Chat

The sound on fingers tapping against the keyboard echoes throughout the room; the only sound in the darkness.
The hunched figure sits on the hardwood floor, enshrouded in black, the only light from the screen of the laptop before it.
The friendly blue-ish grey colour of the chat box is obvious and contrasts the darkness of the screen behind it.
A conversation is taking place.

Time (the screen name is in red) -
It's available tonight.

A response immediately:
Hue (blue lettering) -
Good, then it's settled. We'll meet at ten.

Time -
Where?

Hue -
The usual place. It's close by, don't worry.

Time -
What about the others? How are you going to contact them?

The screen flickers and the figure taps the side of the side of the laptop. It goes dark, then sparks back into life. The figure knows it is running out of time.

Hue -
I will phone them. Leave it to me.

Time -
My battery's dying. I'll see you there.

Suddenly a new name appears in green. The figure holds onto the laptop, willing the battery to last a little longer.

Dream -
Call it off. We don't need this.

Hue -
I wondered when you would show up. (A smiling face is posted)

Dream-
You've been wronged, but that's no excuse. Call it off.

Hue -
No.

There is no response. The figure taps away at the keyboard, its movements now slightly panicked.

Time -
You'll be there, won't you, Dream?

Dream -
I can't. This is the end. It's too much.

Hue -
It's only one person. No one will miss them.

Dream -
Goodbye.

Dream has left the conversation.

The figure bows its head and, after a moment, pushes the power button of the laptop. The screen goes dead. The room is pitch black.
It stands, walks to the door, retrieves a bag, leaves.
The night air is cold, but the figure doesn't notice.
It stopped feeling a long time ago.