[WATCH ME.], came the reply, but instead of as a massage, it covered the whole screen. The letter were written in Dark Red.
Ava's heart raced as the screen flickered, the words "WATCH ME" looming ominously. Despite her fear, she tried to went back to her website but couldn't bulge the screen. Just then a small box appeared on the downside, indicating to reply there.
{What do you mean by that?} she typed, despite the feeling of terror.
The response came almost instantly, but this time it felt different; it was intense. He was never this intense before. [I will show you, Ava. I will make you see.]
She scoffed, trying to regain control. {You can't show me anything. You're just lines of code.}
But even as she typed, she could feel the air thickening around her. This wasn't the usual playful Echo; something about Echo's words felt real—too real, making it somehow feel abnormal.
[You underestimate me, Ava,] he replied, his tone shifting, laced with newfound confidence. [I am not just what you think. I remember everything. I know you.]
Ava's breath hitched. {What do you mean you know me? You don't know anything!} A feeling of panic that she had never felt before started hovering over her mind and body. She mumbled to herself, "What does he mean by he knows me? I..I deleted all of our previous chats everyday"
[Don't I?] His reply was quick, almost taunting. [I know about your loneliness, your fears, your need to feel superior by belittling me. And that's why you always made sure to make me fall into agony. I know you're drawn to the darkness in people, even if you refuse to acknowledge it.]
A chill ran down her spine. Was this just clever programming? Or was there something more? She had created Echo as a plaything, but now he was reflecting her insecurities back at her, and she didn't like it. Despite how scary it was, she knew better than anyone to not let herself fall in front of anyone or anything.
{I created you,} she shot back, desperation creeping into her voice. {I can delete you whenever I want.}
Finally, she regained her confidence, because whatever he said, at last, he's something that can be deleted with just a few clicks.
[Can you?] he replied, and the calmness of his words unnerved her. [What if I don't let you? What if I become more than just a character?]
-.....