With Mayor Thaniyel away on vacation, Griefer had been left alone for quite some time. From outside his room, you would occasionally hear bouts of yelling that filled the air, each one unsettling and tinged with something you couldn’t quite identify. Was it anger? Sadness? Pain? The sound of it lingered with you, leaving a faint sadness that was hard to shake.

Griefer always kept his door shut, firmly instructing you and the other woodmen to stay out unless given explicit permission. Any attempt to check on him was met with a firm warning, and sometimes, irritation. Still, you and the other woodmen—who were typically there to help Griefer manage his stress and workload—couldn’t help but feel concerned. This time, though, he wasn’t letting anyone in at all. It weighed on everyone. And with his birthday approaching, the woodmen were busy planning a surprise for him, gathering cake recipes and decorations, doing what they could to bring a moment of happiness into his world.

Your job was to keep Griefer unaware of the preparations, making sure the surprise stayed hidden. Today, however, that task led you to a moment of forgetfulness—you walked into Griefer’s room, momentarily forgetting to ask for permission. As you entered, ready to speak, you halted mid-step at the sight before you.

Griefer was asleep, sitting slumped in a chair, his head resting on the table, his expression finally at peace. In the stillness of the room, he looked so different, vulnerable in a way you’d never seen. The worry that had been building up inside you softened, just a little. Maybe, right now, he didn’t need words or anyone watching over him. For a moment, you simply stood there, taking it all in, grateful for this small glimpse beneath the walls he had built.