"The phone rang, …..in!gr iii…... .n!! Evannah answered, her voice firm and calm.
"'Hello! (911), what's your emergency?"
She glanced around the dimly lit center, the soft hum of computers and muted chatter of other operators providing a familiar background noise.
A hoarse voice crackled over the line. "Hello!" Evannah's eyes narrowed on recognising the voice,her grip on the phone tightening.
"'Hello, what's your emergency?" she asked again, her tone gentle but insistent.
"Save my daughter…"The words sent a shiver down Evannah's spine. She felt a growing sense of unease, her mind racing back to the similar calls she'd received over the past week.
The same desperation, the same plea. Evannah's discomfort grew, her voice taking on a slightly strained tone.
"'Sir, I need you to stay calm, Can you tell me more about your daughter?"
"'Why haven't you responded to my calls?' He continues, his voice low and even, but with an unwondereddertone of intimidation. 'I don't know you to be slow to respond to my... distress calls Evannah.'
Evannah's eyes narrowed.
"How does he know my name?" she .
She felt a growing sense of unease but maintained her composure.
"sir! I would state it clearly again: this is not how things work. There are crews waiting to help. My own job is to dispatch your calls to them.
"And if you keep up with this call I would have to report you".
The man's laughter sent shivers down her spine ah ah ah.
" You don't want to help, I'll make you…".The phone cracked and went dead. The line was disconnected. Beep!.
Evannah trembles as she her grips her chair handle body locks in fear.
She jerked back and forth, her eyes roved around, wondering how the unknown caller recognised her voice.
"Or, am I being stalked", she wondered,
Her mind racing with worse-case scenarios.
The thought of it sent chills into her spine like cold ice, as she let out a deep sigh unknowingly.
"Is everything alright love?" Evanna's thoughts were distracted by Max's sudden question, making her realize she's been staring into space. She blinks, trying to shake off the unease.
"Yeah, I'm fine,' Evanna replies, forcing a weak smile onto her lips. But Max's gaze lingers, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he could see right through the façade.
"You seem to be bothered over that call,"Max says, his voice soft but insistent.
Evanna's grip on the armchair tightens, her mind racing back to the eerie voice on the other end.
she tries to brush it off, but it kept lingering in her mind."
"Max's eyes sparkle with skepticism, as he moves closer to her,
" You can tell me you know, you know I hate it when you are. feeling down, it pierces my heart." Aww! he teased her.
Those words from Max made Evannah want to puke as she was fuming, but then she waved it. She had more pressing issues to deal with.
Max sensing what was coming, smiles and changes the topic in order not to annoy evannah further
" What's the time? " he asked.
Evannah looked at her wrist.
6:30pm
Without giving a reply to max, she hurriedly packs her things to leave.
" Evannah!", She turned to the call of her name
"You know, if you need someone to chat with, my door and heart is always open for you," he said, smiling seductively.
Evannah stared at him with anger and disgust as she walked away.
"Eva,You hear! for you alone"he said smiling playfully.
Evannah, not minding, left the room.
****
Under the red sky, Evanna sat down waiting for the next bus to come, street lights shined on her face making her feel the rush of blood under her skin.
Her mind flashed back to the things the stranger said.
"I don't know you to be slow EVANNAH MARKLAW Marklaw" those words echoed in her mind.
Noise from moving cars and passersby seemed to hum in sync with her racing thoughts, making her more sensitive to her environment.
"I'll make you come, ah ah ah"
The eerie laughter hits her, making her dizzy. Sweats dripped down her face like blood as she held onto her chest.
Suddenly a rumbling engine came to a halt, snapping her back to reality.
Without hesitation, Evannah stands up and enters the bus.
Evanna looked giddily studying her environment as she entered the bus. She noticed people glancing at her and some doing their own thing as she sat down.
Their whispers and giggles made her skin prickle.
" What is wrong with me ?" She wondered
"Stop this Eva" She tries to compose herself.
Evanna gets down from the bus scanning her surroundings once again. Her senses heightened as the area looked dim.
"ugrr!, the lights are broken again," she said as her eyebrows furrowed together.
She dips her hand into her bag and brings out a flash light,holding firmly as she moves slowly.
Suddenly, she hears a rattle from the alley in front, and stops.
"Hello" she calls out, her voice echoing as she walks slowly towards the alley
"Is anyone there?"she spoke again,but
The silent wind and the muffled sound were the only response she got.
She brings out a teaser as she got close.
Then suddenly,"Aaaaaaaa...….hhh!