Chapter 7: The Woman on the Other Line
The phone kept ringing.
Nobody reached for it.
Nobody even breathed.
The name on the screen burned into everyone’s mind.
*NIA JOHNSON.*
Maya stared at Evelyn.
“You said my mother disappeared.””
Evelyn didn’t move.
“I said she disappeared because she wanted someone to believe she was gone.””
Marcus stepped forward.
“What does that mean?””
Evelyn looked at the ringing phone.
“It means Nia knew exactly what she was doing.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“No.””
Everyone looked at her.
Vanessa’s eyes filled with fear.
“She wouldn’t do that.””
Evelyn turned toward her.
“You don’t know what she was willing to do.””
The phone stopped ringing.
The silence afterward felt worse.
Maya reached for it.
The screen immediately lit up again.
A new call.
Still Nia.
This time, Maya answered.
“Mom?””
For several seconds, there was only breathing.
Then a quiet voice.
“Maya.””
Maya covered her mouth.
Tears instantly filled her eyes.
“Mom?””
Marcus stepped closer.
“Nia?””
The voice on the phone became shaky.
“Is Marcus there?””
Maya looked at her father.
“Yes.””
A long pause.
Then Nia said:
“Put me on speaker.””
Maya did.
The entire room gathered around.
Even Vanessa.
Nia’s breathing came through the speaker.
“I don’t have much time.””
Maya closed her eyes.
“Where are you?””
Another pause.
“I can’t tell you.””
“Mom, we thought you were hurt.””
“I know.””
“You scared me.””
The pain in Maya’s voice changed the room.
Nia became quiet.
“I’m sorry.””
Maya wiped her tears.
“Why didn’t you tell me anything?””
“Because if I told you the truth, you would have tried to help me.””
“I would have.””
“That’s why.””
The answer hurt.
Maya looked away.
Her mother had protected her by leaving her behind.
She didn’t know which was worse.
Marcus grabbed the phone.
“Nia, what is happening?””
Silence.
Then Nia said:
“Marcus, are you alone?””
He looked around.
“No.””
“Who is there?””
Maya looked at Evelyn.
Then Vanessa.
“Everyone.””
Nia stopped breathing for a moment.
Then:
“Evelyn is there?””
Evelyn stepped closer.
“Yes.””
A strange sadness entered Nia’s voice.
“I knew she would come.””
Marcus looked confused.
“You knew?””
Nia ignored him.
“Evelyn, did you bring the files?””
“Yes.””
“Good.””
Maya looked between them.
“What files?””
Nobody answered.
Nia spoke again.
“Maya, listen carefully.””
Maya held the phone tighter.
“I’m listening.””
“There is something you need to know about your father.””
Marcus looked down.
Maya noticed.
“Dad?””
Nia continued.
“Your father didn’t betray me.””
Everyone froze.
Marcus looked up.
“But he did hide something.””
Maya swallowed.
“What?””
Nia’s voice softened.
“The night you were born.””
The room became still.
Maya felt like the air disappeared.
“What about that night?””
Nia took a breath.
“There was someone at the hospital who wasn’t supposed to be there.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
Vanessa whispered:
“No.””
Maya turned.
“You know?””
Vanessa looked broken.
“I know more than I wanted to.””
Maya stepped toward her.
“Then start talking.””
Before Vanessa could answer, Nia spoke.
“Not her.””
Everyone stopped.
Nia continued:
“Not yet.””
Maya frowned.
“Mom, why are you protecting her?””
“I’m not.””
“Then why?””
“Because Vanessa is not the person you should fear.””
A chill moved through Maya.
She looked at Vanessa.
Then at Marcus.
Then Evelyn.
“Who should I fear?””
The line went quiet.
Too quiet.
Then Nia whispered:
“The person who has been watching you since you were born.””
A sound came from outside the security office.
Everyone turned.
Footsteps.
Someone running.
Marcus moved toward the door.
“Who’s there?””
No answer.
Evelyn grabbed the folder.
“Turn off the lights.””
Maya stared.
“Why?””
Evelyn looked terrified.
“Because they know we found the files.””
The footsteps stopped.
Right outside the door.
Maya held the phone close.
“Mom?””
Nia’s voice came back.
“Maya, whatever happens…”
The door handle moved.
“…do not let them take the folder.””
The door slowly opened.
And someone stepped into the room.
Maya saw only a shadow.
May you like
Then Nia whispered through the phone:
“That’s the person I was running from.””
