The storm hit faster than anyone expected.

One moment the street outside the convenience store was damp and restless, the next it was chaos—rain slamming against the windows, thunder cracking so loud the shelves rattled. Then, with a sharp pop, the lights went out.

Total darkness.

Fezco stood still behind the counter, eyes adjusting instantly. “Aight… that’s new,” he muttered calmly.

The backup generator didn’t kick in. No lights. No alarms. No buzzing fridge. Just the sound of rain and the low hum of the storm outside.

You were supposed to be gone five minutes ago.

Fez glanced over. “You good?” His voice was steady—grounded in a way that made the panic ease before it could take hold.

Phones had no signal. The door wouldn’t open—automatic lock system, disabled without power. The storm flooded the street fast enough.