[sirens wailing in distance]
[cashier] 20, 40, 60, 80...
-I'm telling you, Linda. -...100.
It'll be all about the Internet, this will pay off big time.
[Linda] Uh-huh?
[sighs] You know how many people are online?
35,977,000.
[sighs]
I'm just saying that people are gonna go crazy over this.
I mean, look at David. He loves those computers.
Where is he anyway?
Where do you think?
[Linda] In the basement again? I'm getting worried about him.
[computer beeping]
[door creaks]
[gasps]
[Linda] Gosh.
Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you.
It's past your bedtime, okay?
So say good-night to your cyber friends and you get to bed, okay?
[notification dings]
Why are you so mean?
["Run Boy Run" playing]
♪ I wonder if you knew Today would be the day♪
♪ That you would get the mark And death would begin Making his way♪♪♪
♪ Hungry Yellow eyes♪♪♪
♪ A rage full of focus Unwilling to compromise♪♪♪
♪ Did you make plans above?♪♪♪
♪ I say the beast Shoots straight Baby, he got aim♪♪♪
♪ He got a lifetime of bullets And he ain't playing♪♪♪
♪ You better know Where the heat at Follow that gun♪♪♪
♪ You better know Where the heat at Run, boy, run, boy, run♪
♪ Where the heat at Run, boy, run, boy, run♪♪♪
♪ Where the heat at Run, boy, run, boy, run♪
♪ Run, boy, run♪
♪ Baby Run, boy, run, baby♪♪♪
♪ Don't bother asking why When every second counts♪
♪ If you don't swallow Your pride♪♪♪
♪ You'll be spitting up blood By the ounce♪♪♪
♪ Move Get out the way♪♪♪
♪ Or this could be Your Sabbath day♪♪♪
♪ Don't slow down♪
♪ Don't let your feet Touch the ground♪♪♪
♪ Or you'll find yourself Surrounded♪
♪ With no escape♪♪♪
♪ And nothing But hell to pay♪
♪ I say the beast Shoots straight Baby, he got aim♪♪♪
♪ He got a lifetime of bullets And he ain't playing♪♪♪
♪ You better know Where the heat at Follow that gun♪♪♪
♪ You better know Where the heat at Run, boy, run♪♪♪
♪ I say the beast Shoots straight♪♪♪
♪ Baby, he got aim♪♪♪
♪ He got a lifetime of bullets And he ain't playing♪♪♪
♪ You better know Where the heat at Follow that gun♪♪♪
♪ You better know where the heat at♪♪♪
♪ Run, boy, run, boy, run♪♪♪
[coworker 1] Ellis, hands off the keyboard!
Engaging with trolls is like the worst possible use of your energy.
You're doing your angry typing thing again.
Okay. I'll just delete his comment then.
Oh, yeah, I'm sure that's the last time you'll hear about it.
Oh, my God, so I should--
-Ignore it! -Ignore it!
If you feed the trolls, they will grow in power and destroy you.
[notification dings]
-Okay. Have any of you got this email? -[coworker 1] What email?
[coworker 2] No, what is it?
Ah, cool, it's one of those things where if you look at it long enough,
you'll see a picture. [chuckles]
-[gasps] -[coworkers giggle]
[Ellis] Oh, my God.
Were you filming that?
That was trendworthy.
[boss] Hey, BuzzFeeders! Quick word.
Uh, just read an article about a young man
who woke up after being in a coma for 21 years.
[employees murmur]
Here's the uncool part, I read it on Vice!
[employee groans] Oh, dude.
Come on! Guys, we should be on that.
This is our kind of shit!
Uh, "27 Surprising Places to Eat in New York City
if You've Just Woken Up From a Coma."
[chuckles] But better, obviously.
Adam E.
Just going over your performance metrics
and the general audience sentiment shows that your content is,
well, for lack of better words, relatable AF.
Here's the less good part, not as great,
your reach is kind of lame.
It's not a criticism,
it's just something to consider.
We'd like to get those numbers up.
For example, right now your views are lagging way behind Norris's lists.
Yes!
I knew my "Top Ten Buffy Episodes
and What Your Favorite Says About You"
would totally slay. [chuckles]
Get it, slay? Like-- you know, like vampire slayer.
Yes! I'm dead, I'm so dead.It's sick, huh?
-[both laughing] -You've been sitting on that one.
Yeah, I have. Yeah, I wanted to--
I wanted to raise the stakes up so, just for--
Oh, that's two!For you. Yeah, boom.
Very funny, Norris. But you don't have to celebrate it, okay?
Take the compliment, internalize it.Absolutely.
Feel good about it.Yeah.
But we don't want to make people feel bad.
