Colleen states that her faith in God and belief that someday she would be free helped her survive[9] and that her greatest fear was not of Cameron but of "The Company" which she said Cameron reinforced on a daily basis.[10]
To avoid painful punishments, Colleen said she tried to be a good slave[11] and that due to this she was allowed out to jog, work in the yard, and care for the Hooker children alone in the mobile home. Even with an open door, neighbors, and a telephone, Colleen made no attempt to escape; she said that her fear of "The Company" kept her from seeking help.[12]
Colleen was even allowed to visit her family by herself in 1981. While at home, Colleen did not reveal the truth about her situation and again stated that this was because of her fear of "The Company" and what they would do to her and her family. Her family thought Colleen must have become involved in a cult because of her homemade clothes, lack of money, and absence of communications over the years. Her family didn't want to pressure her fearing she would go away forever. Cameron posed as Colleen's boyfriend and returned the next day for Colleen. Colleen's family took a photograph of Colleen and Cameron together which shows them smiling and happy. Colleen explained this at the trial as being due to her happiness at visiting her family
