The Unanswered Call

    By Cristina P.

    The Unanswered Call cover image

    09 Feb, 2024

    a woman is talking on a cell phone near a brick wall and a clock on the wall behind her, serial art, a stock photo, Eugeen Van Mieghem, promotional image

    The telephone rang at precisely 3 o'clock. Ivy was startled, not expecting a call at such an odd hour. She frowned, an unsettling feeling creeping up her spine as she glanced at the old wall clock.

    a woman standing in a room looking at her cell phone and holding a cell phone in her hand and looking at the screen, serial art, a character portrait, Elizabeth Forbes, promotional image

    Ivy approached the phone tentatively, her heart pounding. The caller ID was blocked. She picked it up, her hand shaking slightly. But before she could answer, the line went dead.

    a woman standing in a living room looking at her cell phone while holding a remote control in her hand, serial art, a character portrait, Ada Gladys Killins, promotional image

    She stood there for a moment, phone in hand, unsure of what to do. She felt a chill run down her spine, an unnerving silence filling the room. Something was wrong.

    a woman sitting at a table talking on a cell phone with a surprised look on her face and holding a pen in her hand, serial art, a character portrait, Ancell Stronach, promotional image

    The phone rang again, startling Ivy. She quickly picked it up, but once more, before she could utter a word, the line went dead. This time, she decided to investigate.

    a woman sitting at a table with a laptop computer in her lap and a pen in her hand, in front of a lamp, tachisme, a character portrait, Ancell Stronach, promotional image

    Ivy dialed the operator, inquiring about the call. The operator informed her it was impossible to trace the call, as it didn't seem to be coming from any known number.

    a woman sitting at a table looking at a cell phone in a dark room with a lamp on it, fantasy art, a detailed painting, Donato Giancola, highly detailed digital painting

    Ivy's fear turned into curiosity. She wondered if this was some kind of prank or if there was something more sinister at play. The unanswered call was becoming a mystery she needed to solve.

    a woman sitting on a couch talking on a cell phone while holding a laptop computer and a cup of coffee, serial art, a stock photo, Elisabeth Collins, promotional image

    Over the next few days, the calls continued. Always at 3 o'clock, always with a blocked caller ID, and always disconnecting before she could answer.

    a woman in a police uniform standing in front of a police station with a police car parked in front of her, american scene painting, a character portrait, Anthony Palumbo, rpg portrait

    Ivy decided to approach the local police, but they dismissed her, suggesting it was probably just a wrong number. She felt frustrated, knowing something was not right.

    a woman sitting at a desk with a pen and paper in front of her and a man standing behind her, private press, a character portrait, Ada Gladys Killins, promotional image

    She started to dig deeper. She researched mysterious calls, talked to experts, and even hired a private investigator. But nothing seemed to shed light on the peculiar calls.

    a woman talking on a cell phone while holding a cell phone to her ear and looking at her phone, les automatistes, a stock photo, Dennis Ashbaugh, portrait photography

    As the days turned into weeks, Ivy's anxiety grew. The calls were a constant reminder of the unknown, an unsolvable puzzle that kept her awake at night.

    a woman holding a cell phone to her ear and looking at the camera with a surprised look on her face, serial art, a stock photo, Ancell Stronach, promotional image

    Then one day, the phone rang, but it wasn't 3 o'clock. It was 2:59. Ivy froze. She picked up the phone, and this time, she heard a voice.

    a woman in a sweater looking at a cell phone in a dark room with a lamp on the wall, serial art, a character portrait, Ancell Stronach, promotional image

    "I'm sorry," the voice said, sounding distant and distorted. "I didn't mean to scare you." The line went dead again, leaving Ivy with more questions than answers.

    a woman sitting on a chair looking at the camera with a serious look on her face and hands, in front of a window, serial art, a character portrait, Elisabeth Collins, promotional image

    The next day, there was no call at 3 o'clock. Ivy felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment. She had hoped the voice would provide answers, but it only deepened the mystery.

    a woman with curly hair wearing a sweater in a room with a plant in the corner of the room, symbolism, a character portrait, Elizabeth Forbes, promotional image

    Days turned into weeks, and the calls stopped completely. Ivy was left with the haunting memory of the mysterious voice and the unanswered call that had disrupted her peaceful life.

    a woman sitting on a couch looking at her cell phone while holding a cup of coffee and a mug, art informel, a stock photo, Dennis Ashbaugh, promotional image

    She never found out who the caller was or why they had chosen to call her. The mystery remained unsolved, a constant reminder of the strange and inexplicable events in life.

    a painting of a woman with flowers in her hair and a green dress on her shoulders and a white shirt on her shoulders, pre-raphaelitism, a photorealistic painting, Donato Giancola, highly detailed digital painting

    Ivy eventually learned to live with the mystery. She realized that not all questions have answers, and sometimes, it's the mystery itself that makes life interesting.

    a woman talking on a cell phone in a forest with a light bulb hanging from the ceiling and a light bulb hanging from the ceiling, serial art, a character portrait, Eva Gonzalès, promotional image

    The unanswered call became a story she would tell her friends, a haunting tale that would send chills down their spines. It became a part of her, an unsolved puzzle.

    a woman sitting on a couch reading a book in front of a window with a plant in the corner, serial art, a character portrait, Araceli Gilbert, promotional image

    Ivy's life returned to normal, but she was forever changed. The experience had taught her the value of curiosity and the thrill of the unknown. It had made her stronger.

    a woman sitting at a table talking on a phone and holding a cup of coffee in front of her, private press, a character portrait, Dorothy Coke, promotional image

    And so, every time the clock struck 3, Ivy would smile, remembering the unanswered call. It was a reminder of the mystery that had once consumed her, the mystery that made her who she was.

    a woman sitting on a chair talking on a cell phone in a room with pictures on the wall and a desk with a lamp, serial art, a character portrait, Elizabeth Forbes, promotional image

    The unanswered call remained a mystery, but Ivy was at peace. She had learned that sometimes, the journey matters more than the destination. And her journey was one she would never forget.

    a woman sitting on a couch looking at her cell phone and smiling at the camera while holding a cup of coffee, art & language, a stock photo, Evelyn Abelson, product photo

    Ivy gazed at the clock as it struck 3. She smiled, picking up the phone and dialing a number. "Hello," she said, "I have a story to tell you."