Amanda Berry believes that her freedom from captivity is a dream, her father told The National Enquirer.

Johnny Berry granted the tabloid an interview in this week's edition and explained how his daughter is coping since she was freed from captivity. Amanda disappeared in 2003 her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, when she was 16-years old. It was discovered earlier this month that she was being held prisoner by 52-year-old Cleveland native Ariel Castro for almost a decade.

She reportedly was raped and beaten by Castro in his home and he even impregnanted her, proven by DNA testing. She gave birth to a daughter named Jocelyn in 2006 while in captivity.

Amanda was held prisoner along with Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus. The three women told police Castro held them hostage and bound by chains in his home since their early teens and young adulthood. The women were freed on May 6 after a neighbor heard Berry's cries for help. Castro was charged on May 8 with three counts of rape and kidnapping.

"If I could get my hands on that monster Castro, I'd kill him myself!" Johnny said. "I'd rip him to shreds!"

Johnny lives in Tennessee and suffers from a deadly pulmonary disease. He also recently had back surgery. He told the publication that he longed to see his 27-year old daughter, whom he last saw when she was a teenager. He was able to speak with her over the phone and described her voice as the most beautiful sound that he ever heard.

"She said, 'Hi, Daddy. I'm still alive. I love you, love you, love you!' We were both crying...it was the happiest day of my life," he said.

Johnny explained that his daughter was still reeling from the trauma she endured. Amanda had not quite adjusted to her freedom and felt that it may all be just a dream. He said Amanda feared she would wake up and find out that she was still a prisoner.

"She's having night­mares every night, waking up screaming and crying, terrified that Castro is coming after her, or that she's still a prisoner," he said.

Tags
Amanda Berry, Ariel castro