Not Always There When You Call Novels & Stories

"The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable." Nate stared at his phone, frustration creeping in as the automated message played for the fifth time. Something wasn't right. Even if Lena was in surgery, her phone would usually just ring. Completely unreachable? That wasn't like her. Could her phone have died? Maybe, but in their line of work, that was rare. They always stayed connected—for emergencies, if nothing else. "Nate." Retta's voice cut through his thoughts.

CHARLOTTE’S POV “The number you’re trying to call, is not available at the moment. Please hold on or call back later” those words, those same words were what my phone kept saying each and every time I dialed his number. I didn’t stop trying and the robotic voice didn’t stop telling me the same words either.

For two years and going to five months now, this name has never appeared on the screen of my phone. Why is Nathan calling me?

Alice had just told me that I received no calls while my phone was in her room. Doubt gnaws at me as I ponder the discrepancy. I quickly check my call logs, confirming that indeed there were no missed calls. Why would Hannah ask me to call her back if she hadn't called first? Something doesn't add up, and I find myself caught in a web of uncertainty, unsure of who is telling the truth. With a heavy sigh, I tuck my phone away, resolved to find the truth another day.

Call me when you are ready. The line went dead.

On the phone… “Thank goodness you called. I've been worried about you. I called you several times, but you didn't pick up. You didn't even drop an SMS message or a W******p message. I was worried.” I sounded so worried that I talked alone for minutes, but didn't get a response from him. Not only that, but I paused. “Hello… you aren't saying anything.” I said and waited for some minutes to get a response, but got none. The call suddenly ended. I couldn't understand what was going on. Maybe it was a connection problem because of the weather. I thought.

I call, but there’s no answer. He just keeps walking.

But as the hours passed, my chest tightened, and while my thoughts turning resulted. Was he really okay? Did something happen? I tried to shake the feeling, but my fingers kept tapping the screen, checking for his reply, once again, I made a call hoping at least this time he would pick it up, unfortunately he didn't, "The number you have dialed is not reachable at the moment, please try again later." I hung the call and sighed, "not reachable.... Not reachable, what does this not reachable meant by since from last night? Did he go on a trip to Mars or what?"