The cobblestone streets of Surrey in 2036 were vastly different from the gleaming roads of Neo-London. The grey stones, worn from decades of footsteps, gleamed under the amber light of the setting sun. Children played hopscotch, their laughter echoing in the cool evening breeze, while the older residents exchanged the latest gossip outside shops.David, donning a slightly oversized coat he had picked up from a quaint vintage shop, took a deep breath as the familiar aroma of Mrs. O’Leary’s bakery wafted through the air. It was a world away from his life in Neo-London, and yet, the sense of nostalgia it invoked was overpowering.As he strolled, his boots clinking softly on the cobbles, memories of his younger years sprang to life. He remembered the time he and his friends had snuck into Mr. Thompson's orchard to steal apples, only to be chased away by the farmer's rambunctious dog. He recalled the town's annual summer fair, where he had once won the pie-eating contest, much to the chagrin of his bigger competitors.Walking further down, he came across the town library, a red-bricked building with ivy-covered walls. He remembered spending countless hours here, lost in the world of books, dreaming of adventures and distant lands. On a whim, he decided to enter.Inside, the familiar scent of old books and polished wood greeted him. Rows upon rows of wooden shelves, laden with books, stood tall. The soft hum of a conversation, the occasional rustling of a page being turned, added to the library's ambience.Miss Agatha, the librarian, looked up from her desk, her spectacles perched precariously on her nose. Her eyes, sharp as ever, assessed David. "May I help you?" she inquired, her voice carrying the subtle hint of suspicion. David, after all, was a stranger in this time."Just browsing," David replied with a soft smile, his voice betraying a hint of nostalgia.As he roamed the aisles, he came across the fantasy section. His fingers brushed the spines of the books, each title bringing back a memory. And then, he found it - the very first fantasy novel he had ever read, the one that had ignited his passion for reading.Pulling it out, he found a small note tucked inside, in his handwriting. 'To future adventurers, may you find the magic within these pages, as I did.' A small, tearful smile crept onto his face.Outside, the world had been blanketed by night. The stars shimmered brilliantly, a sight David hadn't seen in Neo-London for years due to the pollution. He decided to take the long route back, passing by his old school, the playground, and eventually, his childhood home.There it was, bathed in the soft glow of the porch light. The old oak tree in the yard, under which he'd spent countless hours daydreaming, stood tall and proud. He could see his younger self through the window, engrossed in homework, probably working on some project or another.The weight of his mission pressed on him. It would be so easy to just walk in, pretend to be a distant relative, and execute his plan. But seeing his younger self, so innocent and full of dreams, made the task daunting.He walked up to the porch and sat on the swing, letting it sway gently. The creaking sound it made was oddly comforting. The vial of poison felt heavy in his pocket, a grim reminder of the decision he had yet to make.His thoughts were interrupted by a soft meow. Looking down, he saw Whiskers, his childhood cat, now old and frail but still with a glint of mischief in her eyes. She jumped onto his lap, purring contentedly."Hello, old friend," David whispered, tears stinging his eyes. "I missed you."The night wore on, and David was caught in a whirlwind of emotions. The past was both a balm for his wounded soul and a tormentor, reminding him of all he had lost.As dawn approached, he knew he had to make a choice. But whatever he decided, he realized that his journey into the past had already changed him.
