5 4.Contemplation

'.....'= Thoughts 

"....."= Conversations 

____________________________________________________________________________________

As Ethan emerged from the dense forest, he squinted against the dim glow of the lights from the small town ahead. The air was thick with the scent of pine and the distant sound of crickets, making the world feel alive. A hushed wind brushed through the trees, carrying with it the distant murmurs of the town.

Drawing closer, Ethan could make out the silhouettes of buildings standing proudly against the night sky. Their structures were unmistakably of an older era, with steeply pitched roofs and wooden frames that spoke of an age long past. The town seemed frozen in time, its architecture a testament to a different era. It was evident to Ethan that he had stumbled upon a settlement from the 18th century, the quaint town seemingly untouched by the passage of time.

With a mix of wonder and exhaustion, Ethan ventured further into the town's heart. The cobblestone streets were quiet, the only movement coming from flickering lanterns that cast long shadows on the ground. Horsecarts and carriages lined the roads, their wooden wheels almost groaning in the silence of the night.

Ethan's eyes landed on an abandoned house at the edge of the town. He noticed that the windows were boarded up and the once vibrant paint had peeled away, leaving the structure weathered and worn. There was an air of mystery about the place, and in his desperate need for shelter, Ethan made the impulsive decision to break in and spend the night there.

Hesitation tugged at him as he approached the house, but the weariness of his body and the chill of the night overrode any reservations. With a firm grip, he pushed against the creaking door, the sound echoing through the empty streets. Stepping inside, he found himself engulfed by the musty scent of neglect and the darkness that clung to every corner.

Despite the eerie atmosphere, Ethan resolved to make himself as comfortable as he could for the night. He found a spot on the floor where he could rest, the age-worn wood feeling solid beneath him. His eyelids grew heavy as he lay there, the events of the day catching up with him. It wasn't long before sleep claimed him and the abandoned house was filled with the silence of the night.

As dawn broke, Ethan awoke to the soft light filtering through the boarded windows. His muscles ached from the cold and the hard ground, but he was grateful for the respite the night had afforded him. Rising to his feet, he made his way to the door, pushing it open to reveal the early morning in the quaint 18th-century town.

The streets were beginning to stir, the sound of hooves and the clatter of wagons filling the air. As Ethan looked outside through the window, he saw people making their way through the town on foot or by horse-drawn carriages. The few shops and inns that lined the streets were made of wood and stone, their architecture reflecting the craftsmanship of a bygone era.

The people he observed were dressed in clothes that were distinctly 18th century, with bonnets and tricorn hats, and the men in long coats and knee-high breeches.

'Thank God, I had some interest in the history previously, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to tell,' Ethan sighed as he backed away from the window.

He could be considered to have relative detailed knowledge of the history of his continent which abled him to understand where he was and what century he was in.

'Somewhere between 1800s to 1830s in some remote area of America,' Ethan concluded through his observation. But still he needed to make sure that what he had guessed was right and for that he had to get our of this house and search for a local library or maybe an inn that would provide him the information of his current location and era.

Ethan scanned the room, searching for some suitable clothing to replace his modern attire. After rummaging through a chest at the foot of the bed, he discovered a set of clothes that seemed to fit the era he had found himself in. He found a white ruffled shirt, a brown waistcoat, a pair of knee-high breeches, a long overcoat, and a tricorn hat. He quickly changed into the clothes, feeling the weight of history settle over him.

Once dressed, Ethan set about searching the house for any supplies that might aid him in his quest to discover where and when he was. He found a small leather pouch hidden beneath a loose floorboard, containing a handful of coins. Relief washed over him as he realized that he had some money to help him in his travels.

With the clothes and money secured, Ethan took a deep breath and opened the door, stepping out into the world outside. The streets were bustling with activity, horses and carriages clattering past and people going about their daily business. Ethan felt a surge of excitement and trepidation as he set off down the street, determined to find the answers he sought.

After wandering through the streets for some time, Ethan spotted a sign bearing the words "Local Library." He quickened his pace, entering the building and approaching the librarian at the front desk.

"Excuse me, ma'am," Ethan began, "I seem to have found myself in a rather peculiar situation. I was wondering if you might be able to help me."

The librarian raised an eyebrow, but nodded in response. "Of course, sir. What is it that you seek?"

"I need to know where and when I am," Ethan explained as placed a coin on the table.

The librarian looked at him with a quizzical expression but looking at the money kept on the table, her eyes gleamed, "I see. Well, you are in the town of Lexington, in the state of Massachusetts. As for the year, it is the year 1803."

Ethan let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His guesses had been correct. He was indeed in America in the early 1800s. The librarian offered to show him to the section of the library containing historical records, where he could delve deeper into the details of the time period he found himself in.

For the next few hours, Ethan immersed himself in books and documents, learning about the politics, society, and culture of the early 1800s. He made notes about notable events, locations, and figures that would help him navigate this unfamiliar era.

The library though didn't hold much of the information of the events, it still benefitted Ethan a bit.

After satisfying his immediate curiosity, Ethan thanked the librarian and stepped back out onto the streets of Lexington.

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

For 5+ advance chapters visit my patreon. 

patreon.com/StoryTeller229