Daniel Miller is an ordinary office worker with an ordinary job and an even more ordinary life.
He works for a research company conducting surveys over the phone, spending his days calling strangers and asking questions from a script before moving on to the next number on his screen.
To the people around him, Daniel is simply a good man. His coworkers know him as the quiet gentleman who never refuses to help when someone asks. His elderly neighbor adores him. His supervisor considers him dependable and hardworking-the sort of employee who would rather stay late than go home without meeting his quota, and that is exactly what Daniel is doing when one number remains between him and the end of his workday.
One final survey, one final stranger.
+1 (646) 666 ####
The three sixes catch Daniel's attention.
The Devil's number.
An amusing coincidence, he thinks, before putting on his headset and pressing call.
The man who answers has a deep, calm voice and agrees to give Daniel five minutes of his time. The survey is surprisingly pleasant. Daniel asks the questions. The stranger answers them. No complaints. No unnecessary stories. No wasted time.
Until Daniel reaches the end. Twenty-eight completed surveys. Quota met.
Daniel thanks the stranger for his time and prepares to hang up, but the man has a question of his own.
Not about the survey.
Not about the bank.
About Daniel.
"You make monthly donations to St. Joseph's Orphanage. Is it because you grew up there?"
The question brings their five minutes to an abrupt end. Daniel leaves the office and returns to the quiet, predictable life he has always known.
Then his phone chimes.
A message from an unregistered number.
+1 (646) 666 ####
"Did you get home safely, Daniel?"
Daniel stares at the number above it.
The Devil's number.
The same stranger.
Daniel doesn't know who the man is; how he knows about St. Joseph's, and how he got his personal number.
All he knows is that the Devil has his name.
