A Tap Against the Mesh

Silence surrounded me, broken only by a faint electrical hum from the signs behind. My gloved fingers twitched. With a steady, measured motion, I loosened my grip on the microphone handle and tapped its metal mesh with an index finger. A sharp, crisp resonance clicked softly in the cold air. It wasn't painted on or frozen in place—my hands moved, and the metal answered. I drew the microphone close to my chest once more, planting my boots firmly on the damp ground, listening intently to the quiet echo.