She answered a phone call from her own number.

It was 8:13 a.m. She hadn't slept at all, so when her number showed up on the callers ID she figured she was hallucinating.

Curious, she picked up.

"Hello?"

"Shouldn't drive, buy a croissant from the bakery" a female voice answered, it sounded distant, heavy, like it was being said through a cough or while choking.

And just like that, before she could say anything, the line went dead.


Prank caller maybe? She thought to herself.

But the desperation in that voice lingered in her head.

One thing was for certain: she definitely needed to get her phone checked.

Is it even possible for two people to have the same number?


Either way she needed to get to work. She had worked on this presentation for the past 22 hours she wasn't going to miss it over some strange phone call.


At her car, her phone rang again. But this time it was quicker. No longer than a second. Just enough for the caller ID to show up on the screen. The pleading voice, echoed in her mind again.

Truth be told, driving while this tired isn't smart anyway

Just then the bus came into her field of vision. She could make it to work in timSe.


Onboard, she noticed more missing posters. They had been increasing over the past few weeks. All woman, all in the central area.

Maybe that prank caller can tell me something about this. She joked to herself.


As if on cue her phone ranged once more. again, just a blip

Then, just a few cars in front of the bus, a crush happened.


People were screaming, running the opposite direction, some calling the authorities. At least six to seven cars. Same on top of each other, others upside down further down, one was even catching on fire. It would take a miracle for somebody to have survived.

But she was safely in the bus.


Later, having nailed her presentation, she passed by the bakery near the office.

Definitely doing this as a reward, not because of any weird phone calls. She emphasized while grabbing a chocolate croissant, most likely her only meal of the day.

Outside she spotted some old friends from university. They were chatting like old times, it was a nostalgic site.

Maybe I could- no... Am- its not worth the effort


It happened again. Exactly at 8:13 a.m. similar to the first time, it ranged for a while, as if waiting for her to pick up. Frustrated she did.

"Listen I don't know who you are but-"

"Should only take two! Wear the pretty shirt." Then it hanged up. This time the female voice was clear bad demanding. Leaving no room for disobedience. But she detected disappointment from her tone as if she had already filled before doing anything.

"What the hell..."


She had a company dinner party tonight, but was exhausted. Having barely slept since yesterday and working all day, she had no energy. So, she reached for to her trusted companion: modafinel.

Then her phone buzzed. She didn't even need to look to know what it was.

Well, it does seem to know something I don't . With that thought she stopped herself at two doses.


She did try to stop herself but the idea was already in her head, she the one her mom gave her. She hated how it looked on her.

Other people however seem to disagree, she had gotten quite a few compliments tonight. Her work crush even ask her out! They were going out tomorrow, at the central area.


I'm actually feeling good for once! She smiled internally while finishing her second glass of alcohol.

Someone offered a refill. She declined. The caller’s disappointed tone echoed in her head.


At some point during the night she felt nauseous, like something wasn't mixing well in her body. A notification from her own number showed on her screen.

But nothing happened.


The next day she waited for it. 8:13 a.m. come and went, it was now 9:11 and no calls.

Ok if it was a prank, maybe they gave up? Or I'm not in danger today!

Then her phone ranged. It was her dad. That one she doesn't answer. Having to hear one more lecture about the moving back in and how she work "to much", was going to bring her mood down. She had a date!


Wanting some background noise sit down to the TV on, but quickly shut down when she realized the only thing that was on was the news. They were still talking about the missing people now believed to be from the same person.

Nope, I No thanks. I don’t need the killer’s face in my head to make me depressed. That's the only thing the news is good for anyway!


Right before leaving, her brother called this time. But he talks too much, and she was going to be late. She could call him later.


She met up with her crush and everything was going great, he was just as charismatic and charming as she had thought.

They ended up at a quiet, out-of-the-way café. Easier to talk.


At some point she gets up to go to the bathroom. Once there, phone rings. This time it's not a family member or herself. There is no caller ID. But something is definitely calling her.

What?


Before she could react, something struck the back of her neck. She hit the ground, phone clattering away.

Heavy food stamps on her back, cracking noises coming out for rib cage. She tried to but no air. No scream. The guy she had trusted whispering some nonsense as everything blurred.


She did manage to answer the phone but she was the one speaking, with a w

eak and apologetic female voice.

"Should watch the news, call mom."