𝕄𝕪 𝔾𝕚𝕣𝕝𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕟 𝕖𝕝𝕗

Chapter 5: Unraveling Secrets

The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains as William hurried around his apartment, making sure everything was in place before leaving for school. Lin, seated on the couch with her knees tucked up, watched him with cautious eyes. She had been improving her speech, but the fear in her gaze remained.

"Remember, Lin," William said, kneeling in front of her. "Don't let anyone in. Only me. Okay?"

Lin nodded slowly, her silver hair falling over her face as she glanced toward the door. "Only... Will," she said, her voice hesitant.

"Good." William gave her a reassuring smile. He handed her a bowl of food, showing her how to heat it in the microwave. "If you're hungry, just press this button. I’ll be back after school. Stay safe."

After making sure Lin understood, William grabbed his backpack and headed out the door, locking it behind him. His mind was already racing. The thought of leaving her alone was stressful, but there was no choice. She had to stay hidden.

The school day was ordinary, yet William couldn't shake the weight of his secret. His mind wandered during lessons, always drifting back to Lin. What if someone found her? What if she tried to leave again?

By the time school ended, William was barely aware of anything that had been taught. He left the building, deciding to stop by a bookstore on his way home. Lin needed to learn more English, and a dictionary seemed like the perfect tool to help her.

With the dictionary in hand, William made his way back, but as he walked, he realized he was passing *that* alley—the one where everything had changed. He slowed, his heart beating a little faster. As he approached, he noticed a group of men in black suits, their faces hard, and a few scientists with notebooks, examining the area.

Curiosity got the better of him, and William moved closer, careful to stay hidden behind a trash bin. The men were discussing something, their voices low but urgent.

"This alley has the same energy signature as our failed experiment," one of the scientists muttered, flipping through his notes.

Another nodded. "Yes, the energy here is remarkably similar to dark matter—almost like it's a gateway to other universes."

William's heart skipped a beat. *Gateways? Other universes?* His thoughts raced back to Lin. Could this be how she ended up here? He leaned in, trying to hear more.

"The readings indicate that these energy pockets may be scattered across the country. We need to secure them before anyone else finds out," one of the men in black said sharply.

William's pulse quickened. *Other creatures? Other portals?* This was bigger than he had imagined. If these men were searching for portals, it was only a matter of time before they found Lin.

He rushed home, bursting through the door of his apartment. Lin was sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the floor, lost in thought.

"Lin!" William called, breathless.

She looked up, startled. "Will?"

He quickly recounted what he had overheard in the alley—the scientists, the mention of other universes, the danger they posed.

"They're looking for the same energy that brought you here," William said, pacing the room. "If they find out you're from another world, they'll... they'll experiment on you. We have to be extra careful."

Lin’s eyes widened, her fear palpable. "I... no go out," she whispered, curling up tighter on the couch.

William nodded. "Yeah, stay hidden. We can't risk anyone finding you."

Later that evening, as the apartment settled into the quiet hum of the night, William sat on the couch, lost in thought. An idea struck him, and he grabbed the remote, turning on the TV. "Maybe we should see if there's anything on the news," he said, glancing at Lin.

Lin, curious, edged closer to the screen, her glowing eyes wide. "What... is this?"

"This," William said, smiling a little, "is television. It's how we see what's happening in the world. You know... news, entertainment, stuff like that."

Lin stared, her fear momentarily forgotten as William flipped through the channels, showing her everything from cartoons to dramas. Her fascination grew with each new show.

After a while, the news caught William’s attention. The anchor was talking about a sighting—a strange creature seen wandering the streets at night. William’s stomach twisted. *Could it be another one like Lin?*

Lin, however, was entranced by the images flashing across the screen, no longer listening to William.

"Lin, we should work on your English," he said, holding up the dictionary. But Lin was too captivated by the television to respond, her eyes fixed on the glowing screen.

William chuckled softly. "At least you’re happy," he murmured, letting her enjoy the moment.

He sat back, the dictionary in his hands, and glanced at the TV. If there were other creatures like Lin out there, then their world was about to get a lot more complicated.