Lily

unfamiliar bed, gazing out the window, lost in thoughts of home. The landscape outside was breathtaking-a dense jungle sprawling endlessly under the soft afternoon light. But the beauty only made the ache of isolation sharper,its grand furnishings and foreign tapestries only reminded her of how far she was from home. She hugged her knees to her chest, letting herself think about the life she'd left behind.

Back home, my little brother would be coming back from school right now, and my parents... they must be worried sick, probably calling every friend, every contact, trying to figure out where I'd gone. I'd never disappeared like this before. Just the thought of how terrified they must be made my heart clench. Here, surrounded by strange walls and strange customs, I felt more lost than I'd ever been.

The isolation was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. Not only was she cut off from her family, but even here, she'd only been allowed near Callan and a handful of guards who barely spoke. Callan's presence, though intense, was the closest thing she had to a tether. He was different from anyone she'd ever met-commanding and unflinchingly self-assured, a quality she couldn't quite wrap her head around. Men in her world weren't like that. They were confident, yes, but Callan carried a silent authority that demanded respect without a single word.
And somehow, she'd started to trust him. It was strange, almost reckless, but he was her one lifeline, the only one willing to protect her. He was both her shield and her jailer.She shivered, wrapping herself tighter in the blanket as she watched the fog settle over the forest.

*********************************

It was happening. The trial.

My heart pounded as i entered the council chamber, my eyes darting around the dimly lit room. The council members sat in a semicircle, their faces unreadable, watching me with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.i swallowed hard, my stomach twisting with fear. For the first time, i could see the faces of the people i been warned about, people who, with one word, could decide my fate.

My heart raced, each beat reminding that this wasn't my world. I had no idea what would happen here. Would a wrong answer kill me? Would one misstep end my in some unforgiving punishment i couldn't even understand?

My thoughts were a whirlwind, but Callan's voice broke through the noise, steady and firm. "Nothing is going to happen to you, Lily," he said, his hand brushing lightly against the small of my back in what seemed like a gesture of comfort. I wasn't sure if it was for me or himself. "This is just formalities. Breathe."

His presence calmed me a little, but there was still so much unknown. The council had already made it clear they weren't entirely comfortable with me being here, and while she could sense their wariness, they weren't openly hostile.

"Just answer honestly," Callan added, his gaze steady on her. He was always like this-silent, observant, but never far. His every action was calculated, and i was starting to see a pattern. There were moments when he acted like i was a threat, always guarding me like he was preparing for an attack, but in others, he was the one shielding me from the council's more curious and demanding eyes.

Lena, a stern woman with piercing eyes, spoke first, her voice as sharp as a blade. "You've been here long enough to see our ways, yet you remain an outsider. Why should we believe you mean no harm?"

I glanced at Callan, who gave me a small nod, then took a breath. "I didn't come here on purpose," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was... lost. And I only want to get home."

The council members murmured among themselves, their voices low and indistinct. Another council member, Amaro, leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Your world is very different from ours. How can we trust you wouldn't return and bring others here?"

She hesitated, panic creeping up her spine. What could i say? She barely understood the place herself, and her words felt fragile in the face of their distrust.

Amaro's stare softened, almost reluctantly. "We could find a way to send you back," he said slowly, "but only if we believe you won't speak of us. There are too many secrets here to risk it."

The council murmured their agreement, though their expressions stayed guarded.i bit my lip, daring to glance up, meeting their eyes one by one, hoping they saw me desperation, my sincerity. I just wanted to go home.

Finally, Lena nodded, looking at Callan. "We'll permit her to leave when we find a way that doesn't reveal our world to outside. For now, she stays under your watch, Callan. Let's see if she keeps her word."

********************************

I couldn't believe it. The council had actually agreed to let me stay, at least for now. The trial was over, and the decision had been made. They'd been suspicious of me, sure, but they weren't as hostile as I thought they would be. Maybe they hadn't fully accepted me, but Callan's presence had been enough to keep them at bay.

Once they were outside, away from the scrutiny of the council, the weight lifted from Lily's shoulders.She stopped in her tracks, a soft laugh bubbling out of her, surprising even herself. She could go home. She was going to be okay.

my heart still pounding, as Callan turned to leave. My legs felt like jelly, like they were about to give way beneath me, but I had to do something, say something.

"Callan." I called his name softly, almost unsure of myself.

He paused, turning around slowly, his eyes locking onto mine. "What is it?"

I felt something shift inside me-maybe it was relief, or maybe it was the vulnerability I hadn't allowed myself to feel. But I was finally starting to realize that the only reason I was still alive, the only reason I hadn't been sent back to the jungle or worse, was because of him.

I didn't know what would happen after this. I didn't know if the council would truly allow me to stay. But in that moment, all I could think about was how much I owed him, how much I depended on him.

Without thinking, I moved toward him, my arms reaching out. Before I knew it, I was hugging him, burying my face in his chest.

It felt ridiculous, how much I wanted to hold onto him, how much I needed his strength right then. But I couldn't stop myself. It was the first time I had let my guard down completely since I arrived on this island. Everything felt so uncertain, so fragile, and yet in his arms, it felt like maybe I wasn't as alone as I thought.

He didn't pull away, though I could feel the stiffness in his posture. For a moment, I wondered if I had made a mistake. But then I felt his hand gently rest on my back, a silent acknowledgment that, despite everything, I wasn't entirely alone.

I pulled away just enough to look at him, my heart still racing. "Thank you," I whispered, feeling a rush of emotion."i will remember you even I go back to my world Callan"....