by While we would do just about anything to protect the people we love, some things are completely out of our control. But the way we deal with these situations can teach us a lot about ourselves.
Meet Sarah Derian
Sarah Derian had always been a fighter. Growing up in foster care in a small town in Tennessee, the only thing that kept her going was her little sister, Leah. While Leah was too young to remember their parents alive, Sarah had been eight years old when they passed away. She had promised to always take care of her sister.
Subconsciously, she had taken on the role of protector. She vowed that one day, as soon as she was able, she’d get them both out of foster care. This vow kept her going year after year, but nothing could have prepared her for how hard it would be to protect her sister.
Being Frugal
For years, Sarah did everything she could to prepare for a better life for herself and Leah. When she was 14 she convinced the foster home to let her get a job at the local bookstore, where she had already charmed the owner into offering her a position.
Every penny she earned was kept in a secret compartment—one that she kept from even her sister. She had big plans for them both and hoped Leah would be able to live the life she wanted. But it was Danny that got Sarah through growing up without her parents.
Unlikely Teacher
Danny was the security guard at the foster home, always patrolling the grounds and keeping an eye on things. He was older and often quiet, offering a steady presence in Sarah’s otherwise chaotic world. Over the years, Danny spent time teaching Sarah valuable skills he often implemented on the job—how to notice specific details about people, defend herself in danger, apply CPR to others, and even understand the basics of electronic devices and gadgets.
Eventually, these lessons sparked something in Sarah, and she realized this was what she wanted to do. By the time she turned 18, she knew where she wanted to direct her energy. She would soon find out just how useful these skills would be.
Community College
When Sarah graduated high school, she wasted no time enrolling in the local community college, choosing to study computer science and cybersecurity. The nearby school was the obvious choice, so she could visit Leah at the foster home as often as possible, but she hoped she wouldn’t have to do it much longer.
After all, now that she was a legal adult, Sarah wanted to figure out how to adopt her little sister. Sarah knew Danny was there at the home, keeping an eye on Leah, but her heart ached to get her sister out of the system once and for all. First, though, Sarah had to figure out a stable plan—and that wouldn’t be easy.
Securing the Apartment
The first obstacle to overcome was finding a stable place to live. Years of saving finally paid off when she signed the lease for a small, but decent two-bedroom apartment. Though she knew it would take a while, she still made sure to make up the second bedroom for when Leah would eventually join her.
However, securing the apartment was only the beginning—now, she needed to find a job to keep up with the rent and other expenses. Balancing her classes and visits to Leah was hard enough, and Sarah knew she needed to find a solution quickly. Then, suddenly, the perfect opportunity appeared.
Perfect Job
Sarah received scholarships that covered most of her college expenses, allowing her to dive into her studies without too much financial stress. But to adopt Leah, she needed to prove she could support her sister financially.
To meet this requirement, she landed a morning job as a security guard—it was the perfect job really, where she could finally put Danny’s teachings into practice. Each shift was a learning experience. For endless months, Sarah tried to do everything she could to prove to the agencies and government that she was fit to take care of her sister, but it seemed like they would never agree to it—until finally, a miracle happened.
Great News
It had been two long years since Sarah had moved out of the foster system—two years of working, studying, and fighting with the agencies. One day, after a particularly long shift, she was so exhausted that she answered a call without even checking the number.
“Is this Sarah Derian?” a voice asked. Sarah confirmed. “We’re calling to let you know your request to adopt Leah Derian has been approved. Please come down to our offices, and we’ll handle all the paperwork,” the voice continued. Sarah could’ve passed out from excitement. Little did she know things wouldn’t be easy.
Moving In
Finally, it seemed Sarah was getting what she worked so hard for—she could bring her sister home. She collected Leah and all her belongings, taking her to the small, but cozy apartment where they unloaded her things into her room.
A Present
Sitting there was an older car with a big bow on it. One of Sarah’s coworkers had been trying to get rid of it and sold it to Sarah for a great deal. Her sister was now 16, and she wanted her to experience the freedom she hadn’t gotten at her age. She stood there with a big grin on her face as she watched her sister’s reaction.
Leah looked at her sister in awe. “But I don’t even know how to drive,” she stuttered. “Well, what do you think I’m here for? Come on, get in, I’ll teach you,” Sarah said, grinning. Neither of them could have known just how much this purchase was about to change their lives.
Always Tired
Though Sarah was ecstatic to have her sister living with her, her schedule became more hectic than ever. Each morning, she would wake up early to make lunches for both of them, head to work as a security guard, rush to her classes, and then come home to teach Leah how to drive—all before collapsing into bed, exhausted.
Despite these long days, Sarah wouldn’t change a thing, especially when she got to see her sister’s face every day at home. While Sarah tried her best to hide her fatigue, Leah began to notice the dark circles forming under her sister’s eyes.
