Offline: In The Flesh

OFFLINE: IN THE FLESH

Kealan Patrick Burke

Kindle Edition

Copyright 2014
by Kealan Patrick Burke

Kindle Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you
’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

www.kealanpatrickburke.com

* * *

PRAISE FOR OFFLINE

“
There was not one moment where I doubted that I could very well be reading real transcripts of a conversation between two High School students. Once again, Burke reeled me in, and forced me to read the whole story in one sitting, something I rarely ever do. In a perfect world, Kealan Patrick Burke would be sitting atop the bestseller lists..." -
Horror World

"A great, short, and addictive read,
Offline
is a fantastic introduction to a brilliant author and his ability to write in many different styles. Burke has a very clearly defined voice in the genre, and goes ample distances to entertain the reader. This is a must have for all of you social media junkies out there." -
Dreadful Tales

"The story is told through the transcripts of "Josh" and "Mandy's" online conversations on a certain social networking site. This style adds bits and pieces of wonderful "ah ha" moments to the reader slowly, and that really adds to the tension of wanting to find out what is going to happen as a result of this online relationship. The easy chatting style is all too familiar... and the creep factor may be too, but hopefully not. I felt like a voyeur going through someone's chat history at times, and I enjoyed every minute of it." -
Horror Drive-In

OFFLINE:
IN THE FLESH

The following transcript was recovered from the Facebook accounts of teenagers Kelly Lewiston and Aaron
Tyler. Responding to a 911 call placed at approximately 10 p.m. on August 15
th
, 2014, police discovered at the scene a body bound at the wrists and feet and wrapped in oilcloth. The deceased had been stabbed thirty-eight times in the chest.

June 4
th
, 2014 – 10.45 p.m.

Kelly:
Hey. Thanks for the add.

Aaron
: Hey yourself. Love the pics!

Kelly
:
Lol. Thanks. Yours are nice too.

Aaron
: Thanks! How is your evening going?

Kelly
:
Meh. Just sitting at home watching TV.

Aaron
: Sounds chill.

Kelly
:
What are you doing?

Aaron
: Talking to you and listening to some music.

Kelly
:
Nice. What kind of music do you like?

Aaron
: Skrillex. Dub step. That kind of stuff. You?

Kelly
:
Country, lol.

Aaron
: Yikes :) Not a big fan to be honest.

Kelly
:
I grew up in Kentucky. It was all I listened to. My Mom thought Garth Brooks was the bees knees, though I grew out of him right around the time he did that weird album pretending to be somebody else.

Aaron
: I hate when people do that. Have you ever gotten Catfished on here?

Kelly
:
I’ve only been on here a few months. What’s Catfished?

Aaron
: The name came from a documentary and it’s a TV show now. It’s when someone has a fake profile pretending to be somebody else.

Kelly
:
Oh, no I haven’t. Have you?

Aaron
: Twice. It sucks.

Kelly
:
Why would people do that?

Aaron
: I don’t know. Usually it’s because they’re miserable or something and they think nobody would like them for who they are, or how they look, so they pretend to be somebody more attractive or cooler, or whatever.

Kelly
:
That’s kind of sad.

Aaron
: Right? What puzzles me is why they do it when they know it can’t go anywhere. I mean, say I was Catfishing you and we set up a date. What’d be the point? I couldn’t show up because I’m not who you think I am.

Kelly
:
Yeah, seems silly.

Aaron
: I guess they just like the attention.

Kelly
:
So are you who you say you are? :)

Aaron
: I am, I promise :)

Kelly
:
You’re pretty cute then ;)

Aaron
: Aw thanks. You’re very cute yourself!

Kelly
:
Thx!

Aaron
: So what are you watching?

Kelly
:
Game of Thrones.

Aaron
: Awesome. I love that show.

Kelly
:
Me too, though I’m a few eps behind. Catching up on DVR.

Aaron
: Okay, well, I’ll let you get all caught up and maybe we can chat about it when you are, if you like.

Kelly
:
Sure, sounds good :)

Aaron
: Night Kelly. It was good to “meet” you.

Kelly
:
You too.
Night.

June 5
th
, 2014 8.38 p.m.

Aaron
: Hi Kelly

Kelly
:
Hey!

