PAST AND PRESENT
I will always remember today as a pale, cloudless day, almost as pallid as the face of the nervous student who was struggling to recite a complicated passage for what seemed like the fifteenth time. It was my second week at David's Private College Preparatory, which was technically open to anyone although they didn't advertise that fact. It was not too difficult obtaining the position, although now I could hardly remember I had in the first place. Still, a lot of the more Orthodox Jewish parents would rather not have their precious children under the guidance of a girl who resembled the height of reality TV.
I gently urged the boy to try again and absentmindedly reached into my backpack for my phone. It unlocked to show the website of the nearby train service, which I had been refreshing every few hours to scout out the lowest fares. Recently the cost had only been dipping steadily so I was waiting for the right time to buy.
I glanced at the notification banner that had flashed across the top of my screen. Strangely enough, the numbers of the sender were only foreign characters that I was certain were not the standard ones that came with my phone.
"Excuse me for a minute," I said, getting a lump of fear in my throat. My student looked rather relieved to be getting a break. He pulled out his phone and I knew instantly that I would lose him for the rest of the lesson.
I stood up abruptly, nearly knocking my chair over in the process. I didn't know why this spooked me so badly but it had. Stepping out into the hallway, I gingerly pressed the icon to open messages.
"Hi again, Kaia. I'm sorry I have to do this, but I promise it's for the best." -E
Under the text was an image of a cardboard box against a white background. In red letters, it demanded, "Open me."
Hesitating for a moment, I scoured my brain to think of anyone I could know who would have sent it. The text had a menacing edge that made me fearful to understand further. Still, curiosity guided my hand as I tapped on the generic image.
The screen went blank for a second, then dark almost instantly. I waited a minute. Nothing happened. I pressed all the buttons frantically, but deep down I already knew that I wouldn't be able to revive it. All my contacts would be lost and if this were a hack, my information could certainly be compromised.
My hands were shaking as I came back into the classroom. Reeling from the shock, I contacted the boy's parents to come pick him up and escaped back to my apartment. Wishing there was someone who could comfort me, I sobbed briefly into my jacket. But that was the weight of the realization that now I was truly alone.
I gently urged the boy to try again and absentmindedly reached into my backpack for my phone. It unlocked to show the website of the nearby train service, which I had been refreshing every few hours to scout out the lowest fares. Recently the cost had only been dipping steadily so I was waiting for the right time to buy.
I glanced at the notification banner that had flashed across the top of my screen. Strangely enough, the numbers of the sender were only foreign characters that I was certain were not the standard ones that came with my phone.
"Excuse me for a minute," I said, getting a lump of fear in my throat. My student looked rather relieved to be getting a break. He pulled out his phone and I knew instantly that I would lose him for the rest of the lesson.
I stood up abruptly, nearly knocking my chair over in the process. I didn't know why this spooked me so badly but it had. Stepping out into the hallway, I gingerly pressed the icon to open messages.
"Hi again, Kaia. I'm sorry I have to do this, but I promise it's for the best." -E
Under the text was an image of a cardboard box against a white background. In red letters, it demanded, "Open me."
Hesitating for a moment, I scoured my brain to think of anyone I could know who would have sent it. The text had a menacing edge that made me fearful to understand further. Still, curiosity guided my hand as I tapped on the generic image.
The screen went blank for a second, then dark almost instantly. I waited a minute. Nothing happened. I pressed all the buttons frantically, but deep down I already knew that I wouldn't be able to revive it. All my contacts would be lost and if this were a hack, my information could certainly be compromised.
My hands were shaking as I came back into the classroom. Reeling from the shock, I contacted the boy's parents to come pick him up and escaped back to my apartment. Wishing there was someone who could comfort me, I sobbed briefly into my jacket. But that was the weight of the realization that now I was truly alone.
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