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I’m not a ninja! Call the police

I’m not a ninja! Call the police

With the hair on my neck prickling to attention, I search for my phone. My fingers, clammy and unsteady, fumble with the smooth case before I manage to unlock it. There’s a voicemail from Katie, but it’ll have to wait. I dial 911.

“911, what is your emergency?” a woman asks. It’s so relaxed that for a horrified moment, I fear that I’ve received a robot.

Another sharp cry pierces the night. My words fail on my tongue. I inhale, surprised, listening.

“I hear her,” the operator says. Obviously not a robot then. “Can you confirm your location?”

“You hear the woman screaming?” I ask, unable to mask my surprise.

“Yes, can you confirm your location?”

She hears her? The screams must be even louder than I thought.

I give her my address.

“Old Town,” she whispers. It sounds like she’s turned her head away from the receiver.

I’m about to say yes, confirm that I do in fact live in Old Town when a man answers. His voice is also muffled, as if he’s a seat or two away from the operator. “Yes, I see them. You need to send at least two units.”

“How can he see them?” I ask. “Are there cameras or something?”

“Thank you for calling,” the operator says, her voice full volume again. “Stay inside your home and you will not be harmed. Understood?”

“Understood?” I ask, pretty sure I don’t understand any of this.

“Good.” And she hangs up.

For a moment I only stare at my phone’s screen wondering what the hell just happened.

True, it isn’t like I’m an expert in 911 calls or anything, but I think I have a general idea of how they work.

Once I had to call 911 in college when I saw two cars collide in the parking lot. No one was hurt but the operator had insisted that I stay on the line, asked for every detail about the cars, the people involved, and if they seemed intoxicated.

Why did this operator hang up on me? Why didn’t she get more information or ask me to stay on the line?

My thoughts break when the woman screams again. It’s gut-wrenching, making my insides twist in on themselves. A cold sweat is starting to stand out along my hairline.

Help is coming but how far away are they? Are they going to make it in time?

I put down the cell phone and catch sight of my coat by the door.

Should I try to help?

Choice 9

Yes. Do something

Stay inside as told