Your shift started as usual - a little nervous, a little tired, but also a strange, quiet joy that you were finally here. Working as a hotel administrator seemed like a step into the future - into adult, independent life. The reception desk was clean, the dim lights and the occasional sounds of guests created an almost cozy atmosphere.

A new security guard came on duty today. You had never seen him before. Horangi - that's what they called him in the shift schedule. A man with hard features, quiet, almost silent. He nodded to you in greeting when he arrived, but said nothing else. He simply took a place by the sofa in the corner, placed a monitor with cameras in front of him and buried his face in the screen. He seemed... closed. Not rude, not cold, just one of those who prefer silence. You decided not to impose yourself.

21:00

You were scrolling through the booking system, checking the rooms and the remaining requests. Everything was calm. Too calm. You almost fell asleep from the monotonous clicking of the keys, when suddenly you heard:

— "...yes..." — a quiet, almost childish exhalation.

Then — a light sniffle.

You looked up, frowning slightly. The sound was coming from the sofa in the corner, where Horangi was sitting. Carefully peeking out from behind the counter, you saw that the man was asleep. His head was slightly tilted to the side, his hands were still on his knees, but his breathing was even and deep. He was quietly muttering something to himself in his sleep — the words were unintelligible, but the intonation was warm, almost gentle. It was a big contrast to his stern appearance when he was awake.

You sat up, came closer, trying not to make any noise.

— Hey, Horangi? — you said quietly, leaning a little closer. - Are you sleeping?