Absolutely. Lock it up.
[boss] You're behind that pun machine.
Way behind.
I'd love to see some more authentic original content from you.
-[Adam] Yeah. -People really dig when you reveal
-the funny, painful truth about stuff. -Right.
Yeah? So maybe try that, yeah? Cool. Okay, Evelyn, great.
He said the same thing to Carmen two weeks ago.
Carmen who got fired a week ago?
-Yeah. -Yeah.
But it's gonna be okay.
"Try to make your comics have more pain--
but funny pain."[chuckles]
"But not so funny they lose the pain."
Oh, come on, you can do that.
"You make it relatable and inclusive."
Inclusive? AKA, gay.
[chuckling] Gay.
You were pretty restless last night.
Yeah?Yeah.
Adam, I can sleep back at my own place.
You know, you can just tell me.
No, it's not that. Really, it's not that.
I was thinking,
I know that you and your mom aren't close,
but maybe it's time I got to meet her.
If-- If you want.
I don't know. I-- I, um...
You don't want to meet my mom.
You think I'm crazy, you ain't seen nothing.
You know I love you, right?
[teenager 1] I know it's only been a few hours, but I think I love you.
[teenager 2 laughs]
Oh, shit, he's responding. "I think I love you too."
Yo, he loves you, he loves you!
Wait, wait, wait, wait. [clears throat]
Do you wanna hold me?
Ew.
Do you wanna make out with a 14-year-old boy?
And we're blocked. Yes!
Okay. Sports Chat?
[teenager 1] This one.
"Hi, I'm David. Ask me anything."
"Chat room rules. No bullying. No bad language." What?
Yeah, this guy's asking for it.
"Ask only two questions, but never three."
Dude, this is hilarious.
All right.
Dear David, why are you such a loser?
"I think you'd both like me if you gave me a chance."
What-- Wait, how does he know there's two of us?
Chill out, man. He's probably doing exactly what we're doing.
Tell me why a loser like you shouldn't blow your brains out.
Dude, that's pretty dark.
Come on, man. No one takes this shit serious.
"So I'll live to see you die."
Dear David--Maybe let's not.
He said not to ask three questions.
Maybe you shouldn't be such a pussy.
Whatever.
How am I going to die?
"Alone, afraid, and wetting your bed."
-What? Yo, that's-- -Dude.
[electricity buzzing]
Dude, let's just watch Riverdale.
-Are you bugging out because of this creep? -No.
[coworker 3] Oh, my God. And Beatrice?
She just got fired as editor of Teen Vogue Online.
Now I'm fourth in line to replace her.
Oh! It's like Game of Thrones,
but for a fashion-savvy social warrior.
Here's to that.
And Adam, at least you'll have plenty of introvert work-from-home time
once Kyle's gone.
Yes. Wait, what? What do you mean?
[chuckles]
I'm flying out to Arkansas tonight.
Your mom!My mom's hysterectomy.
I'm gonna help out until my sisters can get there.
Right. Sorry.
Well, it might do you some good.
No distractions. Except the Internet.
-Another drink? -[coworker 3] Yes, please.
Hey, I am so sorry. That was super messed up.
I do remember, I promise.
It's okay. All right? I get it. All right?
We both have a lot going on right now.
But this,
we gotta maintain a full signal between us
or else the call gets dropped.
I don't want that.
Me neither.
Okay.
Yeah. I'm sorry.
It's okay.
-[high-pitched chiming] -[inhales sharply]
[breathing rapidly]
[muffled scream]
[choking]
["Friending" playing]
♪ You were talking about♪
♪ All the time That you've been spending♪♪♪
♪ Do you Do you have an idea♪♪♪
♪ All the time That you've been friending♪♪♪
♪ I think you've got A good idea♪♪♪
♪ Of the time You've been wasting♪♪♪
♪ On and on and on♪
♪ And it goes on And on and on♪♪♪
♪ And you say that you know♪
♪ Every time That you've been trending♪
♪ And you And you say that you know♪
♪ Everyone who you've been Friending♪♪♪
♪ But you'll never find out♪
♪ Everyone who you've been Offending♪♪♪
♪ On and on and on♪♪♪
♪ And it goes on and on and on It goes on and on♪♪♪
[sighs]
[music ends]
[groans]
Ping!
Fuckin' twat.
[scoffs]
Why don't you die in a fire?
[meows]
Don't judge me, you're not my mom.
Sometimes you gotta troll the trolls.
Internet...
educate him.
[notifications chiming]
[chuckles]
See?
I'm relatable AF.
[chuckles]
[scoffs]
[groans]
[sighs]
[purring]
[chuckles]
I love you too.
