1 Chapter 1: Encounter

- Hey, Daniel!

- My name is Catherine. I am a huge fan of your videos! They've always cheered me up whenever I was feeling down! I don't know what I would do without your existence... I know you're probably busy creating content, but if you're up to it, would you be feeling up to chatting with me a bit more? Here are my phone number and email...

Daniel sighed as he read through another one of those emails that somehow made it into his private inbox. This definitely is not something he wants to deal with on a Friday evening, just before he is preparing for bed. Indeed, he likes to think he has done a pretty good job blocking his subscribers from invading his privacy like this, but every once in a while, a few stray messages here and there happen to find their way into his inbox.

The phone is carelessly tossed onto the wooden coffee table, light enough as to not damage it, but with enough force that he subtly winces at the loud "thunk" the contact made as a result. Groaning, Daniel leans back into his leather couch, which groans in response at the additional force. He really does not want to deal with a creepy stalker right now. How did this "Catherine" even get her hands on my private email, anyways?

'At least this email doesn't seem as weird as some of the other emails I've gotten,' he thinks offhandedly as he gently rubs his forehead with the back of his hand.

Daniel lets out a soft laugh as he recalls a fan of his who emailed him their credit card information (which was actually quite tame in comparison to other endeavours). Obviously, he just replied with a lighthearted warning to the sender, but he would be lying if he said the temptation to take advantage of the opportunity was nonexistent.

'Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to reach out, seeing as this "Catherine" isn't coming off as some sort of psychopath.'

Daniel lazily gets up from the couch to retrieve his phone from where it was last placed. He types: - Hi, Catherine. I'm happy to know that I am bringing you joy by doing something I love. Thank you for your lovely message. I would love to know more about you.

He hesitates for a moment, wondering if the reply would come off as insincere or too cheesy, before shrugging nonchalantly and pressing the "send" button. He has always had trouble with these types of interactions, and texting behind a screen is no easier. Talking with others as equals, Daniel finds, is much harder than portraying himself as a leader. Maybe it is for this exact reason that Daniel chose to make a career out of himself online, where he can thrive without anyone getting too close to him.

Nobody needs to know the true him; the withdrawn, indifferent Daniel that is fated to live the rest of his personal life alone.

A "ping" rings out from the device in Daniel's hands, snapping him out of his self-deprecating reflections. Daniel looks down at the phone.

- Oh my god, I can't believe it! You actually replied! Thank you so much for replying! By phone, too!

Okay, so maybe this "Catherine" is not as chill as Daniel initially thought. Regret pools in his stomach as he dreads his response to her enthusiasm.

Daniel shakes his head. 'No, this isn't too bad, actually. There's obviously no way anyone could stay calm when an online personality suddenly responds to their random message. The chance of that happening is, like, really low! She probably doesn't mean to come off as overbearing. It's just my imagination...'

- Think nothing of it. What would you like to talk about?

A swift moment later, she replies with: - Anything you want!

Now the regret is really flooding in. Daniel growls in frustration at the options she left with him. What if the topic that he decided on ends up unknowingly offending her? And why do her texts look like she is flirting with him?

'Oh well, I might as well just wing it,' Daniel thinks.

- Why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself to start with?

'Crap, did I make it sound like I'm a creepy old man?'

Daniel's worries died down when he received a response a minute later.

- Sure! I'm 16, currently a student. I have a part-time job as a freelancer, although I guess it's more of a hobby than a job. What else do you want to know? - Followed by - Sorry, I don't really know what to do in these situations.

'What makes you think I know any better about social interactions? Oh wait, I suppose I should know better...'

- Don't worry about it. What type of freelancing job do you have?

Catherine takes longer to reply, but Daniel does not think much of it. It is nothing out of the ordinary, after all. Eventually, a reply comes through.

- It's nothing formal, but I basically help out with programming here and there, and they pay me small amounts in return.

This perks Daniel's interests.

- That's cool! So you're basically a computer wiz?

- No, not really. I'm mostly taught by my dad since he works in IT, so I'm not that knowledgeable.

- Do you plan on going into programming in the future?

Realizing that the conversation is starting to sound more like a job interview rather than a discussion, Daniel quickly adds:

- I don't know anything about programming, so I'd love to know more about your experiences with it.

Another long pause ensues before Catherine texts:

- I'm really sorry, I have to get going! Bye!

'Well, that was short,' Daniel frowns at the abrupt goodbye as he ponders. 'Maybe I just contacted her at a bad time?'

Whatever the reason is, Daniel proceeds to let out a sigh of relief at a seemingly successful attempt at holding a conversation.

After a long pause, Daniel speaks aloud, "Well, that wasn't as bad as I thought. Maybe I'll keep this up a while longer. It wouldn't hurt to increase personal social life for a change."

In the back of his mind, Daniel faintly recalls that Catherine, despite appearing quite friendly, did somehow discover his personal email.