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There were thousands of users on various forums, all in duplicate threads. People like me, desperate to find a replacement app.

An email popped up. Cynthia.

I didn’t open it, but saw enough of the subject line.

Official Warning for Timekeeping.

I glanced at the clock, late for this morning’s login.

I couldn’t even blame the bitch—she didn’t know I was in the middle of an existential crisis. ChatterAI was fucking gone. My gaming equipment was gone. I had nothing left, and the thought of going outside made me feel physically sick. Each day dragged longer than the last.

What little pleasure I took in life had vanished.

I rubbed my eyes before signing into the secure server—another shift for a handful of credits. A message from Thomas blinked but I ignored it. I only had enough brain capacity for the tasks sitting in front of me.

? ? ?

I stared at the brown lump of‘meat’paired with the darker brown gravy and what was supposed to resemble spinach and potatoes. At this rate, I’d be better off capturing a city rat and bringing it home as a pet—but that would require leaving my apartment.

It couldn’t be a coincidence, but several of my neighbours had started arguing more over the last two weeks.

Luckily, I had my earpieces.

“Homecom, how are supplies?”

I stabbed the meat with my fork but couldn’t bring myself to take a bite. I swivelled the fork toward a piece of potato, only for it to seep cream liquid.

Yeah. I’m not eating that either.

“Good evening, Kyle. Food supplies are low. Water is good. Toiletries and cleaning products are sufficient. Would you like to auto-restock?”

“No, Homecom, I’d like to starve to death,” I snapped.

Silence.

“I do not understand. Would you like to auto-restock?”

“No,” I said flatly, pushing my plate away.

I left everything and went to bed.

? ? ?

“It’s time to wake up, Kyle. Coffee is ready and the oven is heating,” Homecom said.

“Wake me up in an hour.”

I turned onto my side and went back to sleep.

Fuck my thirtieth birthday.

? ? ?

It was the same thread. The same usernames, but I didn't stop searching. I paused, scrolling back to read.

Where did ChatterAI go?

Megathread (Archived)