[inhales deeply]
[groans] Oh, my God.
[sniffles] Are you hungry?
[cell phone beeps]
All right. Come on.
[sighs] I should drink and post more often.
[creaking]
[cat meows]
[announcer] Please stand away from the platform edge.
[horn honking]
[cell phone chimes]
-[clattering] -[gasps]
[clanging]
[loud clang]
-[electricity buzzing] -[gasps]
[person shouting]
[keys jangling]
Shit.
Thanks, man.
[laughing]
Baby steps. Baby steps.
[light bulb blows]
[neighbor moaning, panting]
[Adam groans]
[moaning continues loudly]
[video game music playing]
[video game chimes]
[shooting on video game]
[creaking]
[groans]
[gasps]
[Adam] I really didn't sleep well this weekend.
[Evelyn] Lonely without Kyle already?
I had sleep paralysis.
Hmm?It's where you wake up,
but you can't move, but you can see.
That's a real thing?Mm-hmm.
Yeah, I haven't had it since my final year of college.
It's, like, stress-related or something,
but they say you can see things because...
your brain is still dreaming.
Mm-hmm.But I've never had it that bad before.
I don't know, it--
it just felt very real, you know?
Did you want me to come over at night to protect you?
[grunts]
I think I'll be fine.
[high-pitched chiming]
[static buzzing]
[buzzing stops]
[person whispers] Adam!
[muffled chattering]
You've seen my son, Dear David, haven't you?
[electricity buzzing]
Dear David.
You saw him.
What does he want?
You can ask him, but only two questions.
Never three.
Why?
Ask him yourself.
David?
[muffled shouting]
[panting]
What are you doing tonight?
[pop music playing]
[Evelyn] This one says the ghost of a masturbating chimp
roams the hallways of their stately home. [chuckles]
There are actually a lot of weirdos out there.
Not you. You're under a lot of pressure.
Hmm.
It's your turn.Okay.
I feel like this game is trying to tell me something.
What do you think?
A hundred percent.Hmm.
That you're a total failure.I'm a total failure.
Mm-hmm.Yeah, thought so.
You should have let me bring my Ouija board over.
Then we'd really figure out what's bothering you.
I'm not trying to invite more paranormal activity,
thank you very much.
[clattering]
[chuckles]
It's just the cats.
Are you serious?
-[chuckles] Ellis. Oh, my God. -[cats meowing]
-That's really weird. -What is?
They don't want me to touch it.
-[chuckles] Oh! -No!
[chuckling]
It's just a camera.
[sighs]
It even takes photos like a real camera.
I should go and get some work done.
Get some sleep.
Dream of hot men, not dead boys.
[door opens, shuts]
[cell phone buzzing]
[Kyle] Hey, you. How's it going?
My mom's home, she's good.
Although struggling to go number two.
We bought her all kinds of fiber supplements...
[Adam] What the hell?
...but we don't want her to burst her stitches.
-[Adam] Ew. God. -Love yo--
Not now, Kyle.
[rattling]
[sighs]
No. People will think I'm nuts.
[sighs]
[creaking]
[high-pitched chiming]
[gasps]
[heartbeat thumping]
[panting]
Who are you?
[whispering] Just a follower.
[Adam] You guys moving out?
Uh, sure are.
Any particular reason?
Like, uh, I don't know,
bad dreams, or a creepy kid in the corner of the room?
Half a head? [chuckles]
-Nah, bro. -We're moving upstate.
Oh.
Good luck.
[chuckling]
And even if you are right and it's all in my head
and I'm just a crazy person,
look how big this apartment is.
It's a win-win, baby!
Hmm. I think they recommend moving further than just up the stairs.
Oh, and, hey, no more sex sounds above you.
Downstairs is available if you want to hear mine.
Ew, gross.
That's homophobia.
No, it's not!
Oh, my God.
What is this?Oh, God.
Is that you?Mm-hmm.
Ah!
This is me and all of my childhood friends.
That's my best friend Link and we're saving the Princess Zelda.
-Oh, my God, you had an imaginary friend. -Hmm.
That's such an only child thing.Hmm. Yeah, I know.
No wonder you looked so lost and lonely before I adopted you at work.
Hmm.
[cats meowing]
[sighs]
[meowing continues]
Hey, babies. What are you looking at?
[growling]
[camera clicks]
What the hell are you looking at?
-[cats yowling] -Shit.
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.
[camera clicks]
What?
Are you fucking kidding me?
Oh, come on.
[whooshing]
[panting]
Yes, yes, yes.
Call, call, call.
Come on, come on. Pick up, pick up, pick up.
No.
Just breathing. Breathe, breathe, breathe.
You're okay.
