CH 33

The following day, around forty minutes past ten, I was in the printing drinking coffee, which wasn't allowed while watching over the second batch of magazines. Everything had been good that morning. I came to work on time, had a small chat with Rosa, and walked to the printing room without bumping into Matilda. Everything was as good as it could be until one call turned my life into hell.

I'd been sipping my coffee in silence when the telephone in the room suddenly rang, startling me. I didn't even know there was a telephone in the room. It looked ancient, and I wondered if people still used them. I picked it up, scared to know who was on the other end, and gently placed it to my ear. The caller was silent, so I said a 'hello'. My voice had come out husky, so I cleared my throat and said it again.

“I heard you the first time.”, a deep voice abruptly said, making me drop the telephone to the floor out of panic.

I picked it up and placed it on my ear again.

“Are you still there? Hel