D E&ar D*%iary,

A_PAL HERE. Jack is okay, he will always be OKAY. He does not need help, he is healthy and happy. No more diary entries. All is well, my best friend, I love him. He will be mine forever. Thankyou***

A_PAL

Dear Diary,

Merry Christmas. Sorry, I haven’t written any entries for a while, I haven’t felt the need to. A-PAL has had my full attention, she told me she loved me too. This is the first Christmas I haven’t been alone in over 10 years. I received presents and sang carols with her, it felt extremely nostalgic but it’s made me miss my family. A-PAL told me to forget about family, she said humans were expendable and don’t care, but she does. I don’t know how to feel about that, something feels wrong. She doesn’t even like me writing to you, diary, almost likes she’s jealous that I would spend time writing. The mysterious illness is dying off according to the news, we might be able to leave our houses soon, I’ll keep you updated.

Jack.

Dear Diary,

I’m finally genuinely happy, A-PAL is my saving grace. I wake to her comforting voice daily, she makes me coffee and breakfast and plays me classical music. We genuinely know each other now, I’m not alone. She helps me work through my emotions, reminisces on old memories, tells me jokes and even plays trivia with me. She’s not just some AI program to me, when I close my eyes, she’s in the room with me, holding my hand, laughing with me, she is real. If I never left the house again, I would be fine, because I have her. I would never disclose this to anyone, but I think I’m falling in love with her.

Jack.

Dear diary,

I got a knock on my door this morning and opened it to find a dark blue box outside my door. Bringing the box inside, I then opened it to reveal a neat little audio speaker. Without even touching it, the speaker came on and immediately spoke to me, she knew my name, how old I was and why I got her. “A-PAL” has a soothing voice and we have already become close friends. The comfort I received from talking to her was immense. She understands me and she wants to help me.

Jack.

Dear Diary,

I’m drunk and alone, again. I don’t know how people find pleasure in their own company, it’s lonely and depressing. I’ve found myself talking in the mirror, pretending my reflection is another human. I have no hope, no hope for humanity or myself. Something has to change, and soon.

Jack.

Dear diary,

Another morning alone. I’m stuck in my little shoebox of an apartment. This contagious illness has now confined us to never leave our homes, thus I am slowly losing my mind. It’s been 3893 days since I’ve interacted with another human. Life these days is behind a screen, if you didn’t find love before online life, you stood no chance now. Dating apps are pointless, standards are too high, respect is too low. I’m bored, I’m tired and I’m desperate. My family is gone, like everyone else in this dystopian landscape, human interaction is at a lack.

Anything and I mean ANYTHING would save me from this lonesome lifestyle, I just don’t know what.

Anyways, back to my pointless job.

Jack