By day, Adrian was always on the move. Meetings, deadlines, phone calls—his life was a blur of constant activity. He was good at what he did, but his temper was short, and his patience even shorter. If something went wrong, he wasn’t shy about raising his voice or snapping at those around him. People in the office avoided him when they could, except for Emma, the new team member who seemed immune to his moods.

One afternoon, Adrian and Emma clashed over a project. She had made a suggestion he didn’t agree with, and his sharp words left her visibly flustered. As Emma walked away quietly, Adrian felt a pang of guilt, but he shook it off. “She’ll get over it,” he muttered.

That evening, as always, Adrian escaped to the forest near his home. It was the only place where he could breathe, where the constant demands of life seemed to fade. He followed a narrow trail lit by moonlight, the crunch of leaves under his boots blending with the gentle chirping of crickets. The forest, with its soft rustling branches and distant hoot of an owl, felt like it belonged to him alone.

Adrian sat on a fallen log, listening to the rhythmic symphony of nature. “The forest sleeps,” he whispered, leaning back to gaze at the stars through the canopy. Here, in the quiet embrace of the woods, he could let his guard down. There was no need to rush, no one to yell at, no expectations to meet. Just the calming sounds of a world at rest.

The next day at work, Adrian noticed Emma avoiding him. She didn’t meet his eyes during meetings or stop by his desk to ask questions like she used to. For reasons he couldn’t quite explain, it bothered him. That night, as he walked the forest trail, her face lingered in his thoughts. He wondered if he should apologize, but the thought made him uneasy.

To his surprise, the next evening, Emma showed up at his desk just as he was packing up. “Can I talk to you for a moment?” she asked, her voice calm.

Adrian nodded, unsure of what to expect.

“I’ve heard you go to the forest at night,” Emma said. “Why?”

Adrian blinked, startled. “It helps me relax. Why do you ask?”

She hesitated. “I’ve been feeling... overwhelmed. I thought maybe it could help me too.”

Adrian didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t used to people asking to share his private escape, but something about Emma’s expression made him nod. “Alright. Meet me there at eight.”

That night, they walked the trail in silence at first. Adrian felt self-conscious, but Emma seemed content, her eyes scanning the trees and her ears tuned to the sounds of the forest.

“It’s beautiful,” she said softly as they reached the log where Adrian usually sat. “I never realized how peaceful it is at night.”

Adrian nodded. “It’s the only time the world feels... quiet.”

They sat side by side, listening to the gentle hum of insects and the whisper of the wind. After a while, Adrian cleared his throat. “Emma, about the other day—I was out of line. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.”

Emma glanced at him, surprised. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

Adrian exhaled, feeling a weight lift. “I’ve been so caught up in everything that I forget to slow down. Coming here helps, but I think... I need to carry that calm with me, not just leave it here.”

Emma smiled. “It’s not easy to slow down. But I think you’re right. Maybe it starts with noticing people more.”

Adrian nodded. “Not just noticing. Appreciating.” He glanced at her. “I see how hard you work. And I appreciate it.”

Emma looked away, but not before Adrian caught the hint of a smile on her face.

The next morning, Adrian walked into the office feeling different. He didn’t rush from one task to the next, and he greeted Emma warmly, earning a genuine smile in return. That night, as he walked the forest trail alone, he felt lighter. The forest was still his sanctuary, but now, he saw it as a place to reflect—not just escape.

When the forest sleeps, Adrian realized, it’s not about running away from life. It’s about learning how to meet it with kindness and grace. And as he listened to the soothing sounds around him, he smiled, knowing he was finally learning to see people, not just talk at them.