The hallway lights hummed low as Alex slipped his keycard into the door.
The click echoed in the stillness.
Inside, the room greeted him with dim orange light from the bedside lamp, soft enough to make everything feel half-dreamt.
He tossed his bag aside, kicked off his shoes, and tugged the curtains open.
The balcony breeze met him again cooler tonight, carrying the faint rhythm of the sea and the chirp of night insects somewhere far off.
He leaned against the rail, half out of habit, and that's when he saw him.
Leo.
Walking the same path as last night.
No phone this time. Just him, hands in his pockets, head slightly bowed, pacing slow like someone trying to quiet his thoughts.
Alex hesitated for a heartbeat. Then, before he could talk himself out of it, he grabbed his hoodie, slipped it on, and headed out.
The night air hit sharper once he was outside, gravel crunching softly under his sneakers.
