A much younger version of me answers the phone. Then:

“Have you called my home today?”

“Um, who is this?”

“Have you been in my yard, or has anyone you know been in my yard? Have you…”

“How can I say if I don’t know who you are?”

“…been on my porch, or placed objects near my home? Have you followed me? Has anyone you know…”

“Who the hell is this?”

The woman on the other end had a loose cadence, and seemed to be reciting by rote this series of questions. It could have been a one-way connection, as she didn’t stop talking when I spoke. Her voice was weary, but desperate. Then it started to get really creepy.

“…followed me? Do you wish for harm to come to me? Have you placed a spell on me? Has anyone you know placed a spell on me or wished for harm to come to me? Have you…”

“You’re crazy, lady.”

And I quickly hung up. I’m not superstitious. Certainly not in comparison to the vast majority of humans. But I began to wonder if her recitations were intended as a spell on me - I didn’t have to believe that her words held any power to not want her to finish them. But I was creeped out.