I first noticed Nayla was acting strange when she wasn’t replying to my messages about filling out her financial-aid application.

We usually spoke on the phone at least a couple times a month, and it was especially unlike her to ignore something that important.

All I could think was, “This isn’t like my daughter.”

Mother’s Day came and went and I didn’t hear from her. I couldn’t believe it.

A million questions started running through my mind: Had she been abducted? Is she being forced to do horrible things?

When I was finally re-united with Nayla, it was a bit awkward. How could she just cut me off like that? But I told her I love her and I don’t care what’s going on in her life, she should know she can always talk to me. I’m not angry, but I’m still recovering from such a traumatic experience.