"Kindly redial the number, please."
"Huh?"
The number you are trying to dial is currently not reachable at the moment. Please try again later.
"Where could she have gone?"
"Don't worry, she's already a grown-up," younger Samantha replied.
"I hope she's alright."
"Don't worry, Dad. Mum is a superhero," she smiled.
"Okay, now it's time to go to bed."
"I'm not sleepy. I'll wait for Mom."
"She's coming soon, okay? So don't worry."
"I'm not worried… I just want to see her before I go to bed."
"You'll see her soon. Now go and sleep, alright?"
Sigh
"Yes, Dad."
She ran upstairs...
---
PRESENT
"If Dad was guilty or had anything to do with Mom's murder, he wouldn't look so worried, right?" Samantha muttered to herself.
"Maybe I should rethink things."
Sigh
"Or… should I just give up?"
RING RING
"Hello?"
Heavy breathing on the line
"Sam... Sa... ma... ntha..."
"Yes? Who is this?"
"He...lp m...e..."
"Are you alright? Tell me your location!"
"S...t. L...ouis Street... Road 7..."
"I'm on my way. Hold on!"
Samantha dialed 991
"Hello, my name is Samantha. Someone from St. Louis—"
Call disconnected.
"Wait—what?"
"I have to rush there!"
---
St. Louis
"Hello, ma'am."
"Evening. Please, where is Road 7 located?"
"Over there."
Hmm, this lady looks suspicious.
"Aren't you going?"
"Yeah, right. Thanks."
Why is there blood on her right hand?
"Ma'am, you're bleeding," I said.
"Oh dear, thanks. Now go, I'll be alright."
"Okay, ma'am. Thank you."
"Wait," she replied, then handed me an envelope.
"Keep it safe."
Was she expecting me?
"Be careful where you're going."
I ran in the direction she pointed.
"This house looks abandoned."
Let me try the number again...
RING RING
*"This number does exist... huh? Wait, no..."
RING RING
"This number..."
Sigh
BANG! BANG! Gunshots!
"Aahhh!"
I ran into the old building. I saw a broken phone lying on the floor.
"This phone was just broken..." I whispered.
I turned on my phone's flashlight while walking up the stairs.
"Hello!! Is anyone here?"
Sigh
"HELLO!!"
I pushed open a door.
A body was hanging from the ceiling, blood trickling from a thin gash in its throat.
I could've sworn I was dreaming. I knew I was expecting this kind of case, but not so soon… not when I wasn't even officially part of the investigation.
"It's upstairs," said a strange voice.
"Huh?"
I need to hide.
Luckily, there was a closet I could fit in perfectly.
I closed the door quietly, covering my mouth with both hands and holding my breath...
"Was someone here?"
"Why do you ask?" the second man replied.
"I just have a feeling, that's all."
"Should we look around?"
"Yes," the first man replied.
"Of course not, stupid. So the cops can easily find us? Remember, she called a strange number."
"Yeah..."
"Let's make this quick." Pause
"Don't leave any evidence behind, okay?"
"Alright, Murphy."
Murphy... I've heard that name before. Somewhere... maybe a memory?
---
YEARS AGO
"Samantha, be careful over there!"
"Okay, Mummy!" young Samantha replied with a bright smile.
"Madam, a man named Murphy is looking for you," a maid said.
"Oh okay. Take Sam to her room."
"No!"
"Sammy, come here."
---
PRESENT
No, it can't be... Someone Mom knew? Maybe it's just a coincidence.
"How? It's not possible. Dad has nothing to do with this. There's more to this case..."
"Dream, dream, dream..."
A song playing faintly in the background.
"I sense a human here."
"What do you mean?" the other stranger replied.
"I just sense it," he answered.
"Let's get out of here before we get caught."
"Okay."
I need more evidence. I need to find out who these people are.
I checked the time. It was already 11:45 PM.