Sophia’s P.O.V

I pressed the phone tighter against my ear, pacing back and forth as the strange noise of that slow breathing carried on.

“Martha?” I called again, my voice growing sharper with each attempt. “Martha, can you hear me? Hello?”

 Nothing. Just that faint, steady breathing, so soft I thought at first I was imagining it. My stomach tightened.

“This isn’t funny,” I said quickly, almost snapping. “If this is you, Martha, just say something. ...