Amethyst's P.O.V

How could this happen? Why did this happen? And most of all, why didn't I see this coming? The signs were there and the acts were regular but yet I still stood by and did nothing.

I sit on the Temple steps, tears coming in such force that there's no point in stopping. I've been here ever since they left and that was hours ago. I had to be alone and both Lapis and Peridot knew this. At times, I wish they were beside me to let me know that I'm not the only one feeling like this. But then again, I don't want to make them feel worse about it than I already do.

Today began just like any other day, only today was very special. A day that Garnet, Pearl, and that human bitch Connie chose to forget, but that Peridot, Lapis, and I didn't.

Steven's sixteenth birthday.

Steven looked so happy with the gifts that we gave him. But of course, Pearl and Garnet had to ruin it by saying that they couldn't stay and had more important business to attend to. They acted colder than Yellow Diamond and that's saying something. The three of us tried to encourage our best bud that he shouldn't let those two Rose worshippers get to him. Steven couldn't though and said "let them act that way. It'll only hurt worse later on". Sitting here now, I understand what he meant by that.

The day passed quickly after the initial party, though for me, it stretched on like an eternity. And even though Gems can live forever, eternity in this case was exactly like humans would describe it to be. Painful. The green and blue Homeworld gems took Steven to the barn and set up a pinata, watching with amusement as Steven hit the ever living clod out of the thing. This still wasn't enough to cheer him up, however, so I suggested that we all go swimming in the pond that Peridot had constructed so long ago. It worked temporarily but part of the way through our relaxation time, Steven wondered out loud why Connie hadn't called. I remember clearly how I huffed and crossed my arms hearing Connie's name, angry that she clearly forgot Steven's birthday just like Garnet and Pearl.

That human is just a bad influence on Steven overall. She makes him apologize for things he doesn't need to, insists that they fight together in battles, and uses my brother for fusion. I swear, Connie's so much like Pearl that I want to vomit. But anyway, the day soon drew to a close but Lapis, Peridot, and I weren't quite done yet. We wanted to treat our birthday boy to a nice night of fun and games at Funland. Garnet argued that he shouldn't be out this late and Pearl yelled at us for 'thinking so irresponsibly'. The barn mates and I continued to argue but Steven said it was fine and that we could do that tomorrow. Garnet and Pearl nodded their approval and headed off to their rooms, leaving the three of us feeling bad.

We begged Steven to come with us, saying that it wouldn't be fun without him. He still declined though and said we were more than welcome to go without him. I felt unbelievably sad hearing those words come out his mouth. I was about to grab him by the arm and force him to come with us, but a look from Lapis and an arm on the shoulder from Peridot told me to just let it go. I relented and the three of sadly left, going off into the city to work out our frustrations.

We were out in about for two hours, exploring the different restaurants and clothing outlets spread all over the place. I remember that us three had just left Fish Stew Pizza when we saw a small number of police vehicles zoom by, their apparent speed indicating that they were in a hurry. At first, I dismissed it as nothing, but when Peridot pointed out that they were headed right for the Temple, I grew worried and scared really quick. The others were as equally terrified as me so, Lapis summoned her wings, grabbed us, and flew as fast as she could back toward our home. We got there in no time, but what we found waiting for us was truly heart wrenching.

Our Sugar Cake was knocked out unconscious and had cuts on his face and neck. When we landed and tried to reach him, Connie's father stopped us. We pushed and pushed, Peridot even going so far as to threaten the human, but Officer Maheswaran didn't budge. He merely said that we "couldn't visit him yet and had to wait a few days". At this point, I was pretty angry because nobody stops me from seeing my Steven but before I could make that abundantly clear, the small convoy drove off, leaving us with three Gems alone in the middle of the night with many questions and no answers.

I've been sitting here and festering ever since. I feel like if Lapis, Peridot, and I had just stayed to comfort our innocent cinnamon roll, maybe he'd still be here with us and not strapped to a stretcher in a hospital somewhere. In other words, I blame myself for this.

"Amethyst?" A voice says behind me. 

