Chapter 9

"AHHHHHHH!!!"

A piercing scream ripped from my throat.

The pain of my fingers being crushed.

Instantly shot through every nerve in my body.

My mind went completely blank.

My vision began to blur.

Tyler kept twisting his boot on my hand.

As if he were crushing a pathetic insect.

"Does it hurt?"

"Good!"

"That’s what you get for crossing Bianca!"

Blood.

Bright, hot blood.

Oozed from my crushed fingers.

Dripping onto the cold marble floor.

Like blooming red roses on snow.

My body convulsed in agony.

Cold sweat drenched my back.

Even my breath tasted like thick, copper blood.

My hand...

The hand I valued more than my own life.

Was completely ruined.

"Stop... please... stop..."

I gasped out, my voice trembling and weak.

But nobody showed a shred of mercy.

Victoria watched with cold indifference.

As if she were watching a boring movie.

Bianca stood behind Tyler.

A savage, triumphant smile playing on her lips.

"You brought this on yourself, Valerie."

"Aren't you a genius?"

"Let's see you hold a cup after this, let alone a violin!"