Where the Bridge Led-Part I

Vivian’s heart raced as she looked around. The smell of wood smoke drifted from clay chimneys, and children ran barefoot along the dirt road. She touched her phone, but there was no signal—only the strange silence of the place.

A woman carrying a basket of vegetables stopped and stared at her shiny jacket and sneakers. “You’re not from around here, are you?” she asked.

Vivian hesitated. “I… I think I’m lost.”

The woman guided her toward the village, where elders gathered under a tree, speaking in an old dialect. Every sound and sight felt like stepping into a storybook that had long been forgotten. Vivian realized she had crossed not just a bridge but also time itself.

She wondered, Should I search for the way back right now, or explore this place? The answer wasn’t clear, but her heart whispered that this adventure was only the beginning.

She chose to stay and explore. The villagers, though surprised by her clothes and phone, welcomed her with kindness. She listened to their stories, tasted fresh food, and felt the slow rhythm of life without noise or hurry. As the sun sank, the golden fields glowed, and laughter from children filled the evening air.

Vivian chose to stay for another day. The villagers welcomed her warmly, and she played with the children, who made toys from wood and leaves. She learned their songs sung without instruments, only laughter and clapping hands. There were no screens or machines or AI, only people, close and real; their smiles bright as the morning sun.

That night, she sat beside the fire, watching ember sparks rise into the dark sky. She felt like she belonged, yet part of her wondered how long she could remain. The bridge had carried her across time. Would it still bring her back? Just then, the elders warned her, “The bridge will soon vanish. You’d better hurry!”

The next morning, a storm gathered. Thunder rumbled. She felt torn between staying and leaving; yet saying goodbye to this lovely village would be the right thing to do, because she knew her parents would be so worried. Vivian arrived at the bridge as lightning flashed and thunder roared. She stepped forward. In a breath, the world shifted—and in a blink, everything changed.

Cars honked. Her phone buzzed, and riders on electric scooters zoomed past with their AirPods on. Vivian stood still, unsure if it had been a dream, yet the vivid memory of the village and its people lingered like treasure at the bottom of the ocean.

That evening, she sat at the dining table. Mom and Dad were both staring at their phones. The cereal in her bowl tasted strangely empty.

To be continued...

When Vivian crosses an old bridge, she enters a quiet village untouched by noise or screens—a lovely world filled with laughter, songs, and music. But as the storm rises and the bridge begins to fade, she realizes he distance between this timeless world and her own is greater than she ever imagined.

Part II of the story will be ready when it is ready!