The Downfall of YouTube

Althea- The Beginning

I was at GameCon when the world went to hell. Stupidly, even though I'm no gamer, I went in the hopes of meeting my YouTube crush, MatPat. He was both humorous and a genius, formulating the most interesting of theories based on actual science (with video games involved of course). He was the main creator of Game and FilmTheory, and all of his videos impressed me.

It's almost funny how much I admired him; the way I would get notifications of each video's release and drop whatever I was doing to watch them. My favorites were his Five Nights At Freddy's because they were about my favorite games of all time.

I digress.

Anyways, I was at GameCon, admiring all the cosplays and searching for MatPat as I walked through the venue. I stopped at a place selling FNAF gear and eyed a beautiful Foxy beanie. It was surprisingly cheap for a FNAF item at a GameCon, (25$) so I decided to get it. Right as I put it on, the loud speakers came on saying that a YouTube panel was beginning shortly, and anyone wanting to watch should head over to the main room immediately. I knew MatPat would be a part of it so I started heading over to it.

Once I got there and sat in my seat, I dropped my Pokemon bag from my shoulder and set it under my chair.  My red hair was getting in my eyes because the beanie moved it, so I spent a few moments adjusting everything.

I absolutely couldn't wait to actually see MatPat; the closest I've ever been to him was when I watched his videos, seeing him through the screen of my iPhone. This excitement building up in me was overwhelming, and my anxiety was increasing. Finally, the YouTubers started walking on stage, first with the ever-sassy Markiplier, wearing his pink mustache shirt with his "Ass" glasses, followed by Bob, Wade, and (gasps, there he was) MatPat. Everyone was cheering as the gamers found their seats and Mark spoke into his mike.

"Hey everyone! Welcome to GameCon!" The crowd went wild. I was cheering my heart out, all the stress and anxiety gone to finally see the people I considered my best friends.

"We're just gonna start off with some questions-" Mark began and almost every arm, including mine, was raised in the hopes of actually talking to our idols. My seat was closer to the front, which was a huge deal because only being 4'8" was a huge disadvantage when you actually want to be noticed. Any other time, it's a gift.

Mark picked a girl with a 5SOS shirt on and she asked him a question about Amnesia. I never watched those so I didn't pay much attention to the answer. After, it was Bob. I didn't really watch his channel that often and I didn't have a question for him, so I lowered my arm and thought of what to say to MatPat. I could ask for a hug... Nah, I'm too afraid of the inevitable rejection. What about a question on his opinion on the gameplay of the FNAF games and not the lore? Genius.

Wade was finishing up his answer to something about "Dead by Daylight", so I raised my hand for MatPat. Just as my hand reached as high as it could, I could swear I saw MatPat looking at me to call on me. But, as the world hates me, a blood curdling scream echoed through the room, drawing everyone's  attention, including MatPat's to the source of it. A girl was standing at the entrance to the room and what I saw will stick with me for the rest of my life.

Her arm and neck had huge bite marks in them and she was gushing blood everywhere.  The room was dead silent other than her cries in pain to warn us. "Z- zombies," she whimpered and fell to the floor. Everyone then began flipping out, running towards the entrance, which was an awful mistake. Zombies upon zombies were waiting for them in the main hall. I grabbed my backpack and rushed towards the panel and followed the YouTubers as they went for a different, safer exit.

They were muttering to each other as we all reached a small room. I noticed, other than a security guard named Tony, I was the only "normal" person there. Eventually, one of them noticed me, Bob, and said "Oh, hi! Guys, we've got company." The other four men looked at me and I stared back awkwardly, blushing as my social anxiety kicked in.

"Hi," I replied with my thick Irish accent.

"What's your name?" Wade asked, leaning closer to examine me. "Are you bitten?"

"No, I'm not 'bitten'. I'm Althea." A couple nodded and Mat said "Nice to meet you Althea." I swear that I couldn't turn redder than then. I nodded, not wanting to stutter.

"I'm Matt."

"I'm Mark."

"I'm Bob."

"And I'm Wade."

"Nice to meet you," I admitted, a slight grin on my face. "Hey," Wade spoke up again. "I think I know you. Aren't you AltheaDraws on YouTube?"

And there it was. My "secret" revealed to everyone. I'm not a big YouTuber like Mark or Matt but I had a good enough following to have YouTube as my only job. I wasn't really noticed in public and that's how I preferred things. I'm awful in social situations like now. "Yes," I replied. "I am."

"Wow, you're like a legend. I've only ever seen a photo of you. Can't believe I remembered it," Wade beamed. I smiled, keeping an eye on Matt as he looked at me curiously. "I'm no legend," I replied sheepishly.

"With how little anyone knows about you, I think Myth is a better term," Mark added. So he watches my stuff too, I realized. It was astounding. "I thought gamers only watched gamers." I said.

"Not all of us," Mark said. "Your style is pretty awesome."

I stuttered, trying to think of how to reply. Stupidly, I said only "T-thank you..."

Everyone was grinning until we once again realized the situation we were in. "What do we do now?" Bob asked the question we were all pondering.

Matt gave me and everyone in the room a serious, sincere, and sad all at the same time sort of face. "It's obvious, isn't it?" Most of us shook our heads, minus Mark, who seemed deep in thought.

"We fight."