9 Chapter Eight.

Sweat beaded at Ruby's forehead as she listened to Olivia shriek in pain.

Blood poured from the girls feet as she danced around on glass, never missing a beat to the music.

Nearby, Master stood with a whip in his hand, ready to strike whenever Olivia attempted to slow.

Davina stood motionless beside Ruby. She didn't shake nor cry. Her face held no emotion as she watched.

Ruby was almost baffled by her reaction. She couldn't even begin to understand how someone could become so broken.

The music finally began to slow before it cut off elegantly. Ruby pushed down the urge to run to Olivia as she collapsed, tears staining her cheeks.

Ruby flinched as the whip cracked, "My darling Olivia, your solo is over. And as beautiful as it was, it's Ruby's turn now!"

Ruby's gut turned at the words and Olivia began to drag herself across the floor, refusing to apply anymore pressure to her feet.

Master ran up to Ruby, almost like a happy child, excited to show off his new toy. He grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her to the center of the stage.

The music started out slow, but quickly sped up. Ruby began to shake as she couldn't bring herself to step on the shards of glass.

She heard the whip before she felt it. A searing pain slashed down her back and she arched her body.

Her knees began to buckle and she fought to stay upright as she sobbed.

"My dearest Ruby, don't make me hit you again," Master said, throwing the whip over his shoulder.

The skin on her back burned as she forced herself to step forward. The first piece of glass stabbed into her foot and she screamed out. Blood oozed from her wounds, making every step slippery.

Ruby struggled to breathe and found herself flinching when the whip cracked once again, but this time, it was only meant as a warning.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to twirl around the stage. The glass cut and embedded itself into her skin until she finally crumpled to the ground.

The music around her cut off abruptly and angry footsteps stomped towards her. "You're solo was not over, Ruby!"

She covered her ears against the screaming, "I'm sorry."

When she finally glanced up, all enjoyment on Masters face was gone. He glared down at her, seeming to hold his tongue, "It's okay. But only this time."

With all her arm strength, she pulled herself away from the stage center, towards where Olivia sat, picking at the glass stuck in her feet.

Olivia looked at her with pity when she approached, "Let me help you with that." She took Ruby's foot and placed it gently in her lap. Ruby bit her lip, drawing blood, as she felt the glass being pulled from her skin.

The music started up again and she watched Davina as a distraction. No tears leaked from her eyes and her face held no emotion as she danced perfectly around the stage. Her blood smeared across the wooden floors, but Davina truly didn't seem to notice. Or care.

She was honestly nothing more then a living skeleton.