Abandoned Tracks

Chapter Six: A Glimpse into the Past

The morning light filtered into the room, casting a warm glow over everything. Alex stretched, still feeling the weight of yesterday's fruitless search for answers. Ethan was already up, looking out the window, deep in thought.

"Morning," Alex said, rubbing his eyes.

"Morning," Ethan replied, turning to give him a small smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Good," Alex said, getting up. "Ready for another day of searching."

After a quick breakfast, they made their way back to the abandoned train. The eerie silence of the place seemed even more pronounced in the morning light. They split up, determined to find something-anything-that might provide a clue.

When they returned to the cottage later that afternoon, Alex decided to clean up a bit. As he entered the bathroom to tidy up, he noticed a small, shiny object on the edge of the sink. Picking it up, he realized it was a beautiful purple pendant with intricate designs etched into its surface. It must have been something Ethan left behind after his bath.

Curious, Alex held the pendant in his hand, and immediately, a wave of dizziness washed over him. Suddenly, he was no longer in the bathroom. He was in a place he didn't recognize, surrounded by blurred figures and sounds. In the midst of the chaos, he saw Ethan, standing in the distance, looking around as if searching for someone. Nearby, a young man was peeking at Ethan from behind a pillar, too shy or scared to approach. The scene shifted, and Alex saw the same young man lying on the ground, covered in blood.

The flashback ended as abruptly as it had begun, leaving Alex with a splitting headache. He clutched his head, the pain growing unbearable, and before he could call out for help, everything went black.

Ethan heard the sound of Alex collapsing and rushed over. He found Alex unconscious on the bathroom floor, the purple pendant still clutched in his hand. Panic surged through Ethan as he lifted Alex into his arms and carried him to the bed. He placed Alex gently on it, his heart racing with worry.

As Alex lay unconscious, Ethan couldn't help but take a closer look at him. He studied Alex's features, from his messy sandy brown hair to his strong jawline, his eyes resting on the gentle curve of his lips. Ethan noticed the calloused hands that suggested a life of physical activity and the faint freckles that dotted his nose. There was something familiar about Alex, something that stirred a distant memory in Ethan's mind.

Just as Ethan was lost in thought, Alex stirred and slowly opened his eyes. Ethan's face lit up with relief and joy.

"You're awake!" Ethan exclaimed, his voice filled with concern. "How are you feeling?"

Alex groaned and sat up, rubbing his temples. "My head hurts, but I'll be fine."

"What happened?" Ethan asked, his eyes full of worry.

Alex took a deep breath and held up the purple pendant. "I found this in the bathroom. It must be yours, right?"

Ethan's eyes widened as he looked at the pendant. "Yes, it's mine. It was a gift from someone a long time ago."

"Who gave it to you?" Alex asked, curiosity burning in his eyes, but he kept the flashbacks to himself, unsure of what he had seen.

Before Ethan could answer, he reached out and grabbed Alex's hand, squeezing it tightly. "I was so worried when you collapsed. I'm just glad you're okay."

Alex squeezed his hand back, feeling a warmth spread through him. "Thanks, Ethan. I'm glad you're here."

They spent the rest of the day quietly, with Alex resting and Ethan keeping a watchful eye on him. As evening fell, they prepared a simple dinner together, the events of the day weighing heavily on their minds.

Over dinner, Alex couldn't help but think about the flashback but decided not to mention it yet. "Ethan, do you remember anything about the person who gave you the pendant?"

Ethan shook his head. "It's all a blur. I wish I could remember more."

"We'll figure it out," Alex said with determination. "We have to."

After dinner, they settled in for the night. Ethan set up his makeshift bed on the floor beside Alex's, just as he had the night before. As they lay there, the room filled with a comfortable silence, both of them lost in their thoughts.

"Good night, Ethan," Alex said softly.

"Good night, Alex," Ethan replied. "We'll find the answers tomorrow."

As Alex drifted off to sleep, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the verge of uncovering something important. The purple pendant, the flashbacks, and the mysterious connection between him and Ethan were pieces of a puzzle that was slowly coming together. The anticipation of what they might discover next filled him with a sense of excitement and determination.