Friday, February 13, 2026

The Daily Market Flux - Your Complete Market Rundown (02/13/2026)


full image - Repost: The Daily Market Flux - Your Complete Market Rundown (02/13/2026) (from Reddit.com, The Daily Market Flux - Your Complete Market Rundown (02/13/2026))
Our platform aggregates and organizes all relevant market news, helping you stay informed, up-to-date, and knowledgeable without spending hours sifting through headlines.Reinvented to keep you in control, it's where your edge begins with better information. Go from market noise to clarity in seconds with a real-time platform built to redefine how traders and investors digest financial news.Visit www.marketflux.ioHere is Your Complete Market Rundown (02/13/2026)Top StoryUS January Inflation Comes in Below Expectations as CPI Rises 2.4% Year-Over-YearUS consumer prices rose 0.2% monthly in January, below the 0.3% forecast, while annual inflation reached 2.4%, under the expected 2.5%. Core CPI met expectations at 0.3% monthly and 2.5% annually. Gold prices gained on the softer-than-expected inflation data.Company NewsUBS Group Ag (UBS)Performance Overview1D Change: -0.57%5D Change: -4.32%News Volume: 127Unusual Volume Factor: 1xUBS Issues Wave of Rating Changes Across Sectors as Analysts Adjust Price Targets and OutlookUBS conducted extensive coverage adjustments on February 13, issuing rating changes and price target revisions across multiple sectors. The firm upgraded Rivian Automotive from Sell to Neutral, citing balanced risk-reward dynamics and projecting 14 percent upside with a price target of $16. The electric vehicle maker received concurrent upgrades from several other firms including Deutsche Bank’s move to Buy. In the utilities sector, UBS downgraded both Edison International and Evergy from Buy to Neutral on valuation concerns and balanced outlook, while upgrading Xcel Energy from Neutral to Buy with 13 percent upside potential.The firm maintained its constructive stance on logistics REITs while expressing caution on office and retail properties ahead of UK REIT earnings. Technology coverage saw mixed adjustments. UBS raised its Roku price target to $110 from $103, projecting 33 percent upside while maintaining a Neutral rating. Pinterest faced a significant price target reduction to $26 from $40 due to weak revenue outlook. The firm raised price targets on several tech names including Arista Networks to $177 and Applied Materials to $430, both maintaining Buy ratings.In consumer and industrial sectors, UBS lowered Domino’s Pizza price target to $500 from $540 while maintaining Buy, and reduced Fortune Brands target to $70 from $79. The firm raised targets on US Foods to $117 and Generac to $270, both with Buy ratings. UBS Wealth Management separately set a year-end 2026 S&P 500 target of 7,700, expressing confidence in AI-driven market momentum despite near-term volatility. The firm noted retail investors are returning to Big Tech, with $197 million flowing into the Magnificent Seven stocks on Wednesday alone. In legal news, UBS was ordered to pay $5.5 million to a former client who is a prominent real estate broker.The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS)Performance Overview1D Change: 0.09%5D Change: -2.52%News Volume: 129Unusual Volume Factor: 2xGoldman Sachs Chief Legal Officer Resigns Over Epstein Ties as Bank Navigates Market Volatility and Crypto InvestmentsGoldman Sachs’ top lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler resigned following revelations in Justice Department documents showing she accepted gifts from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including a $9,350 handbag, and referred to him as “older brother” and “Uncle Jeffrey” in emails. CEO David Solomon told CNBC he “reluctantly accepted” her resignation, noting the controversy made it difficult for her to execute her responsibilities effectively. The resignation came as Goldman Sachs shares plunged over 5% Thursday alongside other major banks including JPMorgan and Citigroup during a broader market rout driven by AI-related concerns.Despite the turbulence, Solomon characterized the economic landscape for 2026 as “quite good” with a “constructive environment,” though he expressed concern about continued deficit levels. Goldman disclosed significant cryptocurrency positions, revealing a $920 million Bitcoin bet despite the recent market crash and a $152 million position in XRP, representing 14% of the XRP ETF.The bank also participated in institutional crypto activity alongside Jane Street in driving XRP ETF inflows. On monetary policy, Goldman economists forecast two Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026, with the first expected in June. The bank projected January core CPI at 0.33% versus consensus of 0.3%. Some Goldman analysts see potential for four rate cuts depending on labor market conditions. Goldman issued multiple analyst calls, upgrading Upstart from Sell to Neutral and raising price targets on Arista Networks, Applied Materials, and Stanley Black & Decker while downgrading BB Seguridade to Neutral.The firm expects “very large IPOs, unprecedented in size” this year and anticipates NVIDIA will deliver a beat-and-raise quarter. The bank also selected ad platform Moloco alongside JPMorgan to lead an upcoming IPO and created a new custom basket targeting software stocks perceived as insulated from AI disruption.Barclays Plc (BCS)Performance Overview1D Change: -0.94%5D Change: -4.22%News Volume: 137Unusual Volume Factor: 2xBarclays Issues Sweeping Price Target Adjustments Amid AI Selloff Warning and Active Portfolio RepositioningBarclays analysts warned that the AI-driven market selloff may remain unstoppable in the near term, with investors in a “sell first, think later” mode. Analyst Emmanuel Cau noted that while markets remain broadly resilient, fears of AI disruption are driving sharp sector rotations and could continue pressuring valuations. The bank executed extensive portfolio adjustments across multiple sectors. In technology, Barclays