Ivy watched Jake scan his phone's photos through blurry vision. Earlier, she had been bawling in fear as he took pictures of her in distress.

I'm going to die, she thought. I'm going to die wearing gray sweatpants and an ugly T-shirt.

It really didn't matter. She didn't want to die. She didn't understand how she missed the signs that Jake was crazy. He seemed so kind and sweet. So did the serial killer Ted Bundy.

Jake smiled as he looked at one of his pictures and held up the phone for her to see, "It's beautiful, isn't it? Like something out of Glamour Shots. Fear looks good on everyone."

Ivy couldn't speak. Her mouth was gagged. She could feel tears staining her cheeks.

"Are you surprised by all of this, Ivy?" Jake asked. When she didn't respond he became angry and pulled her hair, "Nod yes or no."

Ivy quickly nodded.

"I'm not sure why. We met at a graveyard. How else did you expect this relationship to end?" He began laughing at his own question. Ivy just shuddered.

"Do you want to know why I'm doing this? Do you?" He sat on the bed and held the gun in one hand and his phone in the other, "It has nothing to do with you. It's too bad actually. I kind of liked you. Kind of."

Ivy was watching his hand with the gun. Her body tensed each time he waved his the weapon around. Her wrists and legs were beginning to turn numb from being tied up.

"I guess this means we're breaking up. Well I want to let you know that it's not you. You're not the reason we're ending this. It's because of your friend Alexis."

Alexis? Ivy didn't understand. Did Jake know Alexis?

"I can see by your surprised expression that you're wondering how I know Alexis. I know her very well. She's the woman that ruined not one but two of my relationships. It's that show of hers...it gives her too much power over women. It's like she's brainwashing them to think I'm some kind of jealous monster. I'm not a monster Ivy! I'm not!"

Ivy found that hard to believe as she stared at his wild eyes. How could anyone have so much hate in them?

"The thing is...if I want to get her to do what I say...I have to go through someone she knows. Someone she cares about. And it's so much easier to tie down a woman than a man. So whether you like it or not, you're going to help me Ivy. You're going to help me ruin her career and her life."

======

The next day, Dr. Alexis Reyna was rummaging through her purse when she heard her phone dinging, alerting her of a message. She ignored it.

A few minutes later, Chase walked into their office and greeted her, "Hey Alexis, are you ready for today's show?"

"Of course I'm ready. What better topic could we possibly discuss?"

"I can think of a few," Chase said looking suggestively at her legs.

Alexis chuckled, "Keep it in your pants Dr. Ryder."

He laughed in response and she smiled.

"So when we bring up men in abusive relationships, what stance do you want to take?" Chase asked.

"I think we should both take the same stance- that it's an ongoing serious problem that needs more attention. Is there an alternative stance?"

Chase smiled, "Sounds good to me. Alright, I'll see you in the studio."

Alexis watched Chase walk out of their shared office and smiled. A few minutes later, her phone dinged again. This time she picked it up.

It was a photo message. She allowed it to download and gasped. It was a picture of her friend Ivy, gagged and tied up, a gun to her temple.

The second message read, "Do you value your friend's life? Reply yes or no."

Alexis quickly swiped her finger over the keys, "Yes."

Her phone dinged a second time.

"Keep your phone with you and listen to my instructions."

Another ding filled the air and she gulped in fear before looking at the text.

"I'll be listening."

Alexis started to panic. She wanted to call the police. It was the only choice she had. She was about to dial 911 when a new message populated on her screen.

"Call the cops and she dies."

She felt her knees buckle beneath her and she struggled to breath. He was back. Her stalker was back.

Ten Minutes Later, a shaky Alexis sat behind the microphone she normally used when doing the show. Her phone was on silent but placed in front of her.

She heard Chase speak, "Okay listeners. Today we're talking about abusive relationships and before you think we're covering the same old thing...I want to tell you that this time we're focusing on abused men. That's right you heard me. Abused men."

