XX.XX.XXXX?
A gentle breeze drifted through the air, carrying whispers of the past, as if it knew everything—even the secrets hidden from louder voices that might carry them further. But the breeze, being a subtler, more discrete version of the wind, would never reveal those secrets. It simply added to the atmosphere in literature, unlike the wind, which only made itself useful on hotter days.
"Why would you tell Mrs. Agnes to fuck off?" Elodie asked, after her connection to the other world trailed off.
Both worlds were referred to as "the other world," depending on one's point of view. Perhaps it was because they were so deeply connected, their roots intertwined over time. Their opposition was, in fact, strikingly similar—they were each just a flawed copy of the other. The broken world had no choice but to be the broken one, yet in its twisted way, it sought revenge. Slowly, it began to corrupt the "normal" world as well, draining life from it piece by piece, the more human footprints encroached on its land.
"Why wouldn't I?" Ethan answered coldly.
"I meant what she said," Elodie explained the meaning behind her words.
"Oh," Ethan began, "Nothing. She just pisses me off," his half-true wouldn't be enough, so he immediately found a distraction. "Hey, Velvette, a music store. You play the violin, don't you? We could go there," Ethan gestured to a music store across the street. One wonders how many musicians bought their first instrument there, starting their path.
"Since when are we friends?" Velvette answered to his unexpected idea. "Well, I'm genuinely interested in… Uh… Guitar strings!" Ethan only realized how stupid that had sounded when the words already left his mouth.
"Guitar strings? Seriously?" Velvette narrowed her brows. Ethan felt heavy on his chest, embarrassed, which Velvette had noticed.
"Sure. Let's go look at them," Velvette stated. They left, the sound of their footsteps dying away as they went.
Theo sat in the truck's bed rail, his legs in. Carmen sat down, in the same position next to him. "You seem off," he admitted.
"Do I?" Theo asked somnolently. "I feel like Ethan's hiding something from me. Something about his relationship with Mrs. Agnes," Theo confided to Carmen softly. "But whenever I brought it up, he found an excuse. Just like now, " he added. His heart ached, knowing how helpless he was. And he hated how he always over shared everything, because his feelings couldn't stay in him and had to come out. He ran his hands through his jet black hair in desperation.
Carmen placed a comforting hand on Theo's shoulder. "Maybe he thinks that you'd view him differently if he opened up," he guessed. "Or he wants to protect you".
"From what?" Theo turned to him.
"Don't know," Carmen shrugged.
Meanwhile Ethan, along with Velvette entered the music store, a jingle of a bell welcomed them in as Velvette shone with a flashlight on the building's interior. It wasn't only a little store that sold instruments—it also happened to be a record store. The walls exposed bricks, paneling to give a retro, cozy feel. Tall wooden shelves filled with vinyl records, organized by genre, artist, era and kept a memory of the musicians. Posters of iconic album covers and vintage music memorabilia added to the atmosphere.
The other section—the instrument one, displayed guitars or bass guitars hanging on the walls and larger, heavier instruments resting on the floor.
The place also had a central counter that used to be used for consultations, instrument purchases, and repairs. Behind the counter showed strings, picks, and other small accessories that were organized neatly.
It was indeed unusual in this world to have your eyes meet a view of a store that was still in good shape.
"Look! Someone decided to name their band after me," Velvette called out, her voice echoed in the silence of the store. Ethan approached her, she had vinyl of a band "The Velvet Underground" in her hands.
"I think… No," Ethan brushed her off.
"Ethan," Velvette began, "We went in here just because I know how it feels having to explain something you're not comfortable about".
Ethan browsed through the records, avoiding eye contact, "That's not true," he refuted and took a deep breath. "I was too scared to admit that I love hearing you play. How you sometimes got to play in the orphanage… I actually loved the melody," Ethan's voice was calm and seemed to be convincing enough for Velvette to believe his lies.
"If that's so, you could've said it," Velvette said, waiting for Ethan to turn to her. "Maybe I'd like you more," she added.
"Maybe" Ethan answered.
Velvette shifted her illumination directly on a violin that was placed on a small base as a show off, coming along with a violin bow.
