Chapter 1

The train rhythmically clattered along the tracks as it entered one of the stations leading to the Central City.

The first day of spring this year was unusually spring-like, with shy buds on the trees adding a splash of green. Forsythia boldly took the lead, as if proudly showing off its yellow blossoms in contrast to the still-bare-looking rose bushes.

In one of the surprisingly clean and tidy compartments, Nina sat alone, gazing out the window and absentmindedly scanning the station and the people crowding the platform. Her reflection in the slightly smeared window distracted her. After so many lives, she had gotten used to it, but sometimes she found her round face with her somewhat exaggerated, cartoonish green eyes a little annoying. Despite being 28, those traits hadn’t matured, and she knew well that they would remain with her, even when she was eighty and full of wrinkles. The small mole under her right eye also didn’t add any seriousness to her image. A little dot on the window, probably a gift left by some bug, appeared right on the top of her nose, creating the illusion of a second mole. She smirked at the image, closing her eyes briefly as the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, illuminating the window. It didn’t last long, as the rays were soon hidden by a white mesh of clouds, taking with them her fleeting smile. Considering it was the middle of the week, quite a few people boarded the train.

The train jolted and continued on its journey. People passed by, searching for their seats. The compartment door began to open, and a young man with a thick, straw-colored mop of hair emerged. It belonged to a lanky young man, dressed somewhat carelessly.

"Good morning," the young man said, noticing Nina.

She nodded slightly and turned her gaze back to the window, but then stopped, returning her eyes to the new passenger. She watched as he struggled to hoist a heavy backpack onto the upper shelf. He removed his jacket and unbuttoned a few buttons on his checkered flannel shirt.

"It's quite warm," he said nervously, noticing he was still being watched.

Nina changed her expression, as she recognized a familiar feeling towards the boy. The stern indifference was replaced by a warm smile.

"True, it’s a pleasant day. Nice to meet you, I’m Nina," she said in a soft, friendly voice.

The young man seemed surprised by the sudden change in demeanor and the introduction. He scratched his chin, and his long, quite handsome face turned slightly red.

"Phillip," he replied hesitantly as if he felt the weight of the woman’s gaze. Nina judged him to be about ten years younger than her, perhaps approaching his 20th birthday.

Nina looked at the embarrassed young man.

"What an interesting day," she thought.

She just knew that this man was a Returner, just like her. Well, much less experienced, that's for sure, but a Returner nevertheless. In her third life, she learned how to recognize them. Something inside of her, like a fifth sense, screamed that she just found a new one. 

"Are you traveling far?" she asked, turning fully toward him and tucking her short hair, which had fallen across her face, behind her ear.

"To Versaw," replied Phillip, apparently deciding to accept the curiosity of the stranger.

Nina recognized the name of the largest city in the central part of Kessia, it was the train's final destination.

"For work?"

The young man chuckled.

"You could say that, I’m moving there and want to find a job."

"Moving?" Nina repeated, glancing at his backpack, which was dangerously hanging above his head from the shelf. "Not much baggage for a move."

"That’s how it turned out," the young man replied and took his phone out of his pocket as if he wanted to end the conversation.

Nina wasn’t planning to let him off that easily.

"You seem to be in a hurry," she smiled. "Got the job already?"

"N-no," Phillip muttered. "I’ll look for one once I’m there."

"Are you going to family?" she asked.

"No, I rented a room and I'm going to some friends," he answered mechanically, then winced. "Sorry, but I need to check something," he said dismissively, focusing again on his phone. He swiped his finger across the screen as if putting on a show, staring at it and leaning forward.

For a moment, there was silence. Every so often, there were sounds of doors opening and closing between carriages and compartments, and passengers' conversations. The train continued its journey.

"Have you been back long?" Nina asked, her voice breaking the silence.

"Sorry?" The confused young man jerked his head up.

"I’m asking when you came back," she replied, as if it were the most ordinary question in the world. Her slightly dark-ringed eyes were gentle but firm, demanding an answer. "When did you return to your previous life?"