Seth took a bite of his croissant while watching Dove. She was breaking pieces of a croissant and putting them into her mouth. She looked so tired and worn out. People around them had to think she was coming back from a night of drinking or something.
"I think we need a cup of coffee," he said.
"Yes, please," she said.
"I got you, girl," he chuckled.
He handed her the bag of croissants and stepped over to the Starbucks shop. She stayed outside in the hallway while he bought two cups of coffee. He came back out, handed her one of the cups, and took back the bag of croissants.
"I love this place has a supermarket too. You never need to go anywhere else no matter what you're out buying," he said.
She dropped her coffee on the ground and he jumped back to avoid being hit by the hot liquid.
"What the fuck, Dove?" He asked.
He looked at her face and saw she looked terrified. He turned his head to see what she was staring it. It was a screen in the middle of the hallway where people could search for whatever shop they needed to visit to see where it was placed in the big mall. It was flickering black, grey and red, and it looked like some sort of shadow was clawing on the inside of the screen to get out.
"Dove!"
The voice was only a whisper this time. Just loud enough for the two of them to hear but no one else.
"Seth!" She whimpered.
"Okay, I fucking believe you," he said.
He dropped his own coffee, grabbed her hand and started dragging her away. They hurried through the hallways to get to the exit. Every screen they passed had the same shadow clawing to get out while whispering her name.
"Seth, I'm scared," she said.
"Me too," he admitted. "Run faster."
They ran out of the mall and stopped to catch their breath. He looked at her and pulled her in for a tight hug.
"I'm so sorry for not believing you," he said.
"I understand. I know how crazy it all sounds. I just need you to believe me. You're the only person I trust," she said.
"Well, I'm on board now," he said. "What the fuck do we do?"
"I will not allow this thing to control me. How the fuck do you stay offline in a digital world?" She asked.
He scratched his head and looked around. Nothing came to mind. He knew she would be doomed no matter where she went. He pulled out his house keys and placed them in her hand.
"Go back to my place," he said.
"Why?" She asked.
"Because I already got my devices turned off. Stay out in the garden if you feel more safe there," he said.
"What about you?" She asked.
"I got a plan," he said.
He pulled her in for another hug and kissed her cheek.
"I won't let you down," he said. "Go back to my place and stay there. I don't know when I'll be back but I won't leave you hanging. Oh, and eat these. You need food."
He handed her the bag of croissants and she let out a little chuckle.
"And make some coffee," he said. "I'm gonna need some too when I return since we both dropped out cups in there. Poor cleaning lady. We made a mess."
"You're rambling," she said.
"Sorry, I'm just utterly confused right now," he forced a smile. "My place. I'll be there as soon as I can."