Chapter 6 Kayla
KAYLA
My fingers are still shaking as I dial the first number that comes up. Sunset Security. I don’t care who they are or what they cost. I need to get that hacker out of my TV.
A shudder goes through me remembering the stranger’s voice trying to have a conversation with me as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Who knows how long he had been watching me?
Dad was right. The world is full of creeps and assholes.
I glance over at the TV. The rectangle screen stares blankly back at me. Even though I’ve unplugged it from the wall, I move into the kitchen. Just in case.
“Sunset Security.”
The voice on the other end is deep and calming, and immediately I feel some of the anxiety slip away.
“Um, hello, I’m wondering if you can help.” I’m not sure where to start, so I just blurt it out. “I think my TV’s been hacked. Is that something you guys help with?”
I desperately hope they do, and I brace myself for an onslaught of being told I’m being paranoid. But there was someone in my TV and they talked to me, I know it. I even heard a freakin’ cat meow. I’m sure I didn’t imagine that.
“I’m sorry that’s happened. It’s certainly something we can help you with.”
Relief floods me. They don’t think I’m crazy. They’re not going to lecture me about online security.
I explain to the man what happened, and the more I talk to him, the more I relax. But there’s something that’s really bugging me.
“Do they know who I am? Could they start following me or something weird? Like stalking me or something?”
The man is silent for a moment, and I bite my bottom lip.
“No. It’s usually a random person who lives in another city, possibly even another country. They’re unlikely to know where you live.”
The fact that it’s a random weirdo is comforting. Kind of.
“How soon can you come?”
We arrange for the security man to visit tomorrow, and I hang up feeling slightly better than I did a few minutes ago.
Before going to bed, I cover the TV with a blanket just in case.