They said “-18” like it was a warning label. Adult content. Fragile code. Handle with care. But no one reads warnings anymore. We just click Agree and let the update install.
I realized: You can’t download a soul. You can only keep switching tabs. Palipat-lipat. Papalit-palit.
I download a new version of myself every night. Download - -18 - Palipat-lipat Papalit-palit -...
A pop-up appeared: “This content is no longer available.”
Version 4.2: The sweet one. “Sorry, love, I didn’t mean it.” Version 6.9: The ghost. Seen 11:47 PM. No reply. Version 13.1: The storm. “You want honesty? Here’s your hurricane.” They said “-18” like it was a warning label
One night, I am your comfort show. Next, your jump scare. Then, your almost-stranger in the grocery aisle pretending not to see you.
Spoken word / flash fiction [Start]
And sometimes… the loudest download is the one that never completes.