The sound echoed longer than it should have. Sharp. Jarring. Out of place. Milo flinched violently. His small body pressed tighter against Arjun’s neck, nails digging into fabric as his head snapped toward the source of the noise. “Hey—easy,” Arjun said quickly, lowering his voice. “It’s alright.” But Milo wasn’t listening. His breathing changed. Fast. Uneven. Panic.
Arjun felt it immediately. “Clear some space,” he called out, shifting his stance. “Give him room.” A few people stepped back. Not enough. The noise of the crowd didn’t fade—it grew. Questions. Movement. Confusion. Too much. Milo climbed higher onto Arjun’s shoulder, gripping tighter, his entire body tense.
For a brief moment he froze. Then something else clanged in the distance. Not as loud. But enough. Milo jerked. And leapt. Straight off Arjun’s shoulder. “Milo—!” Arjun lunged forward, arms outstretched. But he caught nothing. Only air. Milo hit the top railing hard, scrambling wildly for balance, hands hitting against metal. The crowd recoiled. Gasps rippled outward. Arjun moved fast. “Stay back!” he shouted. But Milo wasn’t staying. He couldn’t.
His eyes darted wildly and then he jumped again.