The black card had remained on Alys's bedside table for three days. Always in the same place, always staring at her with the same silent provocation. Every time her gaze fell on the matte rectangle, something within her trembled—not fear, but an ancient sort of anxiety, as if her body knew that number carried consequences.

On the morning of the fourth day, she gave in.

She dialed the number with the calm of someone who had already decided, though her hands betrayed otherwise. The phone rang ...