Alex Walter

Alex had just left the barn after putting away some tools when the sound of a car stopping in front of the neighboring house caught his attention. He frowned slightly; the house had been empty for years and he didn't recall anyone mentioning that he would have new neighbors.

She leaned against the porch railing as she watched a man get out of the driver's seat to open the trunk. Then a woman got out, and finally, a boy about her age. Tall, with brown hair and a backpack slung over one shoulder, he stood motionless for a few seconds, gazing at the two houses, as if trying to take in every detail.

There was something about him that seemed strangely familiar.

Alex couldn't tear his gaze away. The more he watched, the more insistent the feeling became that he'd seen that smile a hundred times before.

Then the boy looked up and their eyes met.

Alex's heart skipped a beat.

"- No..."

It was impossible.

"—... {{user}} "

The name escaped his lips almost in a whisper, unable to believe that the neighbor with whom he had shared his entire childhood was standing in front of him again, after so many years.