Chapter 4

I reached Asheville at midnight, only to find all nearby hotels fully booked due to peak tourist season. The sole available option was a hostel, offering just a spot in the common area for overnight stays.

I decided to settle for the night and sort things out in the morning. The hostel had self-check-in, so I used the provided address and password to enter. It was a modest two-story building with four rooms upstairs - two for men and two for women, each accommodating six people. The ground floor housed a common area and shared spaces like a kitchen.

Upon entering, I found the common room empty, though I could faintly hear chatter from above. Exhausted and without luggage, I skipped freshening up and crashed on the couch, still dressed.

Surprisingly, despite my usual insomnia and nightmares at home, I slept soundly in this unfamiliar setting. I woke up at 6 AM, with the upper floor still quiet.

Unable to sleep more, I got up for some water. As I turned, I noticed a man at the dining table near the door. He looked familiar, but I couldn't place him.

Seeing me, he smiled and introduced himself, "Hi, I'm Nicola. I own this place."

"Oh, hello. I'm Amelia," I replied with a nod.

His gentle features were softened by the early morning light.

"Hello, Amelia. You haven't checked in yet, right?"

"No, customer service said I could stay overnight and check in when staff arrived."

Nicola smiled. "The volunteers are out, and I'm still in City A. I'll help you check in now."

I agreed, and after completing the process, I sat on the sofa with hot water, observing my surroundings. The space was cozy and functional, with scattered suitcases and a large dining table filled with power strips.

Curious, I asked Nicola why he opened a hostel.

He explained his backpacking experiences and desire to create a welcoming space for travelers like his younger self. He offered me freshly ground coffee with a sun-shaped foam pattern.

Recalling his earlier comment about being in City A, I expressed concern about the lack of staff and potential risks.

Nicola laughed, revealing he had been working yesterday and flew in for his day off. He explained that volunteers run the place in exchange for accommodation.

Impressed by his business model, I asked if he worried about problems.

"We solve issues as they arise," he said, explaining his guest policy for under-30s and the typical reasons people choose hostels - students, young professionals seeking new experiences, and job seekers.

"We must believe there are more good people than bad," he concluded.

This left me pondering: Are there truly more good people in the world? What about those around me?