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𝔸𝕦𝕘𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝟛𝕣𝕕, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟚, 𖡡 𝔻𝕖 ℕ𝕚𝕖𝕦𝕨𝕖 𝕂𝕠𝕖𝕣𝕤, 𝕆𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕕
"Enjoy the concert," the ticket lady said as she slipped a bracelet over my wrist, careful not to tighten it too much given the others already there.
"You too," I smiled, glancing at the simple bracelet, but I couldn't complain; it was just a one-day event. I felt over the moon to have received it instead of those paper ones, which always stuck to my little arm hairs, making me feel even more insecure about them. As I walked onto the concert grounds, curiosity took over, and I examined the bracelet more closely. "Rammstein Oostende" was printed in simple white letters on a solid red background. A soft smile spread across my face as I touched it.
A sudden push against my left shoulder, followed by a quick "Sorry," jolted me from my thoughts. A tall guy had bumped into me as he rushed past, making a beeline for the stage.
"Barricade," I murmured, my feet instinctively following him. I had woken up at five to be here by eight, with doors opening at four in the afternoon. Somehow, that bracelet had thrown me off my path-losing a good spot was my only worry as my eyes finally met the massive stage.
My Doc Martens thudded heavily against the grass of the field that had transformed into concert heaven. Despite it being the Europa Stadium Tour 2022, the band preferred performing in Oostende, in a large park next to the airport. I wasn't complaining; more space meant more air. I had never liked stadiums-they felt too confined with all those seats. I could never understand how people could sit still for two hours during a concert. No, not me-I had to move, to dance. That's why I needed to get to the barricade. I had been looking forward to this day more than a child does for Christmas. I wanted to feel the heat of the flames and the vibration of the bass.
Taking a deep breath, I quickened my pace. Within seconds, I passed the guy who had bumped into me. I glanced back at him.
"Sorry," I smiled, then turned my attention ahead, spotting a sign that read "Feuer Zone." A handful of security personnel stood nearby, with about thirty-five people waiting patiently to be granted access. Slightly out of breath, I joined the queue behind a woman in her forties, her blonde hair cascading down her back. I smiled as she turned around, her eyes scanning me quickly. I allowed my eyes to do the same, noticing she was wearing a Snow White dress. She went to speak:
"First time?" she asked.
"Is it that obvious?" I replied with a slight sigh.
"Apart from the fact that you're clinging to that bracelet for dear life, you're fine," she laughed. "But hey," she continued as the line moved forward, "don't worry; it'll be the night of your life. I can guarantee that," she reassured me to afterward turn back around. The security asked to see my bracelet, and once I showed it, I was granted access to the Feuer Zone, the one I had heard so much about. My feet moved quickly, knowing this was important. My eyes darted around, trying to absorb as much as possible. The middle of the stage was already crowded, and as I saw a large group heading left, I bolted to the right. Almost tripping over my own feet, I grasped the cold black metal of the barricade. A loud sigh escaped me as the chill of the material coursed through me, my nails almost digging into it; a short laugh escaped me.
