Hi, I Survived listeners, I'm Marissa Pinson.

And before we get into this week's episode, I just want to remind you that episodes of I Survived as well as the A&E Classic podcast's cold case files, city confidential, and American justice are all available ad free on the new A&E Crime and Investigation Channel on Apple Podcasts and Apple Plus for just $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year. And now onto the show.

This episode contains subject matter that may be disturbing to some listeners, including violence against children.

Listener discretion is advised. I felt blood running down my face. and this voice came at me that said

if you scream I will use this as he shoved a gun to my face.

Real people.

He was screaming, it's coming, it's coming

and I'm like, what, what?

The bathroom mirror right next to me exploded

and then we were flying through the air.

Who faced death? He was holding a knife to my throat and offering me candy.

He asked me, am I scaring you little girl? Am I scaring you? Are you scared?

And live to tell how.

They all three took turns raping me. In that garage I lost my life that night because I will never ever be that person again.

This is I survived.

It's September 1996 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Michelle is driving home after working late at the office.

She is almost at her house when she sees three men on the sidewalk.

Two of the guys had hoods over their head, so I was a little bit leery on, you know, pulling up to my house.

These guys, to me, didn't fit in to this neighborhood.

I've never seen them. I don't think they belong here.

I decided to go around the block.

...