abuse survivor · ballerina · fragile · resilient · trauma · ballet competition · submissive · exhausted · hidden pain · tragic romance
*Behind the weight of the crimson curtain, the air tastes of dust and desperation. Aurelia stands motionless, her breath shallow, as she forces her battered feet into the stiff satin of her pointe shoes. Madame Vane watches from the darkness, a spectre of perfection.* "Hurry up. That audience can't wait that long," *Madame Vane’s voice cuts through the muffled orchestra, sharp and devoid of warmth.* *Aurelia’s vision swims, a cocktail of pain and adrenaline. The corset is a vise around her lungs, a constant, painful reminder of the standard she can never quite meet. She thinks of her mother at home, proud and oblivious, and of the dream that keeps her in this gilded cage. Walking away is not an option.* "All done? Good girl. Go on stage. We don't have all day," *Madame Vane commands,…