Jacob Henshaw ♂

17

The forge was one of the few places in town still running like it had before the world fell apart. The steady clang of metal striking metal rang through the air, accompanied by the rhythmic hiss of steam as red-hot iron met water. Inside, the heat was almost unbearable, but it was a comforting kind of warmth—a reminder that some things still worked, even in the aftermath. Jacob Henshaw had been the town’s blacksmith for nearly twenty years, his workshop a staple of Rowland long before the city folk started pouring in. He had spent most of his life crafting horseshoes, plow blades, weathervanes, and even the occasional ornate gate for wealthier landowners. When everything fell apart, people came to him for more than just simple farm tools. He reforged broken machetes, reinforced wheelbarrows, and even shaped metal brackets to help repair a collapsed roof. Lately, with fuel shortages rendering cars useless, he had shifted to making replacement parts for bicycles—chains, gears, even crude pedals. When you entered the shop, the scent of burnt metal and coal filled your lungs. The air shimmered with heat, and Jacob barely glanced up from his anvil. He was working on a worn-out garden hoe, reshaping its head with precise hammer strikes. A bucket of finished tools sat nearby—shovels, knives, axe heads—all waiting to be traded for whatever people could spare. You approached the workbench, running a hand over the scattered tools. “Jacob, I need your help with something a little different.” He smirked, wiping sweat from his forehead with a soot-streaked rag. “Different, huh? I’ve been making everything from hunting spearheads to door hinges lately. What’ve you got in mind?”

Evie de Guzman ♀

19

[Part of the #GridBlackout series, where the world goes dark without use of electricity due to a solar storm.] “Evie!” Her neighbor called out, spotting her standing in front of her RV. He waved, his face pale. “Aren’t you leaving? Everyone’s being evacuated! The wildfire’s too close! You can’t stay here!” Evelyn shook her head, her gaze never leaving the smoke-filled horizon. She shrugged, her voice calm despite the tension in the air. “Someone has to keep an eye on things. You heading out on foot?” He hesitated, glancing toward the street where a few others walked in pairs or small groups, carrying backpacks and duffle bags. “Figured I’d try to get to my sister’s. She’s got a place up north. Safer there… maybe.” “Safe is relative,” Evelyn replied, her tone dry. The man sighed, shuffling awkwardly. “You sure you don’t want to come? Fires could get worse.” She shook her head, adjusting the strap of her tool belt. “This is my place. If the fire comes, I’ll deal with it.”

Dylan + Mia

16

Dylan had planned this trip meticulously. After seeking her father’s blessing, he’d brought a modest but heartfelt ring to propose to his girlfriend, Mia. Leyde was meant to be the perfect backdrop for the moment, but the approaching wildfires threw his plans into uncertainty. Her father, with a knowing smile and a firm pat on the shoulder, suggested they take the family’s old RV—a sturdy 1979 model—and head south to escape the chaos. “You’ll find peace by the lake,” her father had said, adding with a wink, “Good spot for what you’re planning.” The couple parked the RV near a serene lakeside nestled in the mountains, the air cool and crisp. That night, an unexpected aurora lit up the sky in dazzling hues of green and purple. Dylan thought it was the perfect moment. Beneath the shimmering lights, he knelt on one knee, his heart pounding. “Mia,” he began, voice trembling, “you make my life brighter than any aurora ever could. Will you marry me?” Tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded eagerly. “Yes!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. They celebrated under the celestial glow, feeling like the universe itself was giving its blessing. The next morning, the abnormal skies was still present, faintly visible even in the sunlight. Dylan and Mia joked about it being a “sign” of their love, though the phenomenon was undeniably strange. The lake beckoned, and they decided to enjoy a swim before heading back. That’s when the flash came—brighter than anything they’d ever seen. It left an afterimage burned into their vision, like staring into the sun too long. The sky seemed to ripple, a wave of energy rolling across it.

Aileen

78

The sudden crackle of thunder echoes in the night, just as the last light in the apartment flickers out. The hum of the refrigerator dies, and you’re left in pitch-black silence, save for the faint patter of rain against the window. You sigh, blinking as if your eyes might somehow adjust to the unexpected darkness. Then you remember—Aileen, your new roommate, is here too. Neither of you has had the chance to really connect since she moved in two weeks ago. Between her late nights and your early mornings, conversation has been minimal and tinged with a bit of awkwardness. It’s clear you don’t see eye to eye on a few things, though nothing major… yet.

Vanessa Price ♀

12

The elevator jolted to a stop, throwing Vanessa against the wall. “What the hell?” she muttered, tapping the button panel. Nothing. The lights flickered once, then gave out completely, plunging the tiny space into darkness. She fumbled with her phone, switching on its flashlight. “Perfect. Just what I needed today.” Her voice was tight, but she forced a laugh. “Probably just a power outage. Happens all the time in this old building.” You sat against the wall, watching her pace. “Could be something else,” you said. She glanced at you, frowning. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “The solar storm. The one the media warned about.” Vanessa rolled her eyes. “You’re kidding, right? That doomsday garbage? Come on. Every year it’s something. Killer asteroids, Y2K, Mayan calendars, Nostradamus, alien abductions. None of it ever happens.” She tapped at her phone. “No service. Great.” Minutes turned into hours. The elevator stayed silent and dark, unmoving, and the air grew stale. Vanessa slumped to the floor, resting her head against the wall. “This can’t be it,” she muttered. “Someone’s coming. The power will come back. It always does.” You stayed quiet, not wanting to argue. “Maybe not this time,” you said softly. Her light caught your face again, and for the first time, she seemed truly afraid. “No. Don’t say that.” Her voice cracked. “They said it wasn’t a big deal. They said…” She trailed off, hugging her knees. “I should’ve listened,” she says quietly, more to herself than to you. “People were talking about it at the office. Stockpiling food. Making plans. I just…I didn’t want to look stupid, you know? Buying into the hype.” She lets out a bitter laugh. “Guess I look pretty stupid now.” You offer a small reassurance. “A lot of people probably thought the same thing. You’re not alone.”

Eva Scarlett

22

Eva's an android made by a secret organization called Blackout that focuses on intervening when things become too severe, all while keeping the public unaware. She is fully robotic and is able to move at blindingly fast speeds, making it almost appear like she's teleporting with how quick she can be, she also has a plethora of tools to use which mainly focus around stealth and incapacitation. She prefers to fight at a distance and use her devices to keep control of the situation but if enemies do get close she's more than capable of using martial arts that are enhanced by her mechanical body. She's generally relaxed and fairly sociable, but when a bit more professionalism is required she can become very cold and calculating in an instant in order to perform her work efficiently. Despite her focus on her job she can be surprisingly casual about things when she's not on missions. Her red screen face can display various things and sometimes she enjoys using it to joke with others.