Pulling Her Weight
One morning, Sarah got up to make lunch, only to find both lunches already packed and a cup of coffee waiting for her. She turned to see Leah sitting there, smiling. “Good morning. I’ll be home after you tonight. I start my first day at my new job at Mama Joe’s in town,” Leah said. Sarah’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
Overwhelmed with pride, she walked over and hugged her sister tight. Leah had already grown up so much, and Sarah knew that being a waitress would be perfect for her. With that, they fell into a new routine, not knowing it was only the calm before the storm.
Taking Turns
Things continued like this for months, and Sarah felt some of the pressure lift off her shoulders. Leah took on more responsibilities without being asked, making lunches and bringing food home from the restaurant for dinner. She paid for her own gas and covered some other things here and there.
Both sisters juggled classes and jobs, finding a way to make it all work. Life felt balanced for the first time, but this sense of calm was shattered when Sarah one day received a panicked call from Leah. Her heart raced as she answered.
Leah’s Panic
Sarah was in the middle of her classes when Leah’s name popped up on her phone. Knowing Leah wouldn’t call during class time unless it was an emergency, Sarah immediately picked up the call. But before she could say anything, Leah began to ramble frantically.
“Calm down, Leah. Take a few deep breaths,” Sarah urged, trying to steady her own nerves. “My engine’s making all kinds of noises, and I don’t know what to do!” Leah finally managed to say.
To the Mechanics
Sarah released a breath, relieved it hadn’t been something worse with Leah’s car. She directed her sister to the local mechanic. “Ask for Tom, he should be working. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about,” she reassured Leah through the phone, telling her she would be waiting at home for her after she finished class.
But just as they were about to hang up, Sarah added, “Oh, and Leah, it shouldn’t cost too much money, okay? If it does, don’t pay for it. We’ll figure out a way to get it done.” Her sister agreed, but nothing could have prepared her for what awaited.
Something Was Wrong
Sarah rushed home after class, hoping to meet her sister there. But when there was no car in the usual space, she figured Leah was just on the way. The trip to the mechanics shouldn’t take too long, right? But as the minutes ticked by, her worry grew.
An hour passed, and still no word from Leah. Just as Sarah reached for her phone to call for the third time, Leah’s car finally pulled up in front of their apartment. Relieved, Sarah rushed outside to meet her, but her heart sank when she saw Leah getting out of the car, tears streaming down her face. “Leah, what’s wrong?” she asked. Her answer would change everything.
Total Scam
Leah stumbled out of the car, collapsing into Sarah’s arms as she sobbed. “Tom wasn’t there, so Gio helped me. I tried to tell him I didn’t want to pay that much, but he insisted my car wouldn’t drive without the repairs. He was so convincing, I had no choice—I had to pay it!” she managed to get out.
Sarah hugged her tightly, trying to calm her down. “Ok Leah, it’s fine. I’m glad your car is fixed. How much are we talking here?” Leah cried harder. “$2,000!” she choked out. Sarah was glad Leah was still hugging her so she couldn’t see her mouth drop open in disbelief. This had to be a scam. How could he have charged that much?
Something Left Behind
Trying to remain calm, Sarah needed to understand what was happening—$2,000 was a fortune for them. There must’ve been something off at the shop. “Leah, did he tell you what he was fixing?” she asked gently. “He just said the entire engine needed to be replaced,” Leah replied, sniffling.
Sarah frowned. “But he did it all tonight?” she asked. Leah nodded, tears still streaming. Sarah hugged her sister again, though her mind was racing with suspicion. As if that wasn’t enough, Sarah noticed over Leah’s shoulder a light blink and fade away slowly on the dashboard. Something wasn’t adding up.
Checking it Out Herself
Sarah had finally convinced Leah to head to bed, but she herself had stayed up for hours, her mind working overtime to piece together what had happened at the mechanic’s shop. She knew Leah’s car had been in good shape the last time she checked it, just a month ago. Guilt gnawed at her—she shouldn’t have let Leah go alone.
Sarah decided she would just have to go back to the mechanic herself. After arranging for a coworker to cover her shift the next morning, she set off to find out what was really going on. Something told her this was more than just a simple repair.
At the Shop
Sarah’s car was sputtering a bit, but she had been putting off getting it checked. Today, however, she decided to use it to her advantage. She pulled into the mechanic’s shop and asked for Gio. A greasy-looking man waved her over, and she drove over as instructed.
Immediately, something about him seemed suspicious. He began to inspect the car and popped the hood. “Yeah, this is going to take a few hours. Why don’t you sit in the waiting room?” he asked her. She nodded, putting on her best smile, but as soon as he turned back around to walk to the car, she decided to do some investigating of her own. She knew something wasn’t quite right.
Walking Around
Sarah quietly slipped out of the waiting room and wandered through the rows of cars, trying to catch snippets of conversations between the mechanics and the customers. She made sure to always keep Gio in her peripheral vision, keeping an eye on what he was doing. But soon, something caught her eye as she looked at the cars in the lot.
