Abby Hernandez, survivor of an abduction, reveals how she remained alive in captivity and never gave up hope



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Abby Hernandez was only 14 years old when she disappeared without a trace on her way home from school in North Conway, New Hampshire on October 9, 2013.

For nine months, Abby's disappearance left her family, her investigators, and the mystified community. The search for the teenager has been one of the most important in the history of the state. Rumors and theories have crossed the city of northern New Hampshire about what could have happened to this teenager who had just started her first year at Kennett High School.

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At the age of 14, Abby Hernandez was reported missing after she did not return from school on October 9, 2013.

It was unlikely that anyone could have imagined the reality of what had actually happened to Abby – the teenager had been kidnapped and hidden just 30 miles north of Conway. There, her abductor held her captive in a storage container, where she suffered constant sexual assault and torture.

In an exclusive interview with ABC News '20 / 20, which will air Friday, September 7 at 22h. And, Abby spoke for the first time of her experience and what her kidnapper forced her to endure.

From the moment she realized she was abducted, Abby said that her survival instinct, fueled by adrenaline, kicked her. "I remember thinking: [to him]"I do not judge you for that. If you let me go, I will not tell anyone, "recalls Abby.

But her first attempts to negotiate with her abductor were unsuccessful and she was driven to her property where she spent much of the next nine months in the container.

Even though she suffered from daily abuse, Abby kept hope by praying for strength to survive her ordeal.

"I remember that I never said" amen "in my mind. I never wanted to end my prayers because I did not want God to leave me, "said Abby. "I just really wanted to live."

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Abigail Hernandez disappeared on October 9, 2013 while she was returning home from school.

Abby is kept alive by thinking strategically and establishing a connection with her abductor.

"I told him," Look, you do not seem to be a bad person. As everyone makes mistakes … If you let me go, I will not tell anyone. I always say that – you know, "this strategy is still there."

Abby said her kidnapper was slowly trusting her, even calling on her to help her create counterfeit money at home, she said. "Part of my trust, I guess, is … I went with everything he wanted to do," she said.

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Nathaniel Kibby, 34, appears in an undated photo published by the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office.

Rebecca Bailey, clinical psychologist, praised Abby's ingenuity. This is, again, very remarkable and, again, speaks of his ability to get out of his state of terror and solve his problems. "

The tactic would have been very helpful to Abby when her kidnapper started giving her books to read, and one day she discovered the name of her abductor written in a cookbook he had given her. "I said," who is Nate Kibby? "… and he just breathed and said," how do you know my name? "

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In an exclusive interview with ABC News "20/20", Abigail Hernandez spoke about her kidnapping and what her kidnapper forced her to endure.

Finally, in July 2014, Kibby released him for fear that the police would be about to go home due to a counterfeit investigation. Lauren Munday, who said she met Kibby online, told him she had given three $ 50 bills to help pay for a hotel room. When she used one of the bills at a local Walmart, this turned out to be a counterfeit. She called Kibby and told him that she had confided to the authorities.

"So, I told him," No matter what you … do in your fucking basement, you'd better clean it now, because they're coming for your a … "said Munday. . "

Kibby promised Abby not to reveal his identity to anyone.

"If I had to write a manual on how victims should handle kidnappings … the first chapter would be on Abby," said former FBI profiler and ABC News consultant Brad Garrett. "It's always about connecting with the bad guy."

On July 20, 2014, Kibby drove Abby to North Conway and released her near the place where he had abducted her nine months earlier. She traveled the remaining kilometer to her mother's house.

"I remember looking up and laughing, just being so happy," Abby said. "Oh my God, it happened … I'm a free person, I never thought it would happen, but I'm free."

A week later, police broke into Kibby's property and detained him after Abby gave them his name and place of residence. Kibby eventually pleaded guilty to seven counts, including kidnapping and sexual assault. He has not been accused of forgery.

He is serving a 45 to 90 year prison sentence outside New Hampshire.

Although Abby says that her captivity has changed her life, she also appreciated the new vision of life that she offered her.

"Whenever I go outside, I really try to enjoy the sun and the fresh air," said Abby. "It really worked in my lungs differently … I really try to never take that for granted."

Now, as she embarks on a life she did not know she would never see, Abby wants to spread her message to those who have survived extreme trauma.

"Do not lose hope … even if you have the impression of having lost everything, hope is something that no one can take away. And just keep that. And that will help you keep going, she says.

Watch the full story on ABC News' "20/20" FRIDAY at 10pm. AND.

Copyright (c) 2018 ABC All rights reserved

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