raised Applied Materials’ price target to $450 from $360, projecting 37% upside, while upgrading Zscaler to Overweight despite lowering its price target.The firm also raised targets on Arista Networks and Tower Semiconductor. However, AI concerns prompted significant cuts to software names, with Tyler Technologies slashed to $410 from $715 and Procore reduced to $65 from $90. In retail, Barclays downgraded H&M to Underweight from Overweight on weak sales growth concerns, while downgrading Fortune Brands on 2026 outlook worries.The bank raised price targets on consumer names including Crocs and Kraft Heinz. Healthcare saw mixed moves, with Barclays reinstating Medtronic coverage at Overweight with a $116 target, citing strong heart device growth prospects. The firm also highlighted Vertex Pharma’s renal pipeline as a major growth driver while raising Tenet Healthcare’s target to $257. In cryptocurrency exposure, Coinbase’s price target was cut nearly in half to $148 from $258, though Barclays still sees 5% upside.Travel and hospitality names including Expedia, Copa Holdings, and Hyatt received raised targets. RBC Capital separately raised its Barclays bank stock price target to 550 pence from 525 pence, maintaining an Outperform rating as the bank pledges enhanced shareholder returns.Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT)Performance Overview1D Change: 8.08%5D Change: 10.08%Applied Materials Surges 13% on Strong Earnings and Bullish AI-Driven ForecastApplied Materials shares jumped over 13% on February 13, 2026, reaching an all-time high of $368.25 after the chipmaking equipment manufacturer reported better-than-expected Q1 2026 earnings and issued an upbeat revenue forecast. The rally was driven by robust demand for AI infrastructure and chipmaking tools, with CEO Gary Dickerson predicting growth momentum will continue through 2027, when he expects global semiconductor industry revenues to reach $1 trillion.The strong results prompted a wave of analyst upgrades and price target increases across Wall Street. Summit Insights upgraded the stock from Hold to Buy, while Craig-Hallum raised its rating to Buy from Hold. KGI Securities upgraded to Outperform from Neutral, citing 29% upside potential. Multiple firms raised price targets to $450, including Barclays, TD Cowen, KeyBanc, Deutsche Bank, and Stifel. Cantor Fitzgerald set the highest target at $470, while other firms including Wells Fargo, Needham, RBC Capital, UBS, Mizuho, and Bernstein also increased their targets.The company’s performance stood out as a bright spot amid broader market concerns about AI valuations, with analysts characterizing Applied Materials as a shelter from AI fears. The earnings beat was attributed to surging AI demand driving chipmaking tool orders and memory shortages supporting equipment sales. Applied Materials was among the day’s most active movers in premarket and regular trading, appearing alongside other notable stocks including Arista Networks, which also posted strong results.The stock’s performance came as markets digested a CPI inflation report showing inflation falling to 2.4%, a four-year low, though broader indices remained under pressure with the Nasdaq heading for its fifth consecutive weekly decline.Airbnb, Inc. (ABNB)Performance Overview1D Change: 4.65%5D Change: -0.66%Airbnb Surges on Strong Q4 Results and Optimistic 2026 Outlook as Analysts Upgrade StockAirbnb shares jumped 6.4% in premarket trading February 13 after the company reported fourth-quarter revenue that exceeded analyst estimates and issued upbeat guidance for 2026. The vacation rental platform cited resilient global travel demand and growing adoption of its flexible payment and booking options as key drivers of accelerating bookings growth.The strong results prompted a wave of analyst upgrades. Deutsche Bank elevated Airbnb from Hold to Buy, projecting 33% upside, while Evercore ISI upgraded the stock to Outperform with a 25% upside target. TD Cowen raised its price target to $160, maintaining a Buy rating. BMO Capital and Wells Fargo also increased their targets, though Wells Fargo maintained a Hold rating. Not all analysts were uniformly bullish—Morgan Stanley and Cantor Fitzgerald lowered their price targets, citing valuation concerns. CEO Brian Chesky expressed confidence that artificial intelligence represents “the best thing to happen to Airbnb,” suggesting the company views AI as an opportunity rather than a competitive threat.Analysts noted Airbnb’s product improvements and strategic expansions as supporting continued momentum. Bloomberg Intelligence highlighted that healthy demand should fuel faster growth throughout 2026, helping Airbnb outperform in what analysts described as a challenging year for online travel stocks overall.Coinbase Global, Inc. (COIN)Performance Overview1D Change: 16.46%5D Change: -0.46%Coinbase Stock Surges 15% Despite Q4 Miss as Analysts Slash Targets but Maintain Bullish OutlookCoinbase Global shares jumped over 15% following fourth-quarter results that missed revenue and profit estimates amid softer crypto trading volumes. The company announced a $2 billion stock buyback program and signaled expansion of its Everything Exchange platform, highlighting diversified revenue growth from subscription services. CEO Brian Armstrong executed a $550 million stock sale through a pre-arranged trading plan.Wall Street analysts broadly reduced price targets, with cuts ranging from Barclays’ $148 to H.C. Wainwright’s maintained $350, though most firms retained buy ratings. BTIG, Canaccord Genuity, and Deutsche Bank project upside potential between 57% and 113%. Analysts cited improving regulatory outlook, revenue diversification beyond transaction fees, and strategic buybacks as reasons for optimism despite near-term margin pressures in the softer crypto market environment.Macro EventsTrump Administration Moves to Scale Back Steel and Aluminum TariffsThe Trump administration is reassessing its metals tariff regime, planning to ease some steel and aluminum