Shadows We Find in the Dark

Fall 2006. It was the first time fifth grader Ann Stoner saw him, perched behind the neighbor's maple tree, watching her as she got on the school bus. The teenage boy was expressionless as he partially hid himself behind tree trunk. But he was there. Silently observing. Building the foundation of paranoia that Ann would carry with her for the coming years.

Spring 2010. Thespian rookie Ann Stoner saw him again, seemingly waiting for her outside of the community theater she just performed at. What once was a teenage boy was now a young man. Still expressionless. But he was there. Silently observing. Strengthening the burden he had planted in Ann all those years ago. Reminding her that he hadn't left her. Still there. Still silently observing.

Winter 2018. Newly-engaged Ann Stoner had seen him again, sitting on a bench across from her downtown apartment. While she could never make out his face, Ann could still tell how time had passed through this silent lurker. He was still there. Silently observing. Confirming his existence in Ann's life, refusing to let her forget about him. It was almost as if he knew life had been too good for Ann and he had made himself known to maintain the balance of misery and joy. Still there. Still silently observing.

Desperate to finally escape from the unwelcome follower whose existence she'd always refused to acknowledge, Ann tries to get on with her new life as a married woman, working through her career as a professional theater actor. As Ann dealt with the usual offerings of a normal life - possible kids with her husband, her transition to Broadway, and heartbreaking family affairs that would soon test Ann's resilience - one simple moment would force Ann to set everything aside. One simple moment that would coerce her to finally confront the man who had been shadowing her since she was a child.