"Hold the flashlight, I wanna try them out," Velvette instructed, handing the flashlight to Ethan. Ethan illuminated her and she snatched up the violin with a sudden, decisive motion, as if it was an extension of her very soul. With a deft, practiced hand, she positioned the instrument under her chin, and the bow glided across the strings with effortless grace. The room was soon filled with the rich, resonant notes of her playing, each stroke of the bow bringing the music to life with a passion. One thing Ethan hasn't lied about, is the fact that her playing was a beautiful melody to his ears. The violin sure wasn't in its best shape, yet she still managed to make it sound right.
"Fuck," Velvette huffed, stopping her playing when a note went wrong.
"We should go back," Ethan suggested "And by the way, you sounded great," he added.
Velvette took the violin with her and they made their way back, hearing how the bell jingled for the last time. As they approached the truck, Elodie had connected to the other world again.
"Elodie," a voice that belonged to Dr. Sallow spoke. "We have a lot going on this day. Let's say we'll connect when you all get some rest. I'll provide the instructions then," he instructed, his tone of voice firm. Though the truth was, that plans had changed and they'll be tasked with new instructions, than the ones that were intentionally planned.
"Sure," Elodie agreed.
"Take care," Dr. Sallow mumbled before disconnecting. When his voice trailed off, Elodie began, "I guess we should find a place to stay". She lost her mind in lingering thoughts she couldn't find an answer to. Before anyone could respond, she added, "Theo," she shifted her eyes directly at Theo, "Are you sure the year's really different?". The reason for her concern was because time wasn't like that before. The year should be freezed in 1946, just like Mrs. Agnes said.
This world resembled the clock in the orphanage, the ones that ceased functioning, having a need for new batteries. Now, the batteries were somehow replaced and time had moved on and then freezed again, though, freezed on a completely different number. Perhaps setting them up could help—or they were broken, and couldn't be fixed ever again, they had surrendered.
"Yeah, one hundred percent. Have you told Mrs. Agnes yet?" Theo responded.
"Well yes, but still, it doesn't make any sense," Elodie's confusion grew stronger, the more she was thinking about this problem—-or a miracle, because now, they could eat way better and nutritious food.
"The time was the same everywhere before, wasn't it?" Victor made sure, getting a nod of agreement from Elodie in response. "Do y'all think it's the same again everywhere now, or is it different in different parts?"
"I personally hope for it to be different everywhere because otherwise it wouldn't be interesting," Theo hypothesized.
"Yeah," Victor agreed.
"That doesn't make sense," Ethan denied.
"I agree," Velvette concurred and based on Elodie's expression, she did too. "That's three against two!" Velvette exclaimed.
"No, Carmen hasn't said a word yet," Theo refuted. Carmen, who had been quietly listening, finally broke his silence, "I don't care what time does, I'm here to get sleep in a comfortable bed".
"No,no,no! Choose a side," Velvette rejoined.
"Well then, Theo's idea sounds more fun to me," Carmen made his decision.
"Fifty-fifty, we'll see," Victor remarked.
"We really should get going now," Elodie suggested, everyone looking at her approvingly. "Do you know any good places to sleep, Theo?" Elodie asked.
"I haven't been here in years but maybe?" Theo answered, "And could I drive?" He looked like a desperate puppy that begged for treats.
"No way. You can't even tie your shoes properly," Elodie disapproved.
"Fuck you, I can," Theo hung his feet over the railing of the truck's bed, his hair dangled downwards, the breeze gently swaying his hair.
"I swear if you fall and break something," Ethan paused, "you're so dead," he warned him in a sharp tone, hiding his actual concern.
"Don't worry," Theo called out proudly.
"Theodore, get in the car," Elodie urged, already waiting in the front. Theo wasn't often indicated as 'Theodore', from what he remembered, it was just his father who used that—sometimes even his mother when she got mad. And not to mention, his first name's not 'Theodore' but 'Theodor' because that's what his mother wanted. Although, he never met anyone who would actually use that. Except for his mother. And Ethan.
Theo tried to cautiously reach down with his hands to the ground, though the distance was too great and he fell instead, hitting his body against the hard concrete. Carmen leaned over to make sure he wasn't dead, luckily, he had a good fall, while a smile had formed on the twins lips.
Ethan grabbed his forehead and shook his head in embarrassment. "What have I told you?".
"I am alright," Theo got up, brushing litter off his clothes, before getting into the car.
"So where?" Elodie prepared for the ride.
"Uh…," Theo pondered, "The rich brats lived… Go straight ahead," Theo recalled. Elodie drove straight ahead until she reached a section of the road where it split into a crossroad.
"Now?" she asked.
"To the right," Theo commanded.
