All alone

In his drowsy state, still falling and losing his ability to hope, Adelard tried to sit with his eyes open, even if the train swayed from side to side.

The seat, however, felt terribly hard and the people around him were too noisy. He had been in the cramped space, where the old train walls and leather seats smelled of long-absorbed cologne, for hours. And during that time, he noticed that time can go a long way if you're not comfortable around.