When they went downstairs, they saw two doors. First, they tried to open the left door, but they failed. Then they tried the right door, but it wouldn't open either. At that point, they were very tired and decided to go back and find another way out of the cave. But then David told his friends, "We've come this far into the cave—there's no way we're giving up now."
Kim and Jim agreed with him. Just then, they noticed a steel pipe lying on the floor. Jim picked it up and began hitting the right door with it. After a lot of struggle, they finally managed to break it open.What they saw shocked them.There were two portals in the room. It was strange and confusing—they had no idea what they were looking at.
"This is a lab," said Jim. They were all very surprised—how could a lab exist inside a cave?
Suddenly, one of the portals began making strange noises. To their surprise, a tall man with a long beard, wearing white pants and a white jacket, stepped out. When he fully emerged from the portal, he looked shocked to see the boys. Then he ran toward them, smiling with joy.He was so happy that he started crying.
After a while, the man, who was clearly a scientist, asked the boys how they had gotten into the lab, since it was supposed to be a secret. The boys told him everything that had happened.The scientist stayed silent for a moment. Then Jim asked, "What's your name?"The scientist replied, "My name is Ethan Parker".
Ethan declared, "From now on, you guys will call me Professor."
The boys didn't say a word.After a moment, Kim asked, "Professor, how long have you been living here?"
The Professor replied, "More than nine years."Everyone looked confused.
Sensing their bewilderment, Ethan explained, "There are two portals—one takes you to the past, the other to the future."
The boys were skeptical. They didn't believe him.
Noticing their doubt, the scientist urged, "Go inside the portal and see for yourselves."
David hesitated. "But how do we come back?" he asked.
Ethan replied, "When you enter the past, the portal opens at a hidden location—one that no one can access easily. There's a rule: you must return within 24 hours. If you fail to do so, you'll be trapped there forever. So be very careful about where—and when—you go."(He said nothing about the portal to the future).