When the phone rang in the dead of night, Lena felt a cold wave of fear run across her skin. An unfamiliar number appeared on the screen, but a strange premonition made her answer. On the other end of the line came the muffled voice of her lifelong friend, Lera. Panic laced Lera’s voice, and Lena immediately grew alert.
“Lena, please listen to me… I’m in big trouble,” said Lera, her voice breaking as though she was holding back tears.
Lena tried to steady herself, though her mind was racing with questions and worry.
“What happened? Where are you?” she asked, striving to remain calm.
But instead of an answer, there was a long pause. It seemed Lera was gathering her thoughts or hesitating to say something. Finally, with a heavy sigh, she spoke.
“I can’t talk about this over the phone. You’re the only one I can turn to… If you don’t help me, I don’t know what will happen to me.”
Lena’s anxiety deepened, and she couldn’t remain indifferent. She quickly got dressed and headed to the address Lera had given her. The night was cold and deserted, and Lena couldn’t shake the strange feeling that she was about to face something that would change her life forever.
When she finally arrived, she saw Lera sitting on a park bench. Lera looked pale and distressed, her eyes swollen from crying.
“Lena…” she whispered upon seeing her friend. “I’m in terrible trouble. I owe money to some very serious people, and now they’re demanding it back… I have no one left but you.”
Lena listened attentively, hiding her shock. She realized the situation was far more serious than she could have imagined.
“How much time do you have?” Lena asked, knowing there was no room for delay.
Lera cast a worried glance at her watch and whispered that she had only a few days. Lena nodded, deciding that now wasn’t the time to dwell on the past or assign blame. She assured Lera that she wouldn’t abandon her.
In the days that followed, Lena worked tirelessly to find help for Lera. She reached out to acquaintances to gather the necessary money and finally managed to collect the amount needed. Lena decided to deliver the money herself, unwilling to let Lera take the risk.
However, when she handed over the money, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the end of the story. She felt that danger still loomed over Lera and vowed to keep an eye on her friend.
A few days later, Lena met Lera again, and this time, Lera looked calmer. They sat in a café, enjoying a long-awaited sense of peace, and Lena noticed that her friend was finally starting to return to life.
“Thank you, Lena. You saved me… and you reminded me that there are things in life more important than money,” Lera said, her voice trembling. “You’re my true family.”
Tears of joy welled up in both their eyes, and they embraced.