The Voice Message

 

The Voice Message

James received a voice message from his own phone at 2:06 a.m. He assumed he'd accidentally recorded something while sleeping. The message was only eleven seconds long. His own voice whispered, “Don't go downstairs.” James deleted it. Thirty seconds later, another message arrived. “I said don't go downstairs.” This time his voice sounded terrified. James checked his phone history. Both messages had been sent from his own number. Then he heard something downstairs. A cupboard opening. 

The Photograph in Room 12

He locked his bedroom door and called the police. While waiting, another voice message appeared. “They're here.” James stared at the screen. A final message arrived. His voice was barely audible. “Whatever happens, don't answer when Mum calls.” His mother had died four years earlier. Then someone knocked on his bedroom door. “James?” his mother's voice said. “Open the door, darling.” James froze. His phone began recording automatically. On the screen appeared a notification: Voice message sent — 2:07 a.m. James hadn't touched the phone. He listened to the new recording. It was his own voice, whispering from somewhere inside the bedroom: “She's already in here.”