"I'm surprised you know the sides," Elodie chuckled.
"I'm not stupid and also this sign says 'Rich Brats Street'," he gestured to a sign illuminated by the red hue just enough to see what's written on it.
Elodie glanced, "That literally says 'Ridge Brass Street'. Do you also, perchance, suffer from dyslexia apart from a dumbass syndrome?" Elodie insulted him in a friendly way, her face tinged with a mischievous smirk.
Theo let out a chuckle, "That's what my mom used to call it," he defended himself.
Comfortable silence in between them as Elodie drove throughout the long street. Houses that looked more luxurious began to appear as they moved forward, their gardens were huge and full of flowers that once bloomed every spring and contrasted with the sculpted bushes.
"This one is in good shape," Elodie looked over at a house on the right. It was a large, two-story house with a symmetrical facade and a central front door. It was painted in white and had a red front door. The roof shared the same brick red color and was made from tiles. The front porch was spacious, supported by white columns.
A road ran close to the house, ending in a flat area directly in front of it, perfect for parking cars. Elodie drove up there and parked the car. As the car stopped, everyone got up from it, moving closer to the house to get a better view.
"That looks big," Velvette mentioned.
"That's like half the size than the orphanage, by the way, and there were like fifty of us," Theo informed.
"Crazy," Victor admitted. Elodie stepped up the porch, opening the main door. The interior wasn't as welcoming as the smaller, poorer houses. It was spacious—maybe too much, and filled with luxurious furniture, but almost no decor. Perhaps, a few plants, which didn't matter anymore, because they were withered, dead.
The others followed her, feeling the house's seeping cold temperature against their bodies. "We should light the fireplace," Velvette suggested as her body met with the coldness.
"And sleep in front of it because the rooms are gonna be cold as hell," Victor added.
"Isn't hell supposed to be hot though?" Eloddie joined the conversation.
"Oh, yeah," Victor realized. Elodie went to the fireplace that was still left with fresh wood andt took fireplace matches that laid beside it, lighting it. Soon, it casted a bit of a warm temperature in the room's coldness.
"Y'all we've got some alcohol," Ethan announced, displaying the wine bottles him and Theo took before. "But if any of you will have one of those annoying drunknesses, I'm off," he added.
"Which type do you mean?" Elodie asked.
"The bawling like a baby one," Ethan responded, placing the bottles on the dining table. Its surface was smooth and it stretched far—-up to ten people could sit there.
Time had passed and everyone was seated on the couch, sharing the wine bottles while chatting.The bottles gradually dwindled to emptiness, so Theo suggested, "I'll go get more. I know where the nearest shop is".
"I will come with you," Ethan, who sat beside him, stated.
"Don't die!" Elodie shouted before they left.
They just got to the sidewalk and Ethan already asked: "How further?".
"Something in between five to thirty minutes," Theo answered.
"So four minutes," Ethan counted.
"Why four?" Theo wondered.
"Because thirty divided by five is four".
"It's six," Theo corrected him. "How drunk are you?" he cackled.
"On a scale from one to ten, I'd say a six". Ethan refused to walk in a straight line, darting around Theo, though that wasn't because he got drunk. The reason behind that was just the fact that he can't walk straight.
Theo, almost tripping over him, complained, "Can't you walk straight?'.
"Yesn't," Ethan answered, normalizing his walking the best he could.
"What does that mean?".
"Not really," Ethan answered.
In twelve minutes they got to a small shop that provided everything—from clothes to groceries, and alcohol.
Theo was tugging at his T-shirt sleeves again, because their itchiness came back. "I'll change my shirt," Theo pulled out a flashlight and lit his way to the clothing alley, while Ethan went to get the wine, illuminating his way with his own flashlight.
Theo changed his tight T-Shirt for a more loose black one, with a big white star in the middle, also adding a green zip hoodie to keep warm.
"Can we go?" Ethan approached Theo just as he got dressed up.
"Yeah," Theo confirmed. Both held two bottles of whiskey which jingled against each other, with Ethan having one extra he drank from throughout their way.
"You've said you liked me before," Theo mentioned.
"I don't, why would I," Ethan denied, taking a sip before continuing. "My heart skips a beat everytime I see you. Your smile lights up the room, and your eyes hold a captivating depth. And you're the only one I trust, though none of this means anything," he flattered.
Theo took the bottle from Ethan, also taking a sip, "Are you sure it doesn't?". Their communication sounded like they were two dumb fishes babbling.
