BRETT: For me, it’s all about intent. I have to show you why things happened the way they did. And the truth is, they wouldn’t have happened if Gage’s character wasn’t extremely appealing at first. I’d also ask the skeptics whether they’ve met anyone who’s endured narcissistic abuse. I think society still has this image of a villain that doesn’t jive with reality. Think about it—a serial killer doesn’t get away with their crimes because they look like Freddy with knives for fingers lurking in the bushes. They get away with it because they look like everyone else, maybe even better. They’re attractive, smart, charismatic, and they can blend in with their surroundings. But it’s hard to wrap our minds around it because we don’t want to believe we can be tricked.
TYLER: Hellooo, Ted Bundy, party of one…
SYDNEY: Isn’t that what frightens people—this concept that someone close to you can be so dark and you might never know it?
BRETT: And you know what’s worse? Sociopaths are notoriously good in bed.
(LAUGHTER)
SYDNEY: What?
TYLER: Seriously? Like, for real?
BRETT: Fact. It goes with the charade, to draw you in.
TYLER: Are you telling me I might’ve already slept with a serial killer?
BRETT: I didn’t say everyone who’s good in bed or even anyone who’s a sociopath is a serial killer!
TYLER: But how do I know? You have seriously complicated my life now.
SYDNEY: Let it be known that Brett Sorensen has single-handedly made Tyler reevaluate her entire personal life.
TYLER: You’re one to talk…
SYDNEY: Shhh-shut it! OK, we’re devolving—back on topic. Anyway, Brett, what you’re saying makes sense because if you could just pick out who’s dangerous and who’s not, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
BRETT: Exactly. So many abusers make it their mission to create this persona that the outside world sees, and it’s so carefully crafted that no one would believe otherwise! And it’s really hard to cut them loose because, when they sense you’re about to bounce, they can just flip the switch and be your best friend, the love of your life, or the best parent in the world, because that’s what you want to see. It’s psychological warfare. And it’s dirty.
SYDNEY: I think this is a good place to segue into my next question. I’ve heard from a few listeners that say this story sounds like it was written by someone who experienced it firsthand.
BRETT: Really?
TYLER: Based on a true story, one might say?
(LAUGHTER)
TYLER: Sorry, you knew what this was.
BRETT: I know, I know. Well, I think a lot of people can relate to these characters, whether they’ve seen it play out with loved ones or they themselves are survivors. The names are fictitious, but the events are real. This story can be written a million times over. I’m not the first, and I certainly won’t be the last.
SYDNEY: OK, so the characters are real…what about the smut?
TYLER: The smut!
BRETT: I already told you, the smut goes with the persona.
SYDNEY: So, will you name names?
BRETT: Sydney, you know I can’t answer that.
(LAUGHTER)
TYLER: That’s not fair! How do you warn people?
BRETT: There are many like him, his name doesn’t matter.
TYLER: OK, I have to ask, because this is fresh off the socials…I’m sure you’ve seen the picture that’s been circulating.
BRETT: Which one?
TYLER: The PDF of the restraining order. I think it’s fake because even without AI, it would take, like, five seconds to make. But people have been blowing up our comments all morning.
(SILENCE)
SYDNEY: Brett?
(SILENCE)
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Brett
One Year Ago
“I don’t need this right now.” I slam my phone onto the counter and jam the scuffed cord in and out of the charge port, willing the tiny lightning bolt to magically appear inside the battery icon.
“What you need is a new phone,” Bowen mutters as he scrolls through emails on his laptop.
