ššš¢š„š¢šš”
The music shifted again into something sharp and demanding. Veronique spun me out, and I barely kept my footing. My body screamed in protest, every joint aching from the force she used.
I tried to find my balance, tried to anticipate her next move, but she was too fast, too brutal. Each step was punishment dressed as performance.
My vision blurred at the edges. The crowd, the lights, the music, it all bled together into overwhelming noise.
I felt hands dragging me down, my mind devolving into chaos.
I could string two thoughts together enough to anticipate her next move. I found myself in a rushing river, forced by its currect and heading towards the rocks.
Then I stalledā
For just a whisper of a second
Because I felt it.
A hum. Low and steady, resonating through my chest like a tuning fork struck against bone.
Neither sound, not something enough to startle me still it was tangible enough to hold some familiarity. It was presence.
