Digital Shadows

Episode 4

Suddenly, a notification pops up on both their phones. It's the ConnectR Link app.

Millie: (Whispers) Did that app just...?

Across from her, Alex's phone buzzed with the same notification.

Alex: It... changed? Look!

The app icon now displays a single, glowing eye. The message has changed to "ConnectR Link: We See You."

Alex: (Gulps) Uh oh. Maybe it is time to uninstall ConnectR.

Maya: Maybe. But what if they've already... seen everything?

A boy sitting next to Alex said, "it's not uninstalling."

There were only few people in the train at that time, so that boy overheard the entire conversation.

Alex also says that its notifications are also not turning off..

Millie: I think this app is attached.

Maya: Attached? Like a virus?

Alex: (Eyes widening) Maybe...

(The atmosphere becomes tense)

Leo: (couldn't control his laugh and started laughing) com'on guys... this is just marketing strategy, nothing else. This is because they want other people to buy this phone by just creating suspense. Many people like influencers will buy this phone just to know what's in this app.

Alex: Yes, maybe you're right.

Maya: Leo, you never take anything seriously. (Millie also agreed with Maya)

The boy next to Alex said, "You are right, but still... this is very distracting.

Leo: If this app is distracting then buy a new phone... Just like mine. He reached into his pocket, a smug grin spreading across his face, and pulled out a gleaming phone. "This beauty."

A collective sigh escaped the others. Alex shot a desperate glance at Maya. "We need to get him out of here."

The screen flickered again, a single word burning into their retinas: "Welcome."

Millie gets very scared seeing this and her phone falls from her hand.

Leo: ( pick up Millie's phone from the floor) alright..alright.. do one thing, switch off your phone for tonight, maybe the company will fix everything by morning.

Everyone switches off their phones in response to Leo's words.

Leo turns off Millie's phone and gives it to her, "Here's your phone, Scared Cat."

Soon they reached their destination. The train stop. Doors whoosh open. Light not so bright.

Leo hopped off first, happy and whistling.

Maya bites her lip. She looks little nervous.

Millie, there for a sleepover, holds her bag tight. Her eyes are big.

Alex says bye quickly and walks down a different street. It's dark there.

Now only Leo, Maya and Millie are left. They walk out of the train station. The street is empty, no one else around. Only sound is their shoes going clip-clop.

Millie, Leo, and Maya were walking along when Millie froze. Realization dawned on her – she’d forgotten to tell her parents about the sleepover!

Scrambling, she reached for her phone, but Leo snatched her hand before she could flick on the screen.

“Woah there, scaredy-cat!” Leo teased. “A minute ago you were a nervous wreck, and now you’re suddenly Miss Social Butterfly?”

Confused, Maya chimed in, “What’s going on? Why the phone?”

Millie stammered, “I, uh, I need to call my parents. Let them know I’m staying over.”

Leo, grinned and whipped out his own phone. “Here, use mine. Save your battery.”

Millie’s eyes lit up. “Great idea!” she exclaimed, reaching for the phone a little too eagerly.

Leo feigned mock fear, his voice laced with amusement. “Whoa there, careful with that! It’s a delicate piece of machinery, you know its cost.”

Millie: (Grinning after informing her parents) Okay, Leo, your phone is back!

Leo: (Pretends to shudder dramatically) Ugh, my poor phone! Contaminated by... checks Millie playfully ...by the most sensitive person I know! But fear not, I shall cleanse it with the sacred fabric of this (strikes a pose) superhero t-shirt!

Maya rolls her eyes playfully, Millie giggles.

(They walk home, chatting and laughing)

Leo: (Flops dramatically onto the couch) Home at last! Prepare to be wowed by the magnificent sprawl of a superhero who just saved his phone from... whispers ...Millie germs!

Millie and Maya, their mission clear, set their sights on Maya's room. Suddenly, Leo's voice exploded like a thunderclap, "Don't you even dare go into my room!" It wasn't a request, it was a  stark warning  laced with menace. The girls, their determined expressions dissolving, halted in their tracks, the unspoken threat hanging heavy in the air.