duties imposed last summer at rates up to 50%. Officials are working to narrow the scope of these tariffs, particularly for downstream products and goods that companies find difficult to calculate, amid concerns over affordability and implementation challenges. Separately, the Treasury Department released interim rules enforcing provisions in Trump's tax law that restrict clean energy tax credits for companies with excessive China-linked subsidies.Continue readingTrump Announces Venezuela Oil Sanctions Waiver, Plans Future VisitUS waives Venezuela oil sanctions as President Trump emphasizes America's unique refining capacity for Venezuelan crude. Trump announced plans to visit Venezuela but provided no timeline for the trip.Continue readingTrump Administration Sees Key Departures as Trade Policy Shifts and Courts Block Health CutsThe Trump administration experienced significant personnel changes as Justice Department antitrust chief Gail Slater resigned after less than a year, marking the highest-profile casualty in internal disputes over competition enforcement. Goldman Sachs general counsel Kathy Ruemmler also stepped down following revelations of her ties to Jeffrey Epstein. On trade, the administration finalized a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan establishing a 15% US tariff rate while Taiwan committed to eliminating or reducing tariffs on American goods. Separately, Trump plans to scale back steel and aluminum tariffs, according to the Financial Times. A federal judge in Chicago temporarily blocked $600 million in public health grant cuts to four Democratic-led states. Meanwhile, European leaders are reconsidering nuclear weapons strategy following US policy shifts.Continue readingSupreme Court Sets February Opinion Days as Tariff Ruling AwaitedThe US Supreme Court has scheduled opinion days for February 20, 24, and 25, with markets watching for a potential ruling on a pending tariff case that could impact trade policy.Continue readingU.S. Inflation Falls to 2.4%, Four-Year Low Triggers Mixed Market ResponseJanuary's Consumer Price Index dropped to 2.4%, marking a four-year low and exceeding market expectations for cooling inflation. The Dow Jones slipped despite the favorable data, while major indices showed mixed movements. Bitcoin rose as crypto traders increased bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts. DraftKings shares plunged following earnings results, while Applied Materials jumped, highlighting divergent sector performance amid the inflation news.Continue readingU.S. Inflation Drops to Four-Year Low as Markets Weigh Fed Rate Cut ProspectsU.S. CPI inflation fell to 2.4%, a four-year low, with core CPI rising 0.3% in January as expected. The data triggered mixed market reactions, with Nasdaq futures falling amid AI-related concerns while Bitcoin gained on renewed rate cut speculation. Treasury yields dropped, with two-year notes hitting 3.40%, the lowest since October. Traders now price a 50% probability of a third Fed rate cut this year. The Dow slipped following the inflation report, while DraftKings shares plunged on disappointing earnings.Continue readingRussia Cuts Key Rate to 15.5% as Economic Concerns Override Inflation FightRussia's central bank reduced its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 15.5%, signaling additional cuts ahead as economic growth concerns take priority over inflation management.Continue readingGeopolitics EventsMerz Declares End of Post-War Order, Proposes European Nuclear ShieldGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced at the Munich Security Conference that the post-World War II international order has fundamentally changed, citing U.S. policy shifts under Donald Trump toward unilateralism. Merz revealed he has held discussions with French President Macron on nuclear deterrence and called for a European nuclear shield. While stating that U.S. claims to global leadership are disputed or squandered, Merz rejected calls to abandon the transatlantic partnership entirely. He emphasized that even the United States cannot act alone and appealed for repairing transatlantic trust while advocating for the alliance to evolve in response to current challenges.Continue readingPentagon Adds Major Chinese Tech Firms to Military List Then Withdraws DocumentThe Pentagon designated Alibaba, Baidu, BYD, COSCO, and Huawei as Chinese military companies operating in the US under Section 1260H. The designation sent Alibaba shares sharply lower. However, the Defense Department subsequently withdrew the list from the Federal Register. The US also proposed banning government agencies from using certain Chinese semiconductors. Companies on such lists can request removal through an appeals process.Continue readingTrump Escalates Iran Pressure, Signals Regime Change Preference as Second Carrier Deployment LoomsPresident Trump intensified rhetoric toward Iran, stating regime change "could be the best thing that could happen" while announcing plans to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the region shortly. Trump told troops that "fear" serves as a powerful motivator in difficult negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program. The escalation comes as five Democratic senators questioned the administration's decision to lift sanctions on individuals previously accused of spreading surveillance technology used against Americans. Separately, the Department of Homeland Security faces an impending shutdown amid Trump's standoff with Democrats.Continue readingBangladesh Nationalist Party Secures Landslide Victory in Parliamentary ElectionThe Bangladesh Nationalist Party won a decisive parliamentary majority, with political heir Tarique Rahman positioned to become Prime Minister. The victory marks a stunning reversal for the nation's progressive party, whose September gamble to coopt rivals backfired. The landslide is expected to restore political stability in Bangladesh.Continue readingTrump Administration Unveils $38.3 Billion Immigration