“Folie à Deux”

IKAG

Bailey stared blankly at the letters on her screen. She racked her brain to try and figure out what they could possibly be an acronym for, but she was coming up with nothing.

???

She responded back. The three dots indicating that Taylor was typing her response seemed to go on forever.

I know a game

She had heard rumors of that phrase floating around before, warnings given by overly cautious parent groups extolling the horrors of the “Dark Web.” But until now, Bailey had never encountered anyone actually prompting her with IKAG online. She did a quick search on Reddit to educate herself, just a primer so she’d know what she was getting into, but the only thread on the topic had been shut down. Not wanting to look like a loser, Bailey tried to play it cool and typed what she vaguely remembered the appropriate response to be.

Let’s play.

She shook her head as she hit send. That didn’t seem right but, to her pleasant surprise, Taylor proceeded without acknowledging her guffaw.

Ever hear of foley a-doo?

Bailey had no clue what Taylor was talking about, before she good hit enter on the Google search bar, Taylor continued.

That’s the game we’re going to play. R U ready?

Like she had an option. Bailey reluctantly typed K.

Here’s how it works: you’re going to do everything I say.

Bailey again hesitantly typed K.

But here’s the catch: I’m not going to actually tell you to do anything. I’m going to only suggest some things…

Bailey again stared blankly at her screen before responding.

Like, hypnotize me?

…

No, not exactly…

She awaited further instructions from Taylor, but none ever came. Instead they carried on with their conversation like nothing had happened at all.

“Bailey! Come on, you’re going to be late for school.” Bailey’s mom called to her from downstairs. Once again, Bailey had spent too many hours online and didn’t get to bed until far too late. Despite their long conversation, she never actually got to play Taylor’s game, which was probably for the best. As she dutifully got herself out of bed and ready for another boring day at school, she couldn’t help but recall a few of the things Taylor said during their conversation.

School’s such a waste of time. The only reason our parents send us there is to keep us out of their hair.

Bailey couldn’t help but agree with that. Lately it seemed like she was stuck on repeat, going into school every day, not learning anything new, and then going home to spend hours on homework from which she gained nothing.

What do our parents even do all day?

Bailey knew what her dad did, he was a lawyer, but as for her mom? No clue—she was a “homemaker,” yet the house looked the same every day. She seemingly didn’t do anything outside of cooking and cleaning yet she was always all to eager to ship Bailey off for the day. Maybe she really just didn’t want her around. Bailey was feeling more and more like that was the case with everyone in her life.

Sometimes I think our parents think we’re just a thorn in their sides.

Her dad had been pulling a lot of hours at work and whenever he’d get home he was usually too exhausted to do anything more than pour himself a glass of scotch and pass out in his recliner in front of the TV. It had been ages since they had all done anything together as a family, and the time spent at home was mostly apart, each member to themselves. Bailey felt like anything she asked of her parents came as an annoyance to them, so she’d mostly just spend time in her room, on her computer.

I wonder if they’d even notice if we weren’t there.

Bailey made her way downstairs and noticed her mom drinking coffee in the kitchen, scrolling through her phone.

“I don’t feel like having breakfast today,” Bailey called out to her.

Without looking up from her phone, Bailey’s mom responded:

“Fine, but don’t complain if dinner’s not ready yet when you come home and you’re starving.”

Bailey continued outside, her dad had already left for work without saying goodbye. He used to at least kiss her on the head while she was still asleep. She knew he stopped because, even though he thought she was asleep, she’d always wake up from the sound of his clumsy footsteps and keep her eyes closed while he kissed her forehead. He hadn’t done that in months.

I wonder if they’d notice if we didn’t come home from school on time.

Bailey walked over to the bus stop, as usual she was the only one there.

I wonder if they’d notice if we disappeared entirely.

She checked her watch, the bus should be here any minute.

You should come and hang out with me. I’d bet we have so much fun together in person. Do you live near the train? My house is right near the Patterson stop.

Bailey kept walking, past the bus stop. Across the street. Down the road. The train station wasn’t too far. Her lunch money should cover the cost of a ticket.

Don’t tell them, they’ll never even know.

And it’s true, they didn’t. They never did find out where it was Bailey was headed that day. Nor did they ever see her again.