[new] - 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.

A new tile appeared on the desktop:

It was counting down from 00:03:00.

The voice recorder tile finished its countdown. It played back a file: his own breathing, but layered over it was a whisper, speaking in reverse. He didn't need to reverse it. He understood it anyway: “Look under your desk.”

Windows has encountered a critical error and will now shut down your existence. Send report? windows 8 horror edition

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.

There was no one left to click “Cancel.” Marcus spun around

He didn't click it. It was already glowing.