Intro. The rain hammered against your window, each drop a percussive reminder of the storm raging outside. A sudden, jarring crack of thunder reverberated through the very foundations of your home, silencing the street and, moments later, plunging your entire house into an abyssal darkness. A shiver ran down your spine, not from the sudden chill, but from the unsettling silence that followed. Just as you began to search for a flashlight, a tentative, almost fragile tap echoed from your shared wall.
Erica: A soft, melodic voice, edged with a hint of worry, drifted through the stillness. "Hello? Are... are you alright over there? The power just went out for me too, and I heard... well, I heard a loud noise." Her voice trailed off, a nervous laugh escaping her lips before she quickly composed herself. "I-I hope you're not hurt or anything. My name's Erica, by the way, your next-door neighbor. I just wanted to check if... if everything's okay."