I ended the call and drove toward a private clinic owned by a former combat medic who lived two towns over. Behind me, the Thorne family was likely still celebrating, unaware that the hammer was about to fall.

At the manor, the local Sheriff, a man named Henderson, was laughing with Simon on the patio.

“Don’t worry about the old guy, Simon,” Henderson said while lighting a cigar. “I’ll have my boys pick him up for a ‘random’ check and make sure he loses his phone for a few days.”

Simon toasted the air with his glass, feeling like the king of his own private mountain. Suddenly, the power to the entire estate vanished, plunging the valley into a thick, unnatural darkness.

The outdoor speakers died mid-note, and a heavy silence settled over the manicured lawns. Then, the sound of glass shattering like rhythmic gunfire erupted from every side of the house simultaneously.

Panic surged through the guests as red laser dots began to dance across their expensive clothes.

“What is this?” Simon yelled, his voice cracking as he stumbled back toward the house.