“9 – 1 – 1, what’s your emergency?”

“Yes, there is something going on at my neighbor’s house. There’s screaming and sounds of things breaking. Sounds like someone is being killed.”

“What’s the address?”

“3635 Vaughn St. Please hurry.”

“Sir, is this the second time you’ve called tonight?”

“Yes, but this time is different. I don’t hear a woman’s voice at all. Please send someone. This is not usual.”

The police car pulled up to the curb at 3635 Vaughn St. and stopped. The two officers looked at each other.

“Haven’t we already been here tonight? About three hours ago?”

His partner looked almost sick. “Yeah. I wonder what we’re going to find this time.”

The two men walked up to the door and knocked. A minute later, the door opened. In front of them stood a man, left eye swollen shut and blood coming out of his mouth and nose. He was holding both sides, like his ribs were hurt.

“What the hell do you want?”

The officers looked at each other. “Well sir, we received a noise complaint from your neighbors. Is everything OK?”

“Does it look like everything is OK?”

“Sir, we have reason to believe there is trouble here. May we come in?”

The man’s eye widened with fear. “No, you can’t come in. Everything is fine.”

The officers looked at each other. “Sir, we were here about three hours ago. Where is your wife?”

“My wife is at a hotel for the night.”

“Sir, we need you to step aside and allow us entry.”

The fear intensified in his eye. “I can’t allow you to enter. Please, just leave.”

“Is there someone else here with you sir?”

“No. I’m here alone.”

“Now Sir, I think you’re lying. Please step away from the door.”

The man’s face showed a huge sign of defeat. “You should have listened.”

As he stepped aside to let the officers in, he started to cry. Almost as soon as the officers entered the house, their world went black.