IMY PhonE

It’s a true story. The names and the places were changed to protect the people involved…

It all started the same way those things usually start – one ordinary school day and several ordinary pupils.

The problem was that that particular day caused unusual things.

At that particular day…

The “Eagles” have done it again. Every once in a while they choose a scapegoat and make fun of him. This time Nick was the “chosen one”. He was a target for many laughs more than once or twice, but this particular hideous prank was the last straw. Nick was a genius. Maybe that’s why he was not loved by his classmates; though the feeling was mutual.

On his way home, angry and humiliated, he made a decision: never again the Eagles will heart him; moreover, HE will have his revenge.

He’s been working on this project for some time. That day, when he came home and sat in front of the computer, it suddenly stroke him. He knew exactly how to finish his piece of art and how to use it.

Nick did not even notice when his parents came home. But when they entered his room to say hello, he realized that it was late. Being a lawyer and a doctor didn’t allow a lot of family quality time, but Nick understood it and loved his parents. He just kept to himself his problems, so since he was a good student and wasn’t making any trouble, Mr. and Mrs. Davis mostly left him alone. Except for their little ritual they’ve came up with when Nick was about four or five-

“Good night my son”, – said Jenifer.

“Good night my son”- said Ben.

“Good night my mom and dad”- said Nick.

He was up all night and finally the app was ready. His master piece was finally finished. Although when he first thought about it he didn’t think he will use it to harm others. But, he promised himself revenge – and now this app (his app) can make it real.

The morning came, and he was rushing to school, in spite the current events he couldn’t wait to be at school to try the app.

The opportunity came after the break. Nick overheard the “Eagles'” leader John bragging to his friend Clay about his last night’s date with Dana, who was Cilia’s, John’s girlfriend’s BFF.

“Not cool”, -thought Nick. “John has too much of everything and he always gets away with it. It’s not nice to keep a secret from Cilia. She should know….”

Five minutes later the lesson was interrupted by a blasting sound of a falling chair. A second later Cilia jumped on John screaming:” You bastard! Did you have fun?”, then before anyone could interrupt her Cilia hit John with her Math book and turning over to Dana screamed:” You call yourself a friend?! I don’t want to see your ugly lying face again!” and running out of the classroom. John was sitting in total shock looking at Clay, who was shaking his head and whispering: “I swear I didn’t tell her.”

Nick was sitting with idiotic smile on his face trying to act serious and surprised from the incident. He thought: “You didn’t tell but you sent a message…” Behind him there was Eva, observing the whole scene. She noticed Nick’s strange reaction and wondered what it might be…

Nick came home feeling satisfied. The energy of vindication made him thirsty for more. “Their time of glory has ended. Now it’s my time”, he thought while settling in front of the computer holding his phone. “The Eagles are going to lose their wings” he said to himself already planning his next move.

At the same time Eva was on her way home. She was walking slowly, enjoying the beautiful early spring day. She was still thinking about the incident in the class. There was something strange about Nick today. Since she often was secretly watching him in the class, she knew his usual behavior, and today it was not usual. As she was getting closer to the house, the usual feeling of sadness and hopelessness took over. She already admitted to herself that she had a crush on him. But she didn’t feel any better knowing.

The next few days passed in piece, but the piece was very strange. The “Eagles” didn’t hang out together; John was mostly wondering around during the breaks talking to Clay. It seemed as they were trying to figure out how their secret was revealed. Dana wasn’t coming to school since the incident. People were talking about her and rumors were spreading, which made Cilia act as a tragic drama queen. Nick however, seemed as he was reborn. He was walking with his head up, with a malevolent smile on his face. Eva continued observing him from her little invisible corner and she didn’t like what she has been seeing, though she didn’t understand what was happening to him.

But Nick was ecstatic about his invention and enjoyed every moment. He was testing the app in small unnoticeable shares that no one would have a clue about what is happening. It was very important because his vendetta wasn’t over yet; he just had to wait for the next Sunday to make his big move. He already made up an excuse to visit the principal’s office in order to find out the password. All he needed is to press the button on his phone the moment the principal logs in to his computer. He would never have assumed that an energy of thinking has a magnetic power unless a mistake he had made led him to a brand new discovery. He definitely didn’t study this in Physics class but having no social life really benefits research and self-education.

This app will be revolutionary! His phone was able to read his every thought! All Nick needed to do is think about a command and the app will make it happen!

The Sunday has come. Today the students were supposed to get the term grades. Most of them acted as it didn’t bother them but it was only an act. These grades were very important for those who wants apply to colleges next year.

The class was sitting, waiting for Mr. Prescott to arrive with the grade charts. Nick was ready. Eva approached him:

“Hey, Nick, are you nervous?”