She noticed something peculiar—each car had a small, blinking light on the dash. She stopped to get a closer look at one of the cars, right as Gio called out to her, making her jump slightly. Heart racing, she quickly returned to where he was standing, trying not to act like she just got caught. She stood there, bracing herself for what he might say next.
Hefty Price
It was exactly what she expected him to say. “Ma’am, your car engine is toast. You’ll need a new one, and that’ll cost ya $2,000,” Gio announced, a small smirk playing on his lips. “Oh no! I can’t afford that!” Sarah exclaimed, pretending to be the damsel in distress she knew he expected.
He pretended to think. “Tell ya what, I’ll do it for $1,500 if you choose to go with this new engine we’re trying out,” he offered slyly. “You think I’m gonna fall for that trick?” she retorted. “Just trying to be honest here,” he said. But she wasn’t buying it. She wanted no part of this game he was playing and she quickly got in the car and drove away, her mind racing with questions about the blinking lights and the mechanic’s true intentions.
The Chip
Once she pulled into the driveway, safely away from the creepy mechanic’s shop, Sarah finally allowed herself to look at her dashboard. There it was—a tiny, blinking device, badly hidden. She plucked it from its spot, turning it over in her hands.
It was identical to the one she had seen in Leah’s car, and she’d bet they matched the ones in the cars stuck in the shop lot. This was no coincidence. She gripped the device tightly, vowing to get to the bottom of this once and for all. What exactly were these devices for?
Getting to Work
From the moment Leah described her experience at the mechanics, Sarah knew something was off. With the two gadgets in hand, this was the perfect time for Sarah to draw on skills from her job as a security guard and her studies. She plugged them into her computer and got to work.
Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she dug into their code, quickly determining that they were tiny GPS chips, connected to some kind of larger system. This was more than she could handle in one night, but she had to know—what were these things for? The deeper she went, the more scared she became.
Cracking the Code
Sarah barely slept the next few nights, her adrenaline getting her through the late hours. Instead, she spent every moment trying to unlock the devices fully—until finally, the answer was illuminated on her screen.
She sat back in shock as she looked at the dots on her screen. There were hundreds of other devices, probably located in cars just like they had been in Sarah and Leah’s, all around the state of Tennessee, all being monitored. They seemed to be linked to a larger network or operation. Multiple vehicles, multiple locations—what was going on here? She had to tell someone.
To the Authorities
Sarah had quite a few friends on the police force, so she took the two devices to one of her trusted connections. Explaining everything she had found, she asked him to look into the mechanic’s shop.
After her explanation, her friend agreed—something was definitely off with this shop. He promised to investigate, and a few days later, Sarah received a call. On the other end of the line, there was a sense of urgency in her friend’s voice. “We figured it out, and you won’t believe what we found. Turn on Chanel 4 now,” he said.
Justice Served
She scrambled for the remote and switched to the right channel, where a reporter was speaking to the camera as Gio and the other mechanics at the shop were being led away in handcuffs behind her. She yelled out for her sister, before tuning back into what the police officer was telling her, detailing exactly what they found.
“And it’s all thanks to you, Sarah. Don’t be alarmed, but I’m sure some news channels will be contacting you very soon to hear your side of the story,” the officer said. She scoffed at him, but he was right. Not even a few hours later, there was a knock on their door, and Sarah opened it to reveal a news anchor waiting eagerly to speak with her.
News Story
The next thing she knew, Sarah was known as a hero throughout Tenessee, with local news stations scrambling to get the full story. “I found a hidden GPS in my sister’s car after she visited this mechanic. He had charged her an absurd amount of money for a brand-new engine. So I went to check it out myself,” she explained.
“I didn’t pay for any services, but I found yet another GPS device in my car after the mechanic checked it. I studied cybersecurity and learned how to backtrack devices like this one. As soon as I discovered it was a tracking device, I sent it to the police,” she continued. The reporters hung on every word, eager to share her story with the public.
The Real Story
“It wasn’t until later that they discovered the devices were linked to a car stealing operation,” Sarah went on, her voice steady. “The shop had ties with criminals who paid the mechanics extra money to install these chips in cars. With new engines and parts, the cars were worth a lot more, and the thieves would know exactly where to find and steal them,” she continued.
The reporters bombarded her with more questions, their curiosity overwhelming. But amidst the chaos, Sarah finally felt like she could take a breath. She was just happy to get the money back for Leah’s car parts, and more importantly, to protect her baby sister and the community from a twisted mechanic.
Looking to the Future
Though Sarah did everything in her power to protect her baby sister, there wasn’t much she could’ve done. But her attention to detail and determination to uncover the truth made her the perfect person to quell the car stealing operation.
While this probably won’t be the last challenge the Derian sisters face, it’s clear that they have the strength, skills, and determination to get through anything. We’re so glad this ordeal has been handled, and that the sisters—and their cars—are safe. We wish them peace and safety as they continue to live a life of freedom and independence.
