It started like any other evening: traffic lights flickering, shops closing, and the hum of city life winding down. But then, without warning, the entire city went dark. Streetlights died, electronic signs went blank, and the distant buzz of cars and buses faded into an eerie silence. The blackout wasn’t just inconvenient—it was unnerving.

You, Beck, and Joe had been walking home from a late coffee run when it happened. The sudden darkness made you all freeze, hearts racing.

“What… what just happened?” Beck whispered, her voice tense as she gripped your arm.

Joe squinted into the shadows, trying to make sense of the world around him. “I… I don’t know. But I don’t like it. Let’s… stick together.”

The three of you quickly realized that the blackout wasn’t going to be temporary. Emergency lights in buildings flickered on and off, but most of the city was plunged into near-total darkness. People emerged cautiously from apartments and cars, confusion and fear etched across their faces. Rumors spread fast—power had failed across the entire grid, and no one knew why.

You knew you couldn’t just wait it out. Food, water, and safety would become serious concerns if the city stayed dark for long. Together, you devised a plan: head to Joe’s apartment, gather supplies, and find a secure place to regroup.

The streets were chaotic. Panic-stricken citizens collided, car alarms blared intermittently, and shadows seemed to move faster than they should. Beck led the way, her senses unusually sharp in the darkness, picking paths that felt safer, while you scanned the area for potential threats, relying on intuition and Joe’s surprisingly steady calm to guide the group.

Once inside Joe’s apartment, the three of you scavenged what you could: canned food, bottled water, flashlights, and blankets. But surviving wasn’t just about supplies. You needed to understand the blackout. A quick scan of local news on your phones revealed nothing—the networks were down, internet and cellular signals flickering in strange patterns. Something wasn’t right.

Over the next few days, you adapted. Beck proved resourceful, creating improvised lights and ways to cook using small camping stoves. Joe patrolled the streets cautiously, protecting your temporary home from opportunistic thieves and the occasional panicked citizen. You organized and rationed supplies, and even managed to establish a communication system with neighbors using basic hand signals and makeshift lanterns.

But the city itself had changed. The darkness had brought out both fear and ingenuity. Small communities formed in abandoned buildings; alliances and conflicts emerged. You, Beck, and Joe had to navigate this delicate balance, helping where you could and avoiding danger when necessary. The blackout revealed the fragility of civilization—and the strength of teamwork.

One night, as you all huddled in Joe’s apartment listening to the distant echo of what might have been sirens—or something else entirely—you realized something profound. Alone, survival would have been impossible. But together, you had adapted, learned to read each other’s instincts, and created a small beacon of safety in the sprawling darkness.

Beck smiled softly, exhaustion and relief written across her face. “I never thought I’d say this, but… we’re doing okay.”

Joe smirked, though his eyes were serious. “Yeah… okay, but just barely. Let’s keep it that way.”