“Why would I be?”

“I don’t know, everybody are”, said Eva.

“Well, I’m not. I know I did well. Now, excuse me, I’m a little busy.” answered Nick turning his back to Eva, and opening his phone.

Eva was insulted. He never was so rude to her. And what about his gaze, he looked as he was seeing through her. Something definitely was going on with him. Something strange and not good at all.

Mr. Prescott entered the class. After the usual “be quiet” and “sit down” he started handing out the charts. Few minutes after it started:

“What?!”

“What is it?!”

“I can’t believe it! What are these grades?”

“No way! Where is my 90?”

Pupils started to make noise. One girl begin to cry. Mr. Prescott was looking at the pupils having no clue what was going on, but apparently, many students were not pleased with their grades. Suddenly John got up:

“No way. I’m going to the principal. Clay, come on”

Few more of John’s friends followed him out of the classroom. Nick smiled to himself: “Good luck figuring out what went wrong. You’re going to be very busy fixing…”

When Eva looked at him that moment she saw something that made her scared. Nick’s eyes was glowing red.

For the next weeks some more bizarre occurrences have continued to happen. One day several (unflattering) pictures of Nick’s classmates’ were posted in social media without their awareness. Few days later other kids received letters from the principal for their parents. No one could understand what was going on. Pupils started blaming each other, the teachers, and the principal’s office was full of students and teachers complaining.

As for Nick, his excitement from the app and its functions turned to addiction. He was using the app constantly, until without realizing he has started to lose control. The app took over his decisions, emotions and actions. It wasn’t so noticeable to other classmates, since no one paid attention to Nick, but Eva did.

She saw him becoming like a robot- his pale face, the empty look of his face and his unusual movements. Even his voice has changed. She was confused- Nick wasn’t Nick anymore. She wanted to talk to him, to try to understand what was wrong, but somehow he was disappearing from her sight every time she tried to catch him after the lesson or on her way home.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis noticed as well that something was not right. Jenifer noticed Nick was hardly eating, in addition to all the signs Eva noticed as well. Moreover, he stopped coming to say “Good Night”. Instead, he was locking himself in his room and every time they tried to call him for dinner, or just to say “good night”, he would say: “Not now, I’m busy”.

Is that some sort of teen rebellion? A faze? Or is it something more serious? Mr. and Mrs. Davis decided to pay closer attention to their son’s behavior and even investigate some more.

That day it seemed as the winter decided to pay one more visit, although the spring was floating in the air for the last few weeks. It was very cold and gloomy. The broadcasts informed about a storm to develop by the evening.

Eva saw Nick at his worst that day. She even heard the teacher asking him whether he felt well and offering him to go home. Nick only looked through the teacher as he looked at Eva for the past weeks. She decided to come over to his house to find out what was wrong.

“Maybe he is very sick”, she thought, sitting behind him at the lesson.

“If he won’t talk to me, I’ll speak with his parents. They ought to know what happened to him”.

In the afternoon it started raining. Eva looked out of the window. Even though she didn’t like the rainy weather, she was determined to speak to Nick today. It was ten minutes past eight. “He must be home in this hour in this weather. It’s time to go”, she thought while putting on her coat and going towards the door.

Nick’s house was five minutes away from Eva’s. A minute after Eva got out, the rain turned into storm; thunder and lightning were repeatedly coloring the sky with electricity and sound of an angry nature. Eva was walking toward Nick’s house when she noticed him. He was standing in the middle of the street holding his phone.

“Nick!” she called him. He didn’t react. She came closer: “Hi, why are you standing here?” He didn’t answer. “What is going on with you? Say something!” Eva grabbed Nick’s hands and shook him. But Nick was looking through her with an empty red eyed glance.

Suddenly, a lightning struck over them, hitting the electric pole just meters away. Eva bent down and covered her face. At that moment Eva felt Nick’s hand on her arm. She looked up and saw his eyes turning blue again.

“HELP ME!” he whispered, “It’s my phone!”

At that moment Eva understood the reason behind Nick’s odd behavior. She grabbed the phone from Nick’s hand and threw it on the ground.

Like in slow motion, Nick slipped from her grasp, trying to reach to the phone, but Eva stepped on it breaking it completely.

“Thank you”, he said and passed out.

“Now you know everything”, I looked at my classmates.

“I’m sorry, I learned my lesson. My mind gave me the power over technology, I created an amazing app which almost destroyed the humanity in me and hurt so many of you. The app is destroyed. However, this is not an end, but a new beginning. The power of my mind will be used wisely and kindly from now and on.”

By the looks on my classmates’ faces I realized I was forgiven. Eva approached me, I put my hand around her and together we went out.