The 4th Subject

Chapter 11: He's Watching Us... Live

I woke up after another nightmare on December 2nd. They were my new normal.

I checked the time. 3:19. Ugh. No, not ugh. More like, AAUGH!!

I pulled the covers up and tried to go back to sleep. I couldn't. I kept thinking of what today would bring. Images of stalkers and large black screens danced about my mind. Screw sugar plum fairies, this was all that was in my head.

After what felt like hours, I finally got back to sleep. Then, what felt like minutes later, my alarm went off. I rolled out of bed, barely conscious. I grudgingly get ready for the day.

Even though I'm practically dead, I still want to look like I wasn't. I put on my clothes, did my makeup and hair, and made sure I had everything for the day. I checked myself in the mirror, making sure I covered the bags under my eyes. Yep, perfect.

I went to the kitchen where Ryan was getting ready to leave and Sam was finishing her breakfast.

"Good morning, Sarah." Ryan said, "Did you get any sleep?"

"Why do you ask?" I muttered.

"You look... tired."

I sighed. "I got enough sleep. I just need coffee. Or sugar. Or both."

Sam chuckled and said, "Wanna run by Starbucks before we go to the studio?"

"Yes, please," I said, my voice crackling slightly. Both Ryan and Sam chuckle.

We walked out the door and climbed into the car. After a stop at Starbucks and a Mocha Frappuccino with an extra shot of espresso, I felt better. Or at least, more awake.

We arrived at the studio and put our stuff in Sam's office. Something that used to be exciting and different became so normal.

We went downstairs and into Megadesk to record. I was about to sit in one of the chairs when I decided to look into the cup holder. Suddenly, I saw the creepiest little spider I'd ever seen.

I let out a small scream just as CJ said, "Recording!"

Matt, Sam, Woods, and CJ turned to me.

"Look in there!" I cried, pointing to the cup holder. They all leaned in to see the spider.

"Eww!" Sam said squirming at the sight.

After some strange conversion, Woods put a cup with a napkin on top and squished it down. We began to talk about what I believed to be the most boring thing we could talk about. Security stuff.

I barely paid attention. This was all useless information to me. All I could think about was the images that flashed throughout my mind. I was brought out of my thoughts by laughter. I actually began to listen to the hilarious, prank filled conversation going on. I laughed along.

After what felt like forever talking about types of cameras, we finally went to Red Base to look at places we need cameras. We talked to Mike- shortly after Matt leaned in to fake a bite from his burrito- and we began to wander into the warehouse. Everything always seemed to lead back here.

Matt pointed out two cameras we already had.

"But here's the most important thing," Matt said, walking to the stairs, "this case, this case right here, right? That we found underneath the stairs, that he came in here and he planted..."

"Yeah," Sam and I replied in unison.

"That's plugged into the wall..." he paused. "Why would he not come back for it?"

Well, I mean, we don't," Sam started, "we don't know that he's not going to come back."

"I know, that's what I'm saying." Matt said. "I'm saying, we try to get more angles, closer angles, when he does come back."