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You're surprised your parents haven't called—not for your sake—but to find out how their house is doing. You stare down at your phone and…

You dial your father first. He bought a belt clip that resembles a device from an old 60s sci-fi show, so he never goes anywhere without his phone. On the first ring, a message tells you the line has been disconnected.

Crap.

You dial your mother's phone. The line rings and rings. You redial, and the line rings. And rings. You hang up and redial. Nothing happens for an unbearable five minutes, and then the call connects.

"Hello? Who's this?" It's a man's voice you've never heard before.

"This is Victor Zombie. I'm trying to find my mother…"

"She's dead. I'm sorry. I found the phone on a dead woman."

"I—" you begin to say, but the call disconnects.

You hang up. The room spins, and you feel dizzy. Is it true? Is your mother gone? And what of your father?

Are your parents truly dead? Too many possibilities float inside your head. The phone could have been stolen. Your mother could have given the phone to someone else. You don't want to believe that man on the line. You can't believe him, at least for now.