Chapter Warning: Blood and gore come into play from here on out. Those who are not able to read things like this, you have been warned
Chapter 4: Falling
Pearl
As the song started Pearl felt her eyes slide closed. Her muscles relaxed as her body started to follow the rhythem on its own. As she danced around the studio her thoughts took over her mind. Her memories made her world shift. The deeper the song went the more her surroundings changed.
When she opened her eyes she was no longer dancing in the studio. She was up on a stage. There was a small audiance in front of her as she twisted and twirled around. The dark figures watched her with dark needy eyes. When she would twirl around the gems on her skirt would shine bright, lighting up her audiances faces. She could hear Rose's voice in her head telling her to bend more. Lift her legs higher as she danced. To put more feeling into her rhythm on that small stage.
Three faces stood out among the crowd as Pearl danced around. Three sets of eyes that bored into hers. Eyes that made her shiver and want to run. The flash of light from her skirt across there eyes lit up there irises. Each gaze fixed on her.
The Diamonds.
A sudden bang made Pearl jump. As the stage fadded away and the studio came back into her world she stopped twirling. The music started to end as she turned her form twoards the back hallway.
It wasnt much. There was a big storage closet on the right and a bathroom on the left with a slim staircase pressed up against the back window leading to the next floor.
As Pearl walked towards the hallway another bang came. She was a few feet from the closet when she heard shuffling on the other side. Did someone forget to close the back door? She hoped that stupid raccoon didn't find its way in again. Last time it got suck in there she almost lost a finger helping Sapphire get it out.
Pearl hesitated a moment before reaching out and grabbing the doorknob. She turned it slowly before inching it open. As she peared inside a pair of eyes looked back.
Pearl quickly slammed the door shut.
Not a raccoon. That was NOT a raccoon!
The door suddenly flew open and slamed into Pearl. She screamed in surprise as the force knocked her back into the bathroom door hard enough to open it, dumping her on her butt. Pearl scrambled backwards and slammed the door shut with her feet.
"I found you Pearl!"
Pearl scrambled to her knees as the bathroom door started to open. She threw her whole body into it, shutting it hard and locking the door.
"You think you can hide in there for very long?" A guys voice boomed behind the door.
The door shook and rattled in the frame as Pearl scrambled away from it and to her feet.
I need to get out of here, Pearl looked around in a panic. There was nothing in here she could defend herself with. The only way out was the window, that was broken. The window itself was a thin narrow one that was stuck shut due to a prank gone wrong. She was going to have to lay flat to go through it.
"Just let them in Pearl."
Pearl looked around the bathroom for something to smash the window with, ignoring the dark her in the mirror above the sink.
"You knew this would happen. That they would find you." The darker Pearl's words dripped from her mouth as Pearl's eyes locked on the small trashcan in the corner.
Pearl grabbed the small trashcan from beside the toilet. She winded back before swinging it up into the foggy glass. The window shattered on impact, causing Pearl to flinch as glass rained down on her.
"It was only a matter of time."
"Pearl, open this FUCKING DOOR!"
Pearl flinched as she heard a sizable crack come from the door. She could see it start to splinter and brake.
Adrenilan pumped through Pearl's veins as she used the toilet to help reach the window. As she hoisted herself up onto the windowsill the door broke open. Glass embedded itself into the palms of her hands and legs as she swung herself through the narrow opening in a rush. The cover around her waist ripped as she fell to the ally below, spilling hundreds of shinning beads everywhere.
As Pearl hit the ground she stumbled. She was only brought to her feet when a hand grabbed the front of her shirt and pulled her up.
"Where are you running off to in a hurry Pearl?" The man holding her shirt said "My Diamond wants a word with you."
Pearl trembled in his hands before she felt another pair around her neck.
"We can do it." Dark Pearl's words cooed into her ear. "Just like before. We can make him go away like we made her go away."
"Lets get going Pearl, we have a long drive ahead of us."
"Let me help you again. Just let go Pearl. Let me come to play. I can make them all go away. I promise."
Pearl took a deep breath. Her hands stopped trembling as her eyes felt heavy. She felt a weight on her chest. She felt a pressure there that wasnt hers. Something that didnt beling there. Something she tried desperatly to get rid of. To bury it deep deep down so noone would ever see it.
"Let your body move. You know what to do." Dark Pearl chuckled as her arms got tighter around Pearl's neck "You've always known."
Pearl's pupils shrunk till they were just dots on her eyes. Her shoulders relaxed as everything melted away. She has always known what to do. Ever since that night her and Rose did something horrible. Would she be proud of her? Would Rose be happy with the monster she forced Pearl to become. The freak she molded her into?