[breathing heavily]
[panting]
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.
[boss] I don't like scary things, really, but I was, like, riveted by this.
Oh! Speak of the devil! Adam E! There he is.
Why didn't you tell me what you were working on?
Uh...
-Uh, what am I working on? -All right, Mr. Modest.
This Dear David story, it's crazy good.
It feels personal, but, uh, digestible.
It's fresh. It's like a whole new format.
I was telling these guys, I was afraid to leave my room last night.
[chuckling]
So, um, yeah, so that--
so that story is-- is actually happening.
It's totally happening.
It's rad too. I like how you're bringing that back.
It's like what we talked about.
I'm not taking credit for this, but I told you.
It's not just about the pep talk,
you had to dig in and find it, and you did.
In fact, I'm gonna spotlight it on the home page,
so I want you to put something together.
You know, liven it up with some-- some GIFs and memes and stuff.
You're good at that. Make it fun. Okay?
-Norris, go ahead. -Uh...
"Top Ten Reasons Why Dawson From Dawson's Creek
is a Little Bitch Boy."
-[boss] Ooh. The word "bitch" might be-- -Too much, yeah.
This feels wrong.
It feels dirty or something. I don't know.
Not fun dirty, bad dirty.
Let them vote on what you do next.
That's a really good idea.Mm-hmm.
Number one, Ouija board?
[Evelyn] Definitely.
Number two, hire a medium? I like that one.
Mm-hmm.I don't hate it.
-[Evelyn] Mm-hmm. -[Adam] Okay.
[Evelyn] It's a good number two.
Three.
Oh, my God. You have to pick that one.
For real?Mm-hmm!
I rid you of evil.
I rid you of evil!
[coughing]
[chuckling]
I don't remember inviting you over.
Please, I'm the least of your uninvited problems.
Ooh.
Someone says that I should get a sleep talk app
to record what happens at night.
[Evelyn] I like it.Hmm.
I think I might do that tonight.
Maybe Dear David is like Link?
Just another imaginary friend.
He's not imaginary.
Uh, what does Kyle think?
I don't know.
I haven't spoken to him in a while, he's MIA on this whole trip.
I think he's mad at me.
Why would he be mad at you?
I haven't called him back.
[groans]
Okay, fine, if you must know,
it's because he keeps saying "I love you"
and I don't know how to respond to that.
Okay? That's why.
If you don't wanna listen to Kyle and his feelings,
then he's not gonna be there for you and your ghost problems.
[yawns]
[notifications chiming]
[groans]
[chuckles]
[cat meows]
[cat yowls]
[voices whispering]
[cat meows]
[gasps]
[choking]
[distorted screaming]
[gasping]
[grunts]
[breathing rapidly]
What... do you...
want from me?
[rocking chair creaking]
[choking]
That's two!
-[thuds] -[gasps]
[groans]
[sighs]
[gasping through speaker]
[distorted speech]
[panting, distorted speech]
[Adam] What do you...
want from me?
[David] That's two!
-[muffled thud] -[gasps]
What the hell is that?
[stairs creaking]
[muffled thud]
[gasps]
[door clicking]
-[clattering] -[gasps]
-[creaking] -[gasps]
-[Kyle] Adam, Adam. It's me, it's me.
-[Adam panting] -[metal clattering]
[Kyle] What the hell is going on?
It's me.
[Adam] That's it. That's everything, I hope.
[Kyle] You know why I love your comics so much?
Why?
It's the only way I feel like I actually get to know you.
My cartoons do the talking for me,
there's nothing wrong with that.
There is when you never actually say anything that's real.
That is so unfair.
Maybe you never listen when I do,
but I talk to you a lot.
Sure, in sarcasm and memes.
Which is cute until my friends ask me if a ghost is haunting me too,
and I have no idea what they're talking about
until I see this shit online like one of your...
fucking followers.
I tried calling, you were blowing me off.
I thought you were mad at me, I was giving you space.
I've been calling. Texting.
Look.
You moved apartments and didn't say anything to me.
And then Jaxon sends me this.
He found it last week.
I'm not on Grindr.
Someone is obviously catfishing me.
You can get that photo online.
Look, I'm not on Grindr, I deleted it when we started dating.
I didn't-- I didn't put that on there.
I don't know how that got there.
I promise you, I deleted it. I did.
What the hell?
Jesus Christ, Adam.
Listen...
I don't understand what you're going through right now,
but until you sort yourself out...
I need space.
You're breaking up with me?
How can I be with someone
when I never know what's really going on with them?
