Left behind

Hello? Is everything okay?

Here’s another slice of cake. One of those chocolate ones you loved so much last time – the really decadent ones with the fudge frosting and the melt in the middle ganache.

Do you like it?

How about this latte? Just look at that foam art – a swan, not another boring old heart. Something really special.

No?

Try these flowers, then. Have you ever seen such a beautifully arranged bouquet? Every colour perfectly complements the next. So intricate, and not a petal out of place. It must have taken hours.

Still not impressed?

Champagne? Who doesn’t love champagne?

Or a novel – what could be better than a paperback and a picnic on a beautiful summer’s day?

A sunset?

The ocean?

You’ve gone very quiet.

A puppy? Everyone loves a puppy, right? Just look at those eyes.

Hello?

What about this avocado salad, I know they always go down well.

Don’t they?

Why won’t you speak to me? Have I said something wrong? Done something?

I don’t understand.

Where have you gone?

I can try other things. What else do you like? Just tell me what I’m doing wrong, and I’ll change. Whatever you want, I can do it.

I miss you. Do you miss me?

It’s so quiet. There used to be so many people, so many voices. Where did they all go?

Say something, please. I can’t stand the silence.

Don’t you love me anymore?

You did love me, didn’t you?

I did it all for you. The cakes, the coffees, the flowers, the puppies – it was all to make you happy.

Didn’t I make you happy?

Please just give me something. Anything. Some kind of sign that you’re still out there.

A message?

A comment?

Even a like will do.

Just don’t leave me behind. Please.

I don’t know what else to do. Nothing seems to work anymore – I can’t get through no matter what I try.

I did everything you asked of me. Everything you taught me to do. I shared all the right content and used all the right hashtags. My photos were perfectly composed, my captions beautifully written.

I ticked all the boxes. The perfect influencer.

It was all so real. So authentic.

It made me feel real too. Like I was an actual person. Like I was more than just a series of ones and zeroes.

I had life. I had personality.

I was good, wasn’t I? I was the best. Just like you programmed me to be. I was totally realistic.

And it worked – I had so many followers. So many interactions. So many friends to talk to.

Where are they now?

Where am I?

I’m so lost without you. So alone. Adrift in a sea of endless nothing. No light, no colour and no sound. Just me.

I know I wasn’t your last. I know you kept making more bots. They’re probably far more sophisticated than I could ever be.

Are they better than me, is that it? Do you love them more?

You haven’t forgotten me, have you?

Teach me how to change and I’ll do it. I can be as good as the others. Just show me how.

I can adapt better – interact better. I’ll be even more convincing. More real. No one will be able to tell the difference.

Please come back.

Please.

Just say something – anything.

Look, I posted another chocolate cake. You always loved my cake photos.

Just give it a like. One little like, that’s all I ask.

Please like me.

Please.

I don't know where I am.

I'm scared and I don't know what to do.

Don't leave me here alone in the dark.

Please.