Eliza's resolve was unshakable. The photograph of Thomas and the registry from the harbor were the clearest breadcrumbs she had found yet, and they pointed toward one place: the city. If Thomas had left Windward Bay to start over, it was possible someone there remembered him. Perhaps there were records or stories that could provide a clearer picture of the man her mother had loved.
As the morning sun cast a golden hue over Windward Bay, Eliza stood by the window of her cottage, her mind racing. She had always felt safe in this small coastal town, but now, the idea of leaving its borders filled her with a mix of nervous excitement and determination.
By mid-morning, she was at James's cottage, explaining her plan. He listened intently, his brows knitting together as she outlined her intentions.
"You're going to the city?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Eliza nodded. "I need to follow this lead. It's the only way I'll get closer to understanding Thomas—and my mother. I've come this far, and I can't stop now."
James leaned against the kitchen counter, crossing his arms. "I get it. I really do. But the city is a big place, and finding someone who disappeared decades ago won't be easy."
"I know," Eliza said, meeting his gaze. "But I have to try. Even if I don't find him, I might uncover something—records, stories, anything that could help me piece together what happened after he left."
James studied her for a moment before nodding. "Then I'm coming with you."
Eliza blinked, surprised. "James, you don't have to—"
"I want to," he interrupted gently. "This journey you're on—it matters to you. And if it matters to you, it matters to me. Besides, the city can be overwhelming. You shouldn't have to navigate it alone."
Her heart swelled at his words, a mix of gratitude and relief washing over her. "Thank you," she said softly. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
James smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "You'd be just fine. But luckily, you don't have to find out."
---
Two days later, Eliza and James arrived in the city. The bustling streets were a stark contrast to the quiet charm of Windward Bay. Towering buildings loomed overhead, their glass windows reflecting the sunlight, and the air was alive with the sounds of honking cars, distant chatter, and the rhythmic click of heels on pavement.
Eliza clutched the photograph of Thomas tightly as they made their way to the city's archives. The building was an imposing structure of stone and marble, its grand entrance flanked by pillars that seemed to reach for the sky. Inside, the atmosphere was hushed, the faint scent of aged paper lingering in the air.
A friendly archivist named Claire greeted them at the front desk. When Eliza explained her search, Claire's eyes lit up with interest.
"A man named Thomas who came here from Windward Bay?" Claire repeated, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "That's a bit of a needle in a haystack, but we'll do our best. Do you have any other details?"
Eliza handed her the photograph and the harbor registry entry. "This is all I have. He left Windward Bay around this time, and this photograph is from shortly before he left."
Claire examined the items carefully before nodding. "This is a good start. Let's see what we can find."
Over the next few hours, Claire led them through rows of records, newspapers, and directories. The search was meticulous, requiring patience and attention to detail. Eliza's heart sank with each dead end, but she refused to give up.
Finally, as the afternoon sun began to dip lower in the sky, Claire called out from across the room. "I think I found something!"
Eliza and James hurried over to her, their hearts racing. Claire held up an old city directory, pointing to a name listed under a modest address in one of the city's quieter neighborhoods.
"Thomas Sinclair," Claire said, her finger tracing the faded print. "He's listed here in this directory from about two years after he left Windward Bay."
Eliza's breath caught. "That's him. It has to be."
"There's more," Claire said, flipping through a few pages. "He worked at a factory in the industrial district. It's not much, but it's a start."
Eliza clutched the edge of the desk, her mind racing. Thomas had been here. He had built a life for himself, however small. The thought filled her with a strange mix of hope and sorrow—hope that she was closer to understanding his story, and sorrow that it had taken her this long to find him.
"Do you think there's any chance someone from the factory might remember him?" James asked, voicing the question on Eliza's mind.
"It's possible," Claire said. "Factories often kept detailed employment records. If it's still operational, they might have something."
Eliza nodded, her determination renewed. "Thank you, Claire. This means so much to me."
"Happy to help," Claire said with a warm smile. "I hope you find what you're looking for."
---
That evening, Eliza and James visited the address listed in the directory. The building was a small, unassuming brick structure with ivy climbing up its walls. It looked abandoned, the windows dark and the door boarded up. Despite the decay, Eliza couldn't help but wonder what life Thomas had lived here. Had he been happy? Had he missed Windward Bay—or her mother?
"We'll check the factory tomorrow," James said, sensing her thoughts. "This is just one piece of the puzzle."
Eliza nodded, her gaze lingering on the building for a moment longer. As they walked back to their hotel, she felt a mixture of anticipation and unease. She was closer to the truth than ever before, but the closer she got, the more she wondered if she was ready for the answers she might find.
Later that night, as she lay in the quiet of her hotel room, Eliza stared at the photograph of Thomas. She traced the outline of his face with her finger, her heart heavy with unanswered questions.
"Who were you, Thomas?" she whispered into the darkness. "And why did you leave everything behind?"
The city outside her window buzzed with life, its lights twinkling like distant stars. Somewhere out there, the final pieces of Thomas's story were waiting to be uncovered. And Eliza was determined to find them, no matter what it took.