e him like a warm orange loaf, his tail twitching occasionally as if he were chasing something in his dreams. On the televi

es had become one of his favorite nighttime rituals. They were familiar, predictable,

g the last hints of sunset. The air had grown thick and restless, and now rain tapped steadily against th

ncing toward the window. The cat b

s beyond the buildings, followed by the deep growl of thunder rolling through the city s

. The music grew louder, more intense. Her candle

ght it briefly turned the apartment into daylight. A split second later..... BOOM. Thunder crashed overhead like a cann

twice. Then everything went black.

f electronics had vanished. The refrigerator stopped running. Even the street outside

cour

nd tapped the screen. The glow of the flashlig

," he muttered. Another rumble of th

objects. The television screen reflected his flashlight like a black mirror. Shadows stretched across

m said. "Relax." The ca

all box of candles and a lighter. A minute later a single candle burned on the coffee table, its t

m outside rattled the windows again as another gust of wind swept through the street. Tim sat back down

one and checked the

r entertainment ton

tling beside him but keeping his eyes on the dark

dered going to bed early but the storm was loud

hadn't noticed before. The hallway closet door stood slightly open. Tim frowned. He didn't remember lea

said quietly,

r. The closet creaked softly when he pulled it open. Inside was the usual clutter, boxes, an old lamp, extra blankets, and several

himself, "let's s

oly box. An old chess set missing several pieces. A stack of

lace came with an e

lifted it out. The cardboard looked older tha

dust away with his sleeve. Underneath the du

raised a

that's

im opened the box. Inside was a dark wooden board covered in letters of the alp

ovies plenty of times. Usually they were involved in ghosts, demons, or someone making a terrible mistake they regretted later. Sitting alone in the candleli

iled f

empty room, setting the

if anyone's

And somewhere deep within the si