The phone's shrill ring pierced through the silent night, jolting me awake. I squinted at the clock, and it read midnight. Who could be calling me at this hour?
As I fumbled for the phone, I could feel my heart beating wildly in my chest. Dread began to claw at my stomach as I picked up the receiver, my fingers shaking slightly. I had a sinking feeling that this call was not going to bring good news.
"Hello, may I speak to Ms. Clarke?" The voice on the other end sounded solemn, and I could feel my anxiety ramping up by the second.
"This is she," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I'm sorry to inform you, but there's been an incident involving your brother," the voice said, the words hitting me like a physical blow. "Please come to this address as soon as possible."
My mind we
