My phone rang at exactly 3:17 a.m.
Unknown number.
I almost ignored it… but something made me answer.
—Hello?
Static.
Then…
My own voice.
—Don’t go to work today.
I froze.
—Who is this?
—It’s you.
My grip tightened on the phone.
—Very funny. Who is this really?
A pause.
Then my voice again… shaking this time:
—I don’t have much time. Listen carefully. If you go to work today… you won’t come back.
I sat up in bed, heart racing.
—What are you talking about?
—I can’t explain everything—“I” said—. But there’s going to be an accident. Big. You’re in it.
—This is insane.
—Check the time.
I looked at my clock.
3:17 a.m.
—In exactly 10 seconds, your neighbor’s car alarm will go off.
I held my breath.
5…
6…
7…
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The sound exploded outside.
My blood ran cold.
—Now do you believe me?
I couldn’t speak.
—You have to stay home today. Don’t go anywhere near your office.
—If you’re really me… tell me something only I would know.
Silence.
Then softly:
—You still keep Dad’s watch hidden in your drawer… even though it’s broken.
My chest tightened.
No one knew that.
No one.
—What happens at work?—I whispered.
—There’s a fire.
My heart skipped.
—But that’s not the worst part.
—What do you mean?
A long pause.
Then:
—You don’t die in the fire.
I felt a chill crawl up my spine.
—Then how do I die?
The voice broke.
—You don’t make it out… because something stops you.
I swallowed hard.
—What… stops me?
Static crackled.
Then:
—Someone locks the exit.
My breathing stopped.
—Who?
Another pause.
Longer this time.
Almost like hesitation.
—You.
My mind went blank.
—That doesn’t make any sense!
—I didn’t understand either—my voice said—. Not until it happened.
—You panic. You think closing the door will stop the fire from spreading…
My hands started shaking.
—But it traps you inside.
—So what do I do?
—Stay home. Break the loop.
—And if I don’t?
Silence.
Then a whisper:
—Then I’ll be calling you again.
The line went dead.
I stared at my phone.
3:19 a.m.
Two missed calls.
Same number.
At 8:45 a.m., I stood in front of my door.
My keys in hand.
My heart pounding.
If I stayed home… nothing would happen.
But what if this was all a joke?
What if I was overreacting?
I reached for the handle.
And then…
My phone rang again.
Same number.
I answered slowly.
—Hello?
My voice.
But this time…
Screaming.
—WHY DID YOU GO?!
The news later that day reported a fire… exactly where I worked.
And they said one victim was found near the exit…
…with the door locked from the inside.