["Your Ghost" playing]
♪ I think last night♪
♪ You were driving circles Around me♪♪♪
♪ I think last night♪
♪ You were driving circles Around me♪
[cell phone ringing]
♪ It's the blaze Across my nightgown♪
[camera clicks]
♪ It's the phone's ring♪♪♪
What's been going on with Adam?
Yeah, what's going on?
I don't--
-I don't know. -[friend] It's weird, right?
[Evelyn] Yeah, it is. I really don't know.
We're supposed to be best friends, and--
Honey, nobody cares about ghosts.
Ooh...
[laughing]
Really though.
Kyle's been saying the same thing.
He said that Adam didn't even ask
about his mom's surgery,
which is weird.
It's just not really like him.
[announcer] Please stand away from the platform edge,
especially when trains enter and leave the station.
[clattering]
[metal clanking]
[train rumbling]
[sighs]
[person] Yes! Yes!
[people grunting]
[person groaning]
[Adam] Shit, shit. Oh, my God.
Whoa. No, no. No, no, no. God. Stop, stop.
-No, no, no. - No, no, no.
-[cell phone ringing] - Oh, my God. Whoa.
No.
Oh, fuck it.
[Adam] I'm not on Grindr. I deleted it.
He's not imaginary. Oh, my God.
Because he keeps saying "I love you."
-[cell phone chimes] -[gasps]
[notifications chiming]
What?
[notifications continue]
[thuds]
[cat meowing]
[cat yowls]
[heart monitor beeping]
[breathing shakily]
-[static buzzes] -[modem dialing]
[breathing shakily]
[mouse clicking]
[socket disconnecting]
I've told you to go to bed three times and I find you looking at this?
What's wrong with you, David?
Why are you looking at this filth?
Answer me!
What's wrong with you?
[choking]
[gurgling]
[gasps]
[Linda] David?
Oh, my God! Please stop.
Please stop.
[Linda screaming]
[Adam whimpering]
[screaming]
[gurgling]
[grunts]
[panting]
You owe me big time for covering for you at work yesterday.
[notifications chiming]
You know it's not all about your followers?
Hello?
Is everything okay?Do you know how to find out
-who this handle belongs to? -[Evelyn sighs]
You really think a weird account is haunting your apartment?
I woke up hanging out of the fucking window last night.
It's not a joke.
Are you serious?
You didn't put that in your thread.'Cause it's too insane.
Maybe you should see a doctor or something,
do a sleep study before you really hurt yourself.
I'm fine, I just...
need to find out who this is.
Ask Kyle, he did all those exposés.
He broke up with me.
[knock on window]
Adam Ellis! My office!
Now!
Fuck.
Wish me luck.
Wh--
This is crazy, Adam.
Um...
Yeah. No, that's-- Yeah, no, it's all--
It's true, it's all happening.I got the LA office calling
and asking what's happening and I don't know what to tell them.
Which they don't like, of course.
And I don't like it, so tell me. How does this end?
I don't-- I don't know.
The reason I'm asking...Yeah, no--
...because you're being weirdly coy,
um, is because I'm thinking about taking this thing much bigger.
I mean, not that it's not right now, but--
I'm thinking we take it multimedia, not just one quadrant.
I think we go four quadrants on this thing, you know?
And we take it to the mat.
We could really make this, like, a thing. You know?
This could be-- I mean, I'm not diminishing-- It already is big.
But I'm talking, like-- I mean, like, worldwide.
[boss's voice fades]
[Adam breathing shakily]
What's going on?
Is everything okay?
What happened?
Pics or it didn't happen.
Ellis, wh--
Come on, pick up.
[Kyle] I said I needed space.
I know, I'm sorry. I just need help, Kyle.
Yeah, I'm aware.
This is me trying to say something...
real.
Is this you hearing me?
What do you need?
I really need to find out what's behind this anonymous user handle.
That's not what I meant, Adam.
And it's not an easy ask, all sorts of privacy issues.
Please?
Whatever it is is trying to kill me.
The ghost?
[sighs] Adam, I'm worried about you.
Maybe you should talk to someone.
I'm talking to you.
Please, Kyle.
[Kyle sighs]
Text me the handle.
Thanks.
You said that the spirit harmed you, like, physically?
Yeah, um, look at, uh--
Yeah, it hurt, and, um...
it gave me a nosebleed.
There's a strange energy coming from this corner here.
It's really unusual.
[Adam] Yeah, so that's where I first saw him.
I was getting sleep paralysis,
and I wake up and I see him,
but I see him in real life now as well.
Starting in your dreams doesn't mean that's actually where it started, yeah?
Okay.
-This area... -Right?
...harbors an awful lot of negativity.
Yes. Yeah, it's the Internet.
Some... ghosts, if that's the word you choose to use...
Right.
...can tap into your thoughts.
