People get uncomfortable with new things. Sometimes even scared enough to run or fight them. But some do the opposite. Take for example Margaret Smith, housewife, mother of two, widow. Her entire life she embraced new things because she found them "exciting". New fashion trends, new food, new technologies. Until one day ...

Margaret was quite pleased with herself. She got the new phone while renewing her contract. And it was even better and more expensive than what she deserved by the book. Someone screwed up there, but I am not complaining. I would never pay the real cost for a phone like this. She thought turning the device in her hands. She didn't notice strange inscription below the home button, she thought she lucked out and got a great deal. So she carried on like always. Mild shock she got while handling the phone was hardly registered, outshone by her glee.

Later that day she got a visit. Her daughter and her boyfriend were in the neighborhood so they dropped by to say hi. She went on and on how she tricked the phone company to get a better phone.

"Alright, mom, enough about your new toy," Emily, her daughter said with a chuckle.

"It's not a toy! Of all the people I thought you would understand how powerful these things are. You are app developer for Pete's sake," Margaret responded in the huff but she did put phone way ... for few seconds. "Wait, I need to take a photo of you two. How long have you been dating, anyway?"

Emily rolled her eyes while her boyfriend Ted just smiled awkwardly. Margaret motioned them to get closer so she can take the photo of the couple. They looked at each other and shrugged then went on with Margaret's wishes.

"Just like that, perfect," purred Margaret, happy that she got her way, "You two look adorable. Have you thought about, you know?"

"Mom, we talked about this. No mention of 'M' or 'B' words," Emily said making an impassioned face.

"M and B words? What's that about?" Ted asked his girlfriend, amused.

"Marriage and baby," answered Emily sourly. Ted laughed.

"Don't worry ma'am, if it comes to that you will be first to know," Ted said to Margaret.

"At least one of you is an adult in this relationship," Margaret said taking another photo. Then she froze. There was something in the photo behind Ted and Emily. It looked like a silver speck. Small and vaguely shaped like a person. Did they give me the phone with the broken camera? She wondered taking another shot. This time speck was gone. Oh, good. It was probably ... how do they call it? A glitch.

Later that night, Margaret talked via Skype with her younger son who was working in Korea. She was glad that thing works well on her new phone too. Marvelous, half a world away and I can talk to him like he is in his old room. She thought after she hung up and was getting ready to go to sleep. She put her phone on the nightstand while she took a shower. Not seeing how her phone sparkled and made barely audible noise. The noise that somehow sounded like a highly distorted voice.

In the middle of the night, a storm swept in. She woke up from a dream. It was about her late husband. He was holding a phone, not the old one, those build like a brick. But a new slim, smartphone. He was yelling her name but she couldn't open her mouth to answer. Then storm brought her to the real world.

Power was out and apple tree branches were scratching her window. I should prune those. She thought fighting last remains of her sleep. Then her phone started ringing. She jumped with a start, her heart beating in sync with the storm outside. The phone continued to ring giving the only light in the dark room.

She got out of the bad and gingerly took her phone. It was an unknown number. And there was no signal. But it kept on ringing, drowning her bedroom in the ghostly blue light.

"What a shit?" she cursed and pressed the decline call button.

Must be another glitch, right? She thought fervently. How else can you explain that?

She stared at the phone in amazement. The charge stood at 1% and then the device died.

The phone rang again. She dropped it and it fell on the carpet. Her breathing was heavy, her eyes wide with unexpected terror. She was staring at the lamp not daring to look at the device at her feet. It kept ringing. Finally, she took a deep breath and grabbed the phone. In one smooth motion, she pressed the accept call and pressed it to her ear.

"Who is this? How are you calling when there is no signal?" she asked, her voice scratchy and unsteady.

There was no reply. Just a faint sound of static. The same sound started getting louder and Margaret, for just a second thought she could hear a voice.

"Hello? Is somebody there?" she yelled in fear and exasperation.

"YES," she heard sharp and fast. The sound that was in her eardrums for just a second, maybe being just her imagination. But she was sure she heard it.

"Who is this? Is this a prank call?"

Nothing. Static getting louder.

"Marge," the voice came this time more clear and louder.

"Steven?" she said tears welling in her eyes.

"Come to me, I am waiting," she thought she heard, but it could have been static again. Maybe she is still dreaming.

Power came up and static vanished. Instead, she heard the pulsing sound of the dropped call. She looked at the phone in amazement and bitter hope. Fear replaced with happiness.

Phone chirped again. She glanced at it seeing the signal bar full again, battery charge was back at 3%.  And it was text from Emily.

Are you alright, mom? The storm was really bad. Text said.

I am alright. There was something weird that happened to my phone though. I guess it was just a glitch. She texted back.

Phone fell to the carpet again, followed by Margaret. Her breathing stopped a minute and a half later.