The Best of Horror

Ash and Dust

The phone rang.

"911, do you need the police, firefighters, or ambulance?"

Screaming was heard on the other end, accompanied by the tell-tale crackle of fire. An address was choked out seconds before a large boom resounded. The line went dead after that.

Three pairs of firefighters abandon their card game.

When the brave men arrived at the address, they found an untouched apartment building, no smoke in sight. They evacuated everybody as a precaution. After everybody was out, many in their nightclothes, people started to complain. No one wanted to stand outside on a chilly September night. The firefighters were about to let everyone back in when they heard the explosion.

Turning around, their faces were washed in the orange glow of the fire. It was later found that a gas pipe had leaked, and when it caught on fire, it took the entire first floor with it. Anyone on the above floors would have been crushed in the rubble. Parents clutched their children, thinking about what could have happened.

An investigation ensued, the confused firefighters trying to find the mysterious caller. After much persistence, they got the number from the 911 operator, with their winning argument being how the caller never mentioned their desire to remain anonymous. But, as a precaution, the operator insisted on staying with the firemen as they made their call.

When she was on her break, she retrieved the number. One of the firefighters snatched the slip of paper from her hands, and quickly dialed the number. They all waited anxiously for the phone to start ringing. They received an answer immediately.

"I'm sorry, but the number you dialed does not exist. Please redial. And thank you for saving those lives."

And with that, the line went dead.

Well, here's a slightly-less-scary story to start things off! And, by the way, see if you can find the music reference in this chapter!

The Mistress of Darkness,

MarineDolphin