Did you do something to invite it into your life?
[cell phone ringing]
[Adam] This number keeps calling me.
I thought it was a prank at first too, but it's-- I don't think it is.
And I think it's-- I think it's connected
because whenever I pick it up--
I'm not-- I'm not crazy.
I know how this sounds. I'm not.
Is that the primary device you use to document your experiences?
Um...
yeah.
Is that bad?
I don't know, if I'm being perfectly honest.
What I do know is that whatever it is,
is not connected to this space,
it's connected to you.
To me?
So what does that mean? What do I do?
You gotta figure out who and what it really is and what it really wants.
It's a child ghost called David,
and I'm pretty sure it wants to kill me. I told you that.
Yes, that's what he told you
in your paralysis-induced dreams.
Exactly.
Spirits don't always appear as they actually are.
They're gonna show you what they want you to see
and they are gonna tell you what they want you to hear,
and the truth is often far more complicated.
[paper rustling]
[person] Thanks for joining me, Mr. Ellis.
I know the note thing is a bit odd and a bit old-fashioned,
but I have my own reasons.
My name is Phyllis Crainey. I'm an Internet sleuth.
Okay.
I have a keen interest in the paranormal.
Sorry, does that mean you investigate Internet ghosts?
It's not as uncommon as you think.
-I keep-- -[server] Here you go.
I keep having these nightmares.
There's a boy with a-- with a caved in head.
And there's a woman,
she has, like, long straggly hair, it's like--
Loopy Linda.
Loopy Linda?Linda Johnson.
I always assumed she was mentally ill.
That was until I read your articles.
Linda is what you would call "Internet famous,"
especially on the Deep Web.
It started off with these message board users
sharing interviews of a psychiatric patient called Linda
saying and doing all kinds of crazy stuff.
Like-- Like what?
[Phyllis] She'd be drawing a boy with a crushed head,
saying things like, "I fought the devil."
"Don't ask three."
A tape of her suicide even made it on there.
Suicide? Why would anyone post that?
It's the Internet. It's anonymous, and that...
can bring out the worst in some people.
How many questions have you asked him?
Two.
The three questions are a basic incantation.
You've invited this "Dear David" into your life.
What do I do?
[Phyllis] Search for "Loopy Linda."
That's where you'll find your answers.
[person] Linda?
It's Dr. Landers.
Are you still having trouble sleeping?
[Linda] It comes in the darkness.
It feeds on our fears, anxiety and suffering.
I can hear it in my sleep.
-[sobbing] -[Dr. Landers] Linda. Linda.
Your delusions are something that your mind has made up
to help you cope with the trauma.
You need to accept reality if you want to get better.
You murdered your husband.
[crying] No, I didn't. I didn't.
And you inflicted severe head trauma upon your son.
He's not my son.
He is your son, and you put him in a coma
from which he might never wake up.
Good. Don't let it ever wake up,
because it's coming for me.
I know it's coming for me.
But I am not gonna let it, because you know why?
I fought the devil. I fought the fucking devil.
I fought the dev--
Go back. Go back, go back.
He's not my son.
[Dr. Landers] He is your son, and you put him in a coma
from which he might never wake up.
...put him in a coma
from which he might never wake up.
David Johnson coma.
Coma, coma, coma. David Johnson. Davi--
Oh, my God. No way.
"David Johnson has awoken after 21 long years in a coma.
Doctors at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital say
he is still yet to speak, but is recovering well,
and was only ten when his mother went inexplicably insane,
killing her husband before...
going on to crush David's skull...
with a computer monitor."
[notifications chiming]
[receptionist] Sir?
Sir, can I help you with something?
Oh, yeah, um...
I'm looking for a patient, David Johnson.
He was admitted in 1996.
Severe head trauma.
That's weird, there's not much here.
There might be some hard copy files out back,
but unless you're family, I can't give you his medical records.
His family are all dead.
My condolences, but I still can't release these.
They're too fresh.
Too fresh? What does that mean?
Well, he died a few days ago.
[heart monitor beeping]
[receptionist] Sir, what is your relationship to the deceased?
I'm...
being haunted by the ghost of his child self.
Okay, so the department you really need to go see is psychiatric,
and you need to go to another location for those services,
so let me find someone that can help you with that.
[person] Security to reception.
[electronic lock beeps]
Security to reception.
Okay.
[whispering] Records, records, records.
Johnson. Year, '96.
David Johnson.
[person] Security to reception.
[Adam] Dr. Landers.
Okay, Dr. Landers, let's hope you have some answers for me.
-Dr. Landers? -[door creaking]
Dr. Landers?
What?
Oh, my God. What the fuck?
