Ender closed his desk, releasing a tired huff of air, and spoke to a small shape in the doorway.
"I hadn't seen you, Bean. I must have been distracted."
"You weren't supposed to. You should pay more attention." Bean looked at with Ender an incomprehensible expression, and then shook his head. "It's early. Did you even go to bed?"
"No, I lost track of time." Ender sat his desk to the side. He started to speak again, "I was just--"
Bean's shadow had disappeared. Ender blinked, and ran to look into the hallway. It was empty.
"I was distracted."