Pearl's left hand shot up and held the mans to her chest. She twisted into him, locking his arm. With one step she brought her right hand straight up into the guys elbow, but she didnt stop. She kept pushing up, making his elbow crack and his arm buckle. Blood streamed down her arm as she bent his arm in half like a piece of paper. The bones in his arms jutted out from his skin like horrible spikes of broken splinters. The man screamed bloody murder as Pearl stepped into him, knocking him off balance. His wrist cracked and his shoulder popped out of socket the more she pushed. She let go of his deformed wrist to swing her left arm back around her and into the guys ribs. She twisted gracefully as she brought around her right elbow and landed a blow right into the guys head.
She took a step back as the man dropped like a sack of rocks.
"She would be so proud."
"Would she?" Pearl mumbled.
She took a few deep breaths as the rain poured down on her. The rain ran the blood from the guys body. It made dark streaks on the asphault as it winded its way to the closest drain. He moaned in pain on the ground at Pearl's feet as a flash of lightling crossed the sky, for a moment, lighing up her twisted smile.
"Pearl?"
Pearl looked over her shoulder slowly to see three men standing at the end of the ally. They were walking towards her slowly, their hands up.
"Its ok there Pearl." One spoke as Pearl turned back around looking down the ally way.
"Were just here to talk."
I need to get out of here. Pearl looked over her shoulder one more time before moving. She leaped lightly over the man she dropped and ran down twoards the other end of the ally.
"Get her!" the men shouted behind her.
The ally itself made a sharp 90 degree turn and ran behind several buildings with the bay off to the left. It was just wide enough for a trash truck to come through, but barily.
As Pearl skidded around the corner she saw the other end blocked by a car. Several guys were waiting for her but she didnt slow down. She looked around wildly for a way out.
The bay, a dark voice said in her head.
No, Pearl thought, I cant swim.
The guys from behind her came running around the corner.
The fire escape.
Pearls eyes fixed onto the fire escape on the dance studio building. It scaled all 4 floors up to the roof. It was rusted to hell but did its job just fine. She would have to jump to get up there though.
Pearl's eyes fell to the dumpster below the fire escape and changed her direction. Without missing a beat Pearl placed her feet on several garbage bags and bins, using them like a staircase to the dumpster. When her feet touched the edge of the dumpster she used her forward momentum to launch herself straight up. Her slim fingers wrapped around the railing of the fire escape the second her skin touched its cold metal surface. She grunted with effort as she swung her legs up over her head, wrapping them around the railing and pulling herself up as the two groups of men met right below her.
"Move that dumpster! Get up there!" They yelled as Pearl, not so gracefully stumbled to her feet on the fire escape.
She twisted around and ran up the ladders towards the roof. As she ran up the ladders she stumbled as the whole fire escape frame shook. She felt the ladder below her drop and the men start to climb up after her. They were right behind her as she twisted her way up to the roof.
When Pearls feet landed on the roof top she b-lined for the roof door. If she could get inside she could hide on the top two floors. They were just packed full of stuff from past plays and shows. Through all the chaos in there she could get away.
She was a few feet from the door when it flew open. Pearl back petaled, tripping a bit as several men came out the door.
No, Pearl thought as she fell on her butt and backed away from the men infront of her.
"End of the line Pearl."
Pearl felt a hand grab a fist full of her hair and pull. Pearl yelped in pain as her hands flew up to the hand on her head. The person holding her yanked her back to her feet before they all chucked. She could feel there menacing stares as she tried, and failed, to get away.
"Someone wants to say hi to you." The guy holding her hair said.
She felt her pupils dialate as her body started to tremble again. The dark wave of energy she had zapped itself from her form as she was dragged to towards the front of the building. She trembled as the roofs ledge came to her quickly. Pearls mind was racing with the thought that they were going to throw her off the building.
Just as Pearl thought her end was near she felt a swift kick to the back of her legs. Pearl winced in pain as she fell to her knees, still holding onto the mans hand that had her hair.
"Smile." The man said leaning down and whispering in her ear while pulling Pearls head back, making her wince in pain "Someones looking at you."
Pearl opened her left eye and her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. On the street below were several luxury cars surrounded by several dozen men. In the center of that group were three people Pearl recongized immediently.
"Jasper-agh" Pearl breathed out as she stared down at Jasper, who was staring back up at her. She looked so angery. Her hands were balled in fists at her sides. She had look of disgust on her face. Her gaze turned back to the crowed prompting Pearl to follow her gaze. Pearl felt her heart stop as her eyes landed on the person who help Jasper's attention.
