_x5494_

Alex had been heading to the bar when it happened. There was no warning, no hiss of leaking gas, no trembling earth, no bolt of lightning from the sky. One second it was a normal night, the next the center had exploded into a million tiny pieces. He instinctively ducked down, arms over his head as he made himself as small a target as possible. It took a moment to comprehend what was happening -- and what wasn't. He wasn't being hit by any of the debris. He'd just had time to contemplate that when everything seemed to reverse and, before he knew it, the complex was there again, whole and hearty with nary a scratch to exterior. Looking for all the world like nothing had happened.

Except something had, Alex was sure of that.