The Beginning of a Nightmare
When I was 22, I thought I was ready to dip my toes into the world of dating. I downloaded a popular dating app, swiped through profiles, and eventually matched with a guy named Hunter. At first, he seemed normal friendly, polite, and easy to talk to. We went on a few dates: a quick coffee meetup, drinks at a local bar, and dinner at a nice restaurant. But as time went on, I started noticing little things that made me uneasy. His mannerisms were off—sometimes he’d say things that felt awkward or inappropriate, and his behavior became increasingly erratic.
Our fourth date was the final straw. We went out for drinks again, but this time, he drank way too much. He became overly touchy, trying to kiss me multiple times despite my clear discomfort. I politely rejected his advances, but he didn’t take the hint. When we left the bar, he bluntly asked if we could go home together. I declined, saying I was tired and had work the next day. He persisted, making excuses and trying to convince me. It was unsettling, and I knew then that I didn’t want to see him again.
As I drove home, I noticed his car following me. I texted him, asking if he was following me, and he admitted it, saying he just wanted to make sure I got home safe. I pulled over and told him to stop, but he only drove off after a tense moment. When I got home, he sent me a text apologizing for his behavior, but it was too late. I told him I didn’t think we were a good match and wished him well. That’s when the angry texts started. He accused me of leading him on and even demanded I pay him back for the dates. I blocked him, thinking it was over.
But it wasn’t. A few days later, I came home to find a bouquet of flowers on my doorstep with a card from Hunter, apologizing and asking for a second chance. He had somehow found out where I lived, and it terrified me. I sent him a final text, warning him to never contact me again or I’d file for a restraining order. I thought that would be the end of it, but I was wrong.
One night, while I was home alone, I woke up to the sound of someone in the house. I hid under my bed and called 911, whispering to the operator as I heard footsteps and drawers opening in my room. I could see the outline of his shoes through the bed skirt, and I held my breath, praying he wouldn’t find me. After what felt like an eternity, he left, and the police arrived. They searched the house but found no one. I filed a report and got a restraining order, but the fear of him returning never left me. Even today, I sometimes wonder if he’s still out there, watching and waiting.
A Sixth-Grade Stalker
When I was in sixth grade, I never imagined I’d experience something as terrifying as being stalked by a classmate. It all started during a school Halloween event. I stayed after school to help decorate the haunted house, and so did a boy named Chris. He seemed nice enough—funny, friendly, and easy to get along with. We worked together for a few weeks, and I didn’t think much of it. But then, out of nowhere, he confessed his feelings for me over Facebook Messenger.
It was a long, cringe-worthy message where he declared his love and said he wanted me to be his girlfriend. I was shocked. We barely knew each other, and I had no interest in him romantically. I tried to let him down gently, telling him I just wanted to be friends. But he didn’t take it well. He kept asking why, and his friends started harassing me at school, telling me Chris wanted to kiss me and that he’d do it even if I didn’t want to. I reported it to my teacher and the principal, but nothing seemed to change.
One day, I came home from school and found a note on my doorstep. It was from Chris, telling me there was a “surprise” waiting for me under my brother’s car. My mom checked, but there was nothing there. However, after that day, my brother’s car stopped working, and we had to sell it. I still don’t know what Chris did to it, but it was clear he was escalating.
The harassment continued. Chris’s friends pressured me to give him a chance, and I even caught him taking pictures of me as I walked home. The worst part was when I heard something hitting my bedroom window one night. I looked out and saw Chris standing there, throwing rocks at my window. He was trying to get my attention, and it was terrifying. I blocked him on everything, but the fear stayed with me throughout my school years. The last I heard, he was arrested for something, and I can only hope he never comes near me again.
A Toxic Relationship Gone Wrong
At 23, I thought I had finally found love. I met Emily on Tinder, and we hit it off right away. We went on several dates, and things moved quickly. She was fun, outgoing, and seemed to really like me. But as the months went by, her behavior became increasingly controlling. She texted me constantly, demanding to know where I was and why I wasn’t responding fast enough. She even insisted we share our locations, which I reluctantly agreed to.
One night, while I was hanging out with my friends, she showed up uninvited and caused a scene. She yelled at me for not answering her texts and demanded I leave with her. I told her no, and we had a heated argument in the street. When I got home, I sent her a text saying we needed a break. She didn’t take it well. She blew up my phone with calls and texts, and even showed up at my house, pounding on the door and screaming. My neighbor had to intervene and tell her to leave.
A week later, I was home alone when I heard a strange noise in my house. I called 911, convinced Emily had broken in, but the police found nothing. Later that night, I woke up to texts from her, begging me to talk to her. Moments later, she burst out of my closet, holding a knife. I tackled her to the ground and held her there until the police arrived. She was arrested and later convicted, but the experience left me traumatized. It was a harsh reminder of how quickly love can turn into obsession, and how important it is to trust your instincts.
Lessons Learned
These experiences have left lasting scars, but they’ve also taught me valuable lessons. I’ve learned to trust my gut when something feels off, to set boundaries, and to never ignore red flags. Love should never come at the cost of your safety or peace of mind. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, don’t hesitate to seek help. Whether it’s from friends, family, or the authorities, you don’t have to face it alone.
Stalking and obsession are serious issues that can happen to anyone. It’s important to take threats seriously and to protect yourself at all costs. If you’re ever in danger, don’t hesitate to call 911 or reach out to a trusted person. Your safety is worth more than anything else.
These stories are a chilling reminder of how dangerous relationships can become when boundaries are crossed. From stalkers to break-ins, these experiences have left lasting scars, but they’ve also taught me the importance of standing up for myself and seeking help when things feel wrong. If you’ve ever been in a similar situation, know that you’re not alone—and it’s never too late to take back control of your life.