Across from Jasper stood Yellow Diamond. She looked quite pleased as she spoke to Jasper, gestering up to Pearl before the person next to her, who happened to be Lapis Lazuli. Lapis was saying someting, exatrated with arm movements, before walking over to Jasper. She drapped herself over Jasper's arm and it made Pearl mad. She yanked her head away from the man holding her when she saw the way Lapis touch Jasper. All the good it did was make the group of men laugh as her captor yanking back harder, making a tear fall down Pearl's face.
Jasper looked up at Pearl for a long moment befor saying something and turning her face away from everyone. With a satisfied look, Yellow Diamond waved her hands up at Pearl and her assailints.
"We have a fun thing for you to do Pearl." The guy laughed.
"Jasper?" Pearl breathed out as she watched Jasper turn towards one of the cars with Lapis still on her arm. "Jasper!"
He yanked Pearl to her feet and laughed when Pearl gasped out in pain. As he started to drag Pearl across the roof his buddys were laughing and making crude remarks about her.
"Who knew one of White's favorites would be on the other end of a good time."
"Too bad we cant have fun with her before we do this."
"She was also Pink's favorite. Shes bound to be good in that way."
When they reached the other end of the roof the guy twisted Pearl around and let go of her hair to move and grab her by the throat. Pearl gasped and clawed at his hand as he backed her up till the heals of her feet were hanging off the edge of the roof.
"We heard that you can't swim Pearl. Well we have a chance for you to learn." The man said as he rotated his hand so only his pointer finger and thumb held her up. "But we added a surprise to this lesson."
Pearl felt something cold flash across her throat, then something warm flowing down her neck.
"Learn fast little Pearl." The guy said as he shoved Pearl of the roof "The sharks like eating at this time."
Pearl felt herself falling back and tried to scream but couldnt find her voice. The air moved quickly around her form as the roof top moved further and further away from her. She reached out as if to grab onto something as she fell. Her feet just scrapping the edge of the allyway before she plummited into the bay.
The water was cold as it embraced Pearl's form. She couldnt move. She couldn't breath. Her body felt heavy as lead as the water started to get dark around her. The further she sank the more numb she felt. Her mind was racing as the water moved around her.
How did Yellow Diamond find me? Why was Lapis and Jasper there with her? I thought I covered our tracks when we ran. I thought I burned the bridges behind us. How did they find us... how... I did everything right.
Pearl felt sand under her fingers as everything started to fade away.
Go to sleep, her thoughts said in her head. It will be quick.
The darkness started to eat at the corners of her eyes. Her lungs burned for air that was out of her reach.
Just close your eyes and drift off. This is what you diserve after all you've done.
Pearls eyes started to close as something big entered the water above her.
Just... Let... Go...
The voice in her head lulled Pearl to drift off as the figure above her blocked out the glow of the moon above.
Jasper
Jasper yanked the studio door open and raced inside. Pearl's scream echoed in her head as she rounded the corner into the room Pearl was dancing in. She saw the the back end of a man going into the bathroom and ran after him.
"Pearl!" Jasper yelled as she skidded to a stop right outside the bathroom door.
She caught a glimpse of Pearl as she went out the widow. The man moved to follow her but Jasper moved faster. She reached forward and grabbed the guy by the back of his shirt. Jasper yanked him back and clocked him right in the head. Jasper then turned and threw the man back into the studio comming at him hard. She didnt give him a chance to get to his feet before she landed another blow across his face.
"Why did you attack her!" Jasper yelled in the mans face after beating him within an inch of his life. "Why are you doing this!"
"Beacuse I told him to."
That voice, Jasper thought as a single ping of cold ran through her soul. She turned her head to see Yellow Diamond standing on the far end of the room. Her arms were crossed and a bemused smile played across her lips. Jasper frown deepened as Yellow pointed to the guy she was holding by the neck in her hand. "Drop him."
Japer did as she was told without fighting. She knew Yellow Diamond well. The whole Diamond authority was the head of the black market in firearms and slavery around the world. Lapis was her adoptive daughter. Her and her lover Blue Diamond would do anything to make her happy. They could give her anything she wanted. Cars, money, anything but Lapis didnt want any of that. All she wanted was Jasper. She pursude the giant for years before Yellow threatened to do horrible things to Jasper if she didnt say yes to a date with Lapis. Their relationship wasnt built on trust or love. It was build on lies, drugs, and the threat of murder.
"Why are you after Pearl?" Jasper said through clenched teeth.
"Is that anyway to greet me?" Yellow said crossing her arms.
Jasper grunted as Yellow sighed. "Come now Jasper. You made Lapis very upset. We need to fix that."
"Why should I?"
"Because you dont want any harm to come to your little crush, do you?"
