I've followed this story here, every post, every thread. I don't talk much; I made an account after lurking so I could see photos, etc., not exactly to talk. But like many of you, this case has yanked me out into the conversation. So many questions. Few things, if I may.
The journals - not only would it give the Monsters yet another way to dominate/torture the children, it is also a very QUIET activity. Neighbors have said the T house was quiet, despite the number of children - I get the feeling that LT and/or DT did not like hearing any noise that they did not want to hear. I'd guess the old babies who were discarded as soon as the next baby was born learned not to cry anymore very quickly.
About Survivor #1. She is also every bit as much of a hero in my book as Survivor #8. She was the one child who went to a regular school, had neighbor playmates (briefly), I believe she was the one who tried to run away and was returned - she knew better than anyone else EXACTLY what she was missing out on as she lay chained to her bed, hogtied, in her own waste. And 29 years old. At least 2 decades of horrific abuse. I cannot imagine how she must have despaired. My heart aches so hard for Survivor #1.
The Survivors sound closely bonded to each other. They learned to love and nurture each other, and they didn't learn that from Monster woman. In addition to being eldest, Survivor #1 was the one would have seen how that works the most. I tend to think she may have been a mother figure to the siblings, perhaps a sister-mom who showed them the actual love and nurturing they weren't getting from Monster woman, perhaps also an actual education. I think her very poor health was a major catalyst in deciding now was the time to try to escape. I have no doubt she encouraged #8 to make a break, whether vocally or just by being in the state she was. They had to know that #1 was dying. How could they lose one who would mean so much to all of them?
So much love for you, Survivor #1. So very much. It hurts how much.
What I can't figure out is what LT and DT's end game was. If #1 had died, I suspect they would have hid her body and claimed she'd run off, didn't know where she was...and then use her death to threaten the other survivors. IMO. But what did they think they were going to do with this situation? Just continue it and see where it went? Gave it no consideration whatsoever? They could never just let their children go.