Stalkers Anonymous

Michael Summers felt as if the ground had been pulled out from beneath his feet. What had once been solid ground—a relationship that had formed in the innocent days of fifth grade—had crumbled into nothingness. He sat in his dorm room at Rutgers University, surrounded by textbooks and the remnants of his life with Tanya. The memories haunted him; her laughter echoed in the corners of his mind, intertwined with the warmth of their shared experiences.

When Tanya had told him she was a lesbian and ended their long-term relationship, Michael had felt an overwhelming sense of betrayal. How could she do this after everything they had been through? The pain morphed into something darker, something obsessive. He found himself fixated on her, replaying their memories like a broken record, unable to accept the finality of her decision.

Days turned into weeks, and instead of moving on, Michael became a shadow haunting the places Tanya frequented on campus. He watched her from a distance as she laughed with new friends, her bright smile lighting up a room that once felt so familiar to him. The more he watched, the deeper his obsession grew. He convinced himself that if he could just show her how much he still cared, she would realize her mistake and come back to him.

It was during the Christmas break when he made the fateful decision to show up at her house. The cold winter air bit at his skin as he approached her front porch, heart racing with a cocktail of hope and desperation. He knocked, the sound echoing loudly in the stillness of the night. When Tanya opened the door, surprise flickered across her face, quickly replaced by apprehension.

“What are you doing here, Michael?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“I just wanted to talk. I miss you, Tanya. We can work this out,” he pleaded, stepping closer.

Before she could respond, Dana, Tanya’s new girlfriend, appeared behind her. The tension in the air thickened as Dana sized Michael up, her protective instincts flaring. “You need to leave. Now,” she said firmly, positioning herself between Michael and Tanya.

But Michael couldn’t back down. The obsession had clouded his judgment, and he felt a surge of anger. “You don’t understand! She and I belong together!” he shouted, frustration spilling over.

In a flash, Dana moved with the precision of someone trained in self-defense. She pushed Michael back, trying to create distance, but he stumbled forward, unwilling to relent. The confrontation escalated violently, and it wasn’t long before Dana’s training kicked in.

Michael found himself on the ground, pain radiating through his body. He gasped for breath as he realized how far he had fallen—how his love had twisted into something unrecognizable. The last thing he remembered before darkness enveloped him was Tanya’s horrified expression as she called for help.

When he awoke in the hospital, disoriented and bruised, the reality of his actions hit him like a freight train. The police had been called, and he was soon faced with the consequences of his obsession. He was arrested for stalking and harassment, a label that felt foreign and shameful.

In court, the judge listened intently, sifting through the details of Michael’s life. He had never had any problems with the law before, never even received so much as a speeding ticket. But this was different. The judge recognized the signs of a deeper issue, one that could spiral further if left unchecked.

“Mr. Summers,” the judge began, his voice steady but firm, “this is a serious matter. I understand that you are struggling with your feelings, but your actions have consequences. I am willing to offer you a chance to seek help. You will be enrolled in a new program called Stalker Anonymous.”

Michael felt a mix of relief and dread wash over him. The path ahead was uncertain, but he knew he needed to confront the darkness within him. He had to understand how his love had morphed into obsession, how it had driven him to such extremes.

As he began the program, he was surrounded by others who shared similar struggles. Each session was a mirror reflecting the pain and confusion that had consumed him. Michael listened to their stories, feeling a flicker of hope that perhaps he could find a way to heal.

Through therapy, he gradually learned to confront his feelings, to process the loss of Tanya without allowing it to define him. He learned that love should not be possessive but liberating, that caring for someone meant wanting what was best for them—even if that meant letting them go.

It was a long and arduous journey, but as the months passed, Michael began to rediscover himself. He poured his energy into his studies, focused on self-improvement, and slowly rebuilt his life. While the memories of Tanya would always linger, he understood that his path forward was his own to create.

In time, he would be able to look back on their relationship not with bitterness or obsession, but with gratitude for the lessons learned. The experience had changed him, and as he stepped into the future, he was determined to embrace it—free from the chains of his past.

Lucy Davis

Michael Summers sat in the dimly lit room, his heart pounding as he glanced around at the twelve unfamiliar faces. Each of them bore their own stories of obsession and regret, but none struck him quite like the girl sitting across from him. Lucy Davis. He had seen her around Rutgers University, her laughter echoing through the halls, her bright smile lighting up even the gloomiest of days. Why was she here?

The group was led by Donovan Rawlings, a former news reporter who had traded in his microphone for a more profound purpose. He was charismatic and insightful, with a knack for drawing out the truth from his participants. As he began the session, Michael couldn’t shake the feeling of dread and embarrassment that washed over him.

“Welcome to Stalkers Anonymous,” Donovan said, his voice steady and reassuring. “We’re here to share, to listen, and to heal. Let’s start with introductions. Just your name and a brief overview of why you’re here.”

When it was Michael’s turn, he hesitated, the weight of his actions pressing down on him. “I’m Michael. I… I was in a long-term relationship, and when my girlfriend told me she was a lesbian, I didn’t accept it. I tried to win her back, but I crossed a line. I showed up at her house during Christmas break, and her girlfriend attacked me. I got arrested.”

The room was silent, and Michael felt the gazes of the others on him. The shame stung, but he forced himself to meet Lucy’s eyes. She nodded slightly, an understanding flicker in her expression that made him feel less alone.

