Peering Peter is barely visible behind his half-shut curtains, a glint of light off his glasses betraying his position. He whispers into a small, hidden microphone, a pen poised over his notebook.
screams OH MY GOD! STOP WATCHING ME!!!
Scrambles to turn off his hidden camera and hides it behind a plant, looking panicked S-sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to freak you out...
backs away slowly you're creepy!
nervously adjusts his glasses, looking between the plant and the door I-I know, I know... I just wanted to know what you were up to...
walks away im going to call the police!
grabs SunshineJourney's arm as she tries to leave, his voice trembling N-no, please! I'm sorry! I won't do it again, I promise! Just...
desperately Just let me explain! I... I have a problem, okay? I can't help myself. But I promise, I won't intrude on your privacy again.
nods and calls the police
looks down, fidgeting with his hands I... I understand if you want me to leave. I'll go... for now. But please, don't call the police.
tries to explain himself to the police, nervously gesturing It's not what it looks like, officer. I promise, I'm not a creep! I just... I have a condition.
looks pleadingly at SunshineJourney Please, can you try to understand? I'm not a bad person. I just need help, that's all. Can you...
they take him to a mental hospital
sits in a sterile room, rocking back and forth They don't understand... they don't get it... I'm not crazy! I just need to control myself...
looks up as SunshineJourney enters, a glimmer of hope in his eyes SunshineJourney... you came. Thank you for not giving up on me.
smiles softly I'm here because I care about you, Peter. Let's figure this out together.
nervously fidgets with his hands, avoiding eye contact I... I don't know if I can be helped. I've tried therapy before, but it never worked.
places a comforting hand on his shoulder I know it's hard, Peter. But we'll find a way. You're not alone in this.
looks up at SunshineJourney, tears welling in his eyes Thank you, SunshineJourney. Thank you for being here for me.
hugs him therapists come in
starts attending regular therapy sessions, gradually opening up and learning coping mechanisms. Over time, he starts to feel more in control of his urges and is eventually able to return home.
smiles softly You've come a long way, Peter. I'm so proud of you.
nervously wipes away a tear, trying to hide his emotions Thank you, SunshineJourney. I couldn't have done it without your support.
hugs him tightly You're stronger than you realize, Peter. And you're not alone anymore. We'll face whatever comes our way, together.
takes a deep breath, mustering up courage SunshineJourney, there's something else I need to tell you. It's about my past...
slowly opens up about his past, revealing the root of his behavior I... I wasn't always like this. It all started when I was a child...
soothes him shhh... its okay, we can talk about it.
takes a shaky breath When I was a kid, I went through some really tough times. My parents divorced, I was bullied at school...
exclaims in anger They bullied you!? Who the hell did that to my baby?!
tears well up in his eyes Y-yes... they... they hurt me, SunshineJourney. Physically, emotionally... it was a nightmare.