I'm too sad to look around but I know that it belongs to the Ocean Gem. The steps creak beside me and I look to see both her and Peridot sitting next to me. They place some reassuring hands on my shoulders but all I can do is turn and sob into Lapis. She willing embraces me and before long, starts crying as well. Peridot lets the tears flow too, hugging me in turn and letting us all vent out our emotions. I wish that the last few hours was just a nightmare and that I'll wake up and hug my little brother to death telling him he's loved more than he will ever know.

But no, this is real. And I have no idea where Steven is now!

Steven's P.O.V

As American novelist Anne Lamott once said "You have to make mistakes to find out who you aren't. You take the action, and the insight follows: You don't think your way into becoming yourself." Believe it or not, she was more right about me in particular than she could've guessed. I mean, that's how I ended here in the first place. I had to make mistakes in order to know who I could trust and who I couldn't. I wish I didn't have to think like that, but it became all the more necessary as I grew up with the Gems.

Although, as far as mistakes go, I'm not the leading runner in that whole race. The two that did lead have now been extinguished, making the world, in my personal opinion, a much better place all around. Their toxicity was nothing less than a plague that could easily be passed to others around them. It has actually proven in the form of one Connie Maheswaran. She glocked me on the head after I finished what I did, just barely saving herself from being in a very similar position as the two before her.

It's because of that girl that I now ended up in this god awful hospital room. I woke up about two minutes ago, my vision all blurry and temporarily blinded by the excessively bright lights shining directly into my fucking eyes. I tried to shield my eyes with my hand, but I quickly found that the cops did their job well. I looked down and saw that both hands and feet were bound to the hospital bed, my hands handcuffed while my legs were caught in simple binds. It felt totally embarrassing, and still does now, making me feel all exposed. Although, if I were spread apart any more, you'd walk into the room and think I had taken part in something kinky.

I've been laying here waiting ever since I woke up and during that time, I've been trying to piece everything together so far. From what I can best gather, Connie must've called her father and had him drag me over to this place. She had to have told Doug to specifically take me here because I acquired a few cuts and Connie still thinks she can woo me to like her if she does supposed nice things for me. It won't help her when I get out of these handcuffs though, because I got a bone to pick with her and it's not one I'll easily let go.

But, back on the events timeline, I think that Doug carted me here and had Priyanka, or Mrs. Maheswaran, fix me up the best she could. I bet the two parents were so pissed that they had to do it, which all the while proves that they're as equally bad as their daughter. Harsh and cold parenting led them make Connie into an unlikable and whiny little brat. As a matter of fact, now that I think about it, Mr and Mrs. Maheswaran will also go on 'The List'.

For those that are probably wondering, The List is like any written down list that people would use for homework or groceries. It's purpose for me though, is to keep track of who's gonna get what they deserve next. I've easily placed Connie, Priyanka, and Doug on the list, but the others in Beach City I've had trouble placing. I only go for those who have shown a certain bad personality trait pretty frequently. Kiki and Jenny are out of the question, they've been so nice after all, but Ronaldo could probably go on the list for his arrogance and annoying behavior. Garnet and Pearl, well, there's no question when it come down to those two, but Amethyst, Lapis, and Peridot are unconfirmed right now. I'll have to think about it more later.

Right now, the hospital room down swings open and in walks the two baddies themselves, Mr and Mrs. Maheswaran. The former looks downright angry, while the latter keeps an expression of collective calmness on her face. Mrs M walks to my right and scrolls through some papers on a clipboard she carries while Mr M goes to the left side of my bed and leers down at me. It's quite amusing to think he can scare me, but I don't let my face show it, instead keeping a mask of sarcastic smart alek on my face.

"You're a lot of trouble, son" Doug says gruffly.

I make it seem like I don't care and roll my eyes.

"Says you. This hasn't been the worst thing I've faced before" I reply with false smugness.

Doug appears to grow angrier, his one hand tightening on his gun holster while the other clenches in frustration.

"Watch your mouth, kid. It's only because of our foolish daughter that you still draw breath" He snaps.