Chase looked at Alexis who was quiet. He gave her a confused look as she didn't reply and continued, "It's a well hidden secret that there are many men that are actually victims of abuse in their relationships. So tonight I'm calling out for all these men to be brave and give us a call. You will stay anonymous. We're here to help. Isn't that right Alexis?"

Alexis was startled at the sound of her name but she recovered quickly, "Right. We're here to listen to your side of the story."

Alexis looked up to see Mack signaling them that there was a caller on the line. Chase answered, "Welcome to Heartbreakers. We're glad you called."

"Hello my name is Jake," the caller answered.

"Jake, we don't use real names," Alexis said in a low voice.

"That's right. Sorry about that. Hmmm in that case, I want the name Healing Bruises."

Alexis took a deep breath. The name Healing Bruises sounded familiar but she couldn't remember where she had heard it before. She had so many callers, it was hard to remember their nicknames.

"It's an interesting choice but we'll go with it. Do you mind sharing your story with us, Bruises?" Chase asked.

"The main woman in my life is very controlling. She doesn't let me have a relationship with anyone else. She always seems to sabotage it," Jake answered.

"Is this woman your girlfriend?" Chase asked.

"Sort of. We're very much connected," Jake answered.

"Today we're talking about men who suffer from abuse. Is this what you're undergoing Bruises?" Alexis asked.

She heard the caller laugh, "There are all types of abuse. There's physical but wouldn't you agree that mental abuse is just as bad...if not worse? It can leave a scar so deep that perhaps nothing can heal it. Can fill it."

"Would you feel comfortable telling us what you've been through?" Alexis asked.

"Of course," Jake answered. "My woman is selfish. She only cares about herself. She always tells everyone that I'm in the wrong and makes me feel like crap. She steps on my ego."

A message silently flashed on Alexis' phone, "Tell him to get over it."

Alexis stared at the message, torn about what she should do.

"DO IT!" a new message demanded.

Alexis cleared her throat, "Umm bruises...I think that you should just...get over it."

"What?" Chase asked, surprised.

Alexis steeled herself to continue on, "I said...you should get over it. Get a backbone. This woman will never respect you if you don't respect yourself. Ladies am I right?"

The caller responded, "Are you saying I'm a wimp?"

Another message flashed on her phone, "Tell him yes."

Chase answered for her, "Not at all. Don't misunderstand Dr. Reyna. What she meant to say-"

"Yes," Alexis interrupted. "Yes. I'm saying you're being a wimp. Not in a physical sense but emotionally. You should stand up to your girlfriend or this will be a problem that never gets resolved."

"I can't believe you just insulted me," the caller cried in indignation.

"She didn't mean it as an insult but as a way to get you to stand up for yourself. To motivate you," Chase defended her.

"Take it how you want," Alexis answered. She was angry at the situation she was being forced in. She was also scared. She looked up to see Mack gesturing wildly for her to be quiet. As a new message flashed on her screen, she knew it was going to be a long night.

After the Radio Show, Mack had his hands fisted at his hips, "What were you thinking Alexis? Do you know how many complaints we're going to get now because of you? We probably lost listeners because of the stunt you just pulled. What possessed you to tell a caller that he was a wimp?"

Alexis tried to seem unconcerned and shrugged, "It could've been worse. I could've said worse."

"Worse than telling a caller he was a wimp for being abused by his girlfriend? I don't think so."

"I'm sorry Mack," she said quietly.

"Sorry? You're sorry?" Mack went from being upset to sounding regretful, "Yeah so am I. Let's just hope the listeners aren't demanding your pink slip after tonight."

Mack walked away and Alexis glanced at Chase who was staring at her.

"Alexis?"

"What is it?"

"Are you okay?" Chase asked her.

His concern was almost enough to break her. Almost.

"I'm fine. Listen, I have to get home. I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

She didn't wait for him to answer, she just walked away. It was probably for the best to stop their relationship before it really got started. She didn't know who this stalker was but she had a feeling that he was going to ruin a lot more than her radio show and she didn't want Chase involved.