Chapter 4 — Clash at Unidos da Aurora

Elena Ramirez

Elena stepped hesitantly into the Unidos da Aurora samba school, her senses immediately overwhelmed by the riot of activity and color. The painted murals on the walls—a kaleidoscopic retelling of past Carnivals—seemed to ripple in time with the pounding rhythms emanating from within. The air was thick with the mingling aromas of sweat, glue, and the faint sweetness of tropical flowers, creating an atmosphere that was both intoxicating and stifling. Her leather satchel hung heavily at her side, its familiar weight a lifeline in the chaos.