AUTHOR NOTE:

Hey, guys, I just wanted to let you know that I may or may not continue this story. It's not my favorite and I'm pretty sure it won't be yours either. Just let me know what I should change and/or if I should continue it or not. Sorry about some of the awkward sentences. :/

Enjoy~

My name is Emma Lighter and my life is pretty normal. Being in 8th grade can be tough at times but I'm always ready to take on a challenge. The last thing that is ever on my mind is death.

It bothers me when someone talks about it. I have my whole life ahead of me! Why should I worry about death? My friends Alex is always so paranoid and worry's about who will kill her and when. While my other friend Nikki is too busy thinking about her soccer games; death never really comes to her mind. My life, on the other hand, is too uninteresting and no one would really want to kill me, anyway. At least, I hope not.
Alex has been acting weird lately and she never eats lunch like she used to. She pas attention in class and gets good grades and all but, outside of class paranoia just uses her like a puppet and controls her thoughts and moves. I'm really worried she might commit suicide. She's forcefully refused any sort of mental counseling and sleeps in a different room every night. Nikki told me these things, but I'm positive they're lies. Aren't they?

"Have you guys seen it too?" Alex asked, looking at Nikki and I with a serious look.
"What?" I asked.
"The Operator." She shuddered, "It's been watching me for weeks and I've been wondering if you guys have seen it too. Have you?"
"Oh please, Alex," Nikki asked, "Is that what you're so paranoid about? 'The Operator'?"
"W-what is it, exactly?" I asked.
"It's a tall, human-like figure with no face and a midnight black suit that stalks people, abducts them, kills them and hides the body in an unknown location. Possibly another universe. But no one knows for sure." Alex's voice sounded so deep and serious.
Nikki stared at her in disbelief while I stared in utter shock.
" R-really?" I asked in my soft voice.
Nikki rolled her eyes, "Oh please! Emma, don't believe her. It's complete and utter bullcrap. It's not true."
"YES IT IS! I'VE SEEN IT THOUSANDS OF TIMES, NIKKI!" Alex yelled, causing the entire cafeteria to go silent and force all eyes to shift to her. Her pale face soon turned red in embarrassment and she slowly sat back down. Once the loud chatter of the entire school started to gradually go back to it's usual volume Alex glared angrily at Nikki.
"N-Nikki...don't you think that-" Nikki cut me off with her obnoxious voice.
"I don't think I know it isn't real. Quit giving this poor girl nightmares, Alex. It isn't cool at all. If you've got problems then you should-" This time, I cut Nikki off.
"Don't you think you should stop taking your anger out on Alex? Keep your own damn thoughts to yourself!" I softly yelled, trying not to attract any attention. Nikki and Alex were shocked, I never rose my generally soft voice and I never cussed. But, Nikki made something snap inside and it just kinda...flopped out. Ya know?
Nikki became infuriated, "You know what, you're right." She stood up with her lunch tray in her hands, "I guess I won't speak my mind...or to YOU CRAZIES!"
Nikki stormed off to another lunch table, leaving us dumbfounded at her outburst. The bell signaled the end of lunch and we headed off to our next class, still scarred by Nikki's hurtful words.

After school was let out, I found Alex sitting near the front doors of the school. She signaled me to come sit next to her and I obeyed.
"Sorry, Alex, but you'll have to make it quick. My dad's picking me up and doesn't really like to-"
Alex interrupted, "So you believe me?"
Her dull blue eyes filled with hope behind her glaring glasses. I was shocked at the question first but managed to give her the best answer that came to mind:
"Yes, of course I believe you." I smiled.
Her face filled with content. "So I'm not the only one who believes it's real." She said in a soft voice, much like my own.

After a few minutes of chatting, we said our good-byes and I hurried off to my dad's car which was waiting impatiently in the parking lot. The whole ride home, I tried my best to wrap my head around Alex's unusual parting words:
"Remember: The Proxys can only hurt you, but The Operator can only kill you. Whatever you do, don't fall for his tricks."