A domino was pushed. Signals were sent. An irreversible chain was underway. All because 

Imogen Howe

took that exit off the highway.

She didn't know this yet though. The phone call that came was just like any phone call. In fact she missed it because she was asleep. Only saw it upon waking.

It had been very early. Just before 5 am. It was still dark. And she could tell that the air was misty outside. The missed call was attributed to a peculiar looking number. There were only five digits: 80001.

No voicemail. Just a missed call. She thought about calling it back. Then a similar feeling as when she had found that fake looking houses filled her. It was 

fear

. Fear stopped her from calling.

Still. She wondered. Could you even call a phone number with five digits. No area code either. She was tempted then by curiosity to callback. But as soon as she typed 8-0-0 the fear came back in. Curiosity vanished.

Her hand was frozen. The phone stuck there for a few seconds until the phone's screen went back to sleep. She wondered if she could go back to sleep. No, she wouldn't.

Maybe a 

payphone

she thought. Did those exist anymore? How could she find one? There were apps for finding all kinds of things. Restaurants. Bakeries. A date. But how did one find a pay phone at this day and age? If she found a payphone then she would feel comfortable enough to calling 80001. Kind of like how she felt comfortable paying cash for things. Un-traceable.