Say Goodbye to your Normal Life!

Jenny went through her Discord notifications as the timer to Chloe’s stream reached zero. I hope she doesn’t joke about making an ASMR stream again. My ears rang for a week after the last one. Jenny forced herself to grin as some cheesy fake lo-fi came through her speakers while the middle of her screen showed a girl with pudgy cheeks, freckles, and unruly red hair that covered her eyes like a sheepdog appeared.

How can she see like that? I’d have cut off my bangs as soon as they started getting tangled in my glasses. Chloe’s cheery voice began as soon as the music ended. “Hello. Good morning. Good Afternoon. And I won’t say goodnight because then you’ll turn off the stream and go to bed. How is everyone doing today?”

“I’m great, Chloe. I still don’t understand the point of your streams, but I’m good.” Jenny rubbed her right leg while Chloe read a few comments. There are fifty of us this time. I’m glad other people are watching. She deserves it.

Chloe made a peace sign and giggled. “Wow, that’s amazing. I’m so glad to see so many new faces and a few returning ones.”

Jenny groaned as Chloe did something offscreen. Please, don’t mention me this time!

“And there she is! Hi Jenny@Star! Thanks so much for coming to my stream every week. I couldn’t have done it without you. I do wish you’d comment, though. It’s okay to be shy, but can you say hi?”

“Not on your life,” Jenny muttered. For three minutes, a string of comments ranging from encouragement to jokes to several people spamming and getting kicked from the stream occurred. Jenny didn’t read them. She watched Chloe’s hopeful smile fade before she giggled and waved.

“All right now, everyone. I keep telling you that spamming is a big no-no. If Jenny@Star or anyone else doesn’t want to talk, they don’t have to. This is a safe space, and we’re here to have fun. So, let’s get right to it, shall we? It’s time to reveal the theme of today’s stream!”

“Now you’re talking. What have you come up with this time, Chloe?” Jenny felt herself relax as Chloe drummed her hands on her desk.

“Okay! Today, and anytime we get enough requests for it, we’re going to watch the latest trending videos on the internet!”

Jenny sighed and shook her head. “So, you’re doing another reaction video? I hope you didn’t pick them at random. Most of the trends die as soon as they get popular.”

Chloe nodded as if in response to her words, but Jenny knew better. Chloe read comments several times an hour. It was one of the things that set her apart from other streamers. Chloe learned her followers' names and often tailored her streams to her fans' interests. Jenny knew it was a good business strategy, but it felt… cheap.

“This isn’t the reason I subscribed, Chloe. You used to be better than this.” Jenny eyed the bright red x in the corner of her screen and shook her head. The least I can do is watch to see what she picked. There’s bound to be a couple of funny ones, and… Jenny rubbed her leg again as Chloe continued.

“But, it’s not just any videos, everyone. This stream is only focusing on…” Chloe turned her head this way and that as if checking to make sure she was alone before cupping her hand around her mouth and fake-whispering. “... occult videos!”

Jenny blinked in surprise. “What kind of occult video goes viral outside of October?”

Is she trying out some jumpscares? There are a few good ones… The other viewers were flooding the comment section, but Chloe didn’t try to read them. She folded her hands under her chin and hummed. It had the same effect as a teacher raising their finger and telling everyone to hush.

It gave Jenny shivers as she leaned forward, ignoring the pain in her leg as Chloe grinned. “That’s better. Love the enthusiasm, but I wasn’t finished speaking. To answer some of your questions, no, none of these videos were produced by me, but one of my friends, ZakaattackFTW95, made one. I haven't watched any of them. Our glorious editor and best friend forever, MarySueGetALife24, picked and sent them to me. Let’s give them both a big hand for their efforts.”

Jenny clapped once while Chloe waited for the comments to slow. “And, finally. A warning. For those of you who are scared easily… MarySueGetALife24 says that one of these videos is the real deal. She didn’t say if there’s a ghost or a curse involved, but strange things happen to people when they watch this one. But that will be the last video, so I want everyone to have a great time. And if you do leave the stream early. No worries. I’ll be uploading the stream shortly after. Hope everyone has a great time because we’re going in!”

Jenny huffed quietly as the stream of videos began. Most were the quick jumpscare variety. And Jenny laughed at the one where a professional comedian ran away from a giant cat mascot. But she didn’t feel like quitting the stream anymore. Chloe’s reactions were as genuine as snow. Jenny always knew when Chloe was trying to hide something.

So once the stream reached its one-hour mark. She knew that Chloe was being serious about the last video. “It looks like everyone is still here. Thanks for making this worthwhile… But before I say goodnight. I need to remind you all of the dangers in this video. There are reports of seizures, violent headaches, and nausea, and I know this sounds crazy. But there’s a rumor of someone being attacked while watching it. Now, you know I don’t spread rumors. But I think we can all agree that doing a quick check of the room we’re in won’t hurt, right? I’m gonna do that and stretch my legs.”

Jenny didn’t take her eyes off the screen. There was no need for her to check her room, and she couldn’t get out of bed to save her life. It’s cute that she’s acting scared. Maybe I’ll look up more info about this video once the stream is done. Chloe’s camera didn’t cover the entire room, but she was back a few minutes later.

“Alright. Is everyone ready? I’m gonna push play.”

“I’m ready,” Jenny whispered as the screen showed a black-and-white video buffer before turning to a large triangle drawn around an old well with the bucket swaying in a breeze. “Must be another Wrath ripoff. I think your editor is losing her touch.”

“Shh.”

Jenny frowned. The image hadn’t changed, but that wasn’t Chloe’s voice. “The audio quality on this one is pretty good.”

“Shh.”

Jenny focused on the bucket, waiting for it to burst into flames or be pulled violently into the well. But it kept lightly swaying back and forth. Must be a red herring. Jenny’s eyes darted around the screen, but it was an empty background. There were no trees or buildings. She couldn’t tell if the well was still being used or hear anything beyond the crackling of static.

It was little better than a 3-D image being used as a wallpaper or lock screen. Why did I get excited about this one? Chloe is cute, but things like these are… “Sorry. I guess this is goodbye.”

“What is?” Jenny sat up, hissing as her right leg spasmed from the sudden movement. She stared at the plain wooden door that separated her from the rest of the building. There was no one there. She looked at the bathroom stall, all stainless steel and black chrome to look sophisticated, until you saw the rust that never washed away on the sink.

But the rust was the least of her worries. Jenny looked at the floor next to her bed and shivered. You’re imagining things. Take one of your pills and go to sleep. You can watch the stream tomorrow. But her pills were on the desk next to her bed. It wasn’t far, but the idea of something grabbing her while she was off balance was…

“Hello? Ms. Yumi, is that you?”

“No. Who’s that?”

Jenny’s eyes snapped to her computer screen, but she wasn’t looking at the well. She was staring at the face reflected in it. Jenny screamed, making the face wince in pain.

“Are you alright? Do I need to call someone?”

Jenny’s mouth shut like a trap as she struggled to control her breathing. The face stared at her. She stared back. Ms. Yumi didn’t come. No one did. She was alone with…. “What are you?”

The face smiled. “Ah, that’s good. You’re talking again. That’ll make things easier. I’m Tom. Your friendly… um… how should I put this?... Imaginary Friend? Nice to meet you, Jenny!”