The Zero Frequency

Static crackles, punctuated by eerie, discordant noises. The sound of a radio signal fades in and out, struggling to stabilize. A chilling, smooth voice cuts through the chaos.

“Greetings, lost souls and wanderers of the night. Wherever you are, whether you’re driving those strangely empty back roads, lost in the solitude of your reading nook, or perhaps—just perhaps—listening from a place where even the darkness seems to have a mind of its own...you’ve found yourself tuned in to Frequency Zero. Zero...Zero...Zero."

"Now, you might be asking yourself, how did you end up here? How did your mundane existence lead you to this strange and unsettling frequency? Well, we’ve got all night to unravel that mystery."

"You see, I don’t have all the answers. I don’t even know what this really is. All I know is that this is my job now, and it’s a job I intend to see through. And that job? It’s to take your call. So if you’re feeling brave, if you’re itching to explore the realm of the unknown, the void between the static... just dial in."

"Seriously...... Zero...Zero...Zero...000000. That’s right, 000000. Call in, and let’s dive into the abyss together."

The voice grows more reflective, almost nostalgic.

“Let me tell you how I ended up in this odd predicament. I was just a regular guy, you know, until a friend of mine—Bill Patterson—he passed me an ad for a gig. It was something about ‘exploring the unexplained,’ ‘broadcasting the beyond.’ I didn’t think much of it. I mean, who does? But I needed a job, and this seemed like an easy fix.

So, here I am, talking into the void, taking calls from the dark corners of existence. If you’re out there, Mrs. Patterson, and Billy, wherever you are, I... I miss you, buddy. This wasn’t what I had in mind when I took the job, but hey, we all do what we must, don’t we?”

The static grows more intense, accompanied by the distant sound of a somber organ playing a mournful tune. The voice of Zero becomes shaky, a hint of tears in his tone.

“I’m sorry. This isn’t easy. I’ve never done anything like this before. It’s not just the job—it’s... it’s the loneliness, the darkness, the feeling that something is always just out of reach. But I digress. The show must go on, as they say.”

The organ music continues, a ghostly melody that seems to seep into the very fabric of the broadcast. The static ebbs and flows, punctuating the silence that follows. After a few moments, a call comes through, breaking the monotony with an urgent, panicked voice.

“Hello? Is anyone there? Please, you’ve got to help me! My phone, it—it only connects to this number. I can’t get through to anyone else. Please help!”

Zero’s voice becomes alert and professional, though tinged with confusion.

“Calm down. You’re on The Zero Frequency. I’m Zero. What’s happening? How can I assist you?”

The caller’s voice is frantic, almost incoherent with fear.

“Please, I need you to call 911! Someone’s chasing me. I can’t get away. I don’t know what to do! I need help, now!”

Zero’s voice softens, filled with a hint of regret.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t make calls out. My phone only receives them. I’m here to listen, but I can’t dial out. You’re going to have to explain what’s happening.”

The caller’s frustration becomes palpable, his voice rising in a mixture of anger and desperation.

“Damn it! You’re supposed to help! Why can’t you just call someone? There’s something following me—it’s right behind me! I can feel it!”

Zero attempts to calm the caller, his voice steady but tinged with worry.

“Please, just try to breathe. I need you to tell me what’s going on. Describe what’s happening.”

The caller’s breathing is ragged, his fear almost suffocating.

“It’s... it’s like a shadow. No, not a shadow. It’s... it’s something else. It was right behind me, and now—now it’s gone.”

“Gone? What do you mean, gone? What do you see?”

The caller’s voice trembles, filled with confusion and terror.

“It was there, I swear! I turned around, and now... now there’s nothing. It’s just... it’s just gone.”

Suddenly, a loud, metallic clunk echoes through the broadcast. Zero’s voice becomes curious and cautious.

“Wait a moment. I’ve just received something—through the mail chute. One second.”

The sound of rustling and shuffling is followed by a muted clank as Zero retrieves the package.

Zero unwraps the scroll with a sense of foreboding. His voice grows more somber and apprehensive.

