August 7, 2025 • 28 mins
In this gripping episode of "Boundaries and Betrayals: Personal Hauntings in Professional Life," we delve into the haunting realities that unfold when personal pasts collide with professional responsibilities. This podcast explores the chilling experiences of a paramedic who finds himself caught in a web of obsession, deceit, and digital intrusion. Through harrowing tales of emergency calls turned personal confrontations, relentless harassment, and the terrifying discovery of secretly planted tracking devices, this episode shines a spotlight on the importance of maintaining boundaries and trusting instincts in the face of unseen dangers. It serves as a stark reminder of the repercussions of unchecked obsession and misuse of emergency services. Join us for this riveting journey, as we navigate through a series of personal hauntings in professional life.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Life is a paramedic in Austin, Texas is tough, but
it's a rewarding job. The long hours and high pressure
calls can take a toll, but there's a satisfaction that
comes with helping people on what might be the worst
day of their lives. I thrive on that sense of purpose.
It's not always dramatic rescues. Sometimes it's just a scared
(00:29):
kid who fell off their bike or an elderly person
who needs a lift back into their chair. Every call
is different, which is what I've always loved about it.
But this one call changed how I see my work forever.
I'd met Natalie two years before at a barbecue hosted
by a mutual friend. She was vibrant, outgoing, and had
(00:51):
a way of making everyone around her feel like they
were the most interesting person in the room. We clicked instantly.
She loved hearing about my job, saying it was amazing
how I could stay calm under pressure. For a while,
things were great, but over time Pracks started to show.
Natalie's energy turned into a need for constant attention. She
(01:14):
hated the unpredictable hours of my job and resented how
often I was on call. She'd get upset if I
missed dinner plans or was too exhausted to go out.
The disagreements became a regular thing, and it was clear
we wanted different things.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
The breakup wasn't pretty.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
She accused me of prioritizing strangers over her, of caring
more about my job than our relationship. She wasn't entirely wrong,
but her intensity made it impossible to have a calm conversation.
When I finally told her it was over, she stormed
out of my apartment, slamming the door behind her.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
I thought that was the end of it, but I
couldn't have been more wrong.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
It was one of those blazing hot June days, and
my partner Tim and I were midway through a double shift.
The calls had been steady all day, eat stroke cases,
a minor car accident, the usual summer chaos in Austin.
Just after four pm, we got a dispatch for a
woman in her thirties experiencing chest pains at an apartment complex.
(02:15):
It didn't seem urgent, but chest pain is one of
those things you don't mess around with. We arrived at
the scene within minutes, parking in front of a modest
brick building. As I grabbed the medical bag, Tim looked
at the notes on his tablet. Patient's name is Natalie,
thirty two years old. The name didn't register at first,
(02:37):
Natalie is a common name, after all, But as we
approached the door and I heard her voice calling out,
come in, I stopped in my tracks. Wait, I said,
turning to Tim, I think I know her. Tim raised
an eyebrow.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
You sure.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Pushing open the door, I found Natalie sitting on the couch,
clutching her chest and breathing heavily. She looked up at
me with wide, tear filled eyes. She gasped, thank God
you're here. My feelings were a jumbled mess. Confused, annoyed,
and oddly apprehensive. Natalie, what's going on? I asked, trying
to keep it professional. It started this morning, she said,
(03:16):
her voice quivering. This pressure in my chest. I thought
it would go away, but it just keeps getting worse.
Tim stepped in, asking her a series of routine questions.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
While I checked her vitals.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Everything looked normal, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels. There
was no sign of a medical emergency. We should transport
you to the hospital for further evaluation. Tim said, that's
when Natalie's attitude changed. No, she said, firmly, sitting up straighter.
I don't need to go to the hospital. I just
(03:48):
I needed to see Clay. Tim froze, looking between us.
I'll give you to a minute, he muttered, stepping outside.
I stayed where I was, gripping the medical bag. Natalie,
you called nine to one one, I said, keeping my
voice as calm as possible.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
This is an emergency line.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
You can't use it to to what? She interrupted, To
talk to you, to get your attention. You've been ignoring me, Clay.
I didn't know what else to do. I couldn't believe
what I was hearing. Natalie, do you have any idea
how dangerous this is? You're tying up resources that could
be used for someone who's actually in trouble.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
She leaned forward.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
You don't get it. I've been miserable since you left.
You just walked away like I didn't mean anything to you.
How could you do that? I shook my head, trying
to focus. Natalie, how did you even know i'd be
the one to show up. There's no way to guarantee
I didn't, she admitted, cutting me off, but I knew
it was possible.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
I know your shifts, Clay, I know when you're working.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
I figured if I said it was serious enough, they'd
send someone quickly, and maybe it'd be you.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Her words hit me like a punch.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
She had used the nine one one system as a
gam risking lives just for a chance to force a conversation.
The recklessness of it left me momentarily speechless. Natalie, do
you hear yourself. You're gambling with people's lives, real emergencies,
just because you want to talk to me. That's not okay,
that's dangerous. You left me with nothing, Clay. I didn't
(05:20):
have a choice, she said. I couldn't believe what I
was hearing. Her obsession had pushed her to a point
where consequences didn't matter anymore, and I realized just how
far she was willing to go.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
I felt trapped here.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
I was in my professional capacity, trying to handle a
situation that had nothing to do with medicine and everything
to do with Natalie's obsession. The conversation escalated quickly. Natalie's
tears turned into anger as she accused me of abandoning her,
of never truly loving her. I tried to keep calm,
reminding her that this was not the time or place
(05:54):
for this discussion. You can't just walk away, she said,
her voice rising answers, I deserve closure. You need to
talk to someone Natalie, A therapist maybe, but not me.
