The Call from Beyond

It’s fitting that ghosts surround me today, their presence a chill I can’t chase even under the spray of the hot shower. Because today is the day my daughter Lexie died. Fifteen years ago, at the tender age of thirteen. It shattered mine, and my husband Braden’s world, shards of glass cutting into our hearts like daggers.

But the worst part was the guilt of knowing we killed her.

My phone rings as I’m getting dressed and Braden walks into the bedroom.

“Jenna honey, we’re gonna be late-“

His voice cuts off and the blood drains from his face when he looks at the number displayed on my screen.

“It’s Lexie's number,” he whispers in horror.

How can that be? Our baby is dead; we murdered her. Is she haunting us from her grave?

“Braden,” I sob, “I can’t stop wondering why we didn’t just give those evil monsters the money, do what they said, and get her back. But we didn’t follow their instructions not to involve the cops. And they killed her. We killed her!”

“Sweetheart, stop blaming yourself… us. We were young. We didn’t know how to handle a kidnapping for ransom situation.”

It’s true, but still painful. Sometimes I think I catch glimpses of an older version of her around town. And… a body never was… produced.

The phone buzzes again. It’s the same number and I hit accept.

“Mom is that you?” a female voice says.

“It’s Lexie. I escaped and need help. Can you come get me?”

“OMG! Your dad and I will be right there sweetheart, just tell us where you are.”