Writing That Reads You…
A Halloween Special
You see a new email on your phone. You open it. It is a notification from Substack. Your favorite writer has just posted a new piece. Intrigued by the title you click through.
As you start reading, you get the feeling that the title of this piece wasn’t just some pithy click bait, but rather a genuine explanation of what is about to happen. Confused, yet slightly amused, you decide to read on. This is when things start to get weird…
The words on the screen remark on how you haven’t moved since you started reading. They note how the fact that they just mentioned that spins you out a little. They get inside your head by talking about how you find the idea of being read by the writing you’re reading a little unnerving. They state what you’re thinking by mentioning that you’re not sure if you want to keep reading this uncanny piece because you’re a little unsure how deeply you want to be read right now – after all, it’s been a long day. And it creeps you out that these words seem to be one step ahead of you. As if they know what you’re thinking. As if your mind has been infiltrated by some invisible observer.
To prove to yourself that this writing doesn’t know what you’re thinking (not that you really think it does, of course) you decide to think something completely random to reassure yourself. But then you read that the words, somehow, knew you was going to do this too. Which makes you feel even more uncomfortable. So uncomfortable in fact, that you look up from your phone to check you aren’t being watched. (Not that you really think you are, of course).
And since the words really are reading you; they notice that you’re a little on edge. That your heart is beating a little faster. That your breathing is a little shallower. That the room has shrunk to the confines of your phone screen.
Suddenly, your startled by a strange noise outside your window. You put your phone down to suss it out (not that you really think there’s someone outside, of course… gulp). And that’s when your phone beeps again. It’s a new email from Substack. Your favorite writer just posted another piece.
Terrified, yet unable to stop yourself – you open it…
The screen is blank except for two words:
“Hurry back”.
Hello is that the police? Yes I think someone is watching me. His name is Michael Platypus Edward. I think he might have been in my house. Yes I understand that he is in Australia and I am in the UK but I am not a predictable person and yet somehow ..... HE KNEW MY EVERY THOUGHT AND MOVEMENT....
I had to adjust my reading glasses. At first i though it said “hairy back”