The ringing began to flow through my headset into my ears.

"Hello, what's your emergency?" I ask. Moments passed but there was nothing. Silence. "Hello? If this is a prank call, this is a serious hotline. Please only call with emergencies."

The silence continued. It continued for seconds that felt like years. It probably is a prank call; we get those all the time.

"Seven."

Heavy breathing began. My eyebrows scrunched together a bit. A singular word made me confused. I could hear muffled and quiet sobs through the phone butit wasn't from the person on the call.

"Excuse me? Seven what, sir?"

My heart began to race. This job has always been stressful for me but this is just bizaare. The heavy breathing continued.

"Children. Seven children."

"What about these children? Are they hurt?" Calls about children always make me uneasy.

"All of them. Killed."

My heart dropped. He should've called the police, not the crisis hotline.

"Please elaborate, sir. How did they die? What happened?"

I could feel the man's breath on my neck, it was so heavy.

"You will kill, too. I won't be alone." The voice echoed in my ear. My eyes go a bit wider but I need to stay calm, its my job.

"What..?" I reply. The call ended. I could hear the silence louder. Theres slight static. My heart beat out of my chest and I took off my headset. I need to survive.