You stand around your guard post, eyes open to the dim lamplight as they scan for potential threats. Security wasn't really your plan in life, but with crime ramping up after the rise of supers, the pay is pretty hard to beat. It frankly seemed overblown, little had happened to the bank in the last few months, with only that one time with the masked thieves providing any sort of threat (they seemed so ready for a firefight, but for some reason ran off once you saw them). Boredom was fully setting in during the early hours of the morning, but at least you had the light and your radio. You lean your back against the brick wall, sighing, and reach down to turn on your tunes. The on switch clicks, and classic rock fills the air.
You stare out down the street, up the short hill that leads down to the bank's parking lot. An outlet is probably not the best location for a place of business, but at least it made obvious when a car was on the way down. Nothing tonight though, just a line of lit streetlights leading up out of view. You can see the last one flickering, but it's been doing that for a few days. Bulb's probably going out. Attention goes back to the music playing, and you lean your head back to relax a little.
A rustle a few minutes later perks your ears up and your head quickly turns to a nearby bush. You crane your neck, checking out a few angles, but can't make out anything over there, at least nothing big enough to cause trouble. Must've just been a small animal. You gaze turns forward again, and you notice the last lamp as completely gone dark. Which would be fine, if the one next to it hadn't also started to flicker. Two in quick succession? If they were all replaced around the same time this would make sense, you figure, but it's still so close together. And then, with no warning, it too goes dead.
Moments later, the next one does too.
Like dominoes they shut off without any warning, and you can hear a barely audible zzt when the nearest does. The only lights remaining are around building and parking lot, and soon that becomes just the building. Unease is quickly turning to distress, somebody must be screwing with the power lines or the breakers. At least that meant they couldn't be nearby, at least not yet.
That doesn't stop the panic when all but the light just above you goes dark. Nothing but darkness outside of where you're standing. The fur on the back of your neck stands up, and you again hear the rustling of the nearby bushes. Again you see nothing when you turn, but the rustling continues out of view. Your radio is still quietly playing, making it hard to pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from, so you slowly reach down to shut it off.
Except, it goes silent before your hand reaches it, nothing but a quick static hiss before the sound is gone. The rustling, too, stops, leaving nothing but your own increasingly panicked thoughts. Your breath quickens and chest pounds as your reach moves to your baton, raising it up in a defensive position. You consider venturing out of the light, but without great night vision, you'd be easy to take out. Instead you stay under the one remaining light source, backed against the wall with raised arms as you frantically scan. The logical part of your mind is long shut off, running just on fear and adrenaline now. The light above you flickers, and the rustling returns.
Your eyes dart over, and for a split second see the silhouette of a crouched feline, hand outstretched upwards with clawed fingers reaching towards.. something. You don't have time to think before the light goes out, and the area is completely shrouded in darkness. Your heard pounds, and your eyes try to adjust. You can't see the cat anymore, he's either gone or too dark to differentiate. You start to step towards the last location, weapon raised, and call out to him, threatening to kick his ass if he doesn't get away. You blatantly sound more scared than tough.
The sharp sound of something hitting the glass window of the bank draws your attention back. He must be going for the door. You run over to it, abandoning your previous search, but find nobody there. You look around for anything that could've caused the noise, but find nothing, at least until your foot steps on something hard. You bend down and grab it, bringing it up to view, and find a small battery.
Defense lowered for just a couple seconds, you can't react quick enough when you hear running footsteps behind you. You turn quickly, and see the cat just a couple steps away and coming right for you. You bring your weapon up, but he's got a grip on your hand before you can swing. Your fearful eyes turn to his face, catching the glint of his glasses as a spark connects the rims. He smirks, and tightens his grip. Fifty thousand volts course up your arm and through your body while you stare into his eyes, his grin remaining as you pass into unconsciousness.
The cat chuckles as he lets the body fall to the concrete, musing about the successful distraction. With no remaining defenses and plenty of electricity still stored up, getting into the vault would be a breeze. ------------------------
tehweenus