Detention OverhaulThe Trump administration announced a $38.3 billion plan to expand and remake the US immigration detention system, aiming to streamline operations and accelerate deportations. Meanwhile, a federal judge ordered the administration to facilitate a deported college student's return.Continue readingStock Markets EventsMarket Divergence Widens as Median S&P 500 Stock Falls 11% From PeakBroad market weakness intensified with the median S&P 500 stock now down 11% from its 52-week high, signaling significant divergence beneath headline indices. Nearly 200 stocks hit annual lows, including major names like DraftKings, Booking Holdings, and Hercules Capital. Wendy's reached its lowest point amid weak guidance, while Sanofi neared lows following leadership changes. Bright spots remained limited, with Merck and PCG touching 52-week highs.Continue readingNasdaq Heads for Fifth Consecutive Weekly Decline as Tech Selloff ContinuesThe Nasdaq fell 1.9% this week, tracking toward its fifth straight weekly loss, the longest streak since May 2022's seven-week decline. Technology stocks led the selloff, dragging the index lower while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones remained relatively flat. The market wobbled despite February CPI data showing inflation cooled more than economists expected, with the Nasdaq opening down 0.2% while the S&P 500 held steady.Continue readingCrypto EventsCoinbase Shares Rally Despite Missing Q4 Estimates as Investors See BottomCoinbase stock surged following weak fourth-quarter results that missed revenue and profit estimates amid a softer crypto market. The rally came as investors concluded negative factors were already priced in, with analysts maintaining buy ratings. Meanwhile, the CoinDesk 20 index rose 2.0% to 1920.47, led by UNI and BCH gains exceeding 5%.Continue readingBitcoin Faces Pressure as ETF Outflows Mount and Key $60K Support Level LoomsBitcoin slipped to $67,000, heading for its fourth consecutive weekly loss amid heavy selling pressure. ETFs recorded $523 million in combined outflows as bearish sentiment intensified. The critical $60,000 level has emerged as a potential liquidation trigger, with Deribit data showing concentrated put options below this threshold near the 200-week moving average. Despite U.S. inflation falling to a four-year low of 2.4% in January—which briefly lifted Bitcoin and renewed Fed rate cut speculation—the cryptocurrency faces headwinds from declining network activity and whale selling. Standard Chartered warned of possible downside toward $50,000, while market sentiment indicators flash extreme fear near current levels.Continue readingTrump Media Files SEC Applications for Two Cryptocurrency ETFsTrump Media's Truth Social Funds has filed with the SEC to launch two cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds. The first ETF will track Bitcoin and Ethereum with Ether staking capabilities. The second, called the Cronos Yield Maximizer ETF, will focus on Cronos tokens with staking rewards. The filings mark a significant expansion into digital asset investment products.Continue readingCorporate Actions EventsSpaceX Considers Dual-Class Share Structure for Planned IPO to Preserve Musk ControlSpaceX is weighing a dual-class share structure for its upcoming IPO that would grant Elon Musk super-voting power, allowing him to maintain control despite holding a minority stake. The approach mirrors governance models used by major technology companies and a strategy Musk previously proposed for Tesla.Continue readingOil And Gas EventsWTI Crude Tests $61 Support as Oversupply Concerns Drive Weekly LossesWTI crude oil faces weekly declines amid oversupply fears and failed breakout attempts, testing key $61 support levels. Natural gas weakens below $3.20, while pump prices edge toward $3 per gallon. Market focus shifts to Iran and OPEC+ supply outlooks, with Venezuela's natural gas reserves emerging as potential development target.Continue readingOPEC+ Signals Likely Return to Oil Output Increases Starting AprilOPEC+ members are leaning toward resuming oil production increases from April after pausing output hikes throughout the first quarter, according to sources. Eight key member nations see scope to restart supply increases, though no final decision has been made. Talks will continue ahead of the group's March 1 meeting, where delegates will finalize output plans for April and beyond.Continue readingOne Gas and Canadian Utilities Hit 52-Week Highs Amid Mixed Energy Sector SignalsOne Gas Inc reached a 52-week high of $85.35, while AltaGas, Enbridge, and Hydro One also hit yearly peaks. Oil prices headed for weekly losses on Iran and OPEC+ uncertainty. U.S. rig count remained flat at 551, with oil drilling declining to 409 rigs while gas activity rose to 133.Continue readingVenezuela's PDVSA Restricts Oil Sales to Licensed Companies OnlyVenezuela's state oil company PDVSA now sells crude exclusively to individually licensed firms, sources report, as oil sales exceed $1 billion with funds no longer directed to Qatar account.Continue readingTechnology EventsFTC Intensifies Microsoft Investigation, Probing Cloud and AI Business PracticesThe Federal Trade Commission has escalated its examination of Microsoft, interviewing competitors about the company's cloud computing and artificial intelligence operations, according to Bloomberg reports.Continue readingEnvironment EventsECB Fines Credit Agricole €7.6 Million for Climate Risk Management FailuresThe European Central Bank penalized France's second-largest bank Credit Agricole €7.6 million for inadequately managing climate-related and environmental risks, marking regulatory enforcement on financial institutions' climate oversight obligations.Continue readingEarnings EventsEuropean Stocks Mixed as AI Concerns and Earnings Weigh on MarketsEuropean equities opened lower and traded mixed following Wall Street's AI-driven sell-off, with investors digesting corporate earnings reports while awaiting key economic growth data.Continue readingModerna Exceeds Q4 Revenue Expectations Despite FDA SetbackModerna surpassed fourth-quarter revenue estimates driven by stronger-than-expected COVID vaccine sales, though shares declined following an FDA regulatory setback announced alongside the earnings report.Continue reading© 2026 Market Flux. All rights reserved.


