The day next it poured like anything. It was 3:45 AM in the morning but outside it was dark as night. The whole place was shrouded under a layer of black clouds, with no sign of light or electricity. Davis was petrified. Seventeen times she had seen herself in the mirror; just to ensure if it wasn't an illusion that she had seen the mark. She made the best attempts to recall when did she get that below her face but she couldn't. She had already made an unsuccessful attempt to escape- the door did not open. She had cried for help in vain. Now she was in her bed, thinking over something. She didn't want to do it, she really didn't want to do it, but lastly, she had to do it for she wasn't left with any other option than to call Anna. With trembling hands, she dialed. Sitting quietly with her heart pounding worse to sound of dial tone beneath her ear.
"Hi Christine," the voice came
She didn't get any response.
"Hello. . . Christine, are you there?"
After taking a massive amount of time and with immense effort her lips uttered finally – "ANNA. . .!!"
Her voice was numb.
"How are you darling?" Anna asked
"ANNA!!" Christine whispered and started to cry. On the other end she could hear Christine's sobbing.
"Christine, you're crying?"
Davis couldn't answer.
"Say, something Christine. Is everything alright?" asked Anna.
"I shouldn't have moved in here!" she spoke.
Anna felt strange due to Christine's tone.
"What's the matter Davis? That doesn't at all sound like you."
"I should've listened to you!!" She spoke weeping.
Christine clenched her eyes and pursed her lips. She took the guts and somehow told her everything.
"Christine, are you sure about that?" Asked Anna who was like just about to burst into tears after hearing all about the occurring.
"Yes!" she said.
Anna began crying. "Christine! I feel sorry for you."
"I-REALLY-DON'T-KNOW-WHAT-TO-DO. . . !!" Anna heard her friend's words with the unclear crying voice.
"Listen Christine," Anna whipped her tears. "Just. . . Hello! . . . Hello!!" And the call disconnected as soon as she spoke. They tried to call back each other but it didn't work. All thanks to the weather. Neither could she talk to anybody, nor could she run away from that place.
It was hard for Christine to move from of her bed. She sat still, little quivering. With no electricity, there were just tappers lit in the room. It was silent. All she could hear were continuous tapping of water and ticking of the clock. Few lightnings flashed and the girl was still sitting still. And then the candles too aided to the situation; they went out for reason unknown. Davis, stood very quickly, although that was slow as anything. Trembling, she gently took up match with her shivering hands, and quickly lit the tapers. The light, dim but not so useless made the notebook and pen on the table apparent. As soon as Christine saw it, she was captivated. It had never appeared to her like that ever before, the way it appeared in that kind of brightness. Continuously staring at it she took a step forward and pulling the chair she sat down without giving it a thought. She just felt safer doing so. Perhaps her skill itself had distracted her from the fear. The pen was in her hand now as she turned through the pages. Trying to write something, she was all baffled. What should she write, what she should start with, she had no idea. As Christine was tensed those thoughts made a comeback, despite that momentary comfort. And so did that fear. It crept, slowly and gradually; giving her goosebumps and then a sudden shiver. The more she tried to control herself, more the situation seemed to overpower her. Eventually she burst into tears. She had no idea what was gonna happen with her. But she had to face it disregarding whatever it was. With all her mighty, she moved the pen and wrote down on the paper – 'Who are you?'
Christine sobbed. She saw on the page what she wrote embellished with her fallen teardrops. Other than that, there was nothing else written. Christine was more disappointed now. And more scared too. What've I done?, Did I do the right thing?' – such thoughts appeared in her mind. She was tired. So, she slowly put her head down in distress.