Don't Hang Up: Stories You Only Hear From One Side of the Call

Okay. Okay, just breathe. Stay on the line with me. Don't hang up. Just breathe. In… and out. Good. Where are you? Tell me exactly where you are. The closet. In my room? Okay. Good. That’s good. The lock on that door is solid. Did you lock it? Okay. Okay. Just… try to slide the bolt. Slowly. Don’t make a sound. You can’t. It’s too loud. Okay. Don’t worry about it.

Just stay where you are. Stay behind the winter coats. Way in the back. I know it smells like mothballs. Just… be still. He’s still in the house? You heard a floorboard creak. Downstairs. Okay. That’s good. If he’s downstairs, he’s not upstairs. We have time. I already called the police, Leo. They’re on their way. They said eight minutes. That was maybe… three minutes ago.

So five more minutes. We just have to be quiet for five more minutes. You can do that, can’t you? I know you can. What was that? What was that noise? Oh. Okay. Okay, it was you. Your phone. Listen to me VERY carefully. Is the screen dark? Okay. The sound. Did you turn the sound completely OFF? Do it now. Use the button on the side. Press it down. And hold it.

Slowly. Your fingers can’t shake. Is it off? Okay. Good. Good boy. Shhh. I think… I think I hear it too. Footsteps. On the stairs. He’s coming up the stairs. Don’t move. Don’t breathe. He’s just walking down the hall. He’ll walk right past. He stopped. Why did he stop? Leo. He’s outside your door. My door. He’s right there. I can hear his breathing through your phone.

Oh god. Okay. Okay. Listen. Listen to my voice. The window in that closet. It opens onto the porch roof. Remember? When I tell you to… you’re going to move. You are going to be SO loud and SO fast. You’ll throw open that window. You’ll scream. You’ll run. Don’t think. Just run to Mrs. Gable’s house next door. Do you understand me? I need to know you understand.

Just… tap the phone once for yes. Lightly. Okay. Get ready. On my mark. Wait. Wait… What’s that sound? It’s… a siren. I hear it. I hear it on your end. Leo? Leo, are you there? What’s happening? I hear shouting. Talk to me! Oh, thank God. It’s the police. You’re okay. You’re okay. You were so brave. You were SO brave. I know. I was scared too. Yeah. I’m… I’m leaving work right now.

I’m coming home. Just… stay on the line with me until I get there. Okay?