The protagonist arrived at the crosswalk, his steps slowing as he reached the familiar spot where the entity had once appeared. The memory of the encounter flickered in his mind, vivid and unsettling. He paused, taking in the scene-the same crosswalk, the same street-but now, there was no trace of the strange anomaly that had haunted his thoughts. Life around him carried on as usual. Pedestrians brushed past without noticing his stillness, and cars moved through the intersection as the traffic lights cycled through their phases. The noise of the city surrounded him, but it felt distant, like background static compared to the intensity of his own internal search.

His eyes locked onto the place where the entity had stood, as if staring hard enough might conjure something back into existence. His gaze roamed over every detail—the faded paint of the crosswalk, the cracks in the pavement, the rustling leaves in the breeze-but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. There was no sign, no clue that could explain what he had seen. Yet, he kept looking, hoping for some hidden link, some revelation that would make sense of the surreal experience.

Minutes turned into an hour, and still, he found nothing. The world continued on, unaware of his private frustration. The longer he stood there, the more futile his search felt, as if the answers were slipping further away with every passing second. An hour and a half later, he let out a quiet sigh. His mind, once sharp with anticipation, was now clouded with frustration and the bitter taste of defeat.

He glanced one last time at the crosswalk, his mind urging him to find something-anything-that might give him a lead. But the street remained indifferent, offering no answers. It was time to move on. He was just about to leave when the vibration of his phone in his jacket pocket cut through his thoughts. He stopped mid-step, pulling the phone out and glancing at the screen.

Lucian's name flashed across it, the call breaking the tension of the moment.

"Hey, Lucian," he answered, his voice low, barely masking the frustration building inside him.

"Hey, man! You're not brooding again, are you?" Lucian's lively voice instantly cut through the haze of frustration. Lucian, a 19 years old high-school graduate, as always, sounded upbeat and full of energy. He stood at 175 cm, with short pinkish-white hair that gave off a soft, blossom-like hue. His blue eyes sparkled with curiosity, and his fit physique only added to his energetic presence, a stark contrast to the protagonist's current mood.

"Just... finished up here," the protagonist replied, his tone flat, almost dead.

"Finished up, huh? Knowing you, you've been analyzing something for hours. Anyway, I've got an idea. How about we shake off whatever's clouding your head with some good food? There's this Georgian restaurant at Crownstone Square I've been dying to try! What do you say?" Lucian's excitement was palpable, his words bursting with enthusiasm.

The protagonist hesitated, still mentally stuck in the fruitless search. "Yeah, sure... Crownstone Square. That works."

"That's the spirit! Trust me, you'll feel better after some Khinkali and a cold drink. I'll meet you there! Don't keep me waiting!" Lucian laughed, the sound infectious even through the phone, before hanging up.

The protagonist glanced at his phone's screen for a moment before slipping it back into his jacket pocket. His gaze drifted back to the crosswalk, the frustration still simmering beneath the surface. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something, but he'd have to put it aside for now. Lucian's invitation was a welcome distraction, even if his mind was still on edge.

With a quiet sigh, he turned and started walking towards Crownstone Square, hoping the meal would clear his thoughts.

Arriving at Crownstone Square, the protagonist spotted Lucian leaning casually against a streetlamp outside the Georgian restaurant, his lively energy hard to miss even from a distance. Lucian's short, blossom-coloured hair glowed softly under the afternoon light as he raised a hand with a wide grin to catch his friend's attention.

"There you are! I was starting to wonder if you'd gotten lost in one of your deep, existential spirals," Lucian teased, his tone light and playful.

The protagonist smirked, a small chuckle escaping him despite the lingering frustration. "No, just... caught up with some things."

Lucian clapped him on the back as they began walking. "Well, whatever it was, leave it behind. Food's a great cure for whatever's weighing you down. I'm starving, man!"

As they made their way toward the restaurant, Lucian glanced at him thoughtfully. "So, how's the writing going? Still crafting genius or burning out?"

The protagonist shrugged slightly, his mood lifting just a bit. "It's been going smoothly. I'm already deep into a few chapters of the second volume."

Lucian's eyes widened in genuine awe. "Man, you don't stop! I barely get through a book, and here you are writing volumes. That's impressive."

The compliment made the protagonist feel a little awkward but grateful. "Thanks. I just... get lost in it sometimes."

Lucian nodded, his voice more gentle now. "Yeah, but that's what makes you, you. Just don't forget to come up for air every now and then, alright?"

They continued with some light conversation, easing the earlier tension as they finally arrived at the Georgian restaurant. The rich aroma of spices and baked bread wafted out as they entered, a quiet escape from everything else.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

As they stepped inside, the soft chime of the wind bells above the door rang out, carried by the brief gust of wind that followed them in. The interior of the restaurant was cozy yet lively, filled with the comforting aromas of Georgian spices and the hum of patrons engaged in conversation, creating an inviting atmosphere.

Lucian inhaled deeply, his eyes lighting up. "This place smells incredible. I've been craving Georgian food for days."

