First Date

First Date is a true sad story about two teenagers who think they are going on the perfect first date, but their dreams of romance soon turn into a nightmare. The girl’s name is Yvette Rodier and the story is told in her own words.

I’m still afraid during full moons. I’m afraid of what could happen on those nights when the moon is full.

Zach and I were friends. Our families were close. He had a great sense of humor and always made me laugh. In highschool, it seemed like we had every class together and he always had some smart remark to make whenever I walked into the classroom. I started to look forward to those comments, wondering “What’s he going to say about me today?”

Then, one day, when I was 18, he asked me out on a date. One part of me thought, “Why would I go on a date with you? You’re my friend!” and another part of me thought, “Absolutely!”

When Zach came to pick me up, I had butterflies in my stomach. He looked handsome. Zach always looked handsome. We went to an Italian restaurant for dinner. Then, we took a scenic drive up the canyon. I felt that little twinge of excitement when you realize you have a crush on someone and they have a crush on you. While we were driving, I remember thinking, “Maybe I’ll get a kiss tonight.”

It was a stunningly beautiful night. We pulled into over to the side of the road and Zach said, “I’ve got a surprise for you.” Then he pulled out his photography equipment and told me he was going to teach me to use it. We were going to take pictures of the full moon.

We started walking down a path and I think it was about that time when a white truck pulled up. The man in the truck started walking towards us. He asked me, “Do you where this path goes?”

“I’m not sure,” I answered.

I turned my back and that’s when the man pulled out a gun and opened fire. He aimed at us and emptied every single bullet out of his gun.

I screamed… a loud, piercing shriek… and my ears started ringing. I don’t know where the first bullet hit me, but my body just fell down.

Then, it was silent. I remember thinking, “This is over now,” but then I realized the man was just reloading. There were three more shots and I could feel them rushing by my head.

Then he finally stopped. I didn’t dare move. All I could think was “Play dead play dead play dead.” I held my breath, kept my eyes open and stayed as still as I could.

I heard footsteps walking around us and the man leaned over me. I let my body go limp. He rolled me over. As far as he knew, I was just a corpse. He started going through my pockets, looking for money. His face was inches from mine and I could feel him breathing on me. I was terrified that I might blink.

Then, suddenly, he ran back up the mountain and I heard a car start up and drive away.

When I was sure he was gone, I yelled Zac’s name. It was so quiet. I yelled again. “Zac!” It was the worst silence I’ve ever heard in my whole life.

I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t even stand, but I knew I had to get up to the road and find help. I started dragging myself up the mountainside. It felt like it was almost vertical. I could hear cars driving by. It felt like there was sweat pouring down my face, but when I touched it, I realized it was blood.

I don’t know how I did it, but eventually, I got to the top. I waved my hands at the first car that came along, but it just passed me by. Eventually, another car came along and the headlights illuminated me. I looked like something out of a horror movie. I flagged them down and they stopped for me. There was a young couple inside.

I was going in and out of consciousness. Eventually, the police arrived and a helicopter took me to the nearest hospital. As we took off, it was the first time I could relax and feel safe. I hoped and prayed that Zach was going to make it.

I was shot four times… in the back, in the side, in the thigh… and several bullets had grazed my head.

When they told me Zach had died of his injuries, I felt horrible. At that moment, I would have given anything to switch places with him.

I still think of Zach every day and I miss him dearly.

This happened in 1996. The girl’s name is Yvette Rodier and the boy’s name was Zach Snarr. The murderer’s name is Jorge Bienvenuto and he will spend the rest of his life in prison for his horrible crime.