Chapter 4

Evelyn's eyes fluttered open, her head pounding as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. The sterile white walls and the soft beeping of machines told her she was in a hospital room. But how did she get here?

Memories flooded back - Professor Harris, the secret lab, the shadowy figures with glowing eyes. It all seemed like a dream, but the dull ache in her body told her it had been all too real.

"You're awake," a familiar voice said softly.

Evelyn turned to see Lily sitting beside her bed, worry etched across her face.

"Lily? What happened? How long have I been out?" Evelyn croaked, her throat dry.

Lily handed her a glass of water. "Three days. They found you unconscious near the old maintenance shed. Evelyn, what were you doing out there in the middle of the night?"

Evelyn took a sip of water, buying time as she tried to decide how much to tell her roommate. Would Lily even believe her?

"I... I'm not sure," Evelyn lied, hating herself for it. "The last thing I remember is leaving our apartment. Everything after that is a blur."

Lily's brow furrowed. "The doctors said you had no physical injuries, but your brain scans showed some unusual activity. They can't explain it."

Of course, they can't, Evelyn thought. How could they explain something that defied the laws of their world?

"There's something else," Lily continued, her voice lowering. "Professor Harris is missing. No one's seen him since the night you were found. The police have been asking questions."

Evelyn's heart raced. Where was Professor Harris? Had he escaped, or had those shadowy figures taken him?

Before she could respond, a knock at the door interrupted them. A tall man in a crisp suit entered, his piercing gaze immediately settling on Evelyn.

"Miss Thompson? I'm Agent Carver with the FBI. I have a few questions about the night you were found if you're feeling up to it."

Evelyn swallowed hard, feeling trapped. She glanced at Lily, who squeezed her hand reassuringly before standing up.

"I'll give you some privacy," Lily said, heading for the door. As she passed Agent Carver, Evelyn could have sworn she saw something flicker in Lily's eyes - a brief, otherworldly glow.

As the door closed behind Lily, leaving Evelyn alone with Agent Carver, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was about to step into a world far more complex and dangerous than she could have ever imagined. And she had a sinking suspicion that not everyone around her was who they claimed to be.