anger. Also I would have someone that knows what I am going through to talk to.

BB, age 16

Everybody Has a Story: "I can forgive"

My story is like a tall tale. When I was small I was hert. My dad was very trubled. On the verge of a brake up. He was a hevey drinker, a biker, and a fighter. He drank alot one night. He came home wasted. I was about 11 months old. He got in a argument with my mom. I was sound asleep. In the midel of the fight I started to cry. Mom came and calmed me down. I fell back to sleep. Mom left. I woke up. He was still drinking. He came in my room and picked me up. He started to through me agenst the couch. 17 years later. He has changed. My mom dosn't see it but I do. I can forgive

KG, age 17

Everybody Has a Story: "Skating"

One day back in las vegas I had just learned how to drop in with my skateboard. My brother dared me to drop off the island which is a 15 ft High island of cement and I had never seen anyone drop off it. I agreed and when I dropped in, I leaned to much forward and almost broke my wrist. some skater punk came and carried me out of the bowl and that made me feel good.

BL, age 15

Everybody Has a Story: "Today"

I have no constellation to any story, from the look of it. A child of fifteen, declared brilliant, also declared idiot. Having special class for the advanced, and still with A's. Yet having the stupidity to attempt to behaviors to be in lock-down. Surrounded by others, with similiar, and different mistakes.

To be held back, not by intelagence, but by choices to be in a program, such being O and A. One of the few to use cursive, to converse at an advance level. An honor student, stranded in confusion, and melancholy.

A choice, a single choice. I could have, should have decided better. But looking in the past, one can learn. The future is what is next, whether good, or bad. Yet today, today is also something special, called the present. A present today is; breathing, seeing, feeling. Today, the present, regardless of ones situation is great.

Do not moan, do not complain, a simple concept, yet so hard to do. Even I have no right to complain about my situation. There are people in worse conditions everywhere. Life is great for many, but for some, lets be honest, life is a pain. Again, life is what you make of it. Choose wisely, and do well.

Farewell!

CW, age 15

Everyone Has a Story: "So Many Bad Memories"

 I was born in ___ but moved to Utah at the age of 5. Mostly because my brothers and my familys lives were in jeporidy for gang violence that my brothesr participated in. What my parents wanted for is a new life. They moved to Utah hoping things would get better. But they didnt. Since I was a little girl all I remember was the anger in my dads eyes & the smell of alcohol coming from his breath. I remember the sadness in my moms tears dripping from her eyes & the fear in her body language. It seemed like all I did was hide. I was never comfortable living in my own home & my mom was doing everything to protect me from my dad and my two older brothers they didn't make the situation any better, they made it worse. They joined in on the actions of my dad. Ive had so many bad memories in my childhood... But Ive learned not to live int he past & to live in the present, now my dad is no longer a alcholic and he has changed so much. My older bro is in prison, nothing new. My father has never personally said sorry but actions speak louder than words.

CO, age 15

Everyone Has a Story: "Locked Up"

the day I got locked up and im still locked up well I woke up then I was about to get up but then my mom starts knocking on the door so I put [my drugs] away then I go for the door my mom asks me what time I got home last night so I told her then my school cop pops up from my hall way in my mind I was like @#$*$^!! Then he told me to turn around so I did then he hand cuffed me then he took me to d.t. When I got there I was thinking in my head and was like I cant beleive Im here and when I got into my section I saw my friend I havent seen him awhile. Me and that fool are homies. I know he would have my back but yeah me and him left d.t. the same day he went to the Salt Lake O&A and I came here but its pretty chil here I know that I can get threw with this program and hopefully go home.

L.A.

Everyone Has a Story: "Friends"

When I was six years old I moved here from ___ and lived with my dad. Ever 6 months - 2 years we moved to a different city. I hardly ever had friends because I kept having to make new ones and when I made new friends we moved again. Then my dad and step-mom met they have been together for 4 years and we hardly move anymore. Sometimes I think it was a very good thing we moved around the valley Because If we didn't my dad and step-mom would have never met and I wouldn't of ever had friends. Life is hard to do when you dont have friends because people say we listen to our friends 70% parents 20% and other things 10%. Lots of things have either a positive influence on you or a negative influence and not that I'm locked up I will try my hardest to only follow the positive influences and live a wonderful life with my family, friends, and siblings. I will never get locked up again. If I have anything to say about it.

RN

Everyone Has a Story: "My Story"

OK so it all started 1 year ago when I live in AZ I got mixed up with the wronge crowd and I starte drinking with them and then a cuple weeks later I started smoking with them and then after all that I started to not listen to my parents or listen in school and then I got into drinking and smoking a lot more and I wouldnt come home till after curfew and then after all that I picked up a charge and I'm not going to say what that was because it will start stuff and then once I got out of DT I went back to my homies and went back to drinking and smocking and after that happened I got jumped into a crew and thats when I became known as a soldier and then a yer went by of being a soldier that I became a seller and then I started my own crew out here and started to recruit peeple and we got up to 95 people runing and the after 3 weeks I went on the run and I was on the run for 3 months and got arrested and booked into DTand then will I was in their I met and old freind and the we got switched to another unit together and then we became cell mates and then he left to another program I went to court righta fter he left and found out I was going to O&A and then after about 4 weeks in DT I left to come to O&A and I saw an old freind and then she left and I started adjusting to the program and how I'm ready to go home.

TB, age 15