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A space for practical, experience-based writing on AI, productivity, writing, and freelancing. Open to writers with something real to share. No fluff, no theory-only takes.

The Call at 3:17 AM

A Horror Story About a Phone Call You Should Never Answer

3 min read5 hours ago

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Photo by m wrona on Unsplash

Genre: Supernatural Horror, Mystery, Psychological Thriller
Duration: 5–7 minutes
Setting: A dark bedroom on a stormy night
Main Characters: Alex, his deceased sister Hannah, and a mysterious entity

Scene 1: The Mysterious Call

Visual: A dark bedroom. Rain hits the window. A young man named Alex sits alone in front of his laptop, working late at night.

Sound Effects: Heavy rain, a ticking clock, distant thunder.

Narrator:

“Alex had always been a night owl. He loved the silence of the night because it helped him concentrate.

But on this particular night, something happened that would change his life forever.

At exactly 3:17 AM, his phone started ringing.

When he looked at the screen, his blood ran cold.

The caller’s name was… Alex.”

Visual: Alex stares at his phone in disbelief.

Alex:
“How is this possible? Who’s calling me from my own number?”

He rejects the call.

A few seconds later, the phone rings again.

This time, a message appears on the screen.

UNKNOWN MESSAGE:
“ANSWER THE CALL. IT’S STANDING BEHIND YOU.”

Alex slowly turns around.

There is nothing behind him.

He lets out a nervous laugh and puts his phone down.

Then the phone rings a third time.

This time, he answers.

Scene 2: Someone in the Video

Visual: Alex answers the video call.

On the screen, he sees his own bedroom.

The same desk. The same laptop. The same window.

And sitting in front of the laptop is Alex himself.

But something is wrong.

The person on the screen isn’t moving.

Alex:
“Who are you? What kind of sick joke is this?”

The other Alex slowly raises his head.

His eyes are completely black.

Screen Alex (whispering):
“Don’t turn around.”

Alex freezes.

Alex:
“What?”

Screen Alex:
“She’s standing right behind you.”

Alex immediately turns around.

Nothing.

He turns back to the phone.

A tall woman with long black hair is now standing behind the Alex on the screen.

Her face is hidden beneath her hair.

Slowly, she lifts her head.

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Where her eyes should be, there are only two dark, empty holes.

Her mouth stretches into an unnatural smile.

Sound Effect: A sudden, distorted scream.

The phone screen goes black.

Alex drops the phone.

For several seconds, the only sound in the room is his breathing.

Then…

Three knocks come from the bedroom door.

Scene 3: The Voice at the Door

Sound Effects: Three slow knocks.

Visual: Alex stands frozen in the middle of the room.

A familiar female voice comes from the other side of the door.

Female Voice:
“Alex… open the door.”

Alex’s eyes fill with tears.

He recognizes the voice immediately.

It belongs to his younger sister, Hannah.

But Hannah died six months ago.

Alex (whispering):
“No… this isn’t real.”

The voice comes again.

Hannah’s Voice:
“Please, Alex. I’m cold.”

Alex takes a step toward the door.

His phone suddenly lights up.

A new message appears.

UNKNOWN:
“DON’T OPEN THE DOOR.”

Another message arrives.

UNKNOWN:
“THAT IS NOT HANNAH.”

Alex backs away from the door.

Outside, Hannah begins to cry.

Hannah’s Voice:
“You ignored my last call, Alex. Just like you always do.”

Alex starts shaking.

Six months earlier, Hannah had called him shortly before her fatal accident.

He had rejected the call because he was busy.

He never got the chance to speak to her again.

Alex:
“I’m sorry, Hannah. I’m so sorry.”

Suddenly, the crying stops.

A long silence follows.

Then the voice whispers:

Hannah’s Voice:
“That’s okay, brother. I’ll come inside myself.”

Something begins sliding underneath the door.

A long, black shadow stretches across the floor.

Alex screams and runs toward his desk.

Visual: Alex rushes toward his laptop.

Without anyone touching it, the screen turns on.

A video begins

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Published in The Common Room

A space for practical, experience-based writing on AI, productivity, writing, and freelancing. Open to writers with something real to share. No fluff, no theory-only takes.