Chapter 6: The Maintenance Man's Warning

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Alex's apartment, casting a warm glow on the room. Alex sat on the edge of his bed, his mind still reeling from the events of the past few days. The mysterious 13th floor, Kai, the whispering walls - it all seemed like a surreal dream, yet he knew it was all too real.

A sudden knock on the door startled Alex from his thoughts. He approached cautiously, remembering Kai's warning about staying alert. Through the peephole, he saw a middle-aged man in a navy blue uniform, a toolbox in his hand.

"Maintenance," the man called out. "Got a report about a leaky faucet in this unit."

Alex hesitated for a moment before opening the door. The maintenance man, whose nametag read "Mike," gave him a nod and a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Morning, sir. Mind if I take a look at your bathroom sink?" Mike asked, his voice gruff but not unfriendly.

"Uh, sure," Alex replied, stepping aside to let him in. "But I haven't noticed any leaks."

Mike shrugged. "Better safe than sorry. These old pipes can be tricky."

As Mike made his way to the bathroom, Alex couldn't shake off a feeling of unease. There was something odd about the maintenance man, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

In the bathroom, Mike bent down to inspect the pipes under the sink. As he did so, his sleeve rode up, revealing a strange tattoo on his wrist - a twisted "13" that seemed to shimmer in the light.

Alex's breath caught in his throat. He remembered seeing a similar symbol in the hidden alley next to the building. Before he could say anything, Mike spoke without looking up.

"You're new here, aren't you, kid?" His voice was low, almost a whisper.

"Y-yes," Alex stammered. "Just moved in a few days ago."

Mike straightened up, his eyes meeting Alex's with an intensity that made the young man take a step back. "Word of advice? Get out while you still can."

"What do you mean?" Alex asked, his heart racing.

Mike glanced around as if checking for eavesdroppers, then leaned in closer. "This building... it's not what it seems. Strange things happen here. Things that can't be explained."

Alex's mind whirled. Could Mike know about the 13th floor? About Kai and the other realities?

"I don't understand," Alex said, trying to keep his voice steady. "What kind of strange things?"

Mike's eyes narrowed. "You've seen it, haven't you? The 13th floor."

Alex's silence was all the confirmation Mike needed. The maintenance man sighed heavily, running a hand through his graying hair.

"Listen, kid. I've been working in this building for longer than I care to remember. I've seen things that would make your hair stand on end. People disappearing, rooms changing overnight, shadows moving on their own. And it all centers around that damned 13th floor."

Alex's throat felt dry. "But... but the 13th floor doesn't exist. It's not on any of the building plans."

Mike let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, it exists alright. Just not in the way you'd expect. It's a nexus, a crossroads between worlds. And it's dangerous."

"How do you know all this?" Alex asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mike rolled up his sleeve, fully revealing the "13" tattoo. "Because I was like you once. Young, curious, chosen. But I got out before it was too late. This?" He pointed to the tattoo. "It's a reminder. And a warning."

Alex's mind was reeling. "A warning of what?"

"Of the price you pay for meddling with things beyond your understanding," Mike said gravely. "The multiverse isn't a playground, kid. It's a battlefield. And you're being drafted into a war you know nothing about."

Just then, the lights in the bathroom flickered, and for a moment, Alex thought he saw Mike's shadow twist into an impossible shape.

Mike cursed under his breath. "They know I'm talking to you. Listen, I can't say much more. But if you value your life, your sanity, pack your bags and leave this place. Forget about the 13th floor, forget about whatever powers you think you have. Just leave."

"But I can't just-" Alex began, but Mike cut him off.

"You can, and you should. Before it's too late." Mike gathered his tools quickly. "I've said too much already. They'll be coming for me now."

"Who's 'they'?" Alex asked, following Mike as he hurried towards the door.

Mike paused at the threshold, turning to give Alex one last, intense look. "The Guardians. The Travelers. The ones who think they're protecting the multiverse. But trust me, kid, there are no heroes in this story. Only survivors and victims."

With that ominous statement, Mike disappeared down the hallway, leaving Alex standing in his doorway, more confused and conflicted than ever.

Alex closed the door and leaned against it, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Mike's warning clashed with everything Kai had told him. Who was he supposed to believe? The mysterious maintenance man with a cryptic past, or the enigmatic Kai who had shown him wonders beyond imagination?

As if in response to his turmoil, the walls of his apartment began to whisper, the same ethereal voice he had heard on the 13th floor. "Trust your instincts, Traveler. The path ahead is fraught with danger, but it is yours to walk."

Alex took a deep breath, trying to center himself. He knew he had a choice to make - heed Mike's warning and leave, or dive deeper into the mysteries of Silver Moon Apartments and his newfound abilities.

As he contemplated his decision, the air in the room seemed to thicken, and for a moment, Alex thought he saw multiple versions of himself reflected in the mirror - each one making a different choice, each one leading to a different future.

The whispers grew louder, "Choose wisely, Traveler. For every choice creates a new reality, and not all paths lead to salvation."

Alex closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the multiverse on his shoulders. Whatever he decided, he knew his life would never be the same again. The real question was: was he ready to face the consequences of his choice?