Most days, you wouldn't want to risk your life for something as simple as shoes. But now, my old leather shoes are worn out and can be used for something else. I need a new pair.

I know that it will be hard to get out of the new gem civilization that was built on the surface of Earth, where all the gems live, but I need to try.

"Stella?"

I turn around. My 7-year-old brother is standing behind me. I remember when his hair was still blonde. Now it's dark brown. His once tan skin is now unnaturally pale. The last time he's been out in the sun was over two weeks ago. And even that was uncommon. "Yes? What is it, Jay?"

He looks at the ground. "A-are you going out?"

I nod. "I need to go look around the new gem civilization to find a way out. We're running out of many supplies. Do you need anything?"

The short boy nods. "A-and can y-you bring me.." His sentence trails off.

"What do you need?" I ask, kneeling down to see him.

"Never mind, you wouldn't be able to..."

"Jay, it's fine. I'll get you whatever you need." I tell my brother.

"Can you get me some water?"

I smile and ruffle my brother's hair. "Of course, Jay!" I know that the closest source of water is hidden a small pond in a cave, and that's over ten miles away. But I can't let my brother down. Plus, we're already in need of water in the first place.

He smiles. "Good luck."

I'll need it, I think to myself. Instead, I just stand up. "I'll see you soon, Bud."

Before leaving, I grab my gem suit: a blue full-body suit with a dark blue gem on the chest with a blue mask to cover my face. As I slide it on, I realize that I'm starting to outgrow the costume. I always wear it when I go outside of the shelter. I have to unless I want any gems to know that a human family is still alive and hiding out in an incredibly populated city. But now, I'll just have to make the outfit work. I pull on a blue tutu, a light blue wig, and a dark blue corset to look more like a gem. 

Finally, I climb up the rope ladder that leads to the entrance of our shelter.

When I step out into the gem civilization, I'm surprised how much it's grown since I was out here last, which was about a week ago. Also, it's much more populated now. Gems are everywhere.

I keep my head down, and try to stay close to the buildings. I don't trust myself to try to hide myself in the crowds.

"Hey."

I look up to see two gems standing in front of me. They don't look like they would hurt me, but I can never be positive. My muscles tense, and my heart beats a little faster. I hope they don't notice.

Since it's so dark out, I can't really see the two gems very well. I can tell that the taller one has green skin and she's wearing a tank top and sweatpants. The shorter one is purple, and she has on a huge poofy dress. Both of their gems are on their necks.

"We haven't seen you around before," the green gem says. 

"Are you from the newest Kindergarten?" the purple one asks.

"Uh, um, yes." I reply quickly, hoping that yes was the answer they were looking for.

"Oh," the green gem rolls her eyes. "Of course."

"D-do you not like Kindergarten gems or something?" I ask hurriedly. If they don't like my lie, then I need to get out of here quickly. They could attack me at any second.

"No, no, it's not like that," the purple gem says, holding up her hands. She seems gentler than the green one. "We just don't like the idea of the Kindergarten. Apparently this planet was at one time a beautiful place and I wanted to see what it was like before---" her eyes get wide. Suddenly, she grabs the green gem's arm and runs down a nearby alley. For such a short gem pulling a taller, buffer gem, she can run quickly.

The green gem looks over her shoulder and with her free hand, she waves. "Come on," she mouths.

I start to follow them, unsure of what they're running from, but I know that it'll probably be bad. Before I can get very far into the alley, I feel two hands clamp onto my shoulders. I tilt my head up to see an orange gem that's at least two feet taller than me.  She has a stern glare that tells me that I can't talk my way out of this mess.

"Who are you?" She asks with a raspy, serious voice.

"I-I'm Emerald?" I'm hoping that Emeralds are blue. I don't know too much about gems except how to avoid them.

"Lier!" She booms.

Oh, no.

The orange gem turns me around to face her, still grasping my shoulders.

By her outfit, I know that she's a soldier. Two brown stripes come down from her shoulders to form a yellow diamond shape on her chest. That's all I need to know. The stripes and diamond design is the symbol of all soldiers.

The soldier gem rips my wig off and pulls down my mask to reveal my pale face and choppy, matted brown hair. "You're not any gem, you're a human!" She roars. "You know the punishment for humans: death!"