Chapter 3: Midnight Rendezvous

In the dead of night, Alex awoke with an inexplicable sense of unease. Opening his eyes, he found himself not in his familiar bed, but standing in a dimly lit corridor. The air was thick with the musty smell of decay, wallpaper peeling off in patches, and flickering fluorescent lights on the ceiling emitted a faint buzz.

"Where am I?" Alex muttered, his heart racing. Looking around, he realized this was certainly not the 12th floor where he resided. The brass number plates on the wall glimmered faintly, clearly etched with "13".

Alex gasped. This was the mysterious, supposedly non-existent 13th floor! But how did he get here? He distinctly remembered falling asleep in his room on the 12th floor.

The sound of light footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor. Alex held his breath, hiding behind a crumbling pillar. A shadowy figure emerged from around the corner. In the dim light, Alex recognized him—it was Kai, the mysterious black-haired young man.

Kai seemed to be searching for something, his gaze vigilantly scanning every corner of the hallway. Just as he was about to pass Alex's hiding spot, a door creaked open.

"Kai, you're here." An elderly voice called from within the room.

Kai stopped, turning to enter the room. The door closed gently behind him, but didn't shut completely. After a moment's hesitation, Alex tiptoed towards the door, pressing his ear against the crack.

"Time is running out," the elderly voice said. "They're growing suspicious. We must accelerate our plans."

"But Alex isn't ready," Kai's voice sounded anxious. "He's only just discovered his abilities. He needs more time to adapt and learn."

"We don't have more time!" The old man raised his voice. "If we can't complete the ritual before the next full moon, all will be lost. The balance of Silver Moon Apartments will be broken, and the consequences will be unimaginable."

Alex's heart pounded faster. What ritual were they talking about? Why did they mention his name?

Suddenly, the corridor floor let out a groan of protest. Before Alex could react, the floor beneath him gave way. He lost his balance and plummeted downward.

As he fell, Alex saw countless distorted images flash before his eyes: ancient runes, mysterious rituals, fragments of different times and spaces... Then, everything faded to black.

"Alex! Alex! Wake up!"

Alex's eyes snapped open. He found himself lying in his room on the 12th floor, with Kai leaning over him, a look of concern on his face.

"W-what happened?" Alex asked breathlessly, his pajamas soaked with cold sweat.

Kai's expression turned serious. "You inadvertently triggered one of Silver Moon Apartments' secret mechanisms. Your subconscious was transported to the 13th floor."

"It wasn't a dream?" Alex asked in surprise.

Kai shook his head. "No, it was real. Alex, I had planned to tell you all this gradually, but it seems we don't have that luxury of time." He extended his hand, "Come with me. It's time for you to know the truth."

Alex hesitated for a moment but took Kai's hand. As their palms touched, Alex felt a strange energy course through his body. The room's scenery began to distort and warp, as if they were being sucked into a kaleidoscopic vortex.

When everything settled, Alex found himself standing in the 13th-floor corridor he had seen in his "dream". But this time, the hallway was renewed, shimmering with a mysterious glow.

"Welcome to the real 13th floor, Alex," Kai said. "Are you ready to begin your journey?"

Alex took a deep breath and nodded. He knew that from this moment on, his life would change forever. The secrets of Silver Moon Apartments, his special abilities, and the mysterious ritual—all these enigmas were waiting for him to unravel.