The protagonist gave a small nod, already taking in the warmth of the surroundings. They both moved toward a vacant table by the window and sat down, Lucian quickly flagging down a nearby waiter.

"Good evening! How are you two doing tonight?" the waiter greeted them warmly, handing out menus.

Lucian, ever the conversationalist, grinned back. "We're doing great, thanks! Honestly, we're just excited to try the food. Got any recommendations?"

The waiter's smile widened. "Well, our Khinkali, which are meat-filled dumplings, are always a favourite. And if you like stews, the Chashushuli, a beef and tomato dish, is also quite popular."

Lucian's eyes flicked to the protagonist before making his decision. "I'm sold on the Khinkali, and I'll also order a bottle of Lemon Natakhtari too."

Turning to his friend, he asked, "What about you?"

The protagonist, who had been browsing the menu since the moment it was handed to him, closed it and said, "I'll go with the Chashushuli and a glass of water."

The waiter jotted down their orders, nodding approvingly. "Excellent choices! Your meals should be ready in about 30 minutes. Is there anything else I can get for you in the meantime?"

Lucian shook his head. "Nah, we're good for now. Thanks!"

With a polite nod, the waiter headed off to place their order, leaving the two friends to settle in, the buzz of the restaurant's ambience wrapping around them.

As the waiter left, Lucian and the protagonist scanned their surroundings, both casually taking in the warm atmosphere of the restaurant. The protagonist, however, soon found his gaze drifting out the window. The view outside was calm—a typical street scene—but something flickered at the edge of his vision. A strange, distorted space suddenly appeared near a tree across the road, warping reality for a brief moment and swallowing a small bird mid-flight.

Startled, his eyes snapped toward it, but the anomaly vanished just as quickly as it had appeared. His breath caught in his throat, trying to process what he'd just witnessed.

"Lucian," the protagonist asked, his voice unsteady, "did you see that? Something weird... by the tree?"

Lucian, who had been casually looking out as well, shook his head. "No? What did you see?"

The protagonist rubbed his eyes, trying to make sense of the fleeting vision. "It was like... a distortion. Some space just warped and sucked in a bird. It doesn't make any sense."

Lucian raised an eyebrow, concern and curiosity mixing in his expression. "You sure you're alright? Maybe you're just exhausted. You've been working hard on your novels, and even geniuses can get a little fried."

"No, I'm not tired," the protagonist said firmly, though there was a hint of doubt in his tone. "I know what I saw, but it's so bizarre that I can't even believe myself."

Lucian leaned forward, his voice becoming more thoughtful. "Look, maybe it's not about whether or not it's real. Could be your mind is picking up on something unusual, something you don't fully understand yet. Sometimes we don't get clarity until we confront what's confusing us. Think of it as a puzzle."

The protagonist sighed, slowly nodding as Lucian's words sank in. "Yeah, maybe I just need to look deeper into this. I can't let it slide."

Before the conversation could continue, the waiter returned with their meals. He carefully set down Lucian's Khinkali and the protagonist's Chashushuli, the rich smells of the Georgian cuisine quickly filling the table.

Lucian, sensing the tension still lingering, gave a light-hearted smile. "You know, sometimes a good meal is the best way to reset. Clear your mind and get some perspective. Plus, I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

The protagonist cracked a small smile, appreciating Lucian's attempt to lighten the mood. "Yeah, maybe you're right. Let's eat."

As they began to dig into their meals, the warm, savoury flavours helped distract the protagonist from his earlier unease. Bit by bit, the knot of tension loosened, and he felt himself start to relax, grateful for Lucian's grounding presence amidst the lingering strangeness.

As they stepped out of the restaurant, Lucian stretched his arms, a grin spreading across his face. "Man, that was amazing! We've got to come back here sometime."

The protagonist, still savouring the meal, nodded. "Yeah, I enjoyed it too. Good call on this place."

Lucian chuckled. "Well, I'll be heading home now. We'll meet up again soon, right?"

"Sure thing," the protagonist replied, with a slight smile on his face.

"Aight' I'll be going then. Byeee~" Lucian gave a casual wave.

"Take care." He watched as Lucian waved with a smile before turning to head down the street.

Now alone, the protagonist looked up at the darkening sky, the cool evening air settling in. Despite the peaceful moment, his mind drifted back to the strange anomaly he'd seen earlier. The thought gnawed at him. Glancing across the road, he fixed his eyes on the tree where it had appeared.

Curiosity piqued, he crossed the quiet street, approaching the spot. As he looked up at the branches where the distorted space had been, frustration welled up inside him-nothing seemed out of place. No signs, no answers.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, something odd on the ground caught his attention. His breath hitched. Feathers, twisted and misshapen, lay scattered at the base of the tree. They were unnaturally elongated, the forms subtly flowing, like they had been pulled and stretched by some invisible force.

His heart raced with excitement. This was proof, undeniable evidence of the event. Carefully, he picked up one of the feathers, running his fingers over its odd texture. Slipping it into his jacket pocket, he felt a spark of triumph. With renewed energy, he made his way home, eager to analyze what he had just found and finally make sense of the mysterious event he'd witnessed.