C11 ON THE CUSP OF DARKNESS

E Y A R E

"Hello ba.."

"Eyare..."

I heard heavy breathing, punctuated with sobs.

"Hello baby, are you okay?

Talk to me, why are you crying?"

"It's Eseosa . . . hic . . . she's got a fever and she's not breathing well. Mum and I are at St. Andrew's hospital, please come now."

And the phone line went dead.

I stared at it like I had just seen a phone for the first time, my mind going blank