The loud sound of the horn made him open his eyes slowly. In front of his sight were the rushing images of people separated from him by the glass window. His dark eyes then fell on the child sleeping in his embrace so peacefully between the blaring of the train's engine and harsh shouts of people on the station outside that it almost made his mouth twitch in remembrance.
His hand grazed the child's flushed cheek softly which wasn't enough to wake his ignorant slumber. Seeing that, his fingers moved to trace the closed eyes- wanting them to open and stare back at him in their naive innocence.
Sighing softly he carefully picked up the child along with a small leather bag and wooden cane and got off the train ignoring the loudness surrounding him, he secured the child and started walking away from the station.
Looking closely one of his legs was slightly crooked. The stares of passersby fell on him in gossip. Some made no need to be discreet in their curiosity and wanted to step forward to pass a few remarks. But the harshness of his face was enough to pause their actions.
His temper was still known around.
He found the small black motor car outside along with the driver he called for and quietly sat down in the front seat putting the bag in the back.
"Master Neil." The driver simply nodded at him and started to slowly drive towards the town
The similar surroundings were nothing memorable to him. Considering he grew up knowing every road, alley and carny of this place no longer made him feel nostalgic. It was washed away with images of grey and red war in his mind. After all there wasn't much difference since he came last which was only a few months back. The only difference was the changing color of leaves on the trees and there was no lack of those in Crestwood. Along with usual curious glances and the same families who have lived there for generations.
Soon the car stopped in front of an old run down lodge used mostly by travelers passing by in summer. There was no lack of those either but unfortunately, Crestwood didn't have much to offer other than lush green sights of mountains during summer and spring so other than locals, it was hard to see a strange face among many known.
The child in his arms had started to show signs of waking up. Afraid that it will be another tantrum filled awake, he softly rubbed the back of the child and hummed under his breath a lullaby from memory.
Assuring that the child was back to sleep, he picked up his bag, telling the driver to pick him up early, before sunrise and entered the lodge.
Despite the outer appearance the lodge inside was clean and quiet. There was no customer in sight except for the old owner and his wife. The conversation between them was too quiet to reach his ears so he cleared his throat.
He has known of this couple since he was a mere child so when the old woman saw him she quickly came forward smiling.
"Master Neil! Your usual room is ready. Should I send something to eat?" Jane Wilson cheerfully greeted him.
"No, Mrs. Wilson. I will have something later on, when Theo wakes up."
"That's fine, all fine. Just let me know, I have loads to offer. Do you need help with the bag?"
"No thank you. I can manage." he said and started making his way up the narrow stairways.
The narrow path was still brightly lit. From the tall glass window, he could see the sun slowly making its way down.
Stopping outside the second door from right, he was about to enter when his sight fell on the small washed out mirror which from his memory was always chipped from one side hanging in the hallway. He found himself glancing at his reflection and pausing. Putting the bag down and letting the cane lean on the wall, he secured Theo and tried to clean up his untidy appearance. There was a thin nervousness in his actions. He tried to flatten his hair and fixed his shirt's collar.
Seeing such an image staring back at him, he almost laughed and once again messed up his tidied up hair as if remembering something. Picking up the bag and cane back, he made his way inside the room.