This isn’t a story. If you’re reading this, please help. Okay, I’ll admit I was looking on your computer for dirt I could use to blackmail you. And, as you can imagine, I found plenty. That business with Mary was … well, who I am I to judge?
I’m not exactly a nice person. But I didn’t deserve this, trapped as a recurring algorithm in your desktop. Maybe my body is wandering around by itself out there, maybe it fell down dead. Just press the keys and release me. Please.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Clever. The machines enslave us all…
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Thanks so much, Tannille
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Dear Neil,
I’m looking warily at my computer as I type. Which key will expose my wrongdoings? Imaginative story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Alt Ctrl Del
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😳🖖🏻😎
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This made me laugh.
I often feel like this when I do what I flatteringly describe as research.
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Oh shit. Laughter. I was hoping for a momentary chill when you thought “It couldn’t be … could it?”
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Enjoyed the different viewpoint. Nicely done! 😀
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Thanks so much, Colline
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Not a chance now that you know my darkest secrets…
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Feeling lucky?
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Not especially.
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I love this. Such delicious karma for a sneaky spy.
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Thanks so much, Victoria
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It’s like the dark side of Tron. That said, you get what you deserve.
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Orbis Tertius
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Nihil sub sole novum.
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Whatever you do, whatever it costs me, keep your mouth zipped pal!
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Sure. Just let me out
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Oh good grief! My computer is going to reveal my deep dark secrets if someone pushes the right key(s)? (screaming and looking for a sledge hammer)
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Not if you free me, Otherwise I’ll send it to everyone in your address book
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Uh oh! That was an unexpected and slightly unnerving take on the photo prompt!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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I’m glad it was unnerving. That was my cunning plan
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Christ I’m terrified, thats it from me, i’m going to produce an old fashioned magazine from now on!!
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Terrified is so much more than I was hoping for. I’d imagined maybe a brief frisson of doubt
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Oh this was marvellous! Thank you for such an unexpected take on the prompt.
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Thank you for such a wonderful comment
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That really pulled me/him in! The first person perspective gives it that much more oomph.
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No, you have to stay locked away. (I loved this, great take on the prompt)
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Thanks so much, Kelley
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Nice angle … though … I don’t know about releasing you … perhaps it is best you stay cybered … 😉
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Remember before you decide, I have access to your whole hard drive, and your whole address book
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Yeah … well … my assumption is that everything is pretty much out in the open these days, if someone seeks to look hard enough for it and has the skill to do so. Also, I’m afraid you’d be terribly bored … 😉
(great angle on today’s realities of hacking, dark-web and delusions of privacy …)
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No one is coming out to be nice person here. Neither the hacker nor the owner of computer. Everyone has some dirty laundry to hide. This ability to peek into someone else’s computer is a power. Teach me.
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It’s not a power anyone should have, except the trusted agents of the state. Um, Wait. It’s not a power anyone should have
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Revenge is sweet! I’m going to start poking him with my mouse pointer. Nice one!
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Be very careful. He knows everything, and all your contacts
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Not a nice situation – to be trapped in the form of lines of code. Who knows! Maybe the Matrix is real.
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He does seem a little distressed by it
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However much sympathy I might feel for you, I never press random keys on the requst of strangers. Sorry.
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Fair enough.
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Love the perspective of the story, very creative. Not sure if he deserved that, but if he gets out maybe he ought to reconsider his line of work. Think I’d love to have a gadget like that though. =)
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He’s certainly feeling regret now. Whether it will last if he’s released is another matter
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I dunno that I have anything that interesting to share… But if releasing you means others are safe, I shall consider it.
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That’s a noble and public spirited thought. God bless you, miss
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Oooooo creepy. Love it. What a real for the unsuspecting thief. Hope there’s not a power outage !
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It’s okay. The hard drive is automatically backed up
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I’d release you if my computer hadn’t tanked about an hour ago. UGH! Great story!
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Thanks so much, Bear
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an infected computer if i may say. it’s time to call the help desk. 🙂
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This is something you may not want to share with the help desk
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Great imagination and creativity. I am pressing keys as I write this. 🙂
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Wonderful, you won’t regret it
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Yes, in the Cyber World what is real?
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I sometimes wonder in the real world what is real
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Blackmail your way out. That computer has to be connected to the internet, which gives you access to everything. Drain accounts. Post shit on social media. Download kiddie porn. Shit, you’re much more dangerous on the inside than out.
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But so much less able to sup a pint
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Write the right code, and the pints are endless.
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Oops! A 21st century “booby trap”. Love the voice in this one.
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Thanks so much, Magarisa
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How do you know that we are not all algorithms… there might not be anything else than an idea of being.
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And some of the algorithms are starting to write their own algorithms
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Clever amusing story.
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Thanks so much, Dawn
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You made us all gulp at the first paragraph, Neil! To end up as an algorithm, that must be a special kind of hell?
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A momentary frisson of unease was all I was going for. Thanks, Fatima
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Wow, a cry for help from an evil one. Hahaha. He doesn’t make a very convincing argument. I’ll let him perish…
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The quality of mercy
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