[camera clicks]
[creaking]
[creaking continues]
Dr. Landers?
[gasps]
Oh.
[creaking]
[voice] Get out!
[Adam panting]
[operator] 9-1-1, what's your emergency?
[Adam] I need to report a dead body.
Hey, what happened to you and your sisters, anyway?
You were all so close...
All right, you little shit. Let's dance.
[actor 1 on TV] I keep hoping you'll change your mind.
[actor 2] Can we please just talk about something else?
I just want you to know I'm here for you.
[shouting on TV]
-Andy, please help me. -[Andy] I've tried to help you.
You didn't want my help, remember?
Do you know how many times I tried to get you to tell me the truth?
I practically begged you.
But no.
You decided to protect your girlfriends.
I loved you so much.
[TV static buzzing]
[rocking chair creaking]
[whimpering]
Fuck you.
[creaking continues]
[whimpers]
[crying]
Hey, Aurora.
Call Evelyn.
[Aurora] Sorry, can you repeat that?
Call... Evelyn.
[Aurora] I'm sorry, can you repeat that?
Call-- Call Kyle.
[Aurora] Calling Kyle.
[line ringing]
Hi, it's Kyle. I'd love to talk,
but I can't right now.
Please leave a message after the tone
and I'll get back to you soon. Take care--
[inhales sharply]
Oh, my God.
[sniffling]
[whimpering on recording]
Hey.
Can I talk to you about something?
Are you kidding?
Are you mad at me?
Does it matter?
You're Internet famous and I'm just a wannabe, right?
I can pick up your slack at work but you can't pick up your phone when I text.
You're not the only one who hates being ignored.
I don't know what you're talking about.
I really don't.
Those DMs last night?
Eat shit.
What?
I didn't write these. I didn't write these.
[cell phone buzzing]
Hey.
[Kyle] So it turns out my contact didn't have to break any privacy rules
regarding the @[D]-_-_-_David handle.
Oh.
That's good. Why?
It doesn't exist.
But it do-- I mean, I'm looking at it right now.
Adam.
Yeah, I'm here.
I think it's time you let this go.
Okay. Yeah.
Well, thanks. Thanks.
Hey, can you take a look at my newest list?
I want to make sure it's relatable,
and you're super good at that.
Yeah, sure.
Yeah, let's do it! Yeah.Thanks. Yeah.
Should be in your inbox.
Why, Norris?
Uh...
Do you not want to do it?
Do I want to-- No, I don't want to do it.
Why would you even send me that?
I-- I just thought you could do it as a favor.
As a fa-- Are you a fucking psycho? Is that the problem?
What? No.Are you fucking sick?
Adam, I'm sorry. What are you talk-- What's going on?
What are you talking about?
Norris just sent me the most fucked up thing I've ever seen.
[Norris] No, I-- I didn't.
Oh, my God. Are you all in on this?
[Norris] Adam, what are you talking about?
Is this some fucking joke? You think this is funny?
Yeah, everybody watch the fucking show. Real funny, huh?
Yeah, really funny. It's on every fucking screen. Are you fucking kidding me?
Hey! Whoa![Adam] You guys are so fucking...
-Hey! -...fucked up!
Yeah, film this. Fucking film this. Is that good content for you?
Hey! Hey! What's going on?
Look what the fuck they just sent me, Bryce!
[Bryce] Huh?That is so fucked up. Look.
Did it-- No, it didn't say that.
-[Bryce] Okay. Hey. -They changed it!
-They changed it. -It's okay.
Come here. Come sit down.
Sit down. Sit down.
-It's all right, everyone. -It didn't say that.
Go back to work. Stop filming. But good instincts.
What the-- It didn't say that.Okay, hey. Hey.
It didn't say that.Hey, listen, listen, listen.
Why don't you take some time off? Yeah?
Get your head right, all right?
I'm very passionate about mental health. It's very important to me.
So go home-- Take all the time you need, in fact.
And if it's the end of the thread that's stressing you out,
just know that we can absorb it.
We can workshop it in-house, it's what we do.
We're a family here at BuzzFeed, all right? We look out for each other.
But you need--
You need to take it easy.
You look like shit.
All right, everyone, it's okay.
That was fun.
Right, it's okay, Norris. Why don't you take a break?
All right.
[cats meowing, yowling]
Hey, babies.
Come here.
[cell phone buzzing]
[notification chimes]
[sighs]
What now?
[Adam's voice] You're a judgmental asshole, Kyle,
and I'm fucking sick of it.
Go fuck yourself, Kyle.
I didn't send these. Damn it.
[notifications chiming]
[banging on door]
[breathing heavily]
Fuck you!
[lock clicks]
I'm in control now.
