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"Live Streaming"

Live streams are fun, they're a way to connect with new people and show off things you might be good at. But sometimes not all the attention you receive from the streams can necessarily be considered as good. And sometimes it can be fatal.

Work was almost painfully long and exhausting. It was nine straight hours of running around non-stop, putting up with ridiculous requests from customers. I tried as hard as I could not to rip my hair out and keep calm around them. I was thankful that my job didn't last much longer, else I wouldn't have a job there anymore.
After clocking out, I got my stuff together and headed out to my car. Of course, some customers tried addressing me as though I was still on the clock. I was thankful that I could easily redirect them to someone else rather than having a mass fiasco go down after I was off the clock.
I sat diwn in my driver's seat and started the car. I didn't move for a little while, I just wanted to relax for a few minutes before heading home.
After finally catching my breath, I got a notification on my phone. It was from Fork, the live streaming app I was apart of. I was fortunate that the app worked well for me. It was similar to a podcast, where all you had to do was talk. There was no need for a camera or anything physical to keep your viewers entertained. I enjoyed doing the live streams, it was almost a way to relieve stress after a long day at work.
I had debated about whether or not I'd stream tonight. I was going to say no, but the drive home was a long one and I needed something to take my mind off of things.
I got on the app and started the live stream. Not too long after, I had a decent amount of people joining. There was someone who was down to start a phone conversation with me. I picked it up and we started talking as I drove home.
"What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?" the guy on the call asked.
I had to think hard about it as I drove. It wasn't like I lead much of an exciting life. "I dunno, probably the time a guy followed me around at work for almost ten minutes. I'd asked him what he needed help with several times but he just kept staring at me. It turned out the guy was deaf and needed my help finding his friend."
They got a good laugh out of it. I glanced down at the screen as I drove, the chat was getting a kick out of the story as well. I loved sharing little bits and pieces of my life for them to enjoy.
Eventually, I got home. I had to pause the live stream so I could gather my things and head inside. Shortly after getting inside, I used the restroom and started my stream back up soon after.
The conversations I had with several other viewers made my night go by so quickly. It was no different from having a night chilling with some friends.
I was enjoying my night until the power went out. I let out a slight shriek. My chat became panicked. I stayed silent and looked around my house. I don't know what was keeping my silent, but it felt as though if I made any noise, something would come after me. Was it some kind of fear of the dark?
That's when I heard the squeaking of the floor boards. Someone was in my house. I snuck back into my room and sat in the corner. I turned back to my chat after turning my phone's volume down. I forgot whether or not someone was in the call. They'd gone silent not too long after I had. I looked over the chat and everyone seemed incredibly worried about me.
I was about to type in the chat and let them know what was happening, when I heard a phone in the distance that echoed the same squeaky floorboards I was hearing. Did they have my stream open? I knew I couldn't say anything in the chat. I didn't want to raise any red flags. I intended to keep the live stream going in hopes that someone would pick up that something was wrong and call the police. If I tried anything too out of the ordinary, the person that broke in would know something was up.
I could hear the footsteps growing nearer, so I crawled under my bed and quietly as I could. I couldn't mute my audio, otherwise they'd know something was up.
I looked up at the duration the stream had been going on for. It only allowed for two hours before the stream would automatically turn off. I glanced up at the clock, five minutes left.
I stayed under my bed in hopes that they might get bored of looking for me and leaving. I hoped and prayed that this would be the case.
All of a sudden, without realizing it, I sneezed. I don't know why I didn't try to stop myself. Doing this single handedly ruined everything I was trying so hard to keep secret.
The stream ended and I felt hands on my ankles as they pulled me out from under the bed.

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