When Jordan woke up, he found himself back in his room again, even though he hadn't done anything to warrant coming back- wait, what was he doing? Jordan rubbed his head, wondering what had happened before, as he can't seem to remember a thing. What was he doing again?

Jordan noticed his phone on top of the table. He fell out of bed and headed over toward the device and picked it up to check. There, Jordan read a lengthy message about the situations from the past. Next to the table, was a drawer, open by a crack. Inside the drawer, he pulled it open and noticed a portrait of Hilary. Jordan's eyes widened as his mind went all over the place; it’s coming back to him. He glared down from outside, put the picture away, and went to get ready for work.

.-.-.-.

He ran out of the apartment and crossed paths with Hilary, who stood on the sidewalk. By this point, he realized the fact that he’d gotten back through time because of circumstances and tried to rationalize and calm down before speaking up.

"Excuse me, wait up!" Jordan caught up with her, as he panted and gasped for air.

"Can I help you?" Hilary turned to face him.

"Hi there, I'm Jordan." He bowed before her. "Is that the apartment you came out of?" He pointed at The Willow View.

Hilary nodded in response. "I'm guessing the same goes for you?"

"Yeah, I happen to be new here myself. Could you show me where this place on the map is?" Jordan took out a map and pointed at a specific location.

"Oh, I work there," Hilary replied.

"Cool, so could you lead the way to your workplace? I want to get a full view of the town with someone familiar." Jordan suggested.

"But where'd you get the map?"

"Last night, but I couldn't do much."

"Alright, I guess we can get going."

Hilary walked along while Jordan strolled beside her. He looked over and asked if they could use the trolley as a shortcut, but she refused, not liking the crowds and would instead exercise and walk. Jordan mentioned that she didn't have to say any more as they continued in silence.

Jordan noticed Hilary's head hung low as she had her hands in her pockets. By the time the two passed by The Midnight Delight, he broke the silence.

"Hey, is there something on your mind?"

"Well, do you feel like someone's watching us?" Hilary muttered.

"I'm sorry?" Jordan arched his eyebrows and tilted his head.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Even though lots of people surround you, you feel someone's watching you, and you don't even know who it is that's doing it? And you want to stop them, but don't know how?"

After thinking about it, Jordan's eyes widened. "Now that you mention it, yeah."

"Or, if you at least feel like you're doing similar things over and over?" Hilary continued.

"Wait; what?" Jordan questioned, taken aback by that comment. "Why are you asking me?"

"Well..." Hilary stepped closer to the mat of the market and turned away from Jordan. "I just felt like we've met somewhere before and that you'd understand what I meant. But I guess I was wrong."

"I'm sorry," Jordan muttered.

"It's alright."

.-.-.-.

Hilary and Jordan considered changing subjects when they entered the supermarket. However, the instant they did, Stanley walked over and greeted them.

"Hey Hilary, we got a new item in the store today." Stanley proclaimed. He pointed at a jukebox over by the corner of the store. "We just got that built here. It was the boss's idea."

"Ooh, how neat." Hilary clasped her hands in excitement. "Is Midnight Fireworks available?"

Stanley went over to check the song selection at the jukebox. He eyed on all the choices and sighed. "Doesn't seem like it."

"What about Obsession of my Imagination?"

"Oh, that's here."

"Sweet!"

Stanley put a quarter in the slot and played the song over the speakers so that everyone could hear it. Hilary announced to the workers that a new employer would work today. The boss said that he could be the cashier for today's shift.

As Jordan took the apron and headed over to work and the others scattered, he couldn't help but think about what Hilary said to him earlier. And about that Stanley guy, he didn't seem to be that bad of a guy, despite what the letter told him. Should he follow the plan or ignore it altogether? Could Stanley be hiding anything? No, Jordan should wait until he got more information before he jumped to conclusions and followed any unknown source. And he probably shouldn't let anyone else handle the situation but himself.

Work had gone by once again. Stanley cleaned up the place in overtime, Jordan and Hilary waved goodbye and left the market together. After a while, Hilary stopped in his tracks as she turned back to the store. Jordan also stopped and glanced at Hilary, wondering if something was wrong.

"Oh no, I forgot something," Hilary mentioned.

"Should we go back?" Jordan asked.

"I can get it myself; it's fine." Hilary waved it off. "You can go ahead without me." She headed back to the doors, leaving Jordan to stand there.

As he walked off, something wet hit his cheek; Jordan looked up at the sky, finding it to be snowing. He had no idea why it occurred at a time like this, wondering what season they were in now. Jordan went under the porch as the frigid wind brushed against his skin, giving him goosebumps and raising his arm hairs.

Jordan checked his watch, wondering how long Hilary would take to get what she had to in the store. He peeked through the windows to find her, but only saw Stanley mopping the floors away. Jordan waited so long; his eyes drifted off as his mind went elsewhere, slumping against the wall and resting. He soon snapped himself out of the state, wondering how much time had passed since then.

He rushed back to the store, startling Stanley in the process. "Hey, you." He spoke up.

"You're still here?" Stanley inquired.

"Yes. Do you know if Hilary's still here?"

"No, she just left not too long ago. I don't know where she went, maybe back home?"

She left while I was...? "Ok, see you later."

"Why do you ask—?" Stanley turned to ask, only to find Jordan had already left. His confused gaze slowly turned to a suspicious squint. What could he be up to at this hour?