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. Annie inquisitively replied. Excuse me?

The creepy voice repeated,

How are the children?

Annie 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,

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. She picked up the receiver,

Hello? There was no sound but the sound of her own breath. Annie spoke again. Who is this?

...