I was not scared of the picture. Just stunned. I crawled to the edge of my bed and dangled my legs over it. I bit my bottom lip and examined the picture. Not a crochet doll. Not even close. It was a picture of glasses. Broken glasses. They were broken beyond repair.

Where have I seen them?

Then it hit me. Stine. These glasses belonged to Stine - until I stepped on them. Let us not forget that it was an accident. I would never destroy someone's property no matter how disrespectful they are. I never seek revenge because I want to be the mature one. No. Frankie and I are not getting revenge on Stine. Just a harmless prank that would teach him a valuable lesson.

I tightened my grip on my phone and stared intently at the photo. I was confused. I threw the damaged glasses into a trash can. I remembered. I squinted at the photo and tried examining its background. Maybe I could get an idea where it was taken. Did not look like that those glasses were in the trash. They were on a wooden desk. Both they and the desk were illuminated by white light that made them sparkle. I quickly texted Frankie.

You sent the wrong picture.

She texted back a minute later.

What do you mean, Nikki? I have not sent the photo of my crochet doll.

You sent me the wrong picture. It is a picture of Stine's glasses.

Three minutes passed before she texted.

Care to explain? I am not understanding.

You and me both.

I saved the photo and sent it to her. Then I texted.

This is the picture that you sent me.

I do not know how long it was before she texted back. I thought that she was finished texting for the night. She sent a text with only question marks. Then a real text.

How did you get that picture?

You sent me it.

How could I when I do not have them?

You mean the broken glasses?

Exactly.

She texted again before I could reply.

Do you mind if we call each other? My fingers are tired from the typing.

Sure. I will call you.

I closed my messages and opened the Phone app. Then I typed out her number and clicked the green button. I tapped on my knee as I waited for her to pick up. It felt like an eternity for her to answer. I finally heard a click and put the call on speaker.

I spoke first. "Frankie? Are you there?"

Silence on the other end - except for background noise. Sounded like that something was moving. I raised said phone to my face and spoke louder.

"Frankie. It is me. Nikki. Please reply. Say something."

"Would you like me to say the word 'something'?"

I was stunned. Not by Frankie's comment. But because it was not her. This was a raspy voice. A boy's voice. So it could not have been her. Neither was it Stine. Maybe it was their dad. Or did I dial the wrong number? I was careful when I dialed it. My finger may have slipped on a wrong number.

"Who is this?"

He did not answer my question. Instead, he said, "Why are you calling, Nikki?"

It took me a few seconds to remember that I confessed my name to him. "Please do not use my name until you tell me who you are."

He chuckled - darkly. "Where is the fun in that?"

I leapt off said bed. "I will hang up if you continue with these mind games."

"It is hard to play mind games when you have no mind to play with. Hahaha!"

"That is it. I am hanging up."

"Wait! I have something important to tell you!"

I should have hung up, but I was persistent. "What the heck do you want? And why must I know when you are keeping your identity a secret?"

Now he sounded serious. "I just wish to protect myself. Not that you will kill me."

I almost dropped my phone. My legs quivered. I was so shocked that my words tumbled out of my mouth. "My gosh. Someone wants to kill you?"

"If I am not careful, yes. I will be killed. Murdered. But not in the way that you think."

My shock was replaced by confusion. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"You will see me - eventually."

"So you live in Forlot."

Why am I carrying on with a stranger?

"I do. I am a student in one of your classes."

"Which class?"

"Your—"

"What are you doing on my phone?!"

"Uh-oh! I should go!" More background noises. Then I heard a familiar voice. It was Frankie. "Who is this?"

"It is Nikki. I called as promised. I thought that I called a wrong number or something. I would have called you back if you did not come in time."

"I am glad that I did. Sorry about my...cousin. Jeez. He is a pain in the butt."

"That was your cousin on the phone?"

"Yes. He stole my phone while I was in the bathroom. I swear that he is the most annoying person in the world - besides Stine."

"Gosh. I am so sorry. Does he live with you?"

"Duh. Stine is my brother. We unfortunately live in the same house. I would rather reside in a boarding school than with him."

"I meant your cousin."

"Oh. He is staying for a while. You know. A visit."

"How long?"

"Two weeks? Yeah. Two weeks. And he just came today to ruin my life. Thank gosh that he does not attend our school. He would shame me until I was depressed."

"What about Stine? Does he shame him too?"

Frankie uttered a heavy sigh. "I...I do not know. I-I am tired."

"Same here. I will let you go. But before I do...I want to know your cousin's name."

Click!