Chapter 10

                                    

                                          
Despite the sound of the music, the dancing feet of the guests seemed to make a tune of their own. Couples swirled around in an elegant dance as gowns swirled and dress shoes tapped. For once in her life, Momo wished it would all stop. She wished it would all stop and see her fear. In a world where people had pink skin or more than one set of arms, she knew, it wasn't odd to see people with masks anymore. God, did she wish it was. Maybe then someone would see how forceful their dance was, how she was practically being dragged. She could barely hear the music over the pounding of her own heart, looking anywhere but up at the crudely painted face that stared down at her, almost smugly. She hadn't even had the chance to decline the dance before the next song played and she was spun to the floor, twirling around a man with so much blood on his hands that even though it wasn't there she could practically feel it staining her dress and dripping down her skin. Or maybe that was her sweat, caused by the tremble under her skin. She startled when the mangled voice she was held captive by spoke once more.
                          
"You're afraid," It sounded like the grinding of metal in her ears but she regretfully looked up, plastering an attempt at a carefree smile on her face. 
                          
"Why would I be afraid? You're just a stranger," She spoke as calmly as her panicking body would allow. Perhaps, she thought, if she gave no sign of her suspicion, she would be kept alive. That hope was short lived.
                          
"Am I? I think you know better than that, Momo Yaoyorozu," Never would she think her own name would send fear racing down her spine, but it had. His grip on her tightened, the hand holding hers threatening to snap her fingers as she felt bruises form on her hip. "Or do your classmates really not mean that much to you? Perhaps taking one more would spur that goody two shoes attitude," His tone was mocking and she could practically hear the smug smile hidden behind the painted cheer. A shrivel of rage wormed it's way into the fear but she knew better than to act upon it. If she really was to die this night, she would do the best she can to prevent it as long as possible. So, she remained silent, and anger boiled under her skin at the rumble in his chest. He was laughing at her. This murderer, this man- no this monster- was finding humor in her fear. In the deaths of those she cared for. She felt the music die away, and hope sprung into her chest as she made out the forms of the girls over to the side. However, the hand on her hip wrapped around her waist and pressed her flush against him. It was a warning. Someone would die tonight beside her if she were to move. Her breath paused in her throat, before she released it, her body, that was once trembling with fear, was now still with acceptance. Her heart seemed to slow, as if it knew too, what was to come. As they danced their way to the doors, their bodies hidden from view by the other dancers and mingling shadows, Momo let a single tear roll down her face as she was taken off into the night. Perhaps, one day, she would see them again. She hoped, however, that it would not be for a long, long time.