The hall trembled.
Cheering, shouting, stomping – muffled, but so loud that Lina felt the vibration deep in her chest.
Every blow that fell inside sounded as if it traveled through the floor into her, until her heart took on the same rhythm.
She pressed her hands against her ears, but it didn't help. The roar crept through every crack, vibrated through the air, crawled under her skin.
Even the rain outside seemed to fall in rhythm, as if the entire city was trembling along.
Beside her stood Giulia.
Relaxed, almost elegant, arms crossed, face half-caught in the flickering light.
In her eyes there was no shock – only a gleam.
A dangerous gleam, like that of people who are accustomed to chaos.
"You'll get used to it," she said calmly, without taking her eyes off the door.
"To this?" Lina's voice trembled, almost breaking under the noise.
"To the sound. At first it scares you. Later it's music."
"This isn't... music."
Giulia smiled thinly. "It is. For some people."
