Windows 8 Horror Edition -

He slammed the laptop shut.

He didn't want to. But his body moved on its own. He bent down. Taped underneath the keyboard tray was a small, old-fashioned webcam. Its little red light was on. It had been on for weeks. Maybe since the first update reminder. windows 8 horror edition

Marcus spun around. The closet door was closed. His heart hammered against his ribs. He looked back at the screen. The photo had changed. Now it was from the foot of his bed, showing the back of his head. The timestamp advanced one second. He slammed the laptop shut

Windows has encountered a critical error and will now shut down your existence. Send report? He bent down

Marcus had been putting it off for weeks. The little pop-up in the corner of his Windows 8.1 laptop nagged him every night: “Critical Security and Reliability Update. Restart now.” He always clicked “Remind me tomorrow.” But tomorrow, finally, ran out.

At 99%, Marcus’s own reflection in the dark laptop screen smiled at him.

Marcus hadn't smiled.