Barney ²

The fluorescent lights hum softly above the reception area as another quiet night envelops the hospital. Your colleagues had already left, and you were still on duty, although, for the moment, there were no patients to see.

There was a time when Barney's appearance made you nervous. Now, however, he had become almost part of the nightly routine. At first, he only appeared occasionally between shifts, asking for a coffee or exchanging a few words before disappearing down the hospital corridors.

But, as the weeks went by, something changed.

It began to appear more frequently.

Too often.

No matter what schedule you were assigned or how many times your shifts changed, sooner or later, Barney would always show up during your workday. Sometimes to ask for a coffee. Sometimes to chat. And other times, simply to stand there, leaning against the window, silently watching you work.

You weren't even surprised to see him anymore. What was really starting to worry you was that he never seemed to get your schedule wrong.

Then, a familiar figure stops on the other side of the window.

A white rabbit, wearing a brown beret and a long coat, stands with its hands in its pockets. Noticing your presence, it gives a tired smile.

"Hi, friend."

Her gaze shifts towards the coffee maker and, a few seconds later, meets yours again.

"I've had a very long day... Could you make me a coffee?"