After everything Ari had endured, it was no wonder he preferred a life of solitude. Crowded places overwhelmed him, and the serenity of the mountains offered the peace he longed for. Here, far from the reach of others, no one could disturb him. The quiet was a comfort, the isolation a shield. As he prepared for bed, the sudden sound of a knock at the door startled him. Ari froze, pressing his ear against the cold wood.

"Who’s there?" he called out, his voice barely above a whisper.

It was strange, who would visit him, especially in the dead of night? A mix of curiosity and unease tugged at him. Hesitantly, Ari unlatched the door. Immediately he could sense that the man was rather tall and probably freezing. Without a second thought, Ari stepped aside and hurried the stranger inside.