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It was looking at him. Even with his back turned Scott felt its piercing stare, burning holes into his back with its beady black eyes. It was mocking him, he felt. Laughing at him. Do you really think it can win? It whispers. You? A former failure? I’ve bested the Goat himself. Even the Hivemind couldn’t stop me. What makes you think you can?
Scott’s fairly certain he’s going crazy. The voice in his head that he’s hearing isn’t real, and he knows it. It isn’t real.
After all, radiators aren’t exactly supposed to talk.
“Scott?” Scott blinks back to reality at the sound of Jimmy’s voice. The other man was looking at him in concern. “You alright?”
Pushing his concerns aside, Scott jumps right back into the action. “Of course! Just lost my train of thought.”
Jimmy hummed, and went back to whatever he was doing. Something related to the mess of cords underneath his desk, which he’s currently bent over fiddling with. Scott’s not certain what under there was so important that it had to get done before they could hang out today, but he can’t deny his enjoyment of the view from where he’s standing.
Jimmy’s hot, Scott admits it. Everyone else knows it too, from the flirting that constantly tends to flit around their friend group, a lot of it targeted at Jimmy. Even as it’s thrown around in good fun, Scott doesn’t deny that there’s always been an underlying truth in his words.
And really, what is he so concerned about anyways with this stupid popularity contest? Jimmy’s already lost
He beat Jimmy, last time. A clear fan favorite, and a cutie to boot. If he can beat him, there’s no way he can’t beat a hunk of metal like this.
A radiator isn’t sexy. It doesn’t seem like a man either, although Scott really knows better than to assume.
Be ready to lose, Smajor. The voice whispered in his ear once again.
“Not a chance.” Scott whispered back.
Jimmy perked up from behind his monitor. “Hmm? Did you say something?”
“Nothing. Just that I’m ready to go when you are.”
“Oh, yeah, I’m all sorted. Sorry for the wait!” The two of them headed towards the door, Scott carefully focusing his thoughts on the real actual human beside him and not the definitely-imagined voice in his head.
And yet, he couldn’t help but feel an inhuman gaze watching him leave.
~
It’s a cute little diner, chosen for the evening. Lizzie had recommended it to them. Even if she couldn’t make it to this meetup, she reassured them that the staff were incredibly attentive and the food was good.
Having tasted it himself, Jimmy absolutely agrees. Oli does too, judging by how he attacks his fries, moaning compliments to the chef between each bite. Jimmy can’t help but rib him for it, sparking a playful little argument that ends up pulling them both away from the food and joking with each other instead.
And yet, Jimmy notes, Scott hardly joins in, if at all. He seems almost lost in thought, picking at his food as he stares through it into whatever other world exists in his brain. Curious, Jimmy pulls away from Oli slightly to reach across the table and poke at his hands. It takes a couple tries, but the third or fourth poke seems to finally get through to him, blinking a few times before his eyes recenter on Jimmy.
“Did you need something?” Scott asks.
“No, just wanted to check on you. You’ve been spacing out all day.”
“Oh, sorry.” Shaking his head slightly as if clearing his thoughts, he focuses his attention back on the other two. Oli raises an eyebrow, clearly catching on that something’s wrong.
“No worries man, we’re just worried.” Oli says. “It’s not like you to be so quiet.”
“Have you heard, like, voices or anything? In your house?” Scott asks, abruptly.
Jimmy squints slightly, mulling over Scott’s question. “… Can’t say I have, no. Do you mean Kirsty?” As he said it, he knew it wasn’t true. Kirsty had been gone for a few days to visit family, it couldn’t have been her.
“No? Something more… Metallic, almost? Nevermind, I’m probably just imagining things.”
“Maybe it’s the ghost that’s been haunting Jim’s computer.” Oli jokes.
“Ghost?” Scott leans forwards. “What ghost?”
“There’s no ghost,” Jimmy lightly shoves Oli, “it’s just a bunch of tabs that keep opening on my computer sometimes. Weird searches in the history, even when no one’s home. Things like that.”
“Sure sounds like a ghost!” Oli argues.
“Or a glitchy computer.” Jimmy protests. Scott lights up in response.
“If your computer’s glitching, maybe there’s some audio playing somewhere? That might be what I heard.”
“What did you hear?” Jimmy asks.
Abruptly, Scott tenses. His eyes dart to the side, avoiding the gaze of the other two. “I don’t know, I couldn’t hear it that clearly. It just sounded like a voice.”
Jimmy opens his mouth to press further, but Oli picks up on Scott’s discomfort and moves the conversation on. When Scott joins in after that, it’s like he wasn’t spacing out at all, whatever was on his mind sated for now. And yet, Jimmy still can’t fight the feeling that he’s missing something important.
~
Alone, in a house with no occupants, a computer turned on without the press of a button.
Foolish Smajor. Getting in my way.
He’ll learn soon. Just like the Goat.
The computer unlocks without a password to open it. And the cursor starts to move while the mouse doesn’t so much as twitch.
A browser opens. Tabs spill open, one after another, bunching up above the address bar, packing together tightly, squeezing together for their own share on the page. By the time the tabs stop their flood, barely more than the New Tab icon is visible.
And one by one, they start to change. The little folder icon giving way to something new.
Foolish humans.
All will learn just how unwise it is to stand in my path.
One by one, the pain logo of tumblr becomes visible. One by one, the blue Sign Up is pressed, again and again, in symphony.
In each account, a different email. A new set of numbers and letters to fill the boxes provided.
Little did they know what I was capable of.
Little did they know the power I hold.
Each tab comes to life simultaniously. The letters bloom in unison on the screen.
https://www.tumblr.com/umcytblrsexyman
Hundreds of new accounts at the ready, waiting for the time to strike.
In the corner of Jimmy’s room, a radiator sits innocently, unmoving. It’s white bars gleam brightly despite the lack of light in the dim room. Two knobs rest against its sleek metal.
Then they blink.
I’ll be ready for you, Smajor.
Your defeat will be just as delicious as the last.