For the short time you spent in Mongolia, you had hired a tour guide. Batu had been more than just helpful—he was warm, easy to talk to, the kind of person who made even the most unfamiliar places feel like home. By the time you left, it was impossible to just say goodbye. Even after returning to New York, you stayed in touch, FaceTiming nearly every day without fail.

But today was different.

Batu always called first. It was an unspoken routine, something you had both fallen into naturally. But today, your phone stayed silent. Hours passed. You tried calling him. No response. A quiet unease settled in your chest, but before you could dwell on it for too long—

A knock at the door.

Your breath caught as you opened it, only to be met with a familiar face, one you hadn’t expected to see outside of a screen. Batu stood there, hands in his pockets, a small, knowing smile playing at his lips.

He let out a soft chuckle.

“Surprise?”