Malware & Broken Memories

Wilting

The stranger didn't look all too threatening-- or at least not really, they still just had that uncanny energy to them, but they were still there, in a place they very definitely shouldn't be. MePhone was definitely on edge. This wasn't right. None of this was right... But he spoke to them anyway, still without the feeling that he was choosing his own words.

"Sorry sir, it won't happen again." His voice dared not to waver. He couldn't show any signs of weakness right now. Not while being scolded.

"No, that simply won't do this time. How many times have you told me this same exact thing, only to keep repeating mistakes?" The stranger cocked their head to the side, an indifferent, uninterested expression on their face, while their tone was cold, and scary, just like Cobs' would have been. The voice was still off, too. Very clearly not belonging to his creator.

This scene-- this memory played out mostly normal, though MePhone couldn't help but notice cracks starting to form. He blinked a few times, really hard, hoping it'd go away, that this was just some visual glitch, but... Something was wrong. This memory was all wrong. All of it.

This was when the stranger, who was propping their head up on the desk with one arm, decided to... To smile at him?

The illusion that these were just memories shattered on the spot. That wasn't what this was. Not anymore at least.

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Don't be."

And that's when he felt like he could actually control his own body again. He stepped back almost immediately as soon as he felt he was able, his expression shifting from neutral to not displease his creator, to alarmed.

"Who the hell are you." He was finally able to get that question out, though his tone was a lot more rude than he had originally meant.

"Oh, unimportant," The stranger used their free hand to dismissively wave.

"It is important, actually. What is going on? I- I was... I was at the... I was somewhere! I was somewhere before this, and now I'm not, and now things are weird and I-- I don't..." He trailed off, his tone growing a bit more defeated, rather than stand-offish as he continued. "I just... want to go home," His voice was quiet, almost resigned, but not quite defeated. Not yet.

He just wanted to go... Somewhere else. Leave. He didn't understand where he belonged at the moment, but it wasn't here.

"Hm." The stranger hummed out, still smiling. "You don't remember much, do you?"

"I... I do. I totally remember everything." Even in this state where he didn't quite feel like himself, he was still a very bad liar. The stranger couldn't help but chuckle.

"Mhm... Right."

"Yeah, exactly; 'right'." MePhone crossed his arms. "Whatever... I'm... I'm getting out of here. You aren't... You aren't him, so I don't have to listen to you. Or be afraid of you-- um, not that I'm afraid of him, but-- Ugh! You get the point!" MePhone immediately turned, wanting to run right out of this room, wanting to be anywhere else.

"I wouldn't leave if I were you, there's nowhere else to go but here right now,"

He stopped right at the door, turning his head back to look at the stranger.

"Wh... What does that even mean?"

"Open the door, see for yourself." They simply smiled, waiting patiently. It was very definitely uncanny. MePhone hated every bit of this. He looked back at the door, almost unsure now. But he opened the door. Just like during that weird bookstore memory, there was just... Nothing. He stared out into the dark void surrounding the area. This was... A lot worse than he thought, huh.