The city never sleeps.

She turns her head, her dark hair flying over her shoulders, spinning on the heels of her new sneakers. She abandons the tall broom to look at the visitor. Her eyes are a touch red, but her weary smile doesn't fail to shine through the darkness of the night. Rubbing her eyes, she musters her peppiest voice.

"Welcome! Is there anything I can get you?" The boy smiles slightly, unraveling his tight scarf from around his neck while staring at the list of items on the cocoa-colored board. His fingers play with the ends of the scarf, the strings of yarn which wrap around his long fingers. His coffee skin glows in the generous lamps above the pastries.

After a few seconds of tense silence, his soft voice breaks the silence of the room. It is remarkably clear yet reserved as he asks for a small coffee. Her fingers dance over the register, hitting upon the time-worn keys with a fiery passion.

"So what's your name?" she asks as he hands the exact change for the drink from his worn hands to her dainty and meticulous ones.

He stays silent for a moment before answering. "Sam."

She writes his name on the cup, despite him being the only one in the cafe. Everyone had already retreated to the warmth of their beds while she volunteered to work the late shift again. The cafe's solitude was perfect - the way the ceiling lights cast dramatic shadows upon the oversized armchairs and bar stools, the way the pictures on the wall never seemed to lose their vibrancy, and the way the refulgence of the splendiferous moon radiated on her safe haven.

But everything seemed to be more perfect with another.

It is a minute of comforting silence, the only sound being the noise of the machines whirring, creating a rich, steamy concoction perfect for warming the iciest of hearts.

She hands it to him.

He stutters a "thanks" before biting his chapped lip for a moment, staring in wonder at the drink he holds. "Is there an opening here? For a job?"

She freezes, her eyes shifting to his serious expression. "Yes, there is. We're currently short on staff at the moment."

"So... um... who do I call?"

She pulls out her phone, finds a contact by the name of "Vidya" and scrawls it on a napkin. She holds it up.

"This is the boss's name. Tell her Leah sent you."

A smile bubbles up from his murky expression, his eyes softening. He briskly walks to the door, smiling to himself and humming the tune of an ever familiar song.

He stops at the door.

"Thank you, Leah."

He bounds off the steps to the safe haven and into the depths of the perilous mind, leaving an unwilling smile on Leah Attias' lips.