Her expression changed, and for a moment I thought she
might lash out physically. Instead, she leaned back against the couch,
(06:15):
her tears returning. You'll regret this, she whispered. When I
got back to the ambulance, Tim was waiting with a
look of pure discomfort. So that was something, he said, Yeah,
I muttered, slamming the door shut. Back at the station,
I reported the incident to my supervisor. They flagged the
(06:39):
call in the system and advised me to file a
personal report in case she tried to contact me again.
Weeks later, I still couldn't rid myself of the apprehension.
Mutual friends told me she had been asking about me
showing up at places she knew I might be. One
friend even mentioned she'd started posting indirect messages on social
(06:59):
media via clearly aimed at me. The whole experience was
a wake up call. Natalie's actions weren't just manipulative, they
were dangerous. She abused an emergency service to force a confrontation,
putting other lives at risk in the process. As paramedics
were trained to handle medical crises, but no one prepares
(07:19):
you for the emotional toll of something like this. It
made me realize how vulnerable we can be, both on
and off the job. To anyone in my field or
any profession where personal boundaries can blur. Take situations like
this seriously, protect yourself, set boundaries, and never underestimate how
far someone might go to regain control. After a rough breakup,
(07:51):
the idea of starting over with someone new felt daunting,
but after almost one year, I was finally ready to
move on.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Her name was and we hit it off instantly.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
She was warm, easy going, and had this infectious laugh
that made everything feel lighter. For the first time in months,
I was excited about the future as a fitness trainer,
trying to make the most of it. I worked long
hours almost every day, so having someone who brought calm
and balance to my life was refreshing. We spent our
(08:24):
first few weeks together going on hikes, trying out new restaurants,
and just enjoying each other's company. Things were going well
until the message came. It was a Tuesday evening and
I had just wrapped up a session with a client.
My phone buzzed and I looked at the screen. It
was a text from my ex, Megan, be careful. Two words,
(08:48):
that's all it said. I stared at the message, not
knowing whether to feel confused or annoyed. Megan and I
had ended things a year ago, and while it wasn't
the cleanest break, we'd managed to part ways without any
major drama. At least that's what I thought. I hadn't
heard from her since, and the suddenness of.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
The message threw me off.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
I showed it to Jenna that night, and she just
shrugged like it wasn't a big deal, Probably just her
being petty, She said, don't let it bother you.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
I agreed.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Megan had always been a little dramatic, so I figured
this was her way of trying to get under my skin.
I blocked her number and didn't give it another thought.
But now I wish I'd paid more attention. A week later,
I walked out to my car after a late shift
at the gym to find.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Two of my tires slashed.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
At first, I thought it was random vandalism, maybe some
teenagers messing around but then three days later I found
the same thing had happened again, this time in the
parking lot outside Jenna's apartment. Do you think it's Megan,
Jenna asked. I wanted to say no, but the coincidences
were piling up. I shook my head, trying to dismiss
(10:07):
the thought.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
I mean, she'd have to know where we are. That's
a lot of effort just to mess with me. But
the discomfort was only getting stronger. I started paying more
attention to my surroundings, always looking back when heading to
my car and securing the doors at night. Jenna teased
me for overreacting, but something about the situation didn't feel right.
(10:31):
Things took a darker turn when my phone started acting strange.
It began with little glitches, apps crashing, random restarts, but
then I noticed something far more unsettling. Messages between Jenna
and me had been deleted and new ones appeared that
I hadn't sent. One of the fake messages was chilling,
You're not safe with me. I immediately showed it to Jenna,
(10:54):
who looked just as freaked out as I felt. Who's
doing this? She asked, I don't know, but I'm going
to find out. I took my phone to a client
who's pretty skilled with tech stuff, and he confirmed what
I suspected. Someone had hacked into it. The access point
traced back to Meghan's email, which made my stomach churn.
(11:16):
She had gone from sending cryptic texts to actively invading
my life. The breaking point came two weeks later. Jenna
and I were grabbing lunch at an outdoor cafe when
I saw her, Meghan, standing across the street. She was
just staring, her arms crossed, a slight smirk on her face.
I froze, unsure of what to do.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Is that her? Jenna asked, following my gaze. Yeah, I muttered.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Before I could decide how to handle it, Meghan started
walking toward us. She didn't stop until she was right
in front of our table. So this is the new girlfriend,
she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Meghan, leave, I said, firmly,
trying to stay calm, but she ignored me, turning her
attention to Jenna. You should know he's not who you
(12:04):
think he is, she said, her voice rising. He'll leave
you just like he left me. You're wasting your time. Meghan, stop.
I said, standing up, This isn't the place for this,
but she kept going, shouting accusations and insults until other
patrons started staring. Jenna looked terrified, and it made my
(12:24):
anger flare up instantly. That's enough, I said, stepping between them.
Meghan's face transformed into a look that was nearly alien
to me. You think you can just walk away from
me after everything we've been through, she spat.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
You don't get to move on like this.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
The a tension peaked when Meghan grabbed Jenna's arm, trying
to pull her away from the table.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
That was the final straw.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
I called the police, and within minutes two officers arrived
to de escalate the scene. Meghan tried to play the victim,
claiming I had led her on and that she was
just trying to talk, but the officers weren't buying it.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
After hearing our.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Side of the story and reviewing the messages on my phone,
they took her into custody for harassment. Watching her get
handcuffed was a surreal moment. I couldn't decide whether to
feel relieved or sad.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
It was a bit of both.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
This was someone I had cared about once, someone I
thought I knew now she was a stranger, a dangerous one.
