THE ENEMY IN MY INBOX

Episode6:TheFirstPing

My apartment was dead quiet. The only sound was the clock on the wall, ticking away the minutes until I had to go back to that soul-sucking office. I was sitting on my couch, legs tucked under me, staring at my phone. I felt a bit dumb, downloading an app just because Marcus mentioned it, but I needed to get this out of my head.

I opened Incognito. The screen was dark, almost like it was hiding something. I didn't want to use my real name, so I picked a handle that felt like how I felt inside. Midnight_Muse.

I tapped the button to talk to someone new. My thumbs hovered over the keys.

@Midnight_Muse: I hate my job. I hate the lights, I hate the stress, and I really hate that I have to work with this guy who thinks he’s a gift to the world. He’s so arrogant it makes me want to scream.

I hit send and waited. I didn't think anyone would actually reply. I figured it would just sit there in the dark.

A few seconds later, my phone buzzed. A message.

@Dark_Horse: Sounds like a bad day. Does this guy have a name, or is he just another guy in an expensive suit?

I sat up a bit straighter. It felt good that someone was actually listening.

@Midnight_Muse: Let’s call him The Suit. He’s the type who probably practices his smirk in the mirror every morning before he heads out to ruin my life.

Across town, Julian was sitting in his kitchen with a glass of water. He felt bored and restless. He’d downloaded the app just to see what the hype was about, but he wasn't really planning on talking to anyone.

Then, he saw the message. He chuckled to himself. He knew a lot of guys like that guys who were way too full of themselves. He leaned back in his chair and started typing.

@Dark_Horse: I know the type. Maybe it’s not his smirk that’s the problem. Maybe it’s just that you’re better at your job than he is, and it scares him.

Julian paused. He knew Elena was actually really smart, even if he spent all day acting like she wasn't. He wanted to see how she’d react to some real talk the kind he could never say to her face.

I stared at the screen. Nobody at the office ever told me I was good at my job. They just told me to work harder or fix my numbers.

@Midnight_Muse: I don’t know if it scares him. He’s too cocky to be scared of anyone. But thanks. I needed to hear that. I’m not gonna tell you my name, though. It’s better this way.

@Dark_Horse: That’s fine. I’m just a guy who knows what it’s like to be stuck in a job you can't stand. You can talk to me whenever you want. I’ll listen.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. For the first time in a long time, I felt a little bit lighter. I didn't know who this guy was, but he didn't feel like a shark in a suit. He felt like a real person.

I checked the time. It was way past midnight. I had to be up in a few hours to go back to that office and face Julian.

@Midnight_Muse: I gotta go. The Suit expects me at my desk by 8:00 AM, and he’s the type who will notice if I’m tired.

@Dark_Horse: Then get some sleep. Maybe tomorrow won't be so bad.

I locked my phone and set it on the table. I felt a weird, small spark of energy. I still hated Julian, but for the first time, I wasn't just dreading the morning. I felt like I had a little secret that belonged only to me.

I didn't know it, but Julian was doing the exact same thing across town. We were both going to sleep thinking about the same conversation, not knowing we were the ones on the other end of the screen.