I was running down the street

when the pavement dropped away,

and I stood at the edge of the universe.

In a dim corner,

a phone booth sat alone,

glowing red.

I lifted the receiver,

and a haunting voice said,

"Tell me your greatest fear,

or everyone you love will end up dead."

I slammed the phone down.

The voice was in my ear,

"Your time is running out now."

The red light pulsed,

insistent.

"Who are you?" I dared to ask.

In response,

the sky blushed crimson.

"What is it you fear?"

The voice came from everywhere,

everything,

nowhere,

and nothing.

I pushed at the door,

but it was locked.

**ANSWER ME**,

the stars shrieked.

"I don't know how,"

I whispered.

"Uh oh,"

the booth shook,

"Your time is up."

The world lifted.

I closed my eyes,

willing stillness.

When I opened them,

a pale face greeted me.

"What is it you fear?"

the face asked.

"Everything."

"Tell the truth,

or this will be your end."

"Everything."

**TELL THE TRUTH**,

the stars pleaded.

The face dissolved

into the light.

I lifted the receiver again,

murmuring,

"Goodnight."

Silence.

"Goodnight,"

I repeated.

The light was fading,

the stars defeated.

"Goodnight!"

I screamed.

"Hello?"

**HELLO?!**

****

Silence.

I stumbled out of the booth,

collapsing,

the dirt holding me.

The wind kissed me with its gentle breeze.

I cried,

I sobbed,

"I don't want to be alone."

I breathed.

The voice responded,

"Then answer the phone."

Eyes shut,

I willed stillness.

When they opened,

the final pill lay in my palm.

The phone on the counter rang.

The stars in my head sang.

"Hello?"

The voice was in my ear.

"I'm sorry."

My vision blurred with tears.

"What happened?"

.

..

…

"I faced my fears."