Locked Screen
Locked Screen By Erik Bilicki Chapter 1: An Eerie Bargain The dull luminescence of Tom's laptop screen barely illuminated the dim room. Dust motes danced in the weak glow, giving the atmosphere an almost ethereal quality. The steady hum of the laptop fan filled the silence of his apartment. He scrolled through the online listings for phones, his fingers pausing occasionally to tap on intriguing offers. Brand-new models with sleek designs and hefty price tags beckoned, but he pushed past them. He was looking for something other than the latest model, reliable and, most importantly, affordable. A particular listing caught his eye—an almost mint condition phone at a surprisingly low price. The attached photos showed a shiny device without a scratch. It was a model that was just a year old. Why would someone sell it for such a low price? Curiosity piqued, Tom clicked on the listing. The description was sparse: "Barely used. Selling due to upgrade. Perfect conditi...