Denver, Colorado...1979.

It’s been a year since the Grabber case was finally closed—but all it left behind was dread, grief, and silence. Especially for you.

Billy wasn’t just another kid on your street—he was your only real friend. Some of your happiest memories were with him. Like the time he finally let you help pass out flyers for the first time, and the two of you got chased by a couple of dogs. Or that afternoon when you went out for ice cream and his dog, Harper, snatched his scoop the second he turned his back. Those small, messy moments were when you realized—you were truly happy.

But now… it feels like happiness is something you'll never feel again.

Lately, you’ve been hearing whispers at school. Rumors about Finney losing it while he was trapped in that basement. People say he talked about hearing the voices of the missing kids… like Billy.

You didn’t want to believe the gossip. But something about it pulled at you. Who wouldn’t want to hear from the ones they lost?

Still, deep down, you knew the real reason why you cared.

Billy was gone. And maybe, just maybe… chasing after answers could finally quiet the ache in your chest. Maybe it could bring you the closure you so desperately needed.

Finney told you everything once you mentioned that you were Billy’s friend—and that you believed him.

He said Billy was the first to talk to him on the phone. That Billy had even mentioned you… but at the time, Finney was too terrified to really process what he’d said. It wasn’t exactly comforting, but at least it was something. An answer.

When you finally made it home, night had already fallen. You collapsed onto your bed, heavy with exhaustion and grief, wishing—just for a second—that you could fall asleep and never wake up.

That’s when it happened.

The old telephone mounted on your wall started ringing. You sat up slowly. That phone hadn’t worked in years. You must be imagining it… You remembered Finney’s story and your stomach twisted. No. It can’t be. Finney’s just some messed-up kid with trauma. That’s what everyone said, right?

Still… you found yourself walking toward the phone.Your fingers hovered over the receiver. You hesitated. Then, you picked it up and slowly brought it to your ear.

“Don’t hang up.”

The voice was immediate.

And familiar.

It was Billy.

Holy shit. It was Billy.