The weeks following the confrontation were tense. Jenna and I
changed our routines, avoided places Megan might know, and I
even bought a new cell phone and changed to a
completely different number. While the restraining order helped, the emotional
(13:42):
toll stayed with me. Every time my phone buzzed or
I heard a knock at the door, I felt a
sudden knot of anxiety in my chest. Jenna tried to
stay strong, but I could see how much it had
shaken her. Do you think she'll come back, she asked
one night. I don't know, I admitted, but we're going
to be ready if she does. Looking back, I wish
(14:05):
I had taken Megan's first message more seriously. Be careful
seemed cryptic at the time, but it was a warning,
a glimpse into the length she was willing to go
to maintain control. This experience taught me that ignoring red flags,
even small ones, can have serious consequences. People don't always
let go as easily as you hope, and when emotions
(14:28):
turn into obsession, the results can be dangerous to anyone
who can relate to this trust your instincts and never
underestimate what someone is capable of. When they can't let go,
your safety isn't worth the risk. Breaking up with Sean
(14:51):
was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. We
had been together for three years, and for most of
that time he seemed perfect. He was thoughtful, charming, and
always knew how to make me laugh. But over time
I started to see another side of him, possessive, controlling,
and overly intense. The arguments became more frequent, and his
(15:12):
tendency to hold onto grudges started to weigh on me.
I knew I couldn't stay in the relationship any longer.
At first, it felt like a mature breakup. Sean didn't
yell or argue. Instead, he just said quietly, I understand,
I want you to be happy. I remember feeling relieved
as I left his apartment that day, thinking I had
(15:33):
avoided the drama that so often a company's breakups. I
didn't see it then, but now I know his calmness
wasn't acceptance. It was a mask for something far more sinister.
About two weeks after the breakup, I was at work
wrapping up a meeting when the receptionist called to let
me know I had a package waiting at the front desk.
I wasn't expecting anything, but the idea of a surprise
(15:56):
brightened my day. The box was small, wrap neatly in
brown paper, with no return address. Inside I found a
framed photo of Sean and me from a vacation we
took to Cape Cod the previous summer. Alongside it was
a handwritten.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Note or the Good Times.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
At first I thought it was sweet, albeit a little odd.
I assumed Sean was just feeling sentimental and trying to
process our breakup. I didn't think much of it and
placed the frame in a drawer, deciding not to respond.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
The next package arrived at my apartment a week later.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
This time it was a long, rectangular box, like the
ones florists used for bouquets. I opened it expecting to
find flowers, but what I found made my stomach turn.
The box contained a dozen dead roses, their petals blackened
and crumbling.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Beneath them was a.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Note written in Sean's unmistakable handwriting, this is what happens
when love dies. I stood there, completely paralyzed, not knowing
what to do. My first instinct was to call him,
but something stopped me. His note didn't feel like an
apology or an attempt to reconcile. It felt like a
statement one meant to unsettle me, and it worked. By
(17:11):
this point, I was definitely a little on edge. Every
knock at the door, every unexpected package made my heart's skip.
I began to avoid Sean's usual hangouts, worried i'd run
into him. Then another package arrived, this time left directly
on my doorstep. It was a small box, unmarked and
taped shut. Inside was a folded piece of paper, thicker
(17:34):
than the others he'd sent. Unfolding it, I realized it
was a list titled things I Loved about You. At
first look, the entries seemed sweet. Your laugh, the way
you care about others, your determination at work.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
But as I read on, I noticed.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
Several entries had been violently crossed out. Some were replaced
with angry annotations, your laugh too loud sometimes, the way
you care about others but not me, and your determination
at work more like obsession. My hands were shaking by
the time I got to the final entry, how you
(18:09):
belonged to me Unlike the others, this one wasn't crossed out.
It was circled over and over again, as if to
emphasize its importance. I started keeping my blinds shut, and
I even asked my landlord to install a security camera
above the entrance to my apartment. One night, I got
home late from work and noticed a shadow near the
(18:29):
parking lot. My nerves flared as I struggled with my
keys to open the door as fast as I could.
By the time I looked out the window, the shadow
was gone, but the fear wasn't. I considered reporting it,
but how would it sound Complaining about a few creepy
deliveries from my ex it didn't feel like enough to
warrant a report.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Instead, I confided in a.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Coworker who offered to walk me to my car after
work and check in regularly. His support helped, but it
didn't take away the growing sense of dread. The final
package arrived a month after the breakup. It was left
on my doorstep, again, despite the security camera. When I
checked the footage later, all I saw was a hooded
(19:13):
figure approaching my door, the grainy video offering no clues
about the person's identity. The box was heavier than the others,
and when I opened it, my breath caught in my throat.
Inside was an empty picture frame. The glass was spotless,
the edges polished, but there was no photo. Tucked inside
was a single piece of paper with a message that
(19:34):
chilled me to my core. Now you have nothing. I
called the police that night. The officer who came to
my apartment listened patiently as I explained everything, the packages,
the notes, the shadow near my parking lot.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
He filed a.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
Report and advised me to get a restraining order. It's
better to take action now before things escalate, he said.
Getting the restraining order was a complicated process, but it
gave me a small sense of control. Sean denied everything
when the police questioned him, claiming I was overreacting. I
was just trying to be thoughtful, he said, but his
(20:13):
words didn't match his actions. I changed my locks, and
for weeks I avoided going out alone, always feeling.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Like he was just around the corner.
Speaker 1 (20:24):
I often think about the packages, wondering what Shawn's true
intentions were. Were they meant to scare me, manipulate me,
or were they simply the actions of someone who couldn't
let go. Whatever the reason, they served as proof of
how quickly, love can turn into something threatening. When something
doesn't feel right, take it seriously, because sometimes the people
(20:47):
we think we know best are the ones we should
fear the most. When my relationship with Ethan ended, I
thought I could finally move on. We'd been together for
two years, and while things were fine at first, our
differences became too much. I wanted stability, he thrived on unpredictability.
