Days passed, and Stephen remained isolated in the house.
Eliza, on the other hand, maintained her daily routine, leaving early in the morning and returning late in the evening.
Every night, she recounted her day to Steven, sharing the latest news.
Steve's isolation negatively impacted his mental state. He found himself increasingly anxious, his thoughts preoccupied with questions about his situation and the strange new world he had found himself in.
He spent his days studying every detail of his accident, searching for clues that might explain his sudden arrival at this place. He reviewed medical reports from his coma, police statements from the scene, and anything that might offer a clue.
He also delved into the history of the house, examining every nook and cranny for any sign.
The front door opened with a sound, and Eliza entered, her footsteps echoing through the house. She looked tired, her shoulders aching. As she hung up her coat, she called out to Stephen.
"I'm home...How was your day?"
She didn't wait for an answer as she headed to the kitchen, looking for something to eat.
Steve came out of his room and leaned against the door, watching her silently. Despite his own unease, he felt a pang of concern for her; she'd been carrying this burden alone for weeks.
"I'm sorry."
Steve's apology surprised her. She stopped, a food container in her hand, and turned around. Her expression softened as she looked at him.
"It's not your fault,"
she said gently, placing the container on the table.
"You didn't ask for any of this."
She took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"We're in this together now, and whatever happens, we'll face it as a team...and, There's something I need to tell you...I think I've found someone who can help."
She looked at Steve, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and anticipation.
"His name is Dr. Edward Theon. He's a physicist, and he believes he can help with the situation that brought you here. Theon is a brilliant but controversial scientist, known for his groundbreaking research in neural interfaces and quantum physics."
She studied Steve's face, trying to gauge his reaction.
"But if anyone can help us understand what happened to you and maybe even find a way back... it might be him."
Steve listened intently, his heart racing at the prospect of answers, or at least a chance to understand his situation.
"What do you think? Should we call him?"
"I can't keep living like this, trapped in limbo. If Dr. Theon has answers, we have to take the risk."
Eliza's face lit up with relief and determination. She squeezed Steve's hand one last time before letting go and turning to get her bag.
"Great, I'll call him tonight."
The next evening, Eliza and Steve stood outside an ordinary warehouse on the outskirts of town. The building was surrounded by a high fence topped with barbed wire and guarded by armed men. Eliza took out her encryption device and typed a message.
Moments later, a gate slammed open. Eliza nodded to Steve, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
"There he is, waiting for us."
They headed toward the warehouse entrance. The place was filled with a diverse array of cutting edge technology and machinery.
A door opened, and a man emerged from the shadows. He was middle aged, with wild gray hair and sharp blue eyes.
The man stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Steve.
"Welcome to my humble lab, Mr. Hartley. I'm Dr. Edward Theon."
Steve hesitated for a moment before extending his hand to Dr. Theon.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Doctor. I appreciate your help."
Theon shook Steve's hand firmly, his grip strong and eager.
"Don't worry! A case like yours... well, it's the opportunity of a lifetime!, I've been studying quantum physics for decades, but I've never come across a real example of time travel."
Theon clapped his hands together, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Excellent! Now, let's not waste any more time. Steve, I need you to tell me everything about how you ended up during this period, any unusual symptoms or sensations you experienced... Don't leave anything out!"
Steve took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before beginning his story.
Theon listened attentively, taking in every detail. Occasionally, he interrupted with a question or a request for clarification; his curiosity was boundless.