After making sure that I'm dressed properly to go out, I left home. Walking out of the office and down the porch. Along the way, I can see surprised looks on most of my workers when their eyes meet my figure, but I think nothing of it. They are probably just surprised to see me out of my office, even brave enough to walk out of the house when I usually didn't.

It's not like I'm scared of the outside world. I was just always constantly busy. Besides what would the world even have to offer me if I do leave my work for a stroll down the rackety city?

Nothing.

It would give me absolutely nothing.

I despised the idea of spending valuable time slacking the whole day when I could have achieved something using it. It's the thought I had to keep in mind if I were to thrive to be more than what I am today.

I let my eyes trail around the city, hitting the end of my cane on the stone pavement with each step I took. It was still too early for most. Some people were still busy putting up their stands and fixing their stores. Most of them worked in a very sluggish manner. Still hoping for more sleep and rest it seems.

I can see children running about. Laughing and chatting. Some accidentally hitting the working group of men who were walking around, carrying heavy loads on their shoulders. It's just a typical normal morning.

I don't quite remember where Eline's home was. I do hope my feet have better memories than my mind. It would be a shame if I had to walk around aimlessly and ended up not achieving anything by the end of the day.

The longer I walked, the warmer I felt. The sun begins to scorch brightly, to the point that it's blinding to gaze up at it. Doors started to open, people started walking around and getting ready for a new day. The scent of food starts floating among the morning scent of London, while the vendors shout to attract passersby to buy their goods.

Keeping my head straight, I didn't greet the townspeople. I kept walking a path that felt familiar to me, unwilling to stray away from my focus. I should have asked George to accompany me. It would be a better choice than walking around with a guess that I know where I'm going when in fact, I have no idea if the path I took was even right.

One step and another. If the path I took was right, I was supposed to arrive there anytime soon.

But looking everywhere, I don't know if I was leading myself to the wrong path or if the place had changed greatly since the last time I'd been there.

My old school, the orphanage I grew up in, Mrs Glenda's house, it's all missing from the spot. Replaced by a completely different structure.

A tug pulled in my heart, as I took in my surrounding. If I was right, I had my childhood here. Everything was supposed to be here. But now it's all vanished. When did this all happen?

I've been gone, secluding myself from everyone for ten years and now this happened? It was only a measly ten years. How can so much change in that short period?

But then... what about Eline?

Feeling a frantic rush in my vein, I let my feet take me to a path that I remember would take me to her home. I walked fast with a heavy head, clouded by my worries. Is she even going to be there? She has to be. Where else would she go?

I was so certain that I would at least still be able to meet her. But I stopped short when I arrived at the very spot her house was supposed to be at. It's gone, leaving only an untended garden on the lot. Her mother's garden. A prickly mess of what was once beautiful to all eyes.