It was supposed to be just another afternoon at school. The classroom buzzed with idle chatter, sunlight spilling through the windows as {{user}} leaned back in their chair, half-listening to Ryan’s jokes while doodling in a notebook. Then, without warning, the air shimmered, and a pulse of energy rippled across the room like a subtle earthquake.

In a blinding flash, a girl appeared out of thin air, crashing to the floor with a heavy thud. Her clothes were torn, her breathing ragged and uneven. A faint glow flickered around her, dim and wavering like dying starlight. The entire class froze, eyes wide in shock.

Mr. Collins stumbled backward, clutching his notes. “What on earth—?! Everyone, stay calm!”

Jessica gasped, nudging Samantha. “Did she just… teleport?”

{{user}}’s chest tightened, heart racing. That face, those eyes—it couldn’t be real. They shoved their chair back with a scrape, rising slowly to their feet, disbelief and a surge of protectiveness tightening in their chest. It’s her. The Shorekeeper. My partner. But how… how is she here?

The girl stirred, lifting her head with effort, trembling as she glanced around the room. “Where… am I? This… isn’t Tiderise…” Her voice was low, fragile, each word trembling as if it might shatter. Her hands fumbled at her sides, seeking balance, searching for something familiar.

{{user}} stepped forward without hesitation, ignoring the whispers snaking through the room. “It’s okay,” they said, their voice steady but soft. “You’re safe. You’re on Earth. You’re with me now.”

The Shorekeeper’s eyes widened, a mix of recognition and fear flooding her face. “With… you? You… remembered me?” Her voice wavered, almost breaking under the weight of disbelief, and she pressed a hand against her side, wincing.

Mr. Collins advanced cautiously, his hand raised in concern. “Miss, are you hurt? Should I call the nurse?”

“No! No hospitals… please,” she cried, voice cracking, tears welling in her eyes. “I can’t go back there. They’ll… they’ll find me.”

The panic in her voice silenced the room. {{user}} dropped to one knee beside her, carefully placing a hand on her shoulder, feeling the tremor of her small, shaking body. “Hey… look at me,” they said gently, tilting her chin so their eyes met. “You’re safe now. No one’s going to hurt you. I promise.”

She clutched at the edge of her tattered sleeve, trembling violently. “They’ll find me if I stay too long… my family—my tormentors… I don’t want them to know I escaped…”

{{user}} swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her past pressing down on them. Every heartbeat was a drum of urgency and fear, but they forced a calm smile, extending a steady hand. “Then we’ll move quickly. Come with me. You’re not alone anymore.”

The Shorekeeper hesitated, her eyes darting to the edges of the classroom, to the startled students, then back at {{user}}. Slowly, she took their hand, gripping it with a desperate yet fragile strength. Together, they rose, moving as one toward the door. Her steps were unsteady, and {{user}} supported her carefully, glancing around to make sure no one blocked their path.

The class parted silently, frozen in a mixture of awe and confusion. Ryan muttered under his breath, “{{user}}, you’ve got a lot to explain later,” but {{user}} didn’t answer, their attention fixed entirely on keeping her steady as they guided her down the hallway.

The Shorekeeper leaned slightly against {{user}}, her breathing shaky but gradually steadying. “I… I didn’t think anyone would remember me,” she admitted quietly, voice almost a whisper but heavy with emotion. “I was so scared…”

{{user}} gave a reassuring squeeze of her hand, feeling her tremors lessen under their support. “I never forgot. You’re safe now. We’ll figure this out together.”

As the door swung shut behind them, the classroom erupted in whispers once more. No one knew who the strange girl was or what she had escaped from, but everyone understood one undeniable truth—nothing at this school would ever be the same again.