(21:12):
Our breakup in March was amicable, or at least that's
what I believed. We talked, cried a little, and wished
each other well. But looking back, I realize now how
much I missed in those final moments. Life after the
breakup wasn't easy, but as a middle school teacher, I
had plenty to keep me busy. By April, I was
(21:33):
starting to feel normal again. I'd settled into a routine
of grading papers at coffee shops, going for evening bike rides,
and catching up with friends. That sense of normalcy was
shattered one afternoon when I noticed something odd. I was
at a coffee shop pulling my laptop out of my
bag when a small black square fell out onto the table.
(21:54):
At first I thought it was a USB drive or
some gadget from one of my students. But the longer
I looked at it, the more I realized I didn't
recognize it.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
It was sleek and glossy, with no markings.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
It didn't seem like anything worth keeping, so I tossed
it in the trash and moved on. A few days later,
I spotted something similar. I was locking up my bike
outside the grocery store when I noticed a small device
clipped underneath the seat. It looked almost identical to the
first one, same black casing, same size. I had a
sinking feeling, but I reasoned it away as a coincidence,
(22:29):
maybe it.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Had been stuck there by accident.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
But as I rode home that day, I felt the
creeping sense of unease growing. No matter how much I
tried to ignore it, two identical gadgets appearing out of nowhere.
It didn't feel right at all. Weeks passed, and the
strange occurrences no longer seem to matter. That is until
my car started making a rattling noise. I took it
(22:54):
to a mechanic, expecting to hear it was a loose
bolt or something minor. Instead, he walked into the waiting
area holding another one of those devices.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Found this under your bumper, he said, handing it to me.
It's a GPS tracker.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
I stared at him, my brain struggling to process his words.
A tracker, I repeated, Yeah, these are pretty common. People
use them for fleet vehicles or other reasons. I felt
like the floor had been pulled out from under me.
Someone was tracking my car. I thanked him, stuffed the
device into my pocket, and drove home. My mind wouldn't
(23:29):
stop racing the entire way. Who would do this? Was
it Ethan? The thought felt absurd. He'd always been calm,
even during fights. But then again, who else could it be.
By the time I got home, I was spiraling. I
started tearing through my belongings, searching for anything that didn't belong.
(23:50):
My purse, my gym bag, my jackets. Everything was a
potential hiding place. And then I found it. Another tracker
sewn into the lining of my backpack. The stitching was sloppy,
like someone had done it in a hurry. My heart
pounded as I stared at the tiny device. This wasn't
a coincidence. Someone was deliberately tracking me. I couldn't sleep.
(24:12):
I kept checking the locks on my doors and windows,
convinced that someone was outside watching. The idea that Ethan
might be behind this started to feel less absurd. He
knew my routines, my favorite places, even where I parked
my car. I decided to confront him. I needed answers
and I couldn't live with this paranoia any longer. I
(24:35):
called him and made sure to sound natural. Hey, Ethan,
can we talk? Something weird has been happening and I
just want to clear the air. He agreed to meet
me at a park we used to go to. The
sun was setting when I arrived. Ethan was already there,
leaning against a bench with his hands in his pockets.
I didn't waste time with pleasantries. I've been finding tracking devices,
(24:57):
I said, in my bag, on my car, even my backpack.
Do you know anything about this? His reaction was a
mix of surprise and defensiveness. What no, why would I
do that? I stared at him, searching his face for
any sign of deception. Ethan, I'm not stupid. Who else
would do this? His hesitation was clear, his eyes darting away.
(25:18):
I just I wanted to make sure you were safe,
he admitted. Finally, you're out there alone now, and I
didn't want anything to happen to you. I was consumed
by anger and disbelief. You think stalking me is keeping
me safe? Do you even hear yourself? He tried to
justify it, saying he hadn't meant any harm, that he
was just looking out for me, But his words only
(25:41):
made me angrier. I told him to stay away from me,
to never contact me again. The next day, I filed
a police report and started the process of getting a
restraining order. The officers were sympathetic, but honest, these cases
can be tough to prove. One of them said, even
with a restraining order, there's no guarantee he'll stop. I
(26:05):
informed my closest neighbors about the restraining order against Ethan,
asking them to call the police if they saw him
near our building. I even started parking my car in
different spots, trying to make myself harder to track. But
no matter what I did, I still felt like he
was watching me. Every time I left the house, I'd
check my surroundings, looking for anything or anyone out of place.
(26:29):
For the next week, I noticed a car parked on
a street near my apartment that looked a lot like his.
It wasn't parked there every day, and sometimes it would
be gone by the time I got home. But when
I did see it, my stomach twisted into knots. I'm
not great with cars, so I couldn't say for sure
if it was his, but the resemblance was enough to
(26:51):
keep me on edge. Every time I spotted it, I'd
hurry inside and make sure that my doors and windows
were locked. As the weeks went by, I stopped seeing
the car altogether. Maybe it was never his to begin with,
or maybe he'd finally moved on. Either way, the paranoias
seeped into every aspect of my life. I stopped going
(27:13):
to the coffee shop, stop biking to the grocery store.
I even started taking different routes to work, hoping to
throw off anyone who might be following me. Even after
all this time, I'm still paranoid enough to check my
bags and car for trackers. I've learned to take precautions,
but the experience has left scars. I can't ignore. The
(27:35):
people we think we know best can sometimes be the
ones we should fear the most. Trust that little voice
in your head. Sometimes it's the only thing keeping you safe.