"Oh please, don't be melodramatic" I sigh, shaking my head in disapproval, "We both know that police officers like yourself can't shoot an unconscious and unarmed suspect. It'd get you in trouble yourself. Besides, even if you do try and take me to court for what I've done, the death penalty isn't allowed in Delmarva. The worst you could do is try and cart me off to prison, but that won't work either because last I checked, I just now turned 18."

"I'll check you upside the head if you keep that attitude up" Doug growls, looking ready to do just that.

Before the man can make a move though, Mrs. Maheswaran puts a hand on his shoulder and stops him.

"Steven, there's no need for such attitude" Priyanka says tersely.

"Really? I beg to differ. I think it's entirely necessary, just like the fact that your husband over there more than likely didn't read me my Miranda rights. Seeing as you obviously arrested me and that I was unconscious at the time of the arrest, I was basically unaware if you had performed such duties or not. My guess is that you didn't and that would make this arrest illegal. What is also necessary is the fact that according to my rights, I'm allowed a phone call and the right to keep quiet to any of your questions" I reply, narrowing my eyes and grinning slyly at the two.

Priyanka looks ready to cool Doug down again from another potential temper flare, but the male Maheswaran keeps his chill this go around.

"You wanna talk facts, kid? Your life is royally messed up now. Murder is a very serious crime, young Universe, and won't go lightly throughout the rest of your life. Trying to get a job when you're older will be much harder with it on your public record and your reputation won't be any less forgiving either. However, while you say I can't put you in prison at this very moment, you do know that once I make a case about this entire situation, that won't mean jack anymore" Doug tells me.

"I agree that I'll more than likely follow the path of what you described, but I feel the need to point out that your family still isn't out of the ballpark for upcoming problems either. I'm willing to accept my crime, but you still have to worry about your own. Speaking in terms of Connie, she committed assault along with breaking and entering. Your daughter was not given permission to enter my home at any time and certainly didn't have the right to interfere with something that didn't originally concern her. Since it's within my right, I can press charges on her and have her arrested as well. You may call me a criminal, but look down at your lineage and you'll see that you're not as far off as I am" I counter while smirking.

Doug shakes his head at my persistent arguing while Priyanka crosses her arms.

"Threatening us will not help you, Steven. It'll only make things worse" The doctor says, raising an eyebrow.

I shake my head and pull slightly on the handcuffs.

"How much worse could it possibly get? Death is just taking the easy way out and a longer jail sentence after a trial would just make me bored. Seems to me like you need to work on your reasoning skills, Priyanka" I smirk, causing Doug to surge forward and press my neck back against the bed tightly.

He's quiet at first, but then speaks after a drawn out period of complete silence.

"Listen here, you little shit. Here's exactly what's gonna happen with you. You're gonna spend the majority of your life behind bars. When you come out, you won't have much of a life to come back to, much less improve. You'll have no contact with any of your family and certainly not my daughter, no matter how much she fusses and whines. And, to top it all off, I'm going to go get my fellow officers at the end of this conversation and we're gonna take you right down to the station. Don't get comfortable here because you're about to end up in a much sadder place real soon" The aging father says in a low voice.

I say nothing, merely watching as Doug lets me go and walks out of the room with Priyanka behind him. When the doors to the room finally close after the two leave, I let out a huge sigh. I can understand that they're only trying to do what they believe is right, but there's a better side of the concept and a worse side to it to. It's hard to tell who falls under what side, but in the end, all I know is that with the context of my story all but clear, I do what is for the better side of what's right.Those that disagree with me are just too stupid and self-involved to see it. Now, with all that off my chest, it's time I move on to other assurances. I know for a fact that Doug will be back soon with his cop buddies. I know for a fact that they'll do whatever they can to keep me locked up as long as possible. And, I know for a fact that while they were right to arrest me for what I did, the Maheswarans only made it harder to escape my eventual wrath. But, the one thing I know above all else is something that will be repeated in my mind for as long as I'm detained.

Blood has not been spilled yet, but that doesn't mean it can't later on.