The answering machine blinked in the darkness that was her one bedroom apartment. Its red eye flashing needily, begging for recognition. It had a daunting task, but one that could not be delayed. It called out to her, a high pitched beep, but it garnered little of her attention.
It had been a long day after all. Running the largest company in all of the world was no easy task. After sixteen consecutive hours of meetings and briefings and decision making, she was about ready to collapse, unaware of how insignificant her complaints were.
The machine called out once more, begging, pleading for her attention. She needed to hear this. At the final plea, she finally gave in. Letting out a sigh and allowing her shoulders to slouch in a most unlady like fashion, she trudged across the living room and to the wretched machine.
She hit the center button and waited for the device to get on with it. It hummed quietly for a moment before coming to life. Its impersonal, robotic voice, explaining the situation. "You have one new message and zero saved messages."
With another strained sigh she pressed the rightmost button and the machine continued in its dry monotone. "New message." And then it was a different voice. A softer, kinder, sweeter voice. One that brought a very rare smile to her face.
But the voice wasn't its usual upbeat self. Rather, it was broken, coming in sobbing, gasping, pieces. She instantly frowned at her realization before she fully comprehended the words she was hearing.
The voice was still soft, but it sounded more like that of a war veteran than that of her beloved girlfriend. Her eyes widened more and more as the message continued. Tears began to flow as the message unceremoniously ended. She was shaking.
She had to go, she had to get over there, she had to go! In a flash her shoes were back on and the door was slamming close behind her. The machine repeated the message it had finally managed to convey moments before.
"I'm, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm, I'm not brave enough to say this in person. I just, I want you to know that, no matter what, this is not your fault. I, I know this may be difficult, but, you have to, to understand. I, I don't, don't want this. I just, I just, I can't take it anymore. First it was mom. Then, then dad. And, now, now Yang too. I, I want to be brave, I want, to be strong, like you. But, but I'm not. I'm, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I dragged you into this. And I'm sorry I got you involved. Please, just, forget about me, alright?"
