Chapter 5: Caution

Agent Carver settled into the chair beside Evelyn's bed, his piercing gaze never leaving her face. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken tension.

"Miss Thompson," he began, his voice low and measured. "I understand you've been through a difficult ordeal. But anything you can remember about that night could be crucial to our investigation."

Evelyn's mind raced. How much did this man know? Was he really FBI, or something... else? She decided to tread carefully.

"I wish I could be more helpful, Agent Carver," she said, keeping her voice steady. "But as I told my friend, my memory is fuzzy. I remember leaving my apartment, and then... nothing until I woke up here."

Carver's eyes narrowed slightly. "And you have no recollection of how you ended up near the old maintenance shed? It's quite far from your apartment."

Evelyn shook her head, maintaining eye contact. "None at all. I'm as confused as everyone else."

The agent leaned back, his expression unreadable. "What about Professor Harris? I understand you were one of his students. Did he ever mention any... unusual research? Or behave in a way that struck you as out of character?"

A chill ran down Evelyn's spine. She thought of the secret lab, the strange equipment, the professor's frantic warnings. But something held her back from revealing everything.

"Professor Harris was passionate about his work," Evelyn said carefully. "But I never saw anything that would explain his disappearance."

Agent Carver nodded slowly, his gaze never wavering. "I see. Well, Miss Thompson, if you remember anything else – anything at all – please don't hesitate to contact us." He handed her a business card. "Your cooperation could be vital in finding Professor Harris."

As he stood to leave, Evelyn noticed something that made her blood run cold. For just a moment, as Carver turned towards the door, she could have sworn she saw a faint shimmer around his outline, as if he wasn't quite solid.

The door closed behind Agent Carver, leaving Evelyn alone with her racing thoughts. She stared at the business card in her hand, her mind reeling. Who could she trust? What was really going on at the university? And most importantly, what had Professor Harris uncovered that had put them all in danger?

Evelyn knew one thing for certain: she couldn't stay in this hospital bed any longer. She had to find answers, and she had to find them fast. With trembling hands, she reached for the call button to summon a nurse. It was time to check herself out and dive headfirst into the mystery that threatened to consume her entire world.

As she waited for the nurse, Evelyn's mind drifted back to the strange glow she thought she'd seen in Lily's eyes. Could her best friend be involved in whatever was happening? The thought filled her with dread, but she pushed it aside. She needed allies, and Lily had always been there for her.

The door opened, and a nurse entered with a clipboard. "You called, Miss Thompson? How are you feeling?"

Evelyn put on her most convincing smile. "Much better, thank you. I was wondering... when can I be discharged?"