Chapter 31 - THE BLINKING RED LENS
At two o'clock in the morning, a violent summer thunderstorm rolled over Westchester, rattling the estate's high leaded windows.
Lightning flashed brightly across the dark sky, casting long, eerie shadows through the grand foyer of Sterling Manor.
Inside the master bedroom, Carter slept soundly with his arm wrapped around Lily, their breathing slow and peaceful.
Suddenly, a massive bolt of lightning struck the primary power grid outside the estate gates, plunging the entire mansion into total darkness.
The backup generators failed to kick on, leaving the grand hall shrouded in pitch-black silence save for the heavy pour of rain.
Downstairs in the dark foyer, a quiet electronic chime echoed through the room as the white dome security camera rebooted itself on emergency battery power.
The camera's lens slowly rotated on its axis, its red recording indicator light blinking bright red in the dark hallway.
Standing directly beneath the blinking red lens on the black-and-white checkered marble floor was a silhouette wearing a wet burgundy red silk dress.
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The figure reached into a pocket, pulling out a familiar cheap red disposable lighter, its tiny flame illuminating a sharp silver key.
Slowly, the heavy front mahogany doors clicked open from the outside, and heavy soaked footsteps began walking upstairs toward the nursery.