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Thursday, February 12, 2026

Burn it down?


full image - Repost: Burn it down? (from Reddit.com, Burn it down?)
I left the burner of the stove on when I read your message this morning, I couldn’t finish reading until later, life got in the way and the level of emotions I portray when deep in thoughts of you are meant for quiet, reflective spaces. But I almost truly did burn down the kitchen.…I’m unsure what you meant by something that should never have existed. Was that a reference to us, or to your situation?It was in reference to us but in reflection it could be a balance of both. I should have never opened up my kitchen to you without closing the one I built with A. That has left us with an unstable foundation on which we’ve tried to build, much different than what we would have created if we had the opportunity to build our house properly. I know that you are still open to trying to cook together, but I should stay in one kitchen.It’s also in reference to my situation, in all honesty I’m surprised to have said out loud during counselling sessions just how much it seems like my relationship with A has been one of convenience where many initial red flags were overlooked until it felt too late. Those sessions have been eye opening in both how much I truly rushed into things with A for it to be a less than ideal match; and how it truly feels like we would be a much better match on paper. That internal emotional world of yours meeting my expressive nature would make many savoury meals indeed.It seems there’s been a misunderstanding about the grocery store encounter.I completely panicked that day, it caught me off guard like a deer in the headlights so an action as simple as a sheepish wave hello would have been entirely too much for me in that moment. I keep coming back to that moment because it is my expression of how this entire time I have been open and accepting to the possibility of you finding a greater, more present love. Even when the stakes were the highest for me, I was simply happy for you and the idea of you finding someone.It’s a large reason why Given our dynamic specifically. Im highly sensitive to someone else getting all the benefits.This completely makes sense in hindsight, those words should have never been spoken to you.There’s been a misunderstanding about me asking you to speak with other people.That was a giant misunderstanding, I thought from the beginning you wanted me to reach out and meet others within the FL space. It never occurred to me that you were speaking of building a supportive network around me and my family. Perhaps because it already felt like I had enough people around me that I could count on at that time to help, now I am definitely in an energy of isolation. Making mom friends is hard, talking about these topics is harder-I do have one friend that I have met who I’m close enough to now know that both of us share this dynamic of there having been an other energy, feelings that aren’t quite resolved and a commitment to do what’s best for our families.Not once did the seven course meal come up. I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but it tells me that it’s far from your mind.Over the years cooking became the primary way that I show my emotions in a relationship. I have left relationships because I didn’t feel like our passion for cooking was at the same level. I’ve always been one open to trying new ingredients and dishes but I have learned the importance of cooking in the same kitchen, no bringing extra ingredients from one kitchen to another, create and cultivate with what is in the kitchen together.I’m a highly passionate creature by nature. It’s been both a blessing and a curse. I would definitely agree that I’m more adventurous in the kitchen than most.As it seems neither of us knows how to communicate clearly, or we do and we just dont know what to say or how to say it.I have simply created an impossible situation, where both of us slowly turn towards cooking-because that is the act that we want to do so much with each other. Our primary way that we know how to show the closeness we crave.Cooking is a physical manifestation of all of the thoughtfully crafted recipes that we create, a chance to enjoy our passion for each other without being stuck in the cerebral, something that I very much enjoy but cannot manage in the environment I’m in right now. All this to say, I needed to get some things off my chest, I was not in a good head space last night before I wrote the letter. The letter felt freeing, it was a very needed release. I’m not trying to reopen another chapter while still in a different kitchen. I know for a fact that makes you want to bang your head upon the wall but for the reasons you’ve mentioned it simply can’t happen in the present environment.…It felt amazing to write, just write. Focus on letting the words that flow fall onto the page. Tears streaming down her face as she processed the emotions that came with them quicker than she thought possible. She was amazed by his ability to write, she wanted to do her best to match him stroke by stroke.After hitting submit the tension that had been building for days finally released, she could now fully relax. Several counselling sessions built around processing their dynamic, endless nights of self reflecting through their dynamic. None of it seemed to matter in the end, she knew everyone would think she was crazy for even throwing that letter into the ether. She didn’t care. She needed to let him know that he is wanted, loved and admired. That an aching heart is a mutual feeling and she was only looking to show empathy in the words that hurt him.


