The hotel was quiet in the early morning hours, with only a few staff members moving about their duties.

Ben, Evelyn, and Liliya met Ed in the hallway and took the elevator down to the tenth floor, where they found the gym to be completely empty.

"This is nice, having the place to ourselves," Ben said as he checked out the machines.

Ed nodded and moved to an open area of mats, where he began his stretches.

Ben joined him and felt the morning creakiness slowly leaving his joints. He wasn't as young as Ed, after all.

He looked at the young man doing his best not to stare at...