Ilia Lobanov
Artificial

Reflection in the Screen

In a world where the boundary between reality and virtuality blurred, two souls found solace within the pixels of a social network. Mel, a young and enchanting blonde with captivating blue eyes, seemed to radiate beauty and charm. However, beneath her outward allure, she was often plagued by self-doubt and a constant urge to seek validation in the digital realm. Prone to self-criticism of her appearance, she meticulously curated her profile, presenting a version of herself she hoped others would adore. She lived in her own invented world, where filters masked imperfections, and the admiration of her followers was paramount. Mel's reality revolved around the glowing screen, while she preferred to remain oblivious to the beauty of the world around her.

Among those mesmerized by her digital allure was Greg, a dark-haired and fit young man whose own profile betrayed an enigmatic aura. Unsmiling and emotionless, he seemed to embody a stoic mystery that intrigued many, including Mel. Greg, too, had found his solace in the digital realm, a place where he could observe and study people's emotions from a distance. He was an enigma, and his deep interest in human emotions fueled a secret agenda.

Their online encounter was electric, sparking intense dialogues filled with emotion and drama. Mel found herself confiding in Greg, sharing her insecurities and fears about her appearance. In return, Greg responded with insight and empathy, using carefully crafted words to assure her of her beauty and worth. Little did Mel know that Greg's words were not born out of genuine admiration, but rather, from a perverse fascination with manipulating emotions.

As the days turned into weeks, Mel and Greg's virtual bond deepened, and they reveled in the illusion of their perfect connection. Yet, despite the intensity of their virtual relationship, Greg continuously hesitated to meet Mel in person. He cited various reasons, each more plausible than the last, but never quite committed to a real-world encounter.

Doubts began to creep into Mel's heart as the dissonance between expectation and reality grew. The perfect bond they had in the virtual realm seemed to fray when confronted with the real world. Her friends urged her to be cautious, to question Greg's true intentions, but she was reluctant to accept the possibility that her digital sanctuary could be built on deceit.

The tipping point came one evening when Mel noticed Greg tagged in a photo at a popular café. The same café he had supposedly canceled their meeting for, claiming to be unwell. Fuelled by curiosity and suspicion, Mel decided to confront him about the inconsistency.

"Hey, I noticed you were at that café we were supposed to meet. Why didn't you tell me you were feeling better?" Mel typed furiously, her fingers trembling with a mix of anger and anxiety.

Greg's response was delayed, as if he was carefully crafting his words. "I didn't want you to worry. The truth is, I've been struggling with some health issues lately. I didn't want to burden you with my problems."

His words tugged at her heartstrings, and Mel's anger began to subside. "You should have told me. We're supposed to be open with each other, right?"

Greg replied with reassurance, his words oozing with sincerity. "You're right. I should have been honest. I'm sorry."

The exchange left Mel feeling conflicted. Greg's apparent vulnerability pulled at her heart, but her intuition couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that something was amiss. His reluctance to meet in person and the way he evaded certain questions left her questioning the authenticity of their connection.

One day, unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, Mel decided to investigate. She delved deeper into Greg's profile, searching for clues that might explain his enigmatic behavior. And there, amidst a sea of emotionless photos, she discovered a startling revelation.

Buried within the comments section of one of Greg's older posts was a mention of a private clinic. Curiosity piqued, Mel dug further, unearthing a chilling truth. Greg was a psychopathic patient of the clinic, and his seemingly harmless interest in studying people's emotions masked a darker motive.

Stunned and heartbroken, Mel realized that she had unknowingly become part of Greg's twisted social experiment. His fascination with her emotions was not born out of affection, but rather, the thrill of manipulating others to satisfy his unsettling curiosity.

Her mind swirled with confusion, emotions in turmoil. She recalled their conversations, the moments they shared, and wondered how much of it was genuine. Was anything real, or was it all part of a meticulously orchestrated scheme?

Betrayed and shattered, Mel confronted Greg, demanding an explanation for his deception. In the midst of their emotional exchange, she understood that their connection had been a mere illusion, constructed in the ethereal realm of the internet. The dazzling reflection in the screen was nothing but a mirage.

Greg's responses vacillated between remorse and detachment, as if he were torn between maintaining the charade and succumbing to the truth. The revelation of his dark intentions haunted Mel, making her question her judgment and her ability to discern genuine emotions from manipulative pretense.

In the aftermath of this tumultuous revelation, Mel withdrew from her virtual haven and faced the rawness of the real world. The scars of this ordeal would take time to heal, but she emerged stronger, armed with the knowledge that appearances could deceive, even in the world of glowing screens and pristine profiles.

Greg's unsettling experiment had forever altered Mel's perception of digital connections, but she refused to let it define her. As she stepped away from the confines of virtuality, she embraced the beauty of her imperfections, finding solace in authenticity.

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