Prologue
911 Emergency. What is your—
“They killed her!” The woman’s voice cracked like glass shattering on concrete. “She’s dead—she’s in the bath—so much blood—”
Ma’am, calm down. Who is dead?
“I don’t—oh God! My sister. My sister’s dead. They murdered her. I found her like this. It’s them. It’s all them!”
The woman’s words tumbled out, jagged and raw, each one more frantic than the last. She was barely breathing between the sobs, her voice catching in her throat. In the background, a child wailed, the sound sharp and panicked, adding to the chaos.
I need you to take a deep breath. What is your location?
Sarah’s breath hitched, followed by the rustling of movement. “No, no, I can’t tell you that. I know what’s happening. You—you’re one of them, aren’t you?” Her voice dropped, thick with paranoia. “You’re in on this. You’re with them.”
Ma’am, I’m here to help. Please—
“I have to leave. I have to hide. They’re coming for me next.” There was a scraping sound, maybe a door opening, footsteps echoing, quickening. “I have to go. They won’t get me. I won’t let them. I’ll take her—I’ll take the child.”
The crying grew louder, frantic now, as if sensing the tension.
Sarah, don’t—
“I’ll keep us safe. I’ll protect us. No one else will. I have to—”
The line went dead.
