By the time security approached, the lobby was thick with unease—watchful employees, a slumped girl, a father glued to his phone, every detail hinting at something wrong. But calm questions revealed a different truth: a 12-hour drive after a grueling tournament, traffic delays, and two people simply exhausted. No danger, no secret—just fatigue. Apologies followed, relief set in, and the moment became a quiet reminder that real safety depends on both vigilance and compassion.
