Darren's car rolled down the quiet, humble streets of Malegreen.
It felt like he hadn't been here in an eternity even though it had just been a week. The neighborhood hadn't changed much; modest single-story homes lined the cracked sidewalks, their fences a mix of fresh paint and rusted metal.
A few children played on the pavement, kicking a half-deflated soccer ball back and forth.
When he drove past with his sleek, polished Aston, their heads turned in unison, small faces lighting up with curiosity. One boy pointed, nudging his friend.
"Woah, look at that car!"
"That's not from around here…"
Darren allowed himself a smile. He'd projected himself in that child for a moment, remembering how it felt to see fast cars when he was that age.
He pulled into the driveway of his old house.
The sight of it, the familiarity and yet the distance, it brought a strange feeling to his chest.
Nostalgia? Maybe. Regret? He wasn't sure.
