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Tanya's stomach was in a knot. She felt like she was going to throw up. She strode nervously past coaches, backstage personnel, and other competitors without paying them any mind. She was due on the bars in half an hour, and she still wasn't confident that she could win first place. She wasn't even sure if it was worth trying anymore.
Tanya had spent her whole life training in the field of gymnastics, so that one day she would be able to make a run for the gold. For eleven years, since she was four, the sole point of her existence had been the uneven bars and balance beam. She saw the vault when she closed her eyes. She performed giants and saltos in her sleep. And yet, Tanya still lacked the confidence that she could win this competition. She was good; there was no doubt about that. But looking around, seeing for the first time others as devoted as she to their art, Tanya was no longer naively sure she was the greatest gymnast in the world.
She slammed the door to her personal dressing room behind her as she sped in, running to the couch against the wall and collapsing into a fit of tears. She just couldn't do it. Tanya was on in thirty minutes, and she just couldn't go out in front of millions of people and perform. She was no longer absolutely sure that she was the best gymnast at the competition. She no longer felt confidence. Now, she only felt fear.
After crying for five or so minutes, Tanya forced herself to stop the tears. She wasn't going to do this by acting like a baby. She needed more than tears. She needed a miracle.
Tanya heard voices on the other side of the wall. It had to be Lana Strelna, another gymnast, whose dressing room was next to hers. Tanya had never seen the other girl perform, but she heard that Lana was very good. Just what she needed to boost her self-esteem.
Tanya closed her eyes. "I wish I was the best gymnast in the world," she muttered to herself. "I wish I was more agile than anyone here. I wish I could outperform all the other competitors here... especially Lana Strelna."
But all the wishing in the world wouldn't make her a better gymnast. Only self-confidence would. Tanya had to convince herself that she could do this. She had driven herself to the point of exhaustion for eleven years. She couldn't let it all go for naught. She had to do this. For herself... and for her father.
Tanya pushed back the tears that began to well in her eyes. She imagined her father somewhere in Heaven, watching her. He would be watching her perform. And Tanya realized that she had to go out there and win that gold. For her father. And for herself.
Tanya stood up, wincing as she walked to the door. Her shoes were a little tight; she would have to loosen them up before she went out. She heard a loud commotion outside. Tanya opened the door, and peered out. She saw dozens of people crowded around Lana's door. Curious, she stepped over, making her way through the group of bystanders, and looked in.
Tanya screamed.
Lana sat on a chair, bawling hysterically and thrashing incoherently. Two people, including Lana's coach, were restraining her and trying to calm her down. But the girl... her hands were gone! Instead of hands, she had feet! Her wrists ended in two feet. It was no wonder the girl was frantic; she had been transformed into a monster.
Tanya made her way back to her dressing room and closed the door behind her. She walked to her couch; still feeling her shoes tight, and sat down. Her stomach was knotted, and she feared she would throw up. But she had to see. She knew why her shoes were suddenly tight, and yet was afraid to admit it. Slowly, tears coming forth once again, she undid her footwear and removed her right shoe.
There, just below the ankle, in the place of her normal foot, was a human hand. It wore a ring set with the initials L.S.
Tanya screamed again.
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