“Oh no. This isn’t good. I think... I think I may have a way to help you, but before I can, I’m going to need you to start at the beginning. Tell me everything from the start. What happened before you found yourself on the road, running from... whatever that was.”

The caller’s voice is weak, filled with a deep, unsettling sense of dread.

“I—I don’t know if I can. It was so sudden. I was just driving home, and then... then I saw it. A shadow, or a figure, standing in the middle of the road. I thought it was a trick of the light, but as I drove closer, it... it started moving. I tried to turn around, but it followed. I thought I was imagining it until it started chasing me. I thought I’d lost it, but then it—it was back.”

“Alright, let’s take a step back. Before we dive deeper into this... nightmare, I need you to start from the beginning. No more rushing. No more half-truths. Just the facts. First things first, what is your name?”

The caller’s voice, still trembling, responds, “My name is Dr. Edward Grayson.”

“Good. Good. Now, where are you from, Dr. Grayson?”

“I’m from New Haven. I work at the city hospital there.”

“Alright. New Haven. I see. Now, what is your job, exactly?”

There’s a moment of hesitation before the caller answers, “I’m a doctor.”

“A doctor. And what kind of doctor, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I... I treat people. Why does it matter?”

Zero’s voice takes on a softer, more apologetic tone. “I’m sorry if this seems intrusive. It’s just that understanding who you are might help me understand what’s happening to you. I know it’s frightening, but we need to piece this together carefully. So, Dr. Grayson, what kind of people do you treat?”

The caller’s voice grows more impatient, his fear escalating. “I treat patients, alright? People who are sick, who need help. Why does it matter right now? There’s something after me!”

“I understand, Dr. Grayson. I truly do. But sometimes, the more we know, the better we can address the situation. It’s not just about your job—it’s about context. Please, bear with me.”

There’s a deep sigh on the other end. “I’m an internist. I specialize in internal medicine. I see patients with a wide range of illnesses, from infections to chronic diseases. But why does this matter? I’m being chased!”

Zero’s tone remains steady but with a hint of urgency. “I appreciate your patience, Dr. Grayson. I just need to clarify a few more things to piece together what might be going on. What kind of environment are you in right now?”

“I was in my car, driving away from the hospital. I thought I could get away, but it followed me. I ran out of gas...I got out on foot. It’s been chasing me ever since I left my car.”

“Okay, we’re getting somewhere. Now, when did you first notice this... shadow, or whatever it is? Was it at the hospital, or after you left?”

The caller’s voice is barely controlled, panic seeping through every word. “It started when I was leaving the hospital. I was just finishing a late shift. The streets were empty, and I saw this dark figure standing by the road. I thought it was someone in distress, so I stopped. That’s when it all began. The figure moved, and it followed me. I thought I could escape, but it’s like it’s everywhere I go!”

“I see. It sounds like this figure appeared right after you left the hospital. Can you tell me anything more about this figure? Did it have any distinguishing features?”

“It was just a shadow! It didn’t have any clear features. It seemed to shift and change. I thought it was just my imagination at first, but then it became real. It was like it was trying to get inside my car. I tried to drive faster, but it kept up. It’s—”

The caller’s breaths are ragged, fear pushing through every word. “I thought it was a person in trouble. I thought maybe someone was hurt, and I needed to help. But then it started moving in a way that... it shouldn’t. It was like it was... alive, but not in any way I understood. It’s like it was trying to merge with the darkness around it. It felt wrong.”

“Please, just help me!” the caller cries out. “I can’t keep running. I don’t know how much longer I can—”

The line goes silent for a moment, the static growing louder. Zero’s voice, now filled with concern and frustration, echoes through the eerie silence.

“I need you to stay with me, Dr. Grayson. I know this is terrifying, but if you can’t provide clear details, I can’t offer the right help. We’re running out of time.”

Just as Zero finishes speaking, the line cuts off abruptly. Static fills the airwaves, punctuated by the unsettling organ music. Zero’s voice, filled with a mix of dread and resignation, concludes the broadcast.

Alright, Dr. Grayson, let’s try this from a different perspective."

Zero sits down and unrolls another scroll that comes down. He starts to read a story over the air....Its the Story of Dr. Grayson...

And it started with....