The Early Call

It's three in the morning. The phone rings. Not completely awake you answer the phone. Something whispers through the receiver fast and you're not sure what you heard. So you ask them to repeat themselves but the line goes dead and the constant drone of the dial tone gives you cause to hang up. And you sit there, worried, puzzling, wondering what they said. Did you hear correctly? Are you dreaming? A whisper like a breach of water spreading across the floor with slow intent and purpose seeps into your every thought not allowing you to even think about resting your head back down on your pillow. Are you sure...whoever on the other line said what they said. Silent, hidden from view. You wonder. What did they mean. Did they even say what it is you thought they said? You have to know. You can't sleep unless you probe. You pick up the phone, hit redial and wait. A ring. Loud and strong it rings again. Your curiosity builds with tension as each passing second, each passing ring only cements your concerns more. Finally the tension released by the scraping and grinding of the receiver on the other end being picked up off the cradle. Someone's there on the other end, someone's breathing into your ear. You speak, first having to clear your throat you manage to ask is everything alright. "I heard someone say 'Help me'". And then a click. Silence. A tonal silence, your ear still buzzing with worry, wonder and anxiety. You lay your head back down glaring at the phone, hoping it doesn't ring but praying for an answer to arrive. It never does. You finally drift back to sleep but your mind never rests. Who was on the other end...What did they want...Questions never to be answered. Somewhere else, someone else is receiving that early call. With a fading echo, "Help." and then Silence...