Every single second of the list game was pure agony for Ruby, and she was fairly certain that she wasn't the only one who felt that way. Mary's cheerful laughter echoed through the stillness as dozens of dolls fell to the ground and broke. Ruby tried to shut out the awful laughter as it mixed with the screams of the dying dolls. She practically held her breath for the entire game. Somehow this was even worse and more terrifying than the mirror game or hide and seek. Unlike those games here she was at the mercy of Mary.
But Ruby knew that there was nothing she could do but grit her teeth and wait for the awful, awful thing to end. The minutes dragged themselves by as Mary's voice drilled itself into Ruby's head. Ruby never thought that hearing the words 'We're done, now you can put away the lists and draw your daggers!' would make her feel comforted. But that announcement from Mary made her want to collapse to the ground in a puddle of joy.
Ruby opened her eyes and glanced around, barely daring to look. Her whole body relaxed when she saw that Ivy, Mia, and Blossom were unharmed. Now all that they needed to do was make it through this round and the evening list game. But Ruby knew that was much easier said than done. At least she had more power and strength now. That was something.
The dagger gleamed in the bright sunlight. Silver and gold glistened and gleamed as Ruby examined her blade. It was strange to think that something used for killing could be so beautiful. Someone out there in the world had put a lot of time and effort into making this deadly weapon look like a treasure. Hopefully, they had also put a lot of effort into making it a sturdy and effective weapon. Ruby took a few steps towards Ivy and Mia. Maybe if she just stayed close to them things would work out. She could find somewhere safe to hide and fix them when they were hurt. Then she could leave the killing to Ivy. That way she would still be helpful, but with minimal murder.
"Stay close to us," Ivy whispered. Ruby smiled. That was exactly what she had been hoping Ivy would say.
"How do you think this game will work?" asked Ruby. She didn't know why she was asking. There was probably no way for Ivy to know the answer. But Ruby needed to say something. She needed to fill the awful silence before Mary gave her instructions with something. Ivy shrugged and let out a sigh.
"I don't know. If I were to guess it will be just like the mirror game but without the mirrors. Mary has creative ideas sometimes. But she also just gives us weapons and tells us to kill each other sometimes." Perhaps Mary was feeling less creative today.
"That sounds more exciting than the list game," Mia piped up.
"Mia, you're going to stay close to Ruby and listen to her. Do what she tells you, okay?" Ivy said firmly.
"But that's not fair! What are you going to do while we hide?" Mia whined.
"Kill other dolls, and protect you." Ivy's answer was far blunter than Ruby had expected it to be. There was a pause. Then Mia asked a question that caught Ruby off guard.
"Do you enjoy killing dolls, Ivy? You do a lot of killing," Mia asked. Ivy glanced down at her dagger.
"No. I'm not a total monster. I don't mind it, and I do it when I have to. But I do not enjoy it. I guess you could say that I've gotten used to it."
"Why can't I help you fight, Ivy?"
"Shh, listen," Ivy hissed. Mary was speaking again.
"A timer will be set, and the game will begin! You may hide and attack. Extra points will be given each time you take down another doll. The only rule is no powers!" Mary said. Drat. Ruby's shoulders slumped. Well, she felt totally helpless now. What good were her healing powers? In fact, what good was she at all without them? She would just have to focus on hiding. Mia reached out and took hold of Ruby's hand. Ruby gripped it firmly. Focus. Don't panic. Be fast. Hide. Protect Mia.
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"You take care of her," Ivy whispered. Ruby swallowed and nodded. She would at least try. Ivy drew out her dagger, her eyes glowing with focus as she did so.
"Alright! Here... we... GO!" Mary called.
"This isn't fair!" Mia muttered as Ruby grabbed her hand and began pulling her along.
"Stay close," Ruby ordered.
"But I want to go help Ivy!"
