??

Hi, I'm your number neighbour!

[Seen, Thursday 4th October 4:33]

~~~~

Merlin was... confused to say the least. He knew all about phones, and he liked to think he kept up with today's generation, so why had he never heard of 'number neighbours'? Was this a new thing?

He could guess what it meant, from the name, as well as how the other person's number was only a name away, but he didn't understand why someone who message someone they didn't know, just because they were a number away.

Alas, he decided he would entertain them. It wasn't like he had much else to do anyway.

~~~~

Me

Um, hello?

[Sent, Thursday 4th October 4:41]

~~~~

Now to wait... 

Merlin did not like waiting, so he decided to do something while they replied. 

He turned away from his tv, therefore ignoring the news that was announcing another petty crime was stopped by the masked vigilante, who went by Spider-Man. He turns on his coffee maker, and starts looking for jobs through an app on his phone.

He pours his drink into his favourite cup, taking a few sips, therefore burning his mouth. He swears at himself, before glugging some water, when his phone buzzes with a notification.

~~~~

??

Oh wow, you actually replied...

Me

Was I not supposed to?

??

No, you were!

Sorry, that was rude of me

Me

It's alright

So, why'd you do this?

??

Oh, uh

I was dared, but I've always wanted to try this anyway

So it was a good excuse, ya know :)

Me

Right

So, what is this whole thing about

??

Woah, are you old?

Omg, I'm sorry, my friend stole my phone!

Me

Haha, it's okay

And I mean, kind of, but physically, I look rather young

??

So you look younger than you are?

Me too! People always call me a kid, even though I'm not

He's lying, he so is

He stole my phone again🤦

Me

That's right

Well, I'm not sure who to believe here, as I don't know what you look like

??

Why don't I sbhsjenhssjas

[Seen, Thursday 4th October 5:23]

~~~~

I couldn't help but feel worried. Where had they gone? They sent that five minutes ago, and they disappeared, and it was clear that they didn't intend to send that, so what happened?

Merlin was pacing around his apartment, biting his nails- a lovely new habit he had picked up over the years- as he considered his options. He could call them, or he could use his magic to try and find him so he could find out what happened, or even go there himself.

God, he was already attached to them, and he'd barely even talked with them.

Before he could do anything, he heard his phone buzz again. he rushed to his phone, instantly unlocking it, and reading the message.

~~~~

??

This is his 'friend'. I'm here making sure he doesn't make a stupid mistake, like he was just about to. I didn't really think it through when I dared him to do this, as I thought he was at least slightly internet safe, but it seems he isn't. So, I'm going to tell you now, whoever you are, creepy person, but you aren't getting his picture, his real name, or any personal information, got it? He's my responsibility on this now, so if I hear you do any of that stuff, I will find you.

Me

Well, you sure seem protective of him

And for one, I'm not a creep, and I'm a guy

I didn't realise he would literally try to show me a picture of him, I was genuinely saying I couldn't respond

??

I am so sorry, sir!

He doesn't mean any harm to you, he's just (strangely) protective of me

Oh, what should I call you?

Me

What about Magic

??

Why's that?

Me

I've always liked the thought of magic being real

??

Me too!

Okay then, done! Saved as 'Magic'

Me

Okay, now what should I call you?

??

Please call him squirt. It would make my day

Me

Alright then, 'squirt' it is

[Contact saved as 'Squirt']

Squirt

What! But he's shorter than me!

Me

Oh well

Squirt

I should head off, get back home

I'll text you tomorrow?

Night, Magic!

Me

That sounds good

Goodnight, squirt

~~~~

I couldn't help the smile that grew on my face. Maybe I wasn't quite so alone anymore...