Her words sent a spike of fear into Jasper. Yellow saw the look on her face and her smile got bigger. She was always one to follow through with a threat because they werent threats in her eyes. They were promises.
Yellow turned, jestering for Jasper to follow her outside. Jasper followed wordlessly out of the studio and onto the sidewalk to see that they were not alone. Several cars lined the street and at least three dozen men were scattered around.
"Jasper!" Lapis's voice rang out as Jasper came outside. Yellow diamond took a few steps away before turning and facing Jasper.
"This is how this is going to work Jasper." She said gestering around her "Your going to come back with us and make Lapis happy, or-" She pointed up to the roof of the building
"Pearl there gets to take a long walk off a short pier."
Jaspers eyes followed Yellow Diamond and hand turned to the roof. She saw Pearl being held right at the ledge. She was on her knees and the man behind her had her by the hair. Jasper grinded her teeth as the man holding Pearl yanked her head back and whispering in her ear. After a moment she saw Pearl open one of her eyes and look down at her. She wanted nothing more thn to run up there and rip that guy apart. She wanted to take his head and crush it beneath her foot. Jasper's hands balled into fists and a tear fell down Pearls cheek.
"Why are you doing this?" Jasper said through clenched teeth.
"Because your not doing what I want." Lapis said coming over and wrapping herself around Jasper's arm. "My girlfriend should do as I say and not worry about that defect up there."
"Defect?" Jasper questioned Lapis but turned her gaze to Yellow.
Yellow chucked before she answered "You have no idea what kind of person Pearl is do you? White must of done a good job of making a monster out of her. Shes so good at what White made her do, she even fooled you."
Jaspers mind flashed to Pearl as Yellow called her a monster. She thought of how scared Pearl looked at the night club. How scared she was at the corner store. How she shook against her in fear on the back of her motorcycle and how she trembled in her hand as the night club guy tried to pull her away.
"She's not a monster." Jasper growled making Lapis laugh next to her.
"You really dont know anything do you?" Yellow Diamond said "Now, my answer. Are you going to be a good girl or is Pearl going to pay for your stubburness?"
If this was only way Jasper could save Pearl she was going to take it. She spat out a yes and Lapis clapped her hands as Yellow Diamond waved her hand at the men on the roof with Pearl.
Jasper wanted nothing more then to beat them all into the ground. It was taking everything she had to keep herself form launching at Yellow Diamond and killing her. The only thing holding her back was the thought of Pearl getting hurt, because of her careless actions.
"What are you going to do with her?" Lapis asked as she held onto Jasper tight "Are we going to just let her go?"
"We're going to have her go for a swim." Yellow answered.
"Wait, I thought Pearl couldn't swim." Lapis questioned putting her hands on her hips.
"She can't." Yellow smerked.
Jaspers heart hit her feet.
"What!" Jasper yelled. "Are you serious?!"
"What? Do you want to go and save her?" Yellow taunted. "I never said we were going to bring her with us."
"White would be mad if we killed her." Lapis said thoughtfully "She would be happy if we brought her back still breathing."
"Good point but accidents happen. With that being said." Yellow turned her attention to Jasper "Are you going to be her hero? Or her killer?"
Jasper didnt hesitate with her decision. She turned and took off down the ally as fast as she could. She heard Yellow Diamond laughing behind her as she raced away from them and towards the bay. The adrenilan in her veins burned with each beat of her heart. Her breath was in rhythm with her body as she full on sprinted.
Three times in two days. Who get attacked three times in two days, and by the Diamonds no less?! Pearl, what did you do, Jasper's thoughts swirled in her head as she hurdled a group of guys who were kneeling in the ally over another guys bloody body. Her mind was focused on reaching Pearl. If she couldnt swim she would sink pretty quickly. Time was not on her side.
As soon as Japer reached the edge of the ally she launched her self off into the air. She arched her back, turning her body into a dive, as she hit the water. It was like diving into a pool full of ice. She felt her energy start to slip away as she opened her eyes and searched the water for Pearl. The water was dark but the feeling in Jasper's chest was darker. Was she too late? Did the tide drag Pearl out into deeper waters?
Jasper's eyes searched around wildly as she swam deeper down. She just had to find Pearl. Giving up wasn't an option. It wasnt a choice Jasper was going to make. She wasnt going to leave without Pearl in her arms.
Out of the corner of Jasper's eye she saw it. A shimmer. The light from the moon showed the cover around Pearl's waist, making it shimmer as the water moved around her. Jasper made a b-line for the shimmering fabric. It was only a few seconds before Pearl's form came into view. Jasper's heart almost stopped as she reached out for Pearl.
