Revealing Glances: Unsettling Short Stories & Their Making

Behind the Scenes: Move On

Hey, everyone! I always write my stories all the way through (and lose myself in editing limbo) before posting. So, here's a little background on how Move On came about.

Writing is often a way for me to work through the things I see or read about. That usually results in stories that slide through a spectrum of emotions as I try to navigate all perspectives, and the result may not be particularly satisfying to read.

The idea for this story sprouted from my frustration at the plethora of books, movies, and shows that romantically unite a kidnapped person with their abusive abductor. I understand that Stockholm Syndrome exists, but I find there are way too many instances where this trope is glamorized and deforms the view of what a healthy relationship should be.

To get a realistic idea of my topic, I read up on Stockholm Syndrome and came across a post about how some abducted people felt confusion and guilt after they were released because their kidnapper was nice and took care of them.

It was explained that, when in a vulnerable position, it's natural to develop feelings for the one showing kindness or leniency. It isn't Stockholm Syndrome, because the abductor isn't abusive and the abductee isn't agreeing with or defending the kidnapper. It's merely appreciation that becomes exaggerated due to the stark emotions involved in an abduction.

This perspective opened my eyes and led me to research further the relationships that can form between abductor and abductee. That was when I came across Lima Syndrome, where the captor ends up having compassion or sympathy for their hostage (basically the opposite of Stockholm Syndrome).

All those ideas eventually merged, and as someone who's terrible at reading people, I also drew quite a bit from my fear of those who trick or manipulate others. The result was a story where I went the extreme opposite of the trope and then swerved.

Therefore, I had Gen, my protagonist, be strong and dominant, and Jed/Levi, the infatuated half of the kidnapping duo, be shy, gentle, and devoted. And when the truth came out, I had her show no leniency despite their fairytale relationship.

I've been given critique before that I write teenagers too smart and love too logical, so here I tried to adjust that. I felt it helped with allowing the story to flow where I wanted without it being too unrealistic.

Although Levi can't technically be labeled as exhibiting Lima Syndrome (since he was sympathetic and a forced participant from the start), the idea did lead to his character's stalking and ensuing dishonesty.

I wrote his behavior at the diner to plant a seed of suspicion in readers' minds that he was the "nice one". I even subtly had Disney's live action remake of Beauty and the Beast be the movie they just watched.

I also added another hint with his gift of "his messy, little heart" that Gen herself felt was dark: a crooked, heart-shaped pendant that was basically a cage for broken glass.

I went out of my way to make Jed/Levi sympathetic, with his meekness, his innocent hobbies, and his lifelong abuse living with his criminal brother. This was done to highlight his motivations in a way that made his unforgivable actions understandable, though still not acceptable whatsoever.

Gen does get flashes of pity for him, but his deplorable behavior outshines everything and she lets him have it. I let all my frustrations out in terms of injecting reality into this trope, and I researched cases and therapy articles to made sure I was giving the topic the weight it deserved.

I did end the story with the revelation that Gen kept the crushed pendant and was going to keep the postcard. At first, I was afraid this would counter the entire reason I wrote the story, but then I decided to leave that part in because I wanted Gen to be a rounded character who knew she did the right thing yet still felt that flash of confusing pity and heartbreak.

Do let me know what you thought of the story, I welcome feedback and constructive criticism!