The music pounds out with bravado.

Bodies sway and move as music fills the air.

The pounding of the heart in sync with the notes.

Suddenly a different noise pierces the night.

A terrible, chilling staccato.

Pop, pop, pop, goes the gun.

Thud, thud, thud goes the bodies.

Screaming, screaming, screaming.

The screams vibrate within and without.

Shock replaces the laughter.

Pain overwhelms the soul.

Ice chills the blood.

Not again.

Not again.

Not again.

Broken bodies.

Moans of pain.

Tears fall like rain.

What was there to gain?

The differences no longer matter.

United once more under the banner of tragedy.

The echoing of the pain remains.

The echoing of a final breath haunts the stage.

The echoing of the pounding heartbeat forever whispers the names of the dead.