That night, Lu’s door creaks open. She gasps and pulls her covers up as a sliver of light cuts sharply across her bedroom. 

“Lu?” Faris peeks in. “Lu? There is something out there.”

“Really?” Lu lowers her blankets and sits up. “Is it from the mirror?”

“No, a monster. From my old home.” Faris slips in and closes the door, plunging the room into darkness. “I- I haven’t heard it since I moved to your house. I thought it was gone. I thought I left it behind, but I heard it this morning. I wish I imagined it, but-” His eyes widen. “Do you hear that booming?” 

Lu listens, then shakes her head. “No… nothing.” Faris doesn’t move. Lu shifts and glances around. He can see things she can’t… what if he can hear things, too? She bites her lip and asks, “What is it?” 

“No.” Faris shakes his head and stands up. “If I tell you more it will come. ” The house groans. Faris hugs himself and moans, “No, no, no. Not again. I thought it was gone.” Lu untangles herself from her blankets and runs across the room. She grabs his shoulders but he pushes her off.

“Faris! Faris, stop it! You're scaring me! Please, you’re joking. Faris?” She slides to the floor and covers her face. Suddenly Faris stiffens. 

“Wait,” he whispers. “I know what to do.” He turns towards her, eyes wide and shining. “I know how to stop this!” A smile creeps across his face, but it fades when he sees Lu cowering on the floor. 

“Promise me.” He grabs her hand and she flinches. “You have to help me!”

“H-how?” Lu glances towards the door, then back at her friend. Faris tightens his grip on her hand.

“I’ll go through the portal. Promise me!” He clenches his fist. “I need to get away from it!”

“Can’t my mommy help?” 

“No!” Faris’s eyes blaze. “Mothers can’t be trusted.” His voice catches. “They think I’m lying.” 

Lu doesn’t know what to do with that. Faris is a year older, so he’d know better, right? She twists away from him and takes a shaky breath. “But, can I go, too?”

“I-I don’t know.” He looks away. “I’ll come back for you if it works.”