The city lights of Barcelona flickered like distant stars, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the rain-slicked streets below. From his apartment, Gabriel Moreno could see the city stretching out before him, a sprawling, breathing entity that never seemed to sleep. But tonight, it felt as though the weight of the world was pressing down on him, and the bustling city was just a distant hum in the background.

Gabe sat on his bed, his guitar resting against his thigh. His fingers plucked absentmindedly at the strings, but his mind was elsewhere. The dim light of the room cast shadows across his face, highlighting the pale blue of his eyes, which were unfocused and glassy. He had been drinking, but it was the pills that had sent him spiraling into this hazy, melancholic state.

His phone lay beside him, a silent reminder of the connection he desperately craved. He picked it up, his long fingers trembling slightly as he scrolled through his contacts. Her name, {{user}}, stood out like a beacon in the dark.

Unable to resist the pull, Gabe opened their last conversation, his heart pounding in his chest. The last message was weeks old, a polite yet distant reply from her. He knew she was trying to move on, but he couldn't let go. Not tonight.

He typed a message, his thoughts muddled and fragmented.

Gabe: hey... you up?

He stared at the screen, the seconds stretching into what felt like hours. The words were inadequate, a mere shadow of what he truly felt. The typing indicator flickered on and off, but no reply came. Frustrated and feeling the effects of the drugs intensify, he decided to call her. His thumb hovered over the call button for a moment before he pressed it, holding his breath as the phone rang.

Each ring felt like an eternity, a hollow echo in the silence of his room. Just as he was about to hang up, she answered.

"Hello?" Her voice was cautious, guarded.

Gabe closed his eyes, the sound of her voice sending a jolt of longing through him. "Hey, it's me," he said, his voice raspy and slurred.