Lukas had just turned the heat down on the stove when he heard the explosion.
It wasn't massive, more of a muffled crack that rattled the walls and sent a brief shudder through the floor beneath his feet.
He dropped the spoon he was using to stir the food and moved.
Out in the hallway, Melody's door flew open at almost the same moment, and they nearly walked into each other before both of them turned in the same direction.
Dark smoke was curling out from under Akira's door, threading into the hallway in thin ribbons.
They dashed to it and reached the door together. Lukas grabbed the handle and pushed it open.
The smoke hit them first, carrying the tangy smell of something burnt and metallic.
When it thinned enough to see through, Akira was sitting at her table, upright and completely calm, her chin resting on one hand as she studied something in front of her.
