A Childhood Encounter with an Unexplained Computer Glitch

As a child, I had a peculiar experience with my computer that still haunts my memories today. I feel compelled to share this story, as I’ve yet to find a fitting place to discuss it.

Around the age of 10, while living with my mother and grandfather, I found myself engrossed in online exploration one late evening when my mom was away. Out of nowhere, my computer screen transformed into a startling display of vibrant red. Windows rapidly began to close, and my desktop wallpaper morphed to an eerie shade—though I can’t quite recall if it was red or black.

What happened next was straight out of a thriller: my icons began to fall off the screen one by one, disappearing before my eyes. Suddenly, distorted sounds erupted from my headphones, and my monitor showcased bizarre, glitchy visuals that sent chills down my spine. In a state of panic, tears streamed down my face as I sprinted to my grandfather’s room, desperately seeking reassurance.

When we returned to my room, the screen reverted to a simple red hue, devoid of the chaos I had witnessed. My grandfather, attempting to console me, seemed skeptical of the situation. He forcibly powered down the computer and told me not to fret. After that incident, I was too frightened to turn it back on for an entire week, holding on to the fear of what I had experienced.

Eventually, I resumed using my computer without further incident. However, I’ve always been curious about that peculiar night. Was it a simple technical malfunction, an odd virus, or something more enigmatic?

Have any readers had similar experiences with unexpected computer glitches, or do you have any insights into what might have caused such a surreal event? I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories!