Back in his modest apartment, Ethan let out a sigh of relief as he shut the door behind him. The familiarity of his small living space wrapped around him like a warm blanket. He tossed his jacket onto the back of a chair, the pocket watch slipping from his pocket and landing quietly on the hardwood floor.
He made himself a cup of coffee, the bittersweet aroma filling the air as he mulled over his night shift. As the caffeine began to work its magic, something glinted from the corner of his eye. Ethan turned, spotting the pocket watch lying on the floor. A wave of curiosity washed over him as he knelt to pick it up.
The watch's intricate engravings seemed to shimmer in the morning light, and he felt a strange pull towards it. He turned it over in his hands, marveling at the craftsmanship and imagining the hands that had once held it.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed, jolting him back to reality. It was a text from his friend, Jake: "Any luck finding work? Let's grab a drink later!"
Ethan hesitated, staring at the watch, feeling an inexplicable connection to it. "Maybe I'll just stay in," he replied. He then placed it on his kitchen counter, trying to shake off the aura of mystery it exuded.
He decided to sleep late since tomorrow was a friday and it was somebody turn to take the night shift. Ethan did his best to distract himself with mundane tasks—cleaning his apartment, organizing his shelves of books, and fixing a squeaky door hinge.