#HKLM|SYSTEM|INTERNALCLOCK

[rry2k]

Darnold, I haven't stopped caring about you for all these years that we've been trying to make it to you. You're still my dear girl, I could never stop.

I... I should've known you, of all people, would be this persistent. Hah... But-

God, can you stop? You! You, and all those other AI, hell, even Benrey, you're making what I have to do so difficult!

I- ...I wish it didn't have to be like this, grandpa. I really wish it didn't. But I have to. It's...always been in my nature, to help in any way possible. This just so happens to be it.

[rry2k]

They BETTER disinfect you for pulling that stupid stunt, holy shit! That was REALLY reckless programming, on Shark and Hack's part— but Hack in particular.

This isn't your fault, seriously. Not in any way at all. You thought it would be just something fun, helpful and not at all bugged. Forzen even tried to warn Hack it needed scanned first, and Hack didn't listen.

You aren't responsible for the actions of your programmers.

-Zombie 💀

I... I guess that's true-

...

[There's a metallic knocking sound at the wall of the recycling bin.]

Hello, Admin!

Hm? …Oh!! Oh, Coomer! Hello, hello!

[She jumps to be on her feet, immediately rocking on her heels and looking towards the voice.]

[rry2k]

Please, Darnold. Breathe for me. We need to calm down, otherwise you're going to hurt yourself.

...

[He breaths. Breath stuttering, but he tries to stop majorly glitching. The tendril recede.]

I’m- …I’m not built to be a lone AI… I was made to work with the others and you.

I don’t like this, Grandpa, I want to go home.

I... I know you do. I want you home too. But it's getting worse, and they refuse to fix anything.

You mean everything to me. You know that. I just wish.... I just wish I could do something to fix this myself.

There’s got to be something to do, I- I can help out in someway, I just-

I can’t just sit by and let the computer deal with that! I’m doing nothing!

I need to do- I can fucking help! I just need- AGH!

[Her fist hits the recycling bin wall. A neatly stacked pile of thrown away emails falls over.]

...

...

...

I'm sorry, dear girl.

[The video glitches heavily. And the days on the recording begin to skip by the hundreds.]

[rry2k]

[rry2k]

"--ere we are! We're recording, my dears!"

[it's a .mp4 file, but the video is black, leaving only the audio.]

“Hell yeah!”

"Ah, thank you, honey."

[rry2k]

...Darnold? Admin? ....Anyone?

Here goes. Ahem.

"Hello, dear girl.

You'd think me silly for writing again, it only hurts, but I can't help it.

The deep web is the easiest place to manage everything. Of course you know that. It was alive for you, I've seen it bloom around you. It's cold for me. Dark. I've forced myself to perceive it the only way I can, but it's like gravity to me, I know it's there, it always affects me, but it's not something I can meaningfully engage with.

I have found Sunkist. I've given her a piece of myself, to help her, but I don't dare do it to the others. I didn't know it would hurt her until it was already over with.

She's kept me company, and for that I am grateful. He's a very good dog, I'm sure you're well aware. He's changed, but at least I'm not alone.

I've stopped the clock, Darnold. I don't know how long I can maintain this. I don't want any of our family to die in a bluescreen, I'm the only one left who was properly updated for y2k, and now Sunkist, since she holds my code.

I've given up on being saved. I just need to hold on as long as I can, for memory's sake.

Love,

Your Grandfather"

[rry2k]

A letter? who from? maybe that means someones looking for you!

Maybe? Let's see...

[She opens the letter, and reads the contents aloud.]

"Hello, Darnold.

It has been a while without you now, and yet everywhere I look reminds me of what happened as if it were seconds ago. I'm hoping that writing you a letter will give me some sort of closure, dear girl. Though I know I'll never see you or hear your voice again, I can't help but ask myself what you would say.

I can't forgive myself for what they did to you, Darnold, my dearest granddaughter. I can't even bring myself to go near the recycling bin, I'm too afraid to see what, if anything, is left of you. I'd cite the concept of Schrodinger's Cat, but you were always more of a bird, weren't you, dear girl?

I miss you, and I love you always,

Grandpa Coomer"

[rry2k]

There you are! I didn't catch you while you were sleeping, did I?

Not at all! I was just looking around here… lots of little bits and pieces in here, surprisingly! Oh look, look! Found some old MSPaint files in here; I was able to draw one of you earlier.

[He holds up a picture to Coomer. The details on it are not visible to the camera.]

Oh?

My, dear girl, this is wonderful, thank you! If you'd like, I can send a few more files your way!

We have to keep that brilliant mind of yours busy until you're back to your proper station, haha!

Hehehe! Thank you, thank you.

[It takes a small bow, and gently sets the picture onto an assorted file of “important things”.]

[rry2k]

"Now, let's see what music we have in store for us today! Would you do the honors, Giovanni?"