If these chilling stories kept you on the edge, of
your seat. Don't forget to hit that like button and
share this video with your friends who.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
Love a good scare.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Make sure to subscribe and turn on notification so you
never miss our next terrifying upload. Have your own story
about a crazy X, drop it in the comments or
email me. I'd love to feature it in a future video.
Remember to stay safe and always trust your gut when
something feels off. Thanks for watching and I'll see you
(28:19):
in the next nightmare
Life is a paramedic in Austin, Texas is tough, but
it's a rewarding job. The long hours and high pressure
calls can take a toll, but there's a satisfaction that
comes with helping people on what might be the worst
day of their lives. I thrive on that sense of purpose.
It's not always dramatic rescues. Sometimes it's just a scared
(00:29):
kid who fell off their bike or an elderly person
who needs a lift back into their chair. Every call
is different, which is what I've always loved about it.
But this one call changed how I see my work forever.
I'd met Natalie two years before at a barbecue hosted
by a mutual friend. She was vibrant, outgoing, and had
(00:51):
a way of making everyone around her feel like they
were the most interesting person in the room. We clicked instantly.
She loved hearing about my job, saying it was amazing
how I could stay calm under pressure. For a while,
things were great, but over time Pracks started to show.
Natalie's energy turned into a need for constant attention. She
(01:14):
hated the unpredictable hours of my job and resented how
often I was on call. She'd get upset if I
missed dinner plans or was too exhausted to go out.
The disagreements became a regular thing, and it was clear
we wanted different things.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
The breakup wasn't pretty.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
She accused me of prioritizing strangers over her, of caring
more about my job than our relationship. She wasn't entirely wrong,
but her intensity made it impossible to have a calm conversation.
When I finally told her it was over, she stormed
out of my apartment, slamming the door behind her.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
I thought that was the end of it, but I
couldn't have been more wrong.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
It was one of those blazing hot June days, and
my partner Tim and I were midway through a double shift.
The calls had been steady all day, eat stroke cases,
a minor car accident, the usual summer chaos in Austin.
Just after four pm, we got a dispatch for a
woman in her thirties experiencing chest pains at an apartment complex.
(02:15):
It didn't seem urgent, but chest pain is one of
those things you don't mess around with. We arrived at
the scene within minutes, parking in front of a modest
brick building. As I grabbed the medical bag, Tim looked
at the notes on his tablet. Patient's name is Natalie,
thirty two years old. The name didn't register at first,
(02:37):
Natalie is a common name, after all, But as we
approached the door and I heard her voice calling out,
come in, I stopped in my tracks. Wait, I said,
turning to Tim, I think I know her. Tim raised
an eyebrow.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
You sure.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Pushing open the door, I found Natalie sitting on the couch,
clutching her chest and breathing heavily. She looked up at
me with wide, tear filled eyes. She gasped, thank God
you're here. My feelings were a jumbled mess. Confused, annoyed,
and oddly apprehensive. Natalie, what's going on? I asked, trying
to keep it professional. It started this morning, she said,
(03:16):
her voice quivering. This pressure in my chest. I thought
it would go away, but it just keeps getting worse.
Tim stepped in, asking her a series of routine questions.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
While I checked her vitals.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Everything looked normal, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels. There
was no sign of a medical emergency. We should transport
you to the hospital for further evaluation. Tim said, that's
when Natalie's attitude changed. No, she said, firmly, sitting up straighter.
I don't need to go to the hospital. I just
(03:48):
I needed to see Clay. Tim froze, looking between us.
I'll give you to a minute, he muttered, stepping outside.
I stayed where I was, gripping the medical bag. Natalie,
you called nine to one one, I said, keeping my
voice as calm as possible.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
This is an emergency line.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
You can't use it to to what? She interrupted, To
talk to you, to get your attention. You've been ignoring me, Clay.
I didn't know what else to do. I couldn't believe
what I was hearing. Natalie, do you have any idea
how dangerous this is? You're tying up resources that could
be used for someone who's actually in trouble.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
She leaned forward.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
You don't get it. I've been miserable since you left.
You just walked away like I didn't mean anything to you.
How could you do that? I shook my head, trying
to focus. Natalie, how did you even know i'd be
the one to show up. There's no way to guarantee
I didn't, she admitted, cutting me off, but I knew
it was possible.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
I know your shifts, Clay, I know when you're working.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
I figured if I said it was serious enough, they'd
send someone quickly, and maybe it'd be you.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Her words hit me like a punch.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
She had used the nine one one system as a
gam risking lives just for a chance to force a conversation.
The recklessness of it left me momentarily speechless. Natalie, do
you hear yourself. You're gambling with people's lives, real emergencies,
just because you want to talk to me. That's not okay,
that's dangerous. You left me with nothing, Clay. I didn't
(05:20):
have a choice, she said. I couldn't believe what I
was hearing. Her obsession had pushed her to a point
where consequences didn't matter anymore, and I realized just how
far she was willing to go.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
I felt trapped here.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
I was in my professional capacity, trying to handle a
situation that had nothing to do with medicine and everything
to do with Natalie's obsession. The conversation escalated quickly. Natalie's
tears turned into anger as she accused me of abandoning her,
of never truly loving her. I tried to keep calm,
reminding her that this was not the time or place
(05:54):
for this discussion. You can't just walk away, she said,
her voice rising answers, I deserve closure. You need to
talk to someone Natalie, A therapist maybe, but not me.
Her expression changed, and for a moment I thought she
might lash out physically. Instead, she leaned back against the couch,
(06:15):
her tears returning. You'll regret this, she whispered. When I
got back to the ambulance, Tim was waiting with a
look of pure discomfort. So that was something, he said, Yeah,
I muttered, slamming the door shut. Back at the station,
I reported the incident to my supervisor. They flagged the
(06:39):
call in the system and advised me to file a
personal report in case she tried to contact me again.
