This is little flash fiction based on this picture prompt from Labyrinthia Mythweaver …
It’s For You
Silas stood across the silent street, staring at the anachronistic structure as if it had just fallen from the sky.
It glowed like a ghost; muted light seeping through its transparent body.
And, in fact, it was a ghost. A ghost from another era.
Somehow still functional.
Odd.
The things our tax dollars continue pay for, Silas would have thought if it weren't for the more instant quandary reeling through his mind from the persistent, insistent sounds emanating from within the phone booth.
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
Who would call a phone booth?
That was the thought that filled Silas' head. He'd seen the old films: no one ever called a phone booth except for nefarious purposes. There wasn't a doubt in his mind: he should not pick up and answer the phone.
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
And, yet he stood, transfixed.
Unable to look away.
Unable to move.
Why?
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
"It's for you," a voice said in his ear.
Silas turned and saw—
—nothing.
No one.
Had he imagined it?
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
The phone booth drew his attention once more.
It seemed closer.
Impossibly closer.
Silas looked around.
He was now standing in the middle of the empty street, halfway between where he'd been a moment ago and the phone booth before him.
Silas swallowed a sudden lump in his tightening throat.
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
Silas' mind screamed: Back away! Run! Go!
His body broke its paralysis and turned.
But he found only blackness before him. The rest of the street had vanished into impenetrable darkness!
"Answer or no. Your number has been called."
Silas whirled around, looking for who had spoken.
There was no one.
Again.
CLICK!
Silas crooked his neck and his eyes went wide as the phone booth's door opened on its own, sliding in its ceiling track.
SHHHHH….
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
Silas felt himself beginning to hyperventilate.
A tear formed in his eye. He bowed his head, closing his eyes, fighting the horror.
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
He looked up. Saw he now stood inside the booth!
The doors closed behind him.
SHHHHH…CLICK!
He stared at the receiver, hanging in its cradle.
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
RRRIIIINNGGG!!!!
What could he do?
He picked up the receiver.
Lifted it to his ear.
Muttered:
"Hello?"
***
Sienna stood across the silent street, staring at the eerie, empty glowing phone booth…