It was a dismal night, wet and thundering.

A loud, crashing noise startled Annie, as she sat alone watching television shrugging it off she returned to

her show just then the phone rang Annie had been expecting a call from the parents of the two

children she was babysitting so she quickly answered the phone. Parker residence.

There was not a word from the other end of the phone.

Hello? Is anyone there?

repeated Annie.

Just as she was about to lay down the receiver, a man's voice, strangely asked,

How are the children?

Any inquisitive we replied.

Excuse me? The creepy voice repeated, How are the children?" And he inquisitively replied. Excuse me? The creepy voice repeated,

How are the children?

And he was puzzled, but not alarmed.

Who is this?

Mr. Parker?

Is that you?

Silence.

The voice disappeared as the sound of the phone hanging up was heard through the receiver.

Annie put the phone down and walked toward the dark hallway to the foot of the stairs.

She looked up the side of a steep banister to the open door of the children's room,

wondering whether or not she had left it ajar. Just as she started up the stairs to check on the children's room, pondering whether or not she had left it a jar.

Just as she started up the stairs to check on the children, the phone rang.

...