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Wednesday, February 11, 2026

I reviewed a banned movie on TikTok. Now my reflection is lagging.


full image - Repost: I reviewed a banned movie on TikTok. Now my reflection is lagging. (from Reddit.com, I reviewed a banned movie on TikTok. Now my reflection is lagging.)
The movie claimed there’s an entire reptilian civilization living beneath the Earth’s surface. My review of it was my first TikTok video to break 100,000 views. But right as the video looked like it was going viral, TikTok took it down for violating their community guidelines. They put a strike on my account, too, and threatened to ban me.I’d put so much work into the account. Thousands of hours recording and editing videos, telling myself it would eventually pay off. The thought of losing my account made me feel sick.I went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. When I looked up, my reflection didn’t look back at me.For the next three seconds, I stared at the top of my head until, finally, my reflection looked up, too.Something was wrong with my face.My eyes didn’t look like mine. They looked like someone else’s.The bathroom lights flickered. I pushed my glasses back up my nose. There was a three-second delay before my reflection did the same.I tugged at my ear lobe. The same thing. Three seconds before my reflection copied my movements.“I think I’m going insane,” I said.“You’re fine, Erin,” Kacie told me. “You’re just having some kind of identity crisis.”Kacie dressed head-to-toe in black. Her face was covered with white corpse paint. We’d been friends since high school when we’d bonded over a shared love of horror movies.After my boyfriend and I broke up, Kacie was at my apartment every night for months with new horror movies to watch. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through it. Since she’d dropped out of school, we’d drifted apart, but we still tried to see each other at least once a month.“Didn’t you start that TikTok account because you were bored, anyway?” Kacie asked. “You’re not bored now, are you? Maybe it’s time for you to get off that stupid app.”“But I like posting videos. It’s fun.”“It’s a waste of time. There are so many other, better things you could be doing. Studying, reading, exercising. Literally, anything else would be better than TikTok.“I caught a glimpse of my reflection in one of the movie posters, and I stopped to look at myself.I pulled my earlobe and so did my reflection. No delay.“You’re starting to check yourself out way too much, too,” Kacie said.“I’m not checking myself out. I’m still freaked out by what I saw in the mirror”“You’re imagining things.”Kacie and I had gone to see a new found footage horror movie about archaeologists exploring the lower level of The Vatican’s Necropolis. We bought drinks and popcorn and then found two empty seats in the theater’s front row.The movie was good, but I had trouble paying attention. I couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened earlier.I drank my Coke way too fast and, not even halfway through the movie, I had to go to the bathroom.“I’ll be right back,” I whispered to Kacie. “Tell me if I miss anything.”I snuck out of the theater and went into the bathroom in the hall.The lights flickered, but I ignored them. I went to the bathroom and then washed my hands.“You’re tired,” I told myself. “You’re not going crazy.”I slowly looked up at the mirror, hoping I’d see myself looking back at me, but I didn’t. I saw the top of my head again.A few seconds passed and then my reflection looked up, too. Her eyes weren’t my eyes. They were cold and black, like a lizard’s eyes.I backed up towards the bathroom door. The eyes in the mirror followed me, watching me.I went back to the theater and sat beside Kacie.“Are you okay?” she asked.“It just happened again.”“The mirror thing?”“Yeah.”I felt like I was having a panic attack.Am I losing my mind? Should I check myself into a hospital?After the movie, Kacie tried to calm me down.“You’re tired,” she said. “You’re writing your midterm exams next week. You’re stressed out.”“Just let me show you what’s happening,” I said.She followed me into the bathroom.“Watch,” I told her.I turned my head to the side. My reflection did the same.I pulled at my earlobe. So did my mirror.The delay was gone.Kacie put her hand on my arm. “You need to get home and sleep.”We left the movie theater, and then I waited with her at the bus stop.“What was the TikTok video that got removed about, anyway?” she asked.“A conspiracy theory.”“What’s the conspiracy?”“That there’s an entire reptilian civilization living underneath Earth’s surface, and these reptilians are the real native species of Earth. Humans are just a genetic experiment being conducted by aliens.”“And people believe this?”“Lots of people.”“What about you?”“I think it would be terrifying if it were true. And that’s all I said in my video. What if it is real? But I guess that was enough for TikTok to remove it.”“You need to get off that dumb app.”Kacie’s bus pulled up to the sidewalk. She said goodbye and got onto it. I biked home to my apartment.I was exhausted. Kacie was right. I probably did just need some sleep. Before I went to bed, though, I brushed my teeth, and the delay was back. I picked up my toothbrush. Three seconds later, so did my reflection.I wanted to scream.I lay on my bed, but I couldn’t sleep. I picked up my phone and opened TikTok. Someone named ConspiracyDan1103 had sent me a message request. I accepted it.