Chapter 1 - The Tactical Blackout
The sudden death of the lights wasn't just a simple power outage; it was a total, suffocating void that swallowed the room instantly. The rhythmic hum of the refrigerator died, replaced by an eerie, heavy silence that made the air feel electrified.
"What the hell?" Marcus yelled, his voice cracking with sudden panic as he stumbled backward, his boots scraping against the ceramic tile. "Lucas! Check your phone! Turn on the flashlight!"
"I can't!" Lucas stammered in the dark, the sound of his phone clattering onto the floor echoing through the kitchen. "The screen just went black! Everything's dead!"
Before anyone could take another breath, the sound of shattering glass erupted from the back patio doors. It wasn't the clumsy break of a burglar; it was a simultaneous, calculated breach. Cold night air rushed into the kitchen, carrying the scent of rain and damp earth.
"Who’s there?!" Arthur bellowed, trying to sound authoritative, but fear caused his voice to tremble. "I have a weapon!"
A heavy, sickening thud echoed near the kitchen island, followed immediately by Arthur’s wheezing gasp as he hit the floor. He didn't even have time to scream.
"Dad?" Marcus called out, swinging the iron poker blindly in the dark. The metal whistled through the empty air. "Who's in my house?!"
I lay frozen on the icy floor, curling my arms protectively around my pregnant belly. Then, I felt a heavy, gloved hand press gently against my shoulder. I flinched, terrified, until a familiar, deep whisper grazed my ear.
"I've got you, little sister. You're safe now."
It was Gabriel.
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Before I could sob with relief, powerful arms scooped me up from the floor with effortless ease. As Gabriel lifted me against his chest, I heard Marcus lunging toward the sound of my movement. Gabriel didn't even turn his head. A single, lightning-fast side kick caught Marcus squarely in the chest, sending him crashing backward through the glass coffee table in the adjacent living room.
"Let's get you out of this hellhole," Gabriel murmured, stepping over the broken glass and vanishing into the night before my tormentors could even get back on their feet.