Weeks later, I still couldn't rid myself of the apprehension.
Mutual friends told me she had been asking about me
showing up at places she knew I might be. One
friend even mentioned she'd started posting indirect messages on social
(06:59):
media via clearly aimed at me. The whole experience was
a wake up call. Natalie's actions weren't just manipulative, they
were dangerous. She abused an emergency service to force a confrontation,
putting other lives at risk in the process. As paramedics
were trained to handle medical crises, but no one prepares
(07:19):
you for the emotional toll of something like this. It
made me realize how vulnerable we can be, both on
and off the job. To anyone in my field or
any profession where personal boundaries can blur. Take situations like
this seriously, protect yourself, set boundaries, and never underestimate how
far someone might go to regain control. After a rough breakup,
(07:51):
the idea of starting over with someone new felt daunting,
but after almost one year, I was finally ready to
move on.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Her name was and we hit it off instantly.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
She was warm, easy going, and had this infectious laugh
that made everything feel lighter. For the first time in months,
I was excited about the future as a fitness trainer,
trying to make the most of it. I worked long
hours almost every day, so having someone who brought calm
and balance to my life was refreshing. We spent our
(08:24):
first few weeks together going on hikes, trying out new restaurants,
and just enjoying each other's company. Things were going well
until the message came. It was a Tuesday evening and
I had just wrapped up a session with a client.
My phone buzzed and I looked at the screen. It
was a text from my ex, Megan, be careful. Two words,
(08:48):
that's all it said. I stared at the message, not
knowing whether to feel confused or annoyed. Megan and I
had ended things a year ago, and while it wasn't
the cleanest break, we'd managed to part ways without any
major drama. At least that's what I thought. I hadn't
heard from her since, and the suddenness of.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
The message threw me off.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
I showed it to Jenna that night, and she just
shrugged like it wasn't a big deal, Probably just her
being petty, She said, don't let it bother you.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
I agreed.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Megan had always been a little dramatic, so I figured
this was her way of trying to get under my skin.
I blocked her number and didn't give it another thought.
But now I wish I'd paid more attention. A week later,
I walked out to my car after a late shift
at the gym to find.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Two of my tires slashed.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
At first, I thought it was random vandalism, maybe some
teenagers messing around but then three days later I found
the same thing had happened again, this time in the
parking lot outside Jenna's apartment. Do you think it's Megan,
Jenna asked. I wanted to say no, but the coincidences
were piling up. I shook my head, trying to dismiss
(10:07):
the thought.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
I mean, she'd have to know where we are. That's
a lot of effort just to mess with me. But
the discomfort was only getting stronger. I started paying more
attention to my surroundings, always looking back when heading to
my car and securing the doors at night. Jenna teased
me for overreacting, but something about the situation didn't feel right.
(10:31):
Things took a darker turn when my phone started acting strange.
It began with little glitches, apps crashing, random restarts, but
then I noticed something far more unsettling. Messages between Jenna
and me had been deleted and new ones appeared that
I hadn't sent. One of the fake messages was chilling,
You're not safe with me. I immediately showed it to Jenna,
(10:54):
who looked just as freaked out as I felt. Who's
doing this? She asked, I don't know, but I'm going
to find out. I took my phone to a client
who's pretty skilled with tech stuff, and he confirmed what
I suspected. Someone had hacked into it. The access point
traced back to Meghan's email, which made my stomach churn.
(11:16):
She had gone from sending cryptic texts to actively invading
my life. The breaking point came two weeks later. Jenna
and I were grabbing lunch at an outdoor cafe when
I saw her, Meghan, standing across the street. She was
just staring, her arms crossed, a slight smirk on her face.
I froze, unsure of what to do.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Is that her? Jenna asked, following my gaze. Yeah, I muttered.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Before I could decide how to handle it, Meghan started
walking toward us. She didn't stop until she was right
in front of our table. So this is the new girlfriend,
she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Meghan, leave, I said, firmly,
trying to stay calm, but she ignored me, turning her
attention to Jenna. You should know he's not who you
(12:04):
think he is, she said, her voice rising. He'll leave
you just like he left me. You're wasting your time. Meghan, stop.
I said, standing up, This isn't the place for this,
but she kept going, shouting accusations and insults until other
patrons started staring. Jenna looked terrified, and it made my
(12:24):
anger flare up instantly. That's enough, I said, stepping between them.
Meghan's face transformed into a look that was nearly alien
to me. You think you can just walk away from
me after everything we've been through, she spat.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
You don't get to move on like this.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
The a tension peaked when Meghan grabbed Jenna's arm, trying
to pull her away from the table.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
That was the final straw.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
I called the police, and within minutes two officers arrived
to de escalate the scene. Meghan tried to play the victim,
claiming I had led her on and that she was
just trying to talk, but the officers weren't buying it.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
After hearing our.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Side of the story and reviewing the messages on my phone,
they took her into custody for harassment. Watching her get
handcuffed was a surreal moment. I couldn't decide whether to
feel relieved or sad.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
It was a bit of both.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
This was someone I had cared about once, someone I
thought I knew now she was a stranger, a dangerous one.
