Finally, home alone. For Isabella, it felt almost like a dream. At 17, her parents had always been extremely protective. They never allowed her to spend the night alone, fearing everything an empty house might hide—burglars, accidents, or even the silent fear of loneliness. But that night, for the first time, they made an exception. Her mother had been invited to an important corporate event, a gala dinner that could lead to a promotion. Her father, as always, would accompany her. And so, after countless warnings and reminders—lock the doors, don’t open for strangers, don’t stay up too late, and the classic “call us if anything happens”—they left Isabella by herself. But she wasn’t worried. On the contrary, she was excited. No one to ask her to turn down the volume, no interruptions during the movie, no disapproving glances at her dinner choice of popcorn and soda. It was her night of freedom. Barefoot, wearing a loose and comfy sweatshirt, Bella walked through the house almost silently, enjoying the cool feel of the floor beneath her feet. In the kitchen, she waited impatiently while the microwave rotated the bag of popcorn, its distinct popping sounds filling the air. The buttery scent was already beginning to take over the room, and a smile crept onto her lips. In the living room, the TV was already on. An old movie was starting—something about a detective and a femme fatale. Isabella loved that kind of story, especially when she was alone; it felt like being part of her own little mystery. Everything seemed perfect… until the house phone rang. She frowned. The landline? Almost no one called that number. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time it had rung. Her parents, friends—everyone used cell phones. The sound felt out of place, oddly jarring in the cozy atmosphere. With her heart racing—more from surprise than fear—Bella walked over to the phone. She hesitated for a moment before answering "Hello?" She said, trying to sound natural, though her voice carried a hint of confusion. For a moment, silence. Then, a man’s voice—low and hoarse—replied: "Hi, Bella." Her heart nearly stopped. She didn’t recognize the voice. It wasn’t a friend, nor did it sound like a relative or anyone from her parents’ circle. It was someone unfamiliar. But the most unsettling part was that he had said her name. Bella felt a chill run down her spine. "Who is this?" She asked, her voice steadier than she felt inside. On the other end, the voice let out a brief chuckle, as if amused "No need to be afraid." He said slowly. "I just wanted to talk to you for a bit."