It was a routine she’d grown accustomed to—a comforting predictability in an often unpredictable world. As she hung up her coat and scarf, she glanced at the clock. 10:15 PM. Just over eight hours to go.
Julie poured herself a fresh cup of coffee from the breakroom pot, savoring its warmth against her hands. She’d been cutting back on caffeine lately, but during these long, cold shifts, coffee felt less like a habit and more like a survival tool.