Al Douglas sat in the dimly lit interrogation room, his hands clasped nervously on the table. The single bulb above cast harsh shadows on his face, emphasizing the lines of worry etched deeply into his features. He took a deep breath, his voice steady but laced with desperation as he confessed. "I embezzled two hundred thousand dollars," he admitted, his eyes darting to the detective across from him. "I lost it all... gambling, spending. It's gone."

The clang of metal gates echoed through the cold courtyard as Al was led into the prison. He squinted against the pale sunlight, his mind racing with thoughts of the money buried in what he believed was a secure location. Al knew he had to play the part of the model prisoner, counting the days until his release. "Five years," he whispered to himself, a mantra of hope and determination.

Al lay on his bunk, the chill of the cell creeping into his bones. Night after night, he replayed the moment he buried the money, each detail scrutinized and analyzed. Doubt gnawed at him. What if someone found it? What if the landscape changed? His heart pounded with fear. "I need to ensure it's safe," he muttered, his mind spiraling into obsession.

Al pored over the library books, seeking any knowledge that might secure his hidden fortune. He whispered to fellow inmates, trading favors for information about the outside world. As he orchestrated plans to check on the money, the risk of discovery loomed large. "I can't let them take it from me," he resolved, his eyes burning with intensity.

The day of Al's release finally arrived. Stepping out into the free world, he was struck by the changes. New buildings towered where old ones once stood, the landscape unrecognizable. Panic seeped into his relief. The world had moved on without him, leaving him adrift in its unfamiliarity. "Where do I even begin?" he wondered, his confidence shaken.

Al reached the spot where he had buried his treasure, only to find a public park in its place. Children played on swings, oblivious to the turmoil within him. He sank to his knees, the enormity of his miscalculation crashing down. The world had indeed changed, and his freedom was as elusive as ever. "What have I done?" he whispered, gazing at the vibrant life around him, a poignant reminder of the life he could no longer reclaim.