One-Sided Calls: Stories You Hear in the Silence

Leo. Hey, Leo, it's me. Can you hear me? Okay. Good. I need you to take a really deep breath. Like we practiced. A big balloon breath. Good. One more. In... and out. No, no, don't cry, honey. I'm right here. We're just talking on the phone. I'm not going to hang up. Why are you whispering? Okay. Okay. You're playing the quiet game. That's... that's a good game to play right now. Leo, where are mommy and daddy? They went to the store. Okay. So they'll be right back. You said you heard a noise.

What kind of noise? Was it loud? Okay. Okay. A loud noise downstairs. Was it... like the front door? No. Not the front door. The... the glass. The glass door in the back. Okay, Leo. Listen to me very, very carefully. We're going to play a different game now. A better one. We're going to play 'Sardines'. Remember? You have to find the BEST hiding spot in the whole house. Yes. Even better than last time. I need you to go to your parents' bedroom. No, honey, don't make a sound.

Be a little mouse. Tiptoe. Are you there? Good boy. Now, go into their closet. The big walk-in one. And pull the door closed. All the way. Does it make a click? Good. It's dark in there, I know. But it's the safest place. You're safe in there. Leo... I need you to be very, very quiet for me now. Can you do that? I know you're scared. It's okay to be scared. But we have to be brave together. What... what was that? Leo, did you hear that? Downstairs? Is someone walking?

Okay. Okay. Do NOT make a sound. Don't even breathe. I need you to hide behind your mom's long dresses. Go all the way to the back. Leo. Stay with me. Do you hear my voice? Listen ONLY to my voice. Do not hang up this phone. I'm calling for help right now, baby. I have another phone right here. They're coming. He's on the stairs. I hear it. Don't move. Please, Leo, don't move. Is he... is he in the room? You can see his shoes under the door. Okay. Okay. Stay still. Are they gone?

The shoes are gone? You think so? Okay. Okay, you did SO good. You were so brave. But we're not done. Listen. The police are almost there. But I need you to get out of the house. No, not downstairs. Remember the plan? The family emergency plan. The ladder. Yes. The ladder outside your bedroom window. Your dad showed you how to unlatch it. I need you to go to your window. Slowly. Quietly. Can you see it? Okay. When you get down, you run. You run to the meeting place. The big oak tree at the corner.

Yes, just like we practiced. You run and you do not stop. You do not look back. Do you understand me? Leo. I am so, so proud of you. You are the bravest boy I know. Now go. Go.