"Shh, stay quiet, Mia," Ruby hissed. There were those familiar shouts and cries and screams filling the air again. She could already hear the sound of footsteps following her. Someone had spotted them and recognized them as easy points. That was what Blossom had called Mia, right? Where was Blossom? Was she doing okay? Blossom needed to make it through this round. They all needed to make it out alive. The footsteps were growing closer now. Someone was right behind them.
Ruby shoved Mia behind her and spun around to face their attacker. She raised her dagger to strike, but Ivy beat her to it. The doll was shoved to the ground and smashed to pieces in an instant. Without any hesitation, Ivy flung herself at another doll. Ruby didn't wait around to see how that fight ended. She charged onward. Her eyes searched the nearby streets for an old house or building to hide in. Maybe they could get onto one of the roofs. That would be both safe and hidden. But they'd have to make their way through an entire building first.
Ruby dashed towards the nearest apartment that she saw, tugging Mia along with her. They were going to make it through this. They had to. The apartment was just as dark as Ruby's was. The girls rushed through one really long hallway and began climbing the stairs.
"We're going all the way to the very top," whispered Ruby. Mia was dragging her feet. There was no time for sulking.
"Put me down Ruby! If you don't put me down right now, I won't ever play hide and seek with you ever again!" Mia shouted at the top of her lungs. The whole city probably knew where they were now.
"Please hold still! If you keep squirming, I might drop you by mistake," Ruby gasped out. Mia was a lot heavier than she looked. But at least they were moving faster now. Just a few more flights of stairs and they'd be at the top. Then all that they needed to do was find a way onto the roof.
"Let me go! I-I'll go faster, I promise!" Mia whined.
"Okay fine. But you'd better go fast!" Ruby said, setting Mia back down on the ground. Almost there.
Ruby sped around the corner and came face to face with another doll. She stumbled back just in time to avoid a blade.
"Run Mia, now!" To Ruby's surprise and delight, Mia obeyed her without complaining or asking any questions this time. Now Ruby could focus all of her attention on fighting. She couldn't afford to be kind or stupid right now. Ruby just had too much to live for at the moment. Mary had said no powers. But she also hadn't said that they needed to use the daggers. Ruby firmly gripped her dagger and flung herself at the doll.
Using all her strength, Ruby lashed out, kicking the doll back as hard as she could. She had made a good call. Caught off guard, the doll stumbled back, receiving the full force of Ruby's blows. Now Ruby could feel the extra strength that the reward had given her. Each strike carried five times more power than Ruby had expected. She wasn't used to feeling so strong. Cracks exploded across the doll as she collapsed to the ground. Ruby found herself raising her dagger for the final blow. Why was she doing this? She didn't want to.
"No!" The doll screamed, covering her face with her hands. Ruby froze. That cry, so sharp and desperate, cut through Ruby. Every inch of the doll's face was full of fear. Her whole body was shaking. This girl wasn't a threat to Ruby. For once, Ruby had more power than her enemy.
"Stop!" A new voice called out. Ruby spun around to see another doll standing there, holding Mia down. Ruby didn't see a blade in the girl's hands. "Don't hurt her," the girl yelled. "Put your blade down and back away now! If you don't, I-I'll shatter the kid!" Her voice cracked and her firm tone faded away. She was afraid of Ruby. Slowly, Ruby raised her hands while backing away.
"Alright. No one has to get hurt. Just let her go and I'll leave your friend alone," Ruby said. She was somewhat shocked by how controlled and calm her own voice sounded. "Just let her go, and then we can all go our separate ways." Ruby forced a smile. Slowly, ever so slowly, the girl began to back away from Mia. This was great. Nobody had to die. They could all just move on with their lives. Honestly, Ruby hadn't expected things to go this well.
"Ruby! Look out! She's behind you!" Mia screamed suddenly. Without really thinking about what she was doing, Ruby spun around, dagger in hand. There was a loud scream as the first doll stumbled into her blade. Ruby could only stare as the doll sank to the ground and shattered.