The weeks following the confrontation were tense. Jenna and I
changed our routines, avoided places Megan might know, and I
even bought a new cell phone and changed to a
completely different number. While the restraining order helped, the emotional
(13:42):
toll stayed with me. Every time my phone buzzed or
I heard a knock at the door, I felt a
sudden knot of anxiety in my chest. Jenna tried to
stay strong, but I could see how much it had
shaken her. Do you think she'll come back, she asked
one night. I don't know, I admitted, but we're going
to be ready if she does. Looking back, I wish
(14:05):
I had taken Megan's first message more seriously. Be careful
seemed cryptic at the time, but it was a warning,
a glimpse into the length she was willing to go
to maintain control. This experience taught me that ignoring red flags,
even small ones, can have serious consequences. People don't always
let go as easily as you hope, and when emotions
(14:28):
turn into obsession, the results can be dangerous to anyone
who can relate to this trust your instincts and never
underestimate what someone is capable of. When they can't let go,
your safety isn't worth the risk. Breaking up with Sean
(14:51):
was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. We
had been together for three years, and for most of
that time he seemed perfect. He was thoughtful, charming, and
always knew how to make me laugh. But over time
I started to see another side of him, possessive, controlling,
and overly intense. The arguments became more frequent, and his
(15:12):
tendency to hold onto grudges started to weigh on me.
I knew I couldn't stay in the relationship any longer.
At first, it felt like a mature breakup. Sean didn't
yell or argue. Instead, he just said quietly, I understand,
I want you to be happy. I remember feeling relieved
as I left his apartment that day, thinking I had
(15:33):
avoided the drama that so often a company's breakups. I
didn't see it then, but now I know his calmness
wasn't acceptance. It was a mask for something far more sinister.
About two weeks after the breakup, I was at work
wrapping up a meeting when the receptionist called to let
me know I had a package waiting at the front desk.
I wasn't expecting anything, but the idea of a surprise
(15:56):
brightened my day. The box was small, wrap neatly in
brown paper, with no return address. Inside I found a
framed photo of Sean and me from a vacation we
took to Cape Cod the previous summer. Alongside it was
a handwritten.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Note or the Good Times.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
At first I thought it was sweet, albeit a little odd.
I assumed Sean was just feeling sentimental and trying to
process our breakup. I didn't think much of it and
placed the frame in a drawer, deciding not to respond.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
The next package arrived at my apartment a week later.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
This time it was a long, rectangular box, like the
ones florists used for bouquets. I opened it expecting to
find flowers, but what I found made my stomach turn.
The box contained a dozen dead roses, their petals blackened
and crumbling.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Beneath them was a.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Note written in Sean's unmistakable handwriting, this is what happens
when love dies. I stood there, completely paralyzed, not knowing
what to do. My first instinct was to call him,
but something stopped me. His note didn't feel like an
apology or an attempt to reconcile. It felt like a
statement one meant to unsettle me, and it worked. By
(17:11):
this point, I was definitely a little on edge. Every
knock at the door, every unexpected package made my heart's skip.
I began to avoid Sean's usual hangouts, worried i'd run
into him. Then another package arrived, this time left directly
on my doorstep. It was a small box, unmarked and
taped shut. Inside was a folded piece of paper, thicker
(17:34):
than the others he'd sent. Unfolding it, I realized it
was a list titled things I Loved about You. At
first look, the entries seemed sweet. Your laugh, the way
you care about others, your determination at work.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
But as I read on, I noticed.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
Several entries had been violently crossed out. Some were replaced
with angry annotations, your laugh too loud sometimes, the way
you care about others but not me, and your determination
at work more like obsession. My hands were shaking by
the time I got to the final entry, how you
(18:09):
belonged to me Unlike the others, this one wasn't crossed out.
It was circled over and over again, as if to
emphasize its importance. I started keeping my blinds shut, and
I even asked my landlord to install a security camera
above the entrance to my apartment. One night, I got
home late from work and noticed a shadow near the
(18:29):
parking lot. My nerves flared as I struggled with my
keys to open the door as fast as I could.
By the time I looked out the window, the shadow
was gone, but the fear wasn't. I considered reporting it,
but how would it sound Complaining about a few creepy
deliveries from my ex it didn't feel like enough to
warrant a report.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Instead, I confided in a.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Coworker who offered to walk me to my car after
work and check in regularly. His support helped, but it
didn't take away the growing sense of dread. The final
package arrived a month after the breakup. It was left
on my doorstep, again, despite the security camera. When I
checked the footage later, all I saw was a hooded
(19:13):
figure approaching my door, the grainy video offering no clues
about the person's identity. The box was heavier than the others,
and when I opened it, my breath caught in my throat.
Inside was an empty picture frame. The glass was spotless,
the edges polished, but there was no photo. Tucked inside
was a single piece of paper with a message that
(19:34):
chilled me to my core. Now you have nothing. I
called the police that night. The officer who came to
my apartment listened patiently as I explained everything, the packages,
the notes, the shadow near my parking lot.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
He filed a.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
Report and advised me to get a restraining order. It's
better to take action now before things escalate, he said.
Getting the restraining order was a complicated process, but it
gave me a small sense of control. Sean denied everything
when the police questioned him, claiming I was overreacting. I
was just trying to be thoughtful, he said, but his
(20:13):
words didn't match his actions. I changed my locks, and
for weeks I avoided going out alone, always feeling.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Like he was just around the corner.
Speaker 1 (20:24):
I often think about the packages, wondering what Shawn's true
intentions were. Were they meant to scare me, manipulate me,
or were they simply the actions of someone who couldn't
let go. Whatever the reason, they served as proof of
how quickly, love can turn into something threatening. When something
doesn't feel right, take it seriously, because sometimes the people
(20:47):
we think we know best are the ones we should
fear the most. When my relationship with Ethan ended, I
thought I could finally move on. We'd been together for
two years, and while things were fine at first, our
differences became too much. I wanted stability, he thrived on unpredictability.
