"Are you alright, lad? Just a word of advice—don't go into deep mountains or old forests alone. Scenic spots may be crowded, but they're far safer."
After the officer took his statement, Darien was allowed to go. He claimed only that he had lost his way in the mountains. Telling the truth about another world would have been pointless—they'd likely consider him insane.
"Thank you, officer. I appreciate everything you've done today."
With their farewells done, they arrived at the mountain base. A black Bentley Continental GT stood ready, and the driver moved promptly to open the door, showing utmost deference.
"Uhm… Elle, is this your service car?"
"Yes."
Darien's jaw dropped.
"Come on, Darien, get in! Why are you just standing there like a dork?" she said, nudging him forward.
He hesitated, worried about making a mess inside the car. He never guessed she came from such a wealthy family—all he knew was her humble, unpretentious nature.
Okay, stay calm… don't freak out…
After a moment, Darien carefully stepped inside the car.
"Uhm, Elle—"
But before he could say more, she had fallen asleep, leaning on his shoulder.
Seeing her exhausted face, Darien sighed silently. She was probably worn out from searching for him.
The drive down the Adirondacks mountain was slow and difficult. After three long hours, they finally reached the asphalt road, a reminder of how far they had come.
Darien's shoulders ached, but he didn't move. Eliana was still asleep, and he wouldn't disturb her rest.
Two more hours passed, and as the sun dipped toward the horizon, the car finally rolled into Saratoga Springs, NY.
"Um~"
Eliana stirred her eyes and realized she had been leaning on Darien's shoulder. She quietly moved away, but when she noticed the large watermark on his shoulder, her cheeks instantly flushed.
Darien chuckled softly. The usually carefree Eliana had never looked so shy—just because of a bit of drool.
"Ehem… how long was I out?" Eliana brushed her mouth and swiftly changed the subject.
"Roughly five hours." Darien checked his phone; it had charged a bit while in the car.
"What? That long already? I'm starving… Henri, take us to a restaurant."
"Certainly, miss. Where would you care to go?"
"Uhm, Darien—where do you want to grab a bite? I insist on treating you for coming back safely!" Eliana tapped her chest, making it clear she would take care of the payment.
"Doesn't matter, pick a place." Darien shrugged. He wasn't clueless, just out of touch—he hadn't been to New York in a long time.
"Alright, let's head to Hattie's Restaurant!"
"As you wish, Miss."
Darien reached into his bag, took out a Reuben sandwich he'd kept, and gave it to Eliana. "Here, have this; it'll help fill your stomach a little."
Eliana picked up the Reuben sandwich and took a bite. After that, she tore it in half and placed one piece carefully in Darien's hand.
"Here, have a bite too."
Darien smiled and nodded in thanks before taking a bite. Meanwhile, Eliana, curious, opened his bag. "Huh… what's all this?"
"I found this up on the mountain. It looks like an old relic, though I can't tell if it's worth anything." Darien didn't hide anything. He pulled a few coins and a chalice from his backpack and showed them to Eliana. They were items he had brought back from another world, used there for years, though he wasn't sure if they could be considered antiques in modern times.
"My, what a splendid piece! You really should show it to my father—he has a keen eye for treasures like this. Having found it on the mountain, it may well be worth something."
"Huh… what line of work is your father in?"
Darien didn't know much about Eliana's family, and he usually avoided prying into others' affairs, but given the situation, he asked casually.
"He runs a small antique shop, dealing in collectibles and rare items."
"Oh… really? Um, do you think I could show this to your father for appraisal? I-I'm not sure when he might be available… Could you help me set it up?"
"Sure, that's fine."
"Thanks a lot, Elle! If I manage to sell it, I'll give you half of the profit!"
"Pfft, don't be silly, you dork!"
After their meal, Darien politely refused her driver's help. With the subway nearby, he figured there was no need to inconvenience anyone.
Back at his apartment after three days away, he felt a surge of excitement. With no one around, he could finally explore his new powers. Surely, this passage had more functions than he'd yet discovered.
---
🔍 Did you know?
- The Reuben sandwich is an American classic, believed to have been invented in the early 20th century in New York or Nebraska. It typically consists of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye bread—and remains a popular comfort food today.
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