Julie pushed open the heavy doors and stepped into the lobby, immediately greeted by the familiar scent of antiseptic and the low murmur of activity. A rush of warmth enveloped her, chasing away the chill that had settled deep in her bones during her walk.
The hospital had its usual late-night buzz, subdued but steady. A nurse hurried past with a clipboard, nodding in acknowledgment, while a janitor quietly worked on polishing the floors. Julie smiled faintly as she made her way to the nurse’s station.