Yvonne wondered what surprise she was talking about. She tried to call the number again, but it proved futile. The phone rang unanswered, heightened her anxiety. She began to get scared. Who was watching her? She held her daughter close to her, feeling the fragile heartbeat against her chest as a reassurance.
"Alisa," Yvonne began, her voice quivering slightly.
"Yes?" Alisa looked up with innocent eyes.
"You should always tell me things," she said, her tone firm but gentle. "You should never talk to a stranger, do you understand?"
"Yes," she replied with a small nod.
Yvonne hugged her daughter tightly, feeling the warmth and softness of her small body. Who on earth is texting her? Could it be Helen? There is no way it would be her. She doesn't know that she is alive, so how would she text her? The questions spiraled in her mind, leaving her more unsettled with each passing second.