A/N: Hey everyone. Happy 2017. I'm still alive and still writing. I've been having inspirational issues and haven't been able to do ANYTHING. It's irritating. But I am back into writing so let's address a few things.
About the reviews: Hello and Encouragement : Thank you for your somewhat long and informative reviews on my story. A lot of people simply say "awesome" or "amazing" but I really don't get anything out of that. I need more critics in order to improve my story. Thank you two for giving me both of your opinions on my story and I'll work on improving. As for the rest, thanks! :3
Now I know a lot of you either don't review at all or simply don't know what to say, and that's fine. It just doesn't help when all I get is "this is good". What's good about it? Are there any flaws in my story? Why do you like this story? Same for the people who say on stories (luckily none on this one) "this sucks". What sucks? What do you dislike? How can I improve on the things you don't like? The list goes on. I don't mind when people don't review (because quite frankly I don't review much either) but when you do review and literally say "awesome" over and over and over again, let's just say it irritates me a bit. But know that I enjoy all of your reviews and feel free to say whatever you like.
With that out of the way, let's begin!
3 days later...
Steven got up that morning with a tiring yawn as he rubbed his eyes. The morning sun stinged his eyes as they shined in through his bedside window. He always loved the morning. It always made him feel hopeful as to what the day had in store for him.
He couldn't help but feel a light shiver down his back as he slowly got up to get ready. It was strange, but he decided to just ignore it. Maybe it was just the morning breeze that was coming from one of the open windows.
He then remembered that today was when Connie's school dance was being held. Steven groaned at the thought. It's not that he didn't want to go, he just didn't feel like doing anything today. His arms and legs were weak, and his mind was all over the place. He thought that maybe it'd go away as the day went on, so he decided to just relax and watch some TV to ease his already foggy mind.
He slumped on top of the couch lazily, and got the remote sitting on the other side of the couch. He flicked through the channels quickly, not really caring what shows were on. Just something that could make him relax.
Cooking recipes? No, that required too much concentration to watch and learn. Spongebob? No, it was too dumb and it would give Steven a headache, which wasn't what he wanted. He already has those enough already. Crying Breakfast Friends? Why not?
Steven went to the channel and was instantly greeted with the crying waffle who came back from the dead in order to seek vengeance by making the knife that cut him cry.
Steven liked the show, but honestly he wasn't really paying attention to it. He was staring blankly into space with mixed emotions and thoughts. He remembered the past 3 days and how they were for him. The only word to describe them was...quiet.
Just quiet. Almost too quiet.
Barely anything happened in those three days that he could basically count everything he did in them at the top of his head if he wasn't so tired to even try and remember them.
Even the Gems barely came out in those three days, and when they did, it was mostly Garnet and Pearl who were talking amongst themselves on the location of where Peridot might be. Amethyst on the other hand only came out when she was hungry or decided to sleep on the couch. She was acting strange lately and to be honest, it was starting to worry him.
The Gems aside, all Steven did all day was eat, sleep, and watch TV. He would barely get out and when he did, it was just to get groceries. His headaches would come out of nowhere and would show up more frequently throughout the days. If need be he would tell the Gems if it got excruciatingly painful but if he could keep it under control he shouldn't really worry them about it.
Soon Steven felt another shiver down his back. This time much more noticeable. He swore he caught something at the corner of his eye moving, but when he turned around to see what it was, there was nothing. Everything was normal. Nothing was wrong. He was safe.