(21:12):
Our breakup in March was amicable, or at least that's
what I believed. We talked, cried a little, and wished
each other well. But looking back, I realize now how
much I missed in those final moments. Life after the
breakup wasn't easy, but as a middle school teacher, I
had plenty to keep me busy. By April, I was
(21:33):
starting to feel normal again. I'd settled into a routine
of grading papers at coffee shops, going for evening bike rides,
and catching up with friends. That sense of normalcy was
shattered one afternoon when I noticed something odd. I was
at a coffee shop pulling my laptop out of my
bag when a small black square fell out onto the table.
(21:54):
At first I thought it was a USB drive or
some gadget from one of my students. But the longer
I looked at it, the more I realized I didn't
recognize it.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
It was sleek and glossy, with no markings.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
It didn't seem like anything worth keeping, so I tossed
it in the trash and moved on. A few days later,
I spotted something similar. I was locking up my bike
outside the grocery store when I noticed a small device
clipped underneath the seat. It looked almost identical to the
first one, same black casing, same size. I had a
sinking feeling, but I reasoned it away as a coincidence,
(22:29):
maybe it.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Had been stuck there by accident.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
But as I rode home that day, I felt the
creeping sense of unease growing. No matter how much I
tried to ignore it, two identical gadgets appearing out of nowhere.
It didn't feel right at all. Weeks passed, and the
strange occurrences no longer seem to matter. That is until
my car started making a rattling noise. I took it
(22:54):
to a mechanic, expecting to hear it was a loose
bolt or something minor. Instead, he walked into the waiting
area holding another one of those devices.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Found this under your bumper, he said, handing it to me.
It's a GPS tracker.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
I stared at him, my brain struggling to process his words.
A tracker, I repeated, Yeah, these are pretty common. People
use them for fleet vehicles or other reasons. I felt
like the floor had been pulled out from under me.
Someone was tracking my car. I thanked him, stuffed the
device into my pocket, and drove home. My mind wouldn't
(23:29):
stop racing the entire way. Who would do this? Was
it Ethan? The thought felt absurd. He'd always been calm,
even during fights. But then again, who else could it be.
By the time I got home, I was spiraling. I
started tearing through my belongings, searching for anything that didn't belong.
(23:50):
My purse, my gym bag, my jackets. Everything was a
potential hiding place. And then I found it. Another tracker
sewn into the lining of my backpack. The stitching was sloppy,
like someone had done it in a hurry. My heart
pounded as I stared at the tiny device. This wasn't
a coincidence. Someone was deliberately tracking me. I couldn't sleep.
(24:12):
I kept checking the locks on my doors and windows,
convinced that someone was outside watching. The idea that Ethan
might be behind this started to feel less absurd. He
knew my routines, my favorite places, even where I parked
my car. I decided to confront him. I needed answers
and I couldn't live with this paranoia any longer. I
(24:35):
called him and made sure to sound natural. Hey, Ethan,
can we talk? Something weird has been happening and I
just want to clear the air. He agreed to meet
me at a park we used to go to. The
sun was setting when I arrived. Ethan was already there,
leaning against a bench with his hands in his pockets.
I didn't waste time with pleasantries. I've been finding tracking devices,
(24:57):
I said, in my bag, on my car, even my backpack.
Do you know anything about this? His reaction was a
mix of surprise and defensiveness. What no, why would I
do that? I stared at him, searching his face for
any sign of deception. Ethan, I'm not stupid. Who else
would do this? His hesitation was clear, his eyes darting away.
(25:18):
I just I wanted to make sure you were safe,
he admitted. Finally, you're out there alone now, and I
didn't want anything to happen to you. I was consumed
by anger and disbelief. You think stalking me is keeping
me safe? Do you even hear yourself? He tried to
justify it, saying he hadn't meant any harm, that he
was just looking out for me, But his words only
(25:41):
made me angrier. I told him to stay away from me,
to never contact me again. The next day, I filed
a police report and started the process of getting a
restraining order. The officers were sympathetic, but honest, these cases
can be tough to prove. One of them said, even
with a restraining order, there's no guarantee he'll stop. I
(26:05):
informed my closest neighbors about the restraining order against Ethan,
asking them to call the police if they saw him
near our building. I even started parking my car in
different spots, trying to make myself harder to track. But
no matter what I did, I still felt like he
was watching me. Every time I left the house, I'd
check my surroundings, looking for anything or anyone out of place.
(26:29):
For the next week, I noticed a car parked on
a street near my apartment that looked a lot like his.
It wasn't parked there every day, and sometimes it would
be gone by the time I got home. But when
I did see it, my stomach twisted into knots. I'm
not great with cars, so I couldn't say for sure
if it was his, but the resemblance was enough to
(26:51):
keep me on edge. Every time I spotted it, I'd
hurry inside and make sure that my doors and windows
were locked. As the weeks went by, I stopped seeing
the car altogether. Maybe it was never his to begin with,
or maybe he'd finally moved on. Either way, the paranoias
seeped into every aspect of my life. I stopped going
(27:13):
to the coffee shop, stop biking to the grocery store.
I even started taking different routes to work, hoping to
throw off anyone who might be following me. Even after
all this time, I'm still paranoid enough to check my
bags and car for trackers. I've learned to take precautions,
but the experience has left scars. I can't ignore. The
(27:35):
people we think we know best can sometimes be the
ones we should fear the most. Trust that little voice
in your head. Sometimes it's the only thing keeping you safe.
If these chilling stories kept you on the edge, of
your seat. Don't forget to hit that like button and
share this video with your friends who.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
Love a good scare.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Make sure to subscribe and turn on notification so you
never miss our next terrifying upload. Have your own story
about a crazy X, drop it in the comments or
email me. I'd love to feature it in a future video.
Remember to stay safe and always trust your gut when
something feels off. Thanks for watching and I'll see you
(28:19):
in the next nightmare
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