Karl stared at his phone screen, eyes wide open. That name—Mrs. Jane—was displayed clearly, making the air around him feel colder than the snowstorm outside. His fingers trembled as he finally swiped the screen to answer the call.
Mrs. Jane's voice cracked on the other end, accompanied by panicked sobs and despair. Her tone was far from the sharp and snappy voice she usually used when dealing with Karl at the convenience store. Karl felt his heart pounding in his chest.
"Mrs. Jane? What happened? Where are you now?"
"I'm at the store… our workplace. They… they took everything… my family… they killed them, Karl. I'm the only one left…"
Karl shot up from his seat, his chair clattering to the floor behind him. Layla, still lying on the couch, looked at him anxiously.
"I'm coming right now, Mrs. Jane. Hold on. Lock the doors and don't move from your spot!"