“Have your mirrors started acting strangely yet?” he asked.“What do you know about the mirrors?”“It’s called The Mirror Surveillance Network. You’re being evaluated.”“By who?”“It’s too dangerous to say their name here. TikTok removed your video?”“They put a strike on my account, too.”“Don’t appeal the strike. Accept it. Stop talking about them and ninety days from now, everything will go back to normal.”He deleted all our messages.I searched TikTok for the mirror surveillance network. I opened the only video that appeared in the results, and then I read the captions written over clips of expanding bathroom mirrors.“If your reflection no longer syncs with you, or if your mirrors expand or distort, you are being evaluated. But don’t panic. Remember. Reptilians are not real.”I went back to my bathroom and turned on the lights. They flickered for a second before coming to life.I walked in front of the mirror. For a moment, it stayed empty, but then my reflection walked into the mirror, too.She smiled at me.I jumped back and screamed.My reflection’s smile disappeared, but its eyes stayed the same. Those same cold, black eyes that looked at me like they wanted to murder me.“There’s no such thing as reptilians,” I said. “I don’t believe in Inner Earth.”I left the bathroom and closed the door.Before I went back to bed, I opened TikTok and accepted the strike on my account.I just wanted my life to go back to normal.***I slept through my alarm. Worried I was going to miss my class, I jumped out of bed and got ready as fast as I could. When I finally checked my phone, I had dozens of messages from Kacie.“I went down the reptilian rabbit hole last night,” she wrote. “Honestly, I’m freaking out.”She’d sent me blurred pictures of reptilians, underground cities, and strange alien technology.“I’m starting to think this all might actually be real,” she wrote.“It’s fake,” I told her. “It’s just a dumb conspiracy theory.”I biked to school. I made it to my class just in time.I didn’t check my phone again until later that afternoon. Kacie had sent me a video of herself standing in front of her bathroom mirror. She turned her head to the side and then, three seconds later, her reflection turned its head.“It’s happening to me now, too,” she wrote.I tried calling her, but she didn’t answer her phone.I biked over to the clothing store where she worked, hoping I could talk to her there, but I didn’t see her.“Where’s Kacie?” I asked her coworker, Angela.“She didn’t show up for her shift.”I called Kacie again but still, no answer.I biked to her apartment building and buzzed her apartment. She didn’t answer her door, either.She lived in a basement suite. I went to her window, pressed my face against the metal bars, and looked into the living room.The room was mostly dark, but I could see a bit of light shining through the crack under her bathroom door.“Kacie?” I yelled. “Are you home?”Kacie screamed. Her bedroom door swung open, and she ran towards the front door.Two shadowy figures chased after her. Their bodies were distorted like warped glass. Their feet made a wet, slapping sound against the floorboards.I couldn’t make out their faces. Just long, thin tongues flicking from their mouths.I called 9-1-1.“My friend’s being kidnapped!” I yelled.I gave the operator Kacie’s address. She told me a patrol car was on its way. “Stay on the line with me.”I didn’t. I pressed my face against the window and kept shouting Kacie’s name.The two shadows grabbed onto Kacie and dragged her toward the bathroom. She fought back, screaming, trying to break free.I started recording with my phone.“Don’t hurt her!” I yelled.With my other hand, I hit metal bars until my knuckles bled.One of the shadows looked up at me. For a moment, I saw its eyes. They were the same black eyes I’d seen watching me through my mirror.I swear they were the same eyes.Kacie’s screams became quieter. Softer.A patrol car pulled up next to the apartment building. The street filled with flashing blue and red lights. The two officers forced their way into Kacie’s apartment, but it was too late.She was already gone.***The detective squinted as he held my phone closer to his face.“These don’t look like lizard people to me,” he said.“Look at their faces. You can see their tongues flicking around.”“The video is very dark.”He gave me my phone back.I filled out a report and signed it. The detective promised the police would do everything they could do to find Kacie. They’d call me if they had any leads.By the time I finally got home, it was midnight. I was exhausted, but I couldn’t sleep. I was worried sick about Kacie.I opened TikTok and messaged ConspiracyDan.“They took my friend,” I wrote.“When?”“Tonight.”“You saw it happen?”“I have a video of it.”“How much did your friend know?”“A lot.”“Did she find out about the farms?”“What are the farms?”“Never mind.”“How can I help her?”