I laid there, on the floor, crying and missing my family. I should’ve listened to mom, to dad, I was so mad at myself. I couldn’t remember a time in the past two hours when I wasn’t trembling, I was terrified and I couldn’t even think straight. How could I have been so irresponsible?!

I didn’t remember much of what had led up to this; I only remembered a few things. I thought back to when I got on the airplane, I was going to Florida to visit Uncle Walt, and he was not exactly my favorite Uncle. I barley ever saw him or talked to him, all he ever did was work and he was very rich. He never paid attention to my family; but, after all, he was my uncle so I couldn’t just ignore him. He wasn’t a bad guy, he was very creative and enthusiastic, but not around me. I was on the airplane, loathing this flight so much and listening to music.
When I finally got off the plane, I greeted Uncle Walt or, Walter Disney as he is known at work. We went to his house, what an incredible landscape he had! The first day I was there, I did nothing but eat and watch television. I sat there hoping something interesting would happen in my life, something I could tell my friends about. I wanted to go outside and actually move, but my parents were scared I would get lost; it was a big house. They had nothing to worry about, nothing bad was going to happen, and I could take care of myself.
I decided to go outside and enjoy the sun, maybe do something worth telling people about. There they stood, wearing nothing but black. I had no clue who these people were, so I pretended like I didn’t notice and I tried to run. They chased me. Apparently they had seen me. I ran and ran, but my tiny legs were too slow and I had no idea where I was going thanks to my long brown hair. They caught up to me and carried me to their car as I struggled to free myself. I screamed and I tried to catch my breath and break free, but they put something up to my face and I blacked out…
That’s all I remembered. I was scared to death, what was going to happen to me? Why had this happened to me? I was so confused now and I couldn’t even think which made it worse.
“We’re gonna be okay. It all gonna be okay Natalie.”
I shrieked and turned to face the way which the noise had come from. “Uncle Walt, thank goodness you’re here!” I yelled kind of relieved.
“Okay Natalie, I know you are probably wondering what is going on,” my uncle said. “There is an explanation for all of this, I promise. And I’m really sorry.”
“For what? You’re scaring me, just tell me!” I said trying to block out all the ideas dancing in my head.
“This kidnapping has nothing to do with you; you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Kidnapping?!” I shouted, tears rolling down my cheeks. This time I couldn’t clear all the ideas dancing in my head. “What are you trying to tell me?” I was getting angry now, and anxious.
“These people know I have a lot of money,” he began to explain; “We are here because these men want my money. The only way we can get out of here is if I pay them. If your parents pay them, to be more specific, using my money.”
“I need to get out of here, I can’t take it! Why? Why is this happening to me?!” I began to sob.
He reached for my hand but I jerked it away and looked down, not wanting him to see the disgust in my eyes, this was all his fault. I was so mad, why did I have to be stuck with Uncle Walt of all people? All he ever cared about was himself and money. What about me, what was I going to do? I was stuck alone with a man who I wasn’t very fond of, I felt so alone.
A big man walked in wearing all black, he carried trays of what appeared to be food.
“Let us go! Please!” I screamed.
“If you want out, there is a fee.” He said; his voice low and raspy. He then walked out without saying another thing. I sat there and ate in silence.
“Natalie, I’m sorry. I’m going to get us out of here, I promise.” Uncle Walt suddenly said.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” I didn’t even look up at him.
“I’m not, I’m gonna keep this one. Even if it means I have to do the impossible. Valerie, I know we aren’t close, but you’re my family and I wouldn’t tolerate anything bad happening to you. I want to keep you safe, no matter what, and we need to stick together. We are all we have right now, but not for long.”
I looked up at him. That was one thing I admired about my uncle; his optimism. He actually gave me hope and I believed him. I stared at him for a while, realizing that he was all I had right now. I hugged him and he hugged me back. I let it all out and cried for a long time. He didn’t mind, he hugged me.
The next days weren’t as bad as I expected, but they were as long as 100 years. Uncle Walt kept me entertained with these very interesting and childish stories he told. He had such a creative mind and I loved hearing his stories. I learned a lot about him and his job, his job was incredible! He did so many things: animation, production, direct, writes so many fun things! He got to learn about me too, and I told him about my life, all the things worth telling. He was such a fun guy and he soon became so easy to talk to and tell stories to.
I wasn’t exactly having fun, but at least I wasn’t alone. A few days later the man wearing black came in and told us we were free. I didn’t understand what was going to happened next, how were we going to be let free? He put something up to my face and I blacked out…
I woke up in a hospital. I saw my mom and dad looking down at me and I immediately felt safe again. I suddenly remembered, “Uncle Walt?”
“He’s right there next to you.” My dad told me and he gave me a kiss and a hug, as did my mom.

“Natalie.” Uncle Walt said, and smiled.

I got up and I went over to him and gave him a big hug. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you uncle, without your stories and your company. I’m sorry I was so mean to you.” I said to him.

“I’m sorry, you were so understanding and I was glad to share my stories with you, your stories were wonderful too.” He hugged back.

I was so glad it was all over and I was safe again. I was also glad I had gotten to meet the real Uncle Walt, not just my perspective of Uncle Walt. He had given up a load of cash to save me, and himself, and I would always be thankful because he did that for me. I had learned so much and experienced so many things from that trip to Florida. I wish it never would’ve happened, but sometimes I don’t mind that it did because great things can come out of a bad moment.

From then on, I kept in touch with my uncle and we sent each other stories and read them to each other. We became so close and I even got to visit him when he was working, it was so fantastic! I can’t believe I ever thought of my uncle as a bad person, he is the most interesting person I know, he is full of creativity and imagination.
Every now and then I think back to those eternal days I spent with Uncle Walt. I wish it never would’ve happened, but sometimes I don’t mind that it did because I made a loyal friend. It was probably one of the worst things that have ever happened to me and I would never want to experience something like that ever again. But as a wise friend of mine once said:
“You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”
~Walt Disney

My kick in the teeth was getting kidnapped with him, and he is the best thing in the world for me.