Abandoned Tracks

Chapter Five: Morning Conversations and New Discoveries

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room. Alex stirred, feeling the warmth of the new day. He rolled over and saw Ethan already awake, sitting up and gazing out the window.

"Good morning," Alex said, rubbing his eyes.

"Good morning," Ethan replied, turning to face him with a small smile.

Alex stretched and sat up. "Did you sleep well?"

"As well as one can on the floor," Ethan chuckled. "But it was much better than the train."

Alex laughed. "I'll get you a proper bed soon. Do you prefer coffee or tea in the morning?"

"Tea," Ethan answered. "I've never been much of a coffee drinker."

"Tea it is," Alex said, getting up and heading to the kitchen. As he rummaged through the cupboards, he realized they were nearly empty. "Looks like we need to go grocery shopping," he called out.

Ethan joined him in the kitchen. "What do you usually have for breakfast?"

"Depends on what I have in stock," Alex admitted. "But it looks like we're out of pretty much everything. Let's head to the store."

They left the cottage and walked into town, the morning air crisp and refreshing. As they reached the grocery store, Alex grabbed a cart and started down the aisles.

"So, what do you like to eat?" Alex asked, glancing at Ethan.

Ethan looked around, somewhat bewildered by the array of modern products. "Honestly, I'm not familiar with most of this food. Back in the 70s, things were quite different."

"Alright, let's keep it simple," Alex said, picking out some bread, eggs, and fruit. "How about we make an omelet and some toast?"

"That sounds good," Ethan agreed, watching as Alex selected the ingredients.

They returned to the cottage and set about making breakfast. Alex showed Ethan how to use the stove and modern appliances, and soon they were sitting down to a simple but hearty meal.

"This is really good," Ethan said, taking a bite of his omelet.

"Thanks," Alex replied. "Glad you like it."

After breakfast, Alex showed Ethan to the bathroom. "You can take a bath here. I'll find some clothes for you."

Ethan nodded, and Alex went to his room to gather some of his own clothes for Ethan. Once Ethan was done, he emerged from the bathroom, looking a bit more comfortable in the modern attire.

"These fit surprisingly well," Ethan said, looking down at the jeans and t-shirt.

"Great," Alex said. "We can go clothes shopping later in the evening. For now, let's head back to the train and see if we can find any clues."

They made their way back to the cave where the abandoned train lay hidden. As they approached, the air grew cooler, and the eerie silence of the place seemed to envelop them.

The train, once a symbol of luxury and sophistication in the 70s, now lay in ruins. The once gleaming exterior was now rusted and covered in grime. Windows were shattered, and the plush seats inside were torn and decayed. The intricate woodwork and brass fittings were tarnished and broken, giving the train a ghostly, desolate appearance.

"This must have been magnificent in its prime," Ethan said, running a hand over the faded upholstery.

"Yeah," Alex agreed. "Hard to believe it ended up like this."

They searched through the train, opening compartments and looking for any sign or clue that might explain Ethan's situation. Old newspapers, weathered luggage, and decayed furnishings were all that remained. There were no diaries, letters, or anything that provided a hint about what happened.

"Nothing," Ethan said, frustration evident in his voice. "It's like everything has just... vanished."

"We'll find something," Alex reassured him. "Maybe not today, but we'll keep looking."

As they made their way back to the cottage, the sun was setting, casting long shadows on the ground. The day's search had been fruitless, but Alex felt a growing determination to uncover the truth.

"We'll come back tomorrow," Alex said. "There has to be something we're missing."

"Thank you for not giving up," Ethan said softly. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't found me."

"We're in this together," Alex replied, giving Ethan a reassuring smile. "We'll figure it out."

As they settled in for the night, the sense of shared purpose and friendship between them grew stronger. The mysteries of the train and Ethan's presence were far from solved, but they had each other, and that was a start.