The storm started with a whisper—a low growl of thunder far in the distance that slowly crept closer. I tossed under the sheets, staring at the ceiling as lightning briefly lit my room, casting long shadows over the walls.

Then everything went dark.

The whirring AC silenced. My bedside clock blinked and died. I sat up, heart skipping.

Power outage.

Another rumble echoed through the house.

I slipped out of bed barefoot, grabbing the oversized hoodie from the foot of ...