The hum of voices echoed faintly through the marble hall.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWBnYiPEiR
Raven adjusted her tote bag and glanced up at the long line of store signs glowing above — “Autumn Sale,” “Halloween Discounts,” “Limited Offers.” She sighed.
She’d barely been here ten minutes and already wanted to leave.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw17r0XR3Ba
The rain outside had turned to mist, clouding the tall glass panels of the entrance. The air smelled faintly metallic, like rain mixed with wires and plastic. She ignored it, turning into a shop aisle lined with candles and cheap jewelry.
Then it happened.
The light above her flickered once — twice — then snapped off.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu0AlzJKt7
The sudden darkness made her freeze mid-step. Someone behind her gasped. Another whispered something about a fuse.
And then the floor below, the first floor — went dark too.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FkaSE46cr
It wasn’t a total blackout yet, but it spread like a wave. From the ground up. The air-conditioning clicked off, leaving behind an eerie silence filled only by the sound of confused voices.
Raven stared up at the ceiling, her pulse steady but sharp.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsG3YtnVyC
“That’s... weird,” she murmured, checking her phone.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH4ZIy8Jcp
No signal.
At the bookstore, Isabel Lily and Theo were browsing through the shelves, the quiet type of friends who didn’t need to fill silence with chatter. Lily hummed softly, running her finger along a row of thriller novels.
Theo balanced two books in one hand, a drink in the other.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRE1E8WyA8
“Do you think we’ll get back before it rains again?” he asked.
“Maybe,” she replied. “Depends if you stop—”
The sound of voices cut her off. People near the cashier were turning, whispering. The store manager was already on the phone, her face tense.
“What’s going on?” Theo asked, stepping forward.
Then... Click.
The bookstore went dark.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPc9supnC5
Only the emergency lights glowed red at the corners, casting everything in an unsettling hue. A child started crying in the next aisle. Lily gripped the edge of a shelf, frozen.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA6OFFPUga
Theo swallowed. “Power cut?”
Lily nodded slowly. “Then why does it feel like more than that?"
They looked at each other for a long moment, a glance heavy with curiosity, unease… and something unspoken. A tiny, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of Theo’s mouth. Lily’s lips curved in response, the kind of smile that said: Yep. That is it.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb3mUPUAKD
A floor above, Sienna’s interview setup had finally been arranged; the cameras, the lights, the branded backdrop, all positioned perfectly. Her assistant adjusted the mic on her lapel.
“Let’s make it quick,” she said, checking her reflection again. “I do not want to do retakes.”
Her crew exchanged nervous glances. The hum of the lights suddenly dimmed. Then the LED panels went off, one by one.
“Uh—ma’am?” her cameraman stammered.
Sienna turned. “What now?”
Before anyone could answer, the entire corridor lost power. The glass walls reflected nothing but her shadow. Her jaw tightened as her assistant grabbed a flashlight.
“This is ridiculous,” she muttered, but her voice wavered just slightly. “Find out what’s happening.”
The mall felt different now.. quieter, heavier. Even her confidence couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
Near the gaming center, Blake was leaning against the railing, still scrolling through his phone. The battery was low. So was his patience.
The lights above him flickered for a second. He didn’t even look up.
Then they went out.
The neon signs shut off mid-glow, the screens froze, and the hum of the machines died instantly. For the first time, Blake looked around.
“What the—” he muttered.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTcoAINtmr
No one answered. The entire floor was eerily silent. His day could not any worse. But when he turned toward the elevator, he noticed something — shadows moving down the hallway, slow, uncertain. He wasn’t sure if they were people or reflections.
Either way, he didn’t like it.
Meanwhile, Damian was standing near the west lobby, surrounded by his group of friends. The lights had just gone out there too.
A few people screamed from the escalator, a sound that sliced through the quiet. Then came the echo of hurried footsteps, security guards yelling instructions.
Damian’s friend nudged him. “We should help, man. Everyone’s freaking out.”
He smirked faintly. “Why not?”
They approached one of the guards, who was trying to calm a group of panicked shoppers. “Please,” the guard shouted, “everyone to the ground floor! Stay calm, move slowly!"
The echo of that command spread through the mall — like a ripple. Hundreds of voices followed. People began to move, confused and frightened, towards the escalators and stairways.
Damian glanced around. The darkness seemed alive, crawling up the floors one by one. He tilted his head slightly, squinting into the reflection of a glass storefront.
For a split second, he thought he saw someone standing there — still, staring back.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBrG8rAr7k
When he turned, no one was there. Just the orange sign outside flickered again 'FAR WAY MALL' glowing faintly in the drizzle.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHkQ9yZQQ3
and then Add to home screen.