What came to mind, as I read yours story, Peggy Lee singing, "Is That All There Is?"

In a way both the song and your story have a hint of nihilism. Really, what's the point of going forward or looking back. Nothing changes, in the end. Nothing makes a difference. Looking back, looking forward, standing still: the condition is the same. Alone.

On another level, I once wrote a book about a vampire (ha, ha, ha) who was a bit of a nihilist until he found compassion. In affecting a change in someone's life, even a small change, he found meaning. Time didn't stand still, but the moments of his life had significance.

Thanks for the prompt that led my mind in different directions (my mind often strays in different directions).