3 ~ Crossing the Threshold

The lights turned off suddenly, plunging the complex into darkness. Eli fumbled for his phone's flashlight, the beam cutting shaky paths through the living room.

Noah stood by the window, peering out at the streetlights flickering back on everywhere but then, it was only their building that got affected.

It was a localized glitch from the storm brewing outside. Rain pattered against the glass, thunder rumbling distant.

“Great,” Noah muttered, rubbing his arms against the sudden chill.

The AC had died with the grid, leaving the air stale and getting hotter.

Eli nodded, his heart still racing from the sauna's aftermath. They didn’t speak on...