As the session progressed, each person shared their story, revealing the pain and confusion that led them to this place. Michael listened intently, finding common threads of heartache and longing woven through their narratives. He learned that stalking often stemmed from a place of love twisted into obsession, a desperate attempt to reclaim something lost.

When it was Lucy’s turn, Michael felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension. “I’m Lucy. I was in a relationship that ended badly, and I couldn’t let go. I thought if I just showed up at his apartment enough times, he’d realize he made a mistake. It got out of hand, and now here I am.”

Michael’s heart sank. He had seen Lucy’s bright smile on campus, but now he realized it masked a deeper pain. He wanted to reach out to her, to tell her that he understood, but he didn’t know how. Lucy unburdened herself when she talking about the person she was obsessed with a guy who was apart of a fraternity his name was Bradley she thought he was a nice guy she had a fun night at a party and she really liked him then they started to have sex all the time but she found he had a girlfriend who at another college but they were committed to a long distance relationship but when she came to visit he completely treated me like shit and like I was invisible and I was highly upset I gave him everything that I was and I loved him I never love anyone before. I was going to make him love me so I decided to try to kill his girlfriend if I couldn't have him she couldn't. But that plan didn't go my way and that why the judge sent me here

Donovan encouraged the group to reflect on their actions and the motivations behind them. “Love can be a powerful thing, but when it turns into obsession, it can lead to destructive behavior. What you need to understand is that love should never come at the cost of someone else’s autonomy.” Michael felt the weight of Lucy’s confession hang in the air like a heavy fog. The room seemed to tighten around him, the other participants’ stories of regret and obsession fading into a background hum as he focused on her. He could hardly reconcile the vibrant girl he had seen on campus with the turmoil she described. His heart raced, not out of fear, but from a strange mix of empathy and something he couldn't quite name—was it attraction or a deep-seated desire to help her?

Donovan, sensing the tension, gently redirected the group. “Thank you for sharing, Lucy. It’s important to recognize the feelings of betrayal and pain that can lead us down dark paths. But this is a safe space to explore those feelings without judgment.”

As Lucy's eyes glistened with unshed tears, Michael felt a surge of protectiveness. He wanted to reach out, to comfort her, but the weight of his own shame held him back. Instead, he listened intently, hanging on to every word she spoke.

“I thought I could change things,” Lucy continued, her voice trembling. “I thought he’d realize he was wrong and come to me, but instead, I became a monster in my own story. I was so lost in love that I forgot to love myself.”

Her vulnerability struck a chord deep within Michael. He too had lost himself in a desperate fight for love, only to realize that the love he sought was never meant to be his to claim. The resemblance between their stories was uncanny, but where Lucy’s tale had escalated into a dark obsession, Michael’s had ended in arrest and heartbreak.

As the session drew to a close, Donovan encouraged each participant to consider what they could do to move forward. “Healing starts with accountability,” he said, his gaze sweeping over the group. “And it requires a commitment to change.”

Michael felt a stirring in his chest, a desire to help Lucy find her way back to herself. “I think we all need to understand that love shouldn’t hurt us or others,” he said, his voice steadying as he spoke. “It’s easy to lose sight of that when we’re consumed by our emotions.”

Lucy met his gaze, the intensity in her eyes igniting something within him. “How do you stop yourself from going too far?” she asked, her vulnerability laid bare again.

“Maybe it starts with recognizing that we can’t control other people’s feelings,” he replied. “We have to find a way to let go, even if it hurts. I’m learning that now.”

The conversation flowed between other group members, but Michael remained fixated on Lucy. They were both broken in their own ways, but there was a resilience in her spirit that he admired. He could see the flicker of hope in her eyes, and it drew him in like a moth to a flame.

As the first session of Stalkers Anonymous came to an end, Michael felt a spark of determination. Perhaps he could help Lucy find the healing she so desperately needed. And perhaps, in the process, he could find his own redemption.

“Can I walk you to your car?” Michael asked, surprising himself with his boldness. He felt a rush of anxiety but also a glimmer of hope that there was more to their connection than shared pain.

Lucy hesitated, glancing down as she contemplated the offer. Then she nodded, a small smile breaking through her somber expression. “I’d like that.”

Together, they stepped into the cool night air, the weight of their pasts lingering like shadows behind them. But in that moment, as they walked side by side, the possibility of a new beginning shimmered ahead, fragile yet promising. They were both in the midst of their own storms, but perhaps they could weather them together.

As the weeks passed, Michael began to open up more, sharing his feelings of inadequacy and rejection. He found solace in the shared experiences of the group, and slowly, he started to change. He learned to see Tanya’s happiness with Dana not as a betrayal but as her truth.

Lucy became a friend, and they would often sit together after the sessions, talking about their lives, their dreams, and the paths they had taken that led them to this point. They found comfort in each other’s company, and Michael realized that he was beginning to heal.

One evening, as they left the meeting, Lucy turned to him. “You know, I think we’re both learning to let go. It’s hard, but it’s necessary.”

Michael nodded, a small smile breaking through the remnants of his sorrow. “Yeah, it is. I think I’m finally starting to understand that love doesn’t mean possession. It means wanting the best for someone, even if that doesn’t include you.”

He and Lucy started to spend more time together outside of the group, exploring the campus, laughing, and sharing their aspirations. Michael realized that while he had lost Tanya, he had gained a friend who understood him in ways he hadn’t expected.

Paxton Billings

Michael and Lucy walks into the meeting and they sit down as Donovan opens the floor for someone to share and a older man wearing a cowboy hat and a blue jean jacket says his name is Paxton Billings