The shot still echoed when silence fell like a hammer.

The sound rolled through the room, rattling inside Noa’s skull until it felt like the walls themselves were breathing. His ears rang, shrill and relentless, drowning out even the shouts, the scrape of boots, the hiss of breath. The world narrowed into vibration and blood.

His palms pressed into shards. The glass bit deep, sharp edges slicing across his skin. Warmth smeared under his hands, streaking the floor, but the pain barely broke ...