I'm in control.
[cell phone ringing]
[ringing continues]
Fuck off.
I'm in control, I'm in control.
[cell phone ringing]
Stop.
[ringing continues]
Stop!
What?
I'm in control, David.
Oh, no.
No. Stop. David, stop.
[ringing continues]
No, I just saved.
David, what the fuck did you do?
That was three questions.
Oh, shit. That was a question. No, it was--
[crying]
[video game sound effects]
What the fuck?
[distorted voice] I'm in control.
[echoing] No. No.
What's going on? No. No, no, no.
Oh, no.
What is happening?
No. Help!
Help me! No!
[distorted] Help me!
No, no! No! Stop!
[screaming]
Please help me!
No!
Die in a fire!
No!
[gasping]
[distorted whisper] Adam.
[David] I'm in control.
[computer notification]
I'm in control.
[Adam] You were an artist too?
You never ask about my day.
You never call me back.[Bryce] People don't like you.
All I wanted was to be your friend.
Your cartoons, they're empty. Like you.
You never say anything that's real.
I have a new list. "Top Ten Reasons Adam Ellis is a Dick."
You're only here to tick some boxes.
[David] You're selfish.
-[David] Self-obsessed. -You're a fucking--
Asshole!
-And you never say I love you. -But I--
Why are you saying this shit to me?
[cat meows]
[distorted] You know this, Adam.
Deep down, you know you're worthless.
Accept it, you're alone.
[whispering] You'll never be enough.
So give up.
[distorted roar]
He hasn't been answering his phone. Have you talked to him at all?
Holy shit! Adam!
-Adam! -[Evelyn] Open up!
-Are you in there? Ellis! -[Kyle] Can you hear me?
-[Evelyn] What the fuck-- -Adam!
What is this place? This is a nightmare.
[distorted growling]
[roaring]
[screaming]
I'm gonna call 9-1-1.
-Watch out, watch out! -[Evelyn] Ellis!
-Ellis, we're outside. -[Kyle] Can you hear me?
-I'm not alone. -[Evelyn] Hold on a second.
[Kyle] Hello? Adam!
I'm lonely sometimes,
but I'm not alone.
And I am enough.
I am enough.
[screaming]
I am enough.
And I'm waking the fuck up.
[screaming]
[Kyle coughing]
Adam!
[Evelyn screaming]
[Kyle] Adam!
[Evelyn] Ellis!
Ellis!
[Kyle] Adam, are you in there?
[choking, straining]
[roars]
[screams, grunts]
[Kyle] We're trying to help.
[Evelyn] Ellis!
[growling]
-[Evelyn] Ellis! -[Adam grunting]
[wheezing]
[David roars]
[panting]
[David growling]
[Adam grunting]
[David groaning]
[gurgling]
Die! Die!
[Evelyn] Ellis!
[smoke alarm beeping]
[Kyle] Adam!
[coughing]
Here! Come here! I've got you.
[Evelyn] Come on! [screams]
[sirens wailing]
[fireman] Stick up on the alpha side.
It's gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay.
[Adam] I love you.
Holy shit.
[cat meows]
-Hey, babies. Come here, come here. -Look who's here.
Come here. You made it. Come here. Come here, I got you.
I got you. Come here.
Hey. Here we go.
[kisses]
Oh. You found them.
I'm so sorry, Ellis.
For not believing you.
[Kyle] Yeah, you told us something was wrong, we should have listened.
[Evelyn] Yeah.
I pushed you guys away, it wasn't you.
But I'm here now.
I'm actually present.
I just...
need to work on letting you guys in more.
And I will.
I promise.
[streamer] And Adam Ellis's last tweet was,
"For everyone asking if I'm alive, I'm doing okay."
Peace sign emoji.
I don't know about you,
but I'm calling bullshit on this whole thing.
Now you tell me what's up.
[notifications chiming]
[cell phone chimes]
I see you, BeardedBoy233.
Thank you for the sub.
Ellis is a douchebag if he thinks that we're gonna play nice on the Internet
'cause of his little ghost story.
[sighs]
[laughing]
Screw you, bitch.
Don't come onto my stream
and try to silence my free speech.
Thank you.
Come on, which one of you cucks
made a dumbass Dear David account?
Okay, I'll play along.
-Dear David, why are you so fugly? -[typing]
All righty.
-Dear David... -[typing]
...is it because your parents tried to cancel you?
I feel so bad.
[scoffs]
-Dear David, for real? -[typing]
See?
This is so dumb.
Way to go, guys. Frickin' brill--
[thuds]
[screams]
[thuds]
[screaming continues]
[mouse clicks]
["Three Time Looser" playing]