The night air was thick and humid, carrying a faint scent of jasmine from the garden below. Andrew stepped out onto the balcony of his apartment, the city lights glittering like scattered jewels across the horizon. He pulled the door closed behind him with a quiet click, shutting out the muffled sounds of the party happening inside. The cool breeze was a welcome contrast to the stifling tension that had built inside him over the past days. He lit a cigarette and took a slow drag, watching the glowing ember flicker in the darkness. The familiar burn of tobacco soothed his nerves somewhat, but his mind was anything but calm.