Pearl's eyes were barly open. The life in them was almost gone. A thick wave of blood was leaving her body from the cut on her throat. It painted a dark ribbon of death in the water between them. As Jasper reached out and took Pearl's hand she felt just how icy cold her skin was. She pulled her limp body into her arms as she felt her feet touch the bay floor.
Hold on Pearl, Jasper though as she held her tight in her arms before pushing off the sandy bottom of the bay. Their bodys shot up towards the surface in a flash of movement. In mear seconds Jasper breached the surface, gasping for breath. She kicked them towards the dock as several cars waited at its end.
When Jasper reached the dock she grabbed the side and pulled her and Pearl up out of the water in one stroke. She placed Pearl on the dock before pulling herself fully up next to her. She coughed a bit as she rolled Pearl onto her back. Jasper brushed her now wild and wet hair over her shoulder as she pressed her ear to Pearl's chest.
"C'mon Pearl." Jasper grumbled as she strained her ear to listen.
Jasper could hear Pearl's heart beat but it was low. She could also feel that Pearl wasn't breathing. She growled under her breath as she pulled away and sat up.
As Jasper started trying to give Pearl CPR as several figures walked down the dock towards them. They were not quick like the people with Yellow. They were slow and calculated with their movements. They stopped a few feet away and watched as Jasper tried, and failed, to get Pearl breathing again. With each passing minute Jasper was getting more and more upset to the point where she couldn't take it anymore. She bent down over Pearl as tears started to fall down her face.
"Dammit Pearl." Jasper choked as her hand balled into fists "Dont leave me like this... Please..."
"Dammit!" Jasper yelled as her balled fist unintentinolly raised up into the air and slammed back down.
Her fist had landed on Pearl's chest. The force hit her so hard that there was sickening crack and gasp. Pearl suddenly coughed under Jasper's hand as her eyes flew open. Jasper sat up in shock as Pearl rolled to her side and started coughing. She felt Pearl heave and gag as she coughed the water out of her lungs. Before long Pearl was gasping in lung fulls of air into her body as she tried to sit up.
"No, Pearl stay still." Jasper said quickly placing her hands on Pearl's shoulders and having her lay on her back again. "Don't move ok?"
Jasper rememebered the blood on Pearl's neck and quickly covered the slash across her throat. Pearl had panic in her eyes for a second as she reached up and touched Jasper's hand.
"Your bleeding." Jasper said as she wiped away tears from her face "Just don't move ok? I don't want you to make it worse."
Pearl laid there blinking before reaching up and placing her hand on Jasper's chest. Jasper smiled in response as her free hand fell over Pearl's. She held it tight as she felt Pearl's breathing become more steady under her hand.
She was so happy Pearl was ok. She felt herself swell with joy as Pearl just looked at her. Jasper had no idea what she would have done if Pearl hadn't started breathing. If her eyes never opened again. Jasper shuttered at the thought.
Jasper opened her mouth to say something but she suddenly came to acknowladge the audiance behind her. She turned and took a deep angry breath as she saw Blue Diamond standing at the end of the dock. Her silent assistant standing next to her so still that Jasper almost missed her presence.
Blue Diamond was different from her lover Yellow. Blue always looked disinterested in everything. Her face always cold and empty, like all the joy of life had been replaced with sad memories and disappointment. She always had a cigarette in her hand and a sigh ready on her lips. Out of all the Diamonds she was the most quiet but most calculated when it came to the people under her. Yellow had a reputation for being a fighter. Blue had one for being a killer.
"Lets not make this harder then it has to be." Blue said nodding at the men near Jasper. "I don't want to have her fished out of the bay again."
Jasper sighed in fustration. If she didn't listen then Pearl was going to be killed for sure. Theres no way her small body could handle another dip into the icy water below them. Jasper knew she wouldn't be able to handle losing Pearl to the water. It would crush her.
"Its ok Pearl." Jasper said smiling down at her weakly "Just keep breathing ok?"
Pearl looked scared as Jasper let go of her hand and stood up. It took all the mental power she had to step back and allow one of Blue's men to come over to Pearl. She wanted to be angry as one of Blue Diamonds men wrapped their arms around Pearl and lifted her into the air but she couldn't. She didn't have the energy to do anything. The water took it all away.
"Come now Jasper." Blue said tossing her cigarette as she turned on her heals and walked back towards the cars. "Yellow is waiting for us."
Note: I've always wonder what Pearl would be like if she was a bit psychotic, so I wrote about it. My favorite thing to write was Pearl basically crippling the guys arm in the ally. I re-rote this chapter over and over again, trying to get it write until I settled on this version.