Echoes of Time

Chapter 28 - A New Beginning

It was like every other peaceful day in Seacliff, the small coastal town that seemed untouched by time. Adeline hummed quietly to herself as she worked at the café, the familiar clinking of coffee cups and the murmur of customers' chatter creating a comforting background. Debbie, her bubbly best friend, was in her usual element, chatting with customers as if they were long-lost friends. Her laughter filled the café, light and carefree.

Adeline felt a warmth in her chest, like the heavy weight of the past had finally lifted. It felt normal. Too normal, as if everything that had once been dark and uncertain had vanished. She had accepted the story that her parents were arrested for something illegal they had done years ago, long before she could understand. That was the truth she had been told, and somehow, she didn't question it anymore. Life had fallen into a new rhythm—simple and free.

After their shift ended, Adeline waved goodbye to Debbie, who was still chatting with the last of the regulars. "See you tomorrow!" Debbie called out, her smile as bright as ever.

"See you!" Adeline responded, stepping out into the crisp evening air. She felt lighter, almost as if all the weight of the past had been washed away. She couldn't recall why she ever felt so burdened.

Later that evening, Adeline decided to take Oreo, her black-and-white dog, for a walk. As always, Oreo trotted beside her, his ears perked, and his curious eyes scanning the surroundings. They made their way through the quiet streets of Seacliff, bathed in the soft, silver glow of the full moon. The town was beautiful at night, the moonlight reflecting off the ocean and casting long shadows that danced across the empty roads.

Adeline smiled as she rambled to Oreo about everything and nothing, her voice filled with the ease of someone who had no worries. "It's such a pretty night, Oreo. Look at that moon! Isn't it perfect?"

Oreo's tail wagged in response, and Adeline chuckled, bending down to pat him. "You're the best listener, you know that?"

As they continued walking, something caught Adeline's attention. In the distance, near the edge of the park, a figure stood, silhouetted by the moonlight. It was a boy, standing alone, staring out into the night.

Curiosity sparked in Adeline. She hadn't seen anyone out at this time, and something about the boy drew her in. Without thinking, she began to walk toward him. Oreo stayed close by her side, his ears twitching as they approached.

When she got closer, the boy looked up. He was around her age, maybe a little older, with tousled hair and a soft, almost shy smile on his face. Adeline smiled back, feeling a strange sense of familiarity, though she had never seen him before. At least, not that she could remember.

"Hi," she greeted, her voice cheerful. "I'm Adeline."

The boy's smile widened, and for a moment, his eyes sparkled with a mixture of relief and joy, though he quickly masked it. "Hey, I'm Keith."

Adeline tilted her head, studying him for a moment. "I've never seen you around before. Do you live here?"

Keith chuckled, and there was a softness in his tone that made her feel instantly at ease. "I guess you could say I'm new here."

They stood there, under the moonlit sky, talking about simple things—about Seacliff, the beach, and even Oreo, who had taken an immediate liking to Keith. He was kind, funny, and his smile made Adeline's heart skip a beat. She found herself drawn to him, feeling a connection she couldn't quite explain.

As the night wore on, Adeline glanced at her watch and sighed. "I should head back. My grandmother will have my head if I'm out past curfew."

Keith nodded, his smile gentle but tinged with something bittersweet. "Yeah, you should probably get home. But it was nice talking to you."

"It was," Adeline agreed, though she didn't want the conversation to end. She hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Maybe I'll see you around?"

"Maybe," Keith replied, a knowing glint in his eyes.

As Adeline turned to leave, Keith raised his hand in a wave, watching her retreat with a quiet sense of satisfaction. She didn't remember him—not in the way he remembered her—but that was exactly how it needed to be.

Once she disappeared down the street, Keith glanced down at his prosthetic hand, the metallic gleam catching the moonlight. The memory of the accident that cost him his real hand still haunted him, but it had been a necessary price to pay. A reminder of the risks he had taken to fix what had been broken.

Keith's expression darkened as he flexed his fingers. "It was worth it," he whispered to himself, his voice filled with a mix of determination and sorrow. He had traveled through time, made impossible sacrifices, and lost more than he cared to admit.

But Adeline was safe now.

And that was all that mattered.

He turned his gaze back to the moonlit horizon, where the past and present seemed to blur. For Keith, the journey wasn't over, but for now, Adeline could live a life free from the horrors of time manipulation. A life filled with normalcy, with happiness.

And that was his greatest wish for her.

"I'm sorry, Adeline," he whispered once more, his voice barely audible over the gentle sound of the wind. "But this is the only way."

With that, Keith turned and disappeared into the night, leaving no trace of the boy who had once lived a life trapped between the echoes of time.