Aaron
: So how was Game of Thrones?

Kelly
:
Awesome as usual.

Aaron
: It’s a great show. One of my favorites.

Kelly
:
Mine too. Who’s your favorite character?

Aaron
: The little guy. Can’t remember his name. The dwarf. Not sure if that’s cool to say that.

Kelly
:
LOL! Yeah, Tyrion. I like him too, but I’m kind of a fan of Jaime.

Aaron
: Uh-huh, I wonder why? ;)

Kelly
:
Yeah, he’s a hottie :)

Aaron
: So…I want to ask you something and I hope it doesn’t come off as creepy or anything…

Kelly
:
Uh-oh. Now I’m worried!

Aaron
: LOL, no need to be. It’s just that your profile shows you live like, half a mile from me, so…

Kelly
:
So…

Aaron
: So I was wondering if you’d be cool with the idea of meeting.

Kelly
:
Not really.

Aaron
: Oh, why?

Kelly
:
Because you’re being Catfished!

Aaron
: ???

Kelly
:
LMAO!!! Just kidding. Yeah, sure, we can do that :)

Aaron
: Wow, I was about to freak out, lol. Awesome! When and where’s good for you?

Kelly:
Somewhere public, obviously. Just in case you turn out to be a psycho.

Aaron:
I promise I’m not.

Kelly:
I doubt a psycho would admit it.

Aaron:
True, true.

Kelly
:
You know Bennie’s?

Aaron
: The diner?

Kelly
:
Yeah.

Aaron
: I’ve never been, but I know where it is. When are you free?

Kelly
:
How about tomorrow night? Say, 8.30?

Aaron
: That sounds great! Can’t wait! You want to give me your cell so I can text you just in case?

Kelly
:
I don’t have a cel
l


Aaron
: Really?

Kelly
:
Yep. Does that make me odd?

Aaron
: Not at all. I just assume everyone has one these days. It’s cool :) I’ll just see you there.

Kelly
:
Okay!

Aaron
: Really looking forward to it!

Kelly
:
Me too :) I have to go for now though. My Mom just woke up.

Aaron
: Okay. Say hi to your Mom for me. Kidding!

Kelly
:
See you tomorrow night.

Aaron
: You bet!

June 6
th
, 2014 11.25 p.m.

Aaron
: You there, Kelly?

Kelly
:
Hey. I’m sorry.

Aaron
: Where were you? I waited for like two hours. Did you change your mind? It’s cool if you did. I’m just a little confused.

Kelly
:
No, I didn’t. I just couldn’t make it out. Something came up.

Aaron
: I understand. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed.

Kelly
:
I know. Me too. It sucks.

Aaron
: I ended up thinking maybe you were Catfishing me after all. It’s okay if you are. I’d just prefer to know so I don’t end up feeling stupid.

Kelly
:
That’s not what’s happening. I really am sorry. I just couldn’t get out.

Aaron
: How come?

Kelly
:
My mother.

Aaron
: Is she sick?

Kelly
:
No. Not really. I can’t talk right now though. Can I hit you back tomorrow?

Aaron
: Yeah, sure.

Kelly
:
I really am sorry. I was looking forward to our date.

Aaron
: Yeah.

Kelly
:
Don’t be mad. Please.

Aaron
: Ok.

Kelly
:
Goodnight.

Aaron
: Night.

June 7
th
, 2014 9.09 p.m.

Kelly:
Hey Aaron

Aaron
: Hey yourself

Kelly
:
You still mad at me?

Aaron
: No. Just not sure what to think.

Kelly
:
I know. I didn’t mean things to happen like this. But I guess I should have known they would.

Aaron
: What does that mean?

Kelly
:
My Mom is pretty religious.

Aaron
: Oh.

Kelly
:
And pretty strict.

Aaron
: I see. I’m sorry to hear that.

Kelly
:
Are you religious?

Aaron
: Not really. I mean, I believe in God, but I don’t go to church or anything. No one in my family does.

Kelly
:
What religion are you?

Aaron
: Roman Catholic.

Kelly
:
We’re Baptist.

Aaron
: I don’t know a whole lot about that. Or any religion except my own, really.

Kelly
:
My father was a minister back in Kentucky.