The crackle of electricity was Simon's only warning. By the time instinct kicked in and he phased out, he'd already been hit by the initial charge. Phasing out saved his life, since most of the charge went past through him into the far wall. He couldn't hold the phased state, however. Simon writhed as electricity coursed alternately through and past him. He fell to the floor, coming in and out of phase with those same wracking spasms. The hit had kicked the breath right out of him, so he couldn't even cry out.