"Lights! It's too dark here!"
As Link and Selena walked by, a beam of light fell onto the bottom of the stage, illuminating the front row of the audience.
West and a few others were engaged in a lively conversation with MJ below, surrounding him like starstruck younger brothers meeting their leader, their eyes filled with intense admiration and eagerness.
Link glanced at MJ amidst the crowd, tall and slender, wearing a black fedora, a curl of hair hanging over his forehead, and sunglasses, looking as cool as he did in his music videos.
While talking to West and the others, he gently patted West's arm, wearing a friendly smile on his face.
But his complexion was unnaturally pale, his facial contours rigid, with high cheekbones and sunken cheeks, resembling a white mask.
Link felt Selena's grip on his hand tighten a bit, he chuckled softly, put his arm around her shoulders, and quickly walked over.