OCTOBER 1ST, 2016
Jack sat up in bed, blinking away what's left of the heaviness on his eyes. He was tired, like everyone, but this isn't like sleepy tired, but rather he had stayed up all night trying to edit that one video. Heck, it felt like he was only asleep for one hour before his eyes opened. It was one in the afternoon, and the sun was at its peak in the sky.
"Welp, time to make another video." Jack mumbled when he sat up, regaining what's left of his consciousness from the six hours of sleep. He stepped into the kitchen and tried his best to look alive as he sipped down a cup of coffee that he just got ready. He wasn't very tired anymore, but figments of that tiredness still messes with him. Jack sat down and put a smile on his face.
"TOP OF THE MORNIN' TO YA LADDIES, MY NAME IS JACKSEPTICEYE AND WELCOME BACK TO HAPPY WHEELS!"
About an hour later, Jack began his outro, and then sagged in his seat, eyes staring at the ceiling. Sometime during his recording, a couple of clouds covered the sun, spreading a long shadow on the city below. He began to doze off as he felt a wave of sleep covering his eyes, only to be woken up by a notifications sound. It was Skype. Probably a friend of his wanting to do a collaboration.
Except it wasn't a conversation.
It was a contract request.
Seth would like to add you on Skype
Hey!
Accept Decline
Jack smiled. Sure, he wanted someone knew to talk to, and this request came at the right time.
He clicked Accept, and before he could blink, Seth already started a conversation.
Hey!
Yo, do I know you?
Yeah! You do!
Cool, so are you a fan? Or…
Nah, I'm just your new neighbour.
Jack just stared at the word "Neighbour." He didn't know that there were people moving in next door. Oh well.
Cool! Hang on, I'm gonna go outside and wave to you, can you tell me if you can see me?"
Sure!
Without another thought, Jack stood up, walking out the door to his apartment and waving out the door, as if signalling someone.
The hallways were still empty and silent, without a door opening or closing. No one was in sight.
Jack's brow angled downwards towards his nose as he called out: "SETH! YOU THERE LAD?"
No response.
He pouted his lips before walking back inside, pulling his seat out and sitting back down.
His skin tingled when he read his response.
Yeah, I'm there.
Well then where are you?
Down the hall, I don't really like exiting my room that much.
Okay then?
A new neighbour who didn't want to talk in real life. Great. Jack's left eyebrow raised as he pursed his lips, staring at the wall.
So, how're you doing?
Good.
How was that coffee?
Jack was just about to type in a response when he stopped.
How did you know I was drinking coffee before?
I smelt coffee coming from your room.
Jack sighed. He thought he was being stalked for a second.
All of a sudden, his computer glitched. It was quick, almost happening in a blink of an eye. The corner of his screen turned glitchy, large pixels of a combination of colours that would've hurt his eyes if it weren't for the fact it was gone the next moment.
…
What?
My computer just glitched…
Oh. Well, don't worry, it'd be fixed and better soon. That happens to me sometimes.
Thx.
Jack looked up at the ceiling and pursed his lips.
Twelve hours later, Jack tossed and turned in bed.
He was running through a hallway… Except it was practically endless. He didn't know why he was running, he was just… running without reason. But he had a gut feeling. That something was chasing him. He didn't want to know what.
COME BACK
A text flashed through his mind. It was white against black, written hurriedly like someone was writing it in a panic.
DON'T YOU WANT TO PLAY?
Jack just ran faster and faster.
JAAAAAAAAACK
His eyes shot open. His skin was sticky with sweat and he was bolt upright.
"Da fock was that?" He grumbled to himself as he pulled his covers over his head and dozed off.
He didn't even notice the figure glaring down at him from the foot of his bed.