The evening sky stretched across the horizon in hues of burnt orange and deep purple, the last rays of sunlight fading into the promise of night. Axel stood near the office's main entrance, bidding goodbye to his colleague, a polite smile fixed on his face. His colleague, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a jovial laugh, patted Axel on the back as they exchanged a few parting words.
"Good work today, Axel," the man said, chuckling. "Let's hope tomorrow's easier on us, eh?"
Axel let out a short laugh, nodding. "Let's hope so. Have a good night."
As the man walked away, Axel's smile lingered for a brief moment before fading entirely. The lightness in his laugh and the warmth in his expression evaporated, replaced by a cold mask. He turned on his heel and headed toward his car. The parking lot was dimly lit, shadows pooling beneath the cars.