"Of course I'm not," Ethan answered.
"Makes sense". They strolled in companionable silence for a short while before Theo suggested they rest. As he sank onto a bench, the weight of the day seemed to ease from his shoulders. The bottles were tossed carelessly into the soft, yielding grass, a shared gesture of release.
Ethan stood, towering over Theo, their gazes locking. Unexpectedly, Ethan leaned in, his hands coming to rest gently on Theo's cheeks. Their lips met in a soft, exploratory touch, a delicate dance of discovery. As the kiss deepened, a primal intensity took hold. Ethan's legs parted around Theo's hips, and he knelt on him, their bodies melding in a passionate embrace. Theo's arms tightened around Ethan's waist, pulling him closer. Time seemed to stand still—well it kind of did, as their world narrowed to the intoxicating sensation of each other.
When their kiss found its end, Ethan pulled Theo into a tight hug.
"You're cold," Theo mentioned as their embrace kept going. He pulled away from the hug, draping his hoodie over Ethan's shoulders. Ethan leaned in again, his hands resting gently behind Theo's neck. Their lips met again, like they just haven't departed.
A couple of minutes passed and their kiss came to an end, now actually.
Theo was the one to pull away, "We should go before they get worried".
"Do we have to?" Ethan got back on his legs.
"Yeah," Theo reached for the bottles.
"I wanna kiss you for every minute we have left," Ethan proclaimed during their way back.
"Wouldn't that kill us?" Theo faltered.
"I don't care," Ethan admitted.
Silence followed them on their way back, while the breeze gently swayed their hair back. In a couple of minutes, they arrived back at the house, Elodie waiting for them on the porch.
"Finally. Where have you been?" She got up.
"It was a long way," said Theo.
"Kissing," said Ethan. Their words interjected each other.
Elodie smirked, "Okay, get in".
The inside already had mattresses prepared in the living room, even with sheets and warm blankets. A lot of drinking went on after their return, though they were the ones to drink the most. In the end, Theo ended up falling asleep on Ethan's chest.
When Theo woke up, he realized his position, which also awoke Ethan.
"Why are we?" Theo pondered.
"My head's all spinning," Ethan responded sluggishly as he reluctantly got up. Their mind was completely blank, unable to recall any memories apart from getting into this house. Not to mention the stinging headache they both were going through. Later on, as Elodie approached them, a realization came to their minds: They were the last ones to wake up.
"What happened yesterday?" Theo immediately questioned.
"Well," Elodie began, "When you returned with the strongest bottles of whiskey you could've got you started making out". Theo and Ethan looked at each other in confusion.
"Then," Elodie continued.
"There's then?" Theo interjected.
"Yes," Elodie took a deep breath. "Then you happily announced that you were dating to everyone, adding that you're getting married like five minutes later before making out again".
"There's no way," Theo denied.
"Sorry, but where can I throw up?" Ethan's face was a shade paler, a sudden urge to vomit overtaking him.
"In the garden, I guess," Elodie gestured to the glass door leading in the garden. Ethan immediately rushed there, hunching over the nearest bush, retching violently. Theo followed him, "Is that an allergic reaction?".
"Probably not," Ethan retched again, "I'd throw up immediately if it was, not after waking up" he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, which happened to be useless anyway, because the purging couldn't be stopped. Theo pulled Ethan's hair away from his face to keep the vomit from getting stuck there until Ethan's stomach settled.
Meanwhile, Elodie decided to connect to Dr. Sallow once again. She pulled out the transmitter, pressing a button, waiting for their connection. A hissing sound rang out before a man—-Dr. Sallow spoke, "Greetings".
"Greetings to you too, sir. Are the instructions ready yet?" Elodie asked, trying to sound as politely as she could.
"Ah, Elodie," he paused. "Yes. Your task is to proceed to what we could refer to as a reservation. It happens to be a city where people who get lost in this world come to, which is great, though the leader's taking too much control over this world. We want y'all to go there and get as much information you can".
Elodie thought about her answer, this was a lot to process. A reservation? People who get lost? The entrance she came in with isn't the only one? Eventually she responded in a simple way: "Yes, sir".
"It's generally known in between people that live in this area that you have to go 'At the terminus of timber, where chill intensifies', which is a simple puzzle you're smart enough to solve. Otherwise, this world ain't for you," Dr. Sallow explained, keeping his tone sharp and firm.
"Yes, sir".