Abandoned Tracks

Chapter Three: The Forgotten Passenger

Alex tossed and turned all night, unable to shake the image of the abandoned train and the strange sounds he had heard. His mind raced with questions. Who had built the train? How long had it been there? And what had caused the eerie noises he had heard? By the time the first light of dawn crept through his window, he had made up his mind to return to the cave.

After a hasty breakfast, Alex grabbed a flashlight and headed out. The morning air was cool and crisp as he made his way along the familiar path to the Old Hollow Trail. His heart pounded with a mix of excitement and apprehension as he approached the cave entrance.

Inside, the cave was just as he had left it—dark and silent, with the faint smell of damp earth. Alex took a deep breath and stepped inside, the beam of his flashlight cutting through the darkness. He carefully navigated the uneven ground, heading straight for the cavern where the train lay.

When he reached the cavern, he paused, letting his eyes adjust to the dim light. The train stood there, a ghostly relic of a bygone era. He walked around it, examining the rusted metal and rotting wood. Then, something caught his eye—a faint glimmer of light coming from one of the train compartments.

With cautious steps, Alex approached the source of the light. Peering inside, he saw a figure lying on the floor. His heart skipped a beat. He climbed into the compartment and knelt beside the unconscious man.

The man looked to be in his late twenties, with tousled dark hair and a lean, athletic build. He was dressed in a style that seemed straight out of the 1970s—a brown leather jacket, a white shirt with a wide collar, and flared jeans. His face was pale, but handsome, with sharp features and a faint shadow of stubble.

Alex gently shook the man's shoulder. "Hey, are you okay? Can you hear me?"

The man's eyelids fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes. They were a striking shade of green, filled with confusion and fear. He sat up with a groan, clutching his head.

"Where am I?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"You're in a cave," Alex said, trying to keep his voice calm. "I found you lying here. What's your name?"

"Ethan," the man replied, still looking around in bewilderment. "Ethan Blackwood."

"I'm Alex," Alex said. "Do you remember what happened to you?"

Ethan frowned, his brow furrowing in concentration. "The last thing I remember is getting on the train. It was supposed to take me home. But when I woke up, there was no one left... just me in this abandoned train."

Alex stared at Ethan, trying to process his words. "What year do you think it is, Ethan?"

"It's 1976," Ethan said without hesitation. "Isn't it?"

Alex took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "Ethan, it's not 1976 anymore. It's 2024."

Ethan's eyes widened in shock. "2024? That can't be... I haven't aged a day."

Alex nodded slowly. "I know it sounds impossible, but it seems like you've been... stuck here somehow. We need to figure out what happened to you."

Ethan looked down at his clothes, his face a mix of confusion and disbelief. "I've been here all this time? Alone?"

"Not anymore," Alex said softly. "We'll figure this out together."

Ethan looked up, meeting Alex's gaze. Despite the shock and fear in his eyes, there was a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, Alex."

"You're welcome," Alex replied, offering a reassuring smile. "Let's get you out of here and back to my place. We'll get you cleaned up and try to make sense of all this."

Ethan nodded, and with Alex's help, he stood up. As they made their way out of the cave, Alex couldn't help but feel a deep connection to this mysterious man. There were so many questions left unanswered, but one thing was certain—Ethan wasn't alone anymore.