Abandoned Tracks

Chapter Ten: Echoes of the Past

Alex felt a jolt as his eyes locked with the stranger’s. The world around him seemed to dissolve, and a dizzying sensation overtook him. His surroundings blurred, and suddenly, he was no longer standing at the doorway of his cottage.

He found himself in a bustling street, filled with people dressed in vintage attire. The buildings, cars, and even the atmosphere screamed 1970s. Alex looked down at himself, noticing he was wearing a vintage-style suit, complete with a waistcoat and polished shoes. His body felt different—more muscular and leaner. He ran a hand through his thick black hair, slicked back in a classic style.

“What’s happening?” he muttered, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The chatter of people and the sound of old cars passing by filled the air. He could smell the faint scent of gasoline mixed with the aroma of fresh bread from a nearby bakery.

As he navigated through the crowded street, he felt a strange sense of familiarity. Everything around him seemed oddly recognizable, yet he knew he had never been here before. His heart raced as he tried to process the situation.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted someone. A man stood a few feet away, dressed in a smart blazer and trousers. His presence was magnetic, and Alex felt an inexplicable warmth in his chest just by looking at him. It was Ethan.

Ethan stood there, seemingly lost in thought, his sharp features highlighted by the sun. His eyes were scanning the crowd, and for a moment, Alex thought he saw a flicker of recognition in Ethan’s gaze.

Alex’s breath caught in his throat. He felt a powerful urge to reach out, to call Ethan’s name, but he held back, fearing he might disrupt the strange reality he found himself in. As Ethan turned his head, their eyes almost met, but Alex quickly ducked behind a nearby cart, his heart pounding.

When he dared to peek again, Ethan had already moved on, disappearing into the crowd. Alex took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. “What is going on?” he whispered to himself, bewildered by the surreal experience.

Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and a warm voice called out, “Adrian, what are you looking at?”

Alex turned around to see a man with a kind face and a nostalgic smile. The familiarity of the name and the warmth in the man's eyes made Alex’s heart ache with a strange, comforting nostalgia.

“I... I was just looking at this cart" , Alex said trying to sound nonchalant.

The man chuckled softly. “What nonsense are you talking , Adrian? Come on, let’s get you home.”

As they walked together, the man continued to talk, asking Alex about his day and what he had been up to. Alex responded automatically, his mind still reeling from the strange connection he felt with Ethan and the surreal situation he was in.

The noise of the bustling street faded away, replaced by the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves. He found himself in front of a quaint house, its exterior well-kept and inviting. The door was slightly ajar, and without thinking, Alex stepped inside.

The interior was cozy, with vintage furniture and decorations that matched the era. He wandered through the rooms until he found himself in a small study. The room felt personal, as if it belonged to someone important.

On the desk were several portraits. He picked one up and froze. It was Ethan. The image was slightly faded, but it was undeniably him. Alex’s hands trembled as he set the portrait down and picked up another. They were all of Ethan, capturing different moments of his life.

“Why are there so many pictures of Ethan?” Alex wondered aloud, his mind racing.

His eyes fell on a diary lying next to the portraits. The cover was worn, and the pages slightly yellowed with age. Alex’s curiosity got the better of him, and he picked it up, opening to the first page.

The handwriting was neat, the ink slightly faded. The first line read:

"It all started when I first went to study at the College of Charleston."

Alex’s heart pounded in his chest. He felt as if he was on the brink of discovering something monumental, something that could explain the strange connection he felt with Ethan. He turned the page, eager to delve deeper into the diary’s secrets.