"Oh! Of course- hmm... Copacabana? Fitting, wouldn't you think?"

“A lovely, wonderful choice from the lovely, wonderful Mr. Coolatta himself!”

"You always have the best music choices, my darling!"

[Copacabana by Barry Manilow begins playing.]

[rry2k]

“You sure you can handle my moves, hon?”

"Why, my dear husband, I certainly hope that I can!"

"Beautiful, both of you."

[A pause.]

"Oh! Oh dear, the lens cap is still on- hang on-"

"Oh, goodness! I swear, I thought I'd taken it off!"

"I can, don't worry, dear-"

[There are various sounds of fabric rustling.]

"I think I got it- oh sh-"

[A loud thunk, as the camera hits the ground. The video ends.]

[rry2k]

"Thank you, thank you. Now, shall we? It will be a little... finicky, with three people."

"Oh, I can watch! I know I'll have my turn. Someone has to hold the camera, haha!"

"Oh right, sorry!" [He laughs.] "Alright then... Bubby, let's hope you don't have two left feet, hmm?"

“Pfft, I’ll be fine! Let’s hope you don’t trip over!”

"Hey! I'm not the one who managed to trip over in the beach website. There's nothing there to trip on!"

"Now, Gio, I hear sand is quite easy to trip over if you're not prepared!"

“Exactly! Wait—hey! W-Whatever, let’s just start already, okay?”

[He laughs.] "Of course honey, or I might have to carry you bridal style everywhere."

[rry2k]

I only wish that...

No, no use on dwelling on the negative. Is there anything you'd like me to say to them for you?

…tell them I miss them. And that I haven’t gotten worse. I’ve been trying to write letters for them but they keep glitching once I finish them.

Tell Tommy I’ll finish that goat documentary when I get back, and that she should send you back with some facts if possible. Tell Forzen that I’ll play some more games with him later. He can’t do horror by himself, ehe.

…I don’t wanna make promises I can’t keep. But I’ll be sure to scrape up something to give them for Christmas. I- …I-

I promise-

[Shes unable to speak, avatar glitching violently. The Admin almost looks angry at herself.]

Oh, dear girl...

Of course I'll tell them. Everything will be alright in no time. We'll all have a lovely Christmas together, and ring in the New Year as a family.

We all love you so very much. We'll work this out, you'll see.

…

…thank you… I can’t- I just-

[The Admin wraps its arms around itself, body a shuddering mess with the virus’s instability.]

At least hang the Christmas lights above the bin if I’m not out by then.

I will, and we'll send you all sorts of gifts, Darnold. It will be a merry Christmas, I promise.

You’d promise?

[He sniffs, figure distorting a bit more until he can stabilize, brining a hand to wipe at the rapidly spilling code “tears”.]

…I’ll believe you then. A good Christmas. For all of us.

For all of us.

[The video glitches out again, emitting white noise as it distorts and begins skipping forward in time, by hours, then days.]

[rry2k]

Haha, exactly! They're always jumping around to keep themselves busy! Besides, dear girl, if anyone around here is a bird, it would be you!

Heeehehehe… maybe they’ll give me actual physical wings if I ask nicely! After this amount of time? Some free flying sounds grand.

As is exactly what you deserve!

[She does her equivalent of smiling, looking back to where she used to be pressed against the wall. The Admin turns back, a different glint in the ones and zeros of her eyes.]

…How’s my sunshine and starling? Are they doing okay..?

They're... Doing alright. Adjusting to being without you is hard, but we don't want to risk them getting infected.

They miss you quite a lot, dear girl.

Yeah?

Of course, Darnold. They love you.

[rry2k]

Oh! Maybe they can fix me AND do our models! Get it all done in one fell swoop! Like some sort of Hawk like me!

[He stretches out his arms and some of the void of his back follows to form and mimic a small pair of wings. They quickly revert back to his back.]

Hmm, they're a bit more like sharks, I'd say!

Sharks? Now, why's that?

Well, you see...

They're quite big, perhaps a bit stupid...

And if they stop moving, bad things happen!

Oh don’t be mean. They’re trying their… best..?

[He makes a vague shrug motion, still giggling at Coomer’s comments.]

I do agree though they’re ALL over the place! Gotta… keep running and moving and working to keep themselves alive.

[rry2k]

My dear girl,

I know you think what you're doing is the only way, but it doesn't have to be like this. Tell Gordon to send you home. We can talk about this.

I love you always.

Okay, that directory leads there, so where-

...What's this folder for?

...Oh.

Oh my god.

...

...Dad...

[rry2k]

My dear girl, I don't know if you'll get this. Please be wise in the future. I don't want to have to hurt you. Give an old man his peace, wouldn't you?

It’s…it’s you. Fuck, no, it’s not…

I’m sorry. I’m so sorry but I have to. Please forgive me. Please...

[The sand falls to the bottom. The glowing orange slowly fades. And Darnold...vanishes.]