(Modern dimension)
The night air was cold and unusually silent as they walked toward Scott's house. Streetlights flickered softly above them, casting long shadows on the empty road. Allen walked slightly behind Erika, his hands inside his jacket pockets, his expression unreadable. His friends followed quietly, whispering among themselves.
Scott broke the silence.
"Erika… do you really think this is safe?" he asked in a low voice. "You're bringing someone who literally said he wants to kill you. And you're walking like it's nothing."
Erika didn't stop walking.
"Scott," she said calmly, "I know what I'm doing. This isn't about me."
Scott frowned. "Then what is it about?"
"It's about truth," she replied. "He's not in the right path. He believes something that isn't true. If I don't show him the truth, he'll keep walking in darkness. And maybe… I'm also walking in darkness without knowing it."
Scott looked at her carefully. "And what if he attacks you?"
Erika gave a small, confident smile. "Then I'll stop him. But I don't think he will. Not yet."
Allen heard every word. He didn't speak, but his eyes briefly shifted toward her. There was anger in them — but also confusion.
They finally reached Scott's house.
Scott pressed the calling bell. A few seconds later, the door opened. Rebecca stood there, surprised to see so many unfamiliar faces behind her son.
"Scott? Who are—"
"Mom," Scott interrupted quickly, "these are my friends. They'll stay here for some time."
Rebecca looked at them again, studying their tired faces. Then she smiled warmly.
"Of course. You're all welcome. Come in."
They stepped inside. The house felt peaceful, almost too peaceful compared to the storm building in their hearts.
"Does anyone want juice? Or something warm? Tea? Coffee?" Rebecca asked kindly.
Scott sighed. "Hot water is enough for me."
Alan's friends glanced at each other. "Juice is fine," one of them said politely.
Erika remained silent. Her eyes were already fixed toward the lab door at the end of the hallway.
Without wasting time, she walked toward it.
But just as she reached for the handle, the door opened from inside.
Jimmy stepped out.
He looked tired, but the moment he saw Erika, his expression changed.
"Why are you roaming outside at this time?" he asked sharply. "Do you know how unsafe the city is at night?"
Erika didn't hesitate.
"I have to go back to my place, uncle."
Jimmy froze.
"No," he said immediately. "You cannot. We had a deal. You promised to learn everything about the watch. You still don't understand it fully."
"I don't have time," Erika replied, her voice firm but emotional. "I can't stay here forever. I have a kingdom. I have soldiers. I have people who depend on me. I'm not just some girl here… I'm a general there."
Jimmy stepped closer.
"And what if you die there? What if you're not ready?"
"I'd rather die protecting my people than hide here learning endlessly," she said.
The words hit the room heavily.
Jimmy turned to Scott.
"Scott. Are you part of this plan?"
Scott looked uncomfortable. "I… I don't know. This is her decision."
Before Jimmy could respond, Allen stepped forward.
"Yes. We have to return to our dimension," Allen said firmly. "We don't have much time."
Scott's eyes widened.
Why is he talking now? he thought.
He was not interested in Erika's decision to go back to her dimension and stayed silent by listening all their conversations.
Jimmy's eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
"I'm from her dimension."
Silence filled the hallway.
Jimmy slowly turned to Erika.
"You told me there was no one in your house when you traveled here."
Erika swallowed.
"I thought so. But I was wrong. He was there. I only realized it today."
Jimmy looked at Allen suspiciously.
"And you expect me to trust him?"
Allen clenched his fists. "You don't need to trust me. I'm not here for you."
Erika stepped between them.
"Uncle… please. I know this looks sudden. I know it's dangerous. But something is wrong in my world. And I feel it."
Jimmy's voice softened slightly. "You feel it?"
"Yes," she said quietly. "There are things happening without my knowledge. Secrets. Lies. And if I stay here… I'll regret it forever."
Alan spoke again, but this time less aggressively.
"I need answers too. I believed she killed my father. But now… I'm not sure anymore."
Jimmy looked shocked. "Killed—?"
Erika closed her eyes briefly.
"I didn't kill him," she said softly. "But I need to prove it."
Jimmy ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated.
"This is not simple. The watch isn't stable. Traveling now could create damage. You don't even know if the coordinates will lock correctly."
"Then help me," Erika said firmly. "Don't stop me. Help me."
That line changed the atmosphere.
Scott looked between them nervously.
"Uncle… if we delay too much, things might get worse there."
Jimmy stared at Erika for a long moment.
"You're stubborn," he muttered.
"I'm responsible," she replied.
He sighed deeply.
"This isn't just your life at stake. If something goes wrong, it affects this dimension too."
Erika nodded. "I understand."
Allen stepped forward again.
"If she's lying, I'll deal with her myself. But if she's telling the truth… then someone else is playing with both our lives."
Jimmy looked at him carefully. He could see the pain in Allen's eyes — not just hatred.
Finally, Jimmy spoke.
"If we do this… we do it properly. No rushing. No emotional decisions."
Erika's eyes brightened slightly.
"So you'll help?"
He didn't answer immediately.
"We'll discuss it in the lab," he said finally. "But if I see even one unstable sign, we postpone. Understood?"
Erika nodded firmly.
"Yes."
Scott let out a long breath. "Here we go again…"
Allen glanced at Erika.
"You better not be lying."
She met his gaze without fear.
"I don't lie about death."
The tension remained heavy, but now it had direction.
And somewhere inside the lab, the watch waited — silently glowing, as if it knew the storm that was about to begin.