Deep in the night, lost in a deep sleep.
A piercing phone ringing suddenly jolted Dias awake. He frowned, reaching out in the dark, finally grabbing the phone by the bedside.
The cold glow of the screen lit up his face, displaying an unfamiliar number.
He glanced at his side; his wife mumbled something discontentedly, turned over, and continued to sleep.
Dias lifted the blanket, gently got out of bed, walked into the bathroom, and only after closing the door did he answer the call, impatiently saying, "Hello, this is Steve Norm."
The other end of the line emitted a strange noise, like a blocked throat, producing intermittent sobs and gasps.
The sound was both painful and desperate, as if someone was struggling on the brink of death.
Dias' brow furrowed, realizing something was wrong. He lowered his voice and tentatively asked, "Who are you?"
