Page 55 of Win My Heart

“Hello?”

I’m greeted with silence.

“Hello?” I say again. I listen closely, and it doesn’t sound like dead air. An eerie feeling comes over me.

Is that someone breathing?

I pull the phone away from my ear and hang up. I stare down at my phone just as a loud thump comes from out in the hall.

I let out a yelp and jump to my feet. Was that outside my apartment? I don’t hear anything else as I stand in the middle of my apartment. Slowly, I tiptoe to the front door.

Lifting up onto my toes, I peek out the peephole. My breathing is loud in my ears, but I know I’m being quiet. I look out in the hall for several moments, not seeing a single thing out of place.

Still, I’m too spooked to investigate further by opening my door. I slowly back away from my door, taking a deep, calming breath.

“Holy shiitake mushrooms,” I mutter to myself as I walk back to the couch. I collect my Kindle and my phone, then nearly drop my phone as it starts to ring. I stare in pure horror as I see the same number on my screen again.

Nope, nope, not doing this.I hang up the call without answering it. Then I open up the recent calls list and block the number. I turn my phone to do not disturb and decide to call it a night.

But I’m spooked, so I leave the kitchen light on, and my bathroom light on, and turn on my TV, watching some old schoolSaved by the Bellon Hulu should help. Snuggling in under the covers, I pull my blanket up close and try to forget about the past several hours. From my unsettling argument with Wade to the creepy calls and sounds, I’m over today.