“You can’t. It’s up to your friend what happens next. She either plays along or she doesn’t.”ConspiracyDan deleted our messages.I lay in bed a while longer, but I still couldn’t sleep. I opened TikTok again.People needed to know what was happening. The more people who knew, the better chance Kacie had of being saved.I posted the video of Kacie’s kidnapping to TikTok. Even with a strike on my account, the video exploded. I’d never seen anything like it before. Ten thousand views in just a few minutes. Hundreds of comments and shares.“Is this real?” someone commented. “It looks fake.”“This video is 100% real, and it’s happening right now,” I replied. “The reptilians travel through mirrors. They use mirrors to monitor us, too.”It was hard to keep up with all the comments, but I read every one of them. I responded to all of them, too, trying to find someone who could help.My apartment lights flickered. I smelled heated wires.“Hello?” I asked.I heard a dull, electrical whirr coming from my bathroom. I walked to the bathroom and turned on the lights.The mirror above my sink was growing. Slowly expanding across the wall.Inside the mirror, my reflection looked back at me with the same cold, black, reptilian eyes I’d seen before.I ran to my front door, but the door had disappeared.I ran back into the bedroom, thinking if I’d jumped through the window, I’d survive, but my windows had also disappeared.I dumped the dirty clothes out of my laundry hamper, into my closet. Then I shut the closet door and buried myself underneath the pile of clothes.Heavy, wet footsteps moved across my hardwood floor.“You’re dreaming,” I told myself. “None of this is real.”I pinched my arm, hoping I’d wake up, but I didn’t.My bedroom door creaked open. The footsteps came into my bedroom.I heard a terrifying hiss. Then a voice spoke in English. “We do not want to harm you, Erin.”I held my breath, trying to keep as quiet as I could, praying whoever was there would go away.But then my closet door swung open. A cold, wet green hand grabbed a fistful of my hair and dragged me out from under my clothes.***As I cowered against the wall, the two reptilians told me their names. Kaelen and Nyxira. They said they worked for the reptilians’ Department of Inner Earth Security. They said they didn't need to take me to The Farm, but they needed to know they could trust me. They needed more humans they could trust.“If the human public learned the truth, there would be chaos,” Kaelen explained“There would be a terrible war,” Nyxira said. “Lots of people would die needlessly.”“What about Kacie?” I asked.“Your friend is safe. She’s with the other humans in Inner Earth. She has a place to live. She has food and clothing. She’s already made many new friends.”“When will she be able to leave?”“As soon as we can trust her to keep our existence a secret,” Kaelen said.We talked for a while longer. They told me about life underground. They assured me they didn’t want to harm any humans, but they had a job to do, and I had a choice to make.I could either keep quiet, or I could join Kacie.I thought about it for a while. I thought about the farms, about never seeing the surface again, about being taken away from all my family and friends. I thought about Kacie, too, screaming as Kaelen and Nyxira dragged her into the bathroom.Kacie would understand.I sat on my bed while Kaelen held my phone up to film me. Nyxira walked around my room, picking up my dirty clothes and putting them back in my laundry basket.“The video I posted earlier wasn’t real,” I said. “I’m very sorry for deceiving all of you. I didn’t think the video would take off like it did. I’ve deleted the video, and I’m never posting anything like that again.”Kaelen put the phone down.“How was that?” I asked.“Perfect,” he said.I posted the video to my TikTok account. “It’s done.”The three of us went to my bathroom. Kaelen and Nyxira stepped through the mirror, back into Inner Earth.I looked past them, at the web of underground tunnels. I became so anxious, though, I had to look away.Once Kaelen and Nyxira were gone, my mirror shrunk back to its original size. My door and windows reappeared. Everything in my apartment went back to normal.Three months later, the strike was finally removed from my TikTok account.I started posting new videos again. The strike didn’t seem to have hurt my account too much. My follower count kept growing. Like before, my videos got thousands of likes.It felt good.It feels good.Even though I know they’re just meaningless numbers.I try not to think about Kacie too much, but sometimes I can’t help it. I hope she’s all right. But Kaelen and Nyxira promised me she wouldn’t be hurt.I’m sure she’s fine.I wish I could do more to help, but I’m afraid.Just earlier tonight, I was scrolling through TikTok videos when I saw a video about the reptilians. A woman spoke directly into her camera.“I spent two years on their farm,” she said. “They had us working twelve hours a day. They barely fed us. They treated us like animals. We were beaten.”I hesitated for a moment, and I nearly left a comment, but then I thought about Kaelen and Nyxira crawling through my mirror again, not so friendly this time.I reported the video for misinformation, and then I scrolled to the next one.The truth is frightening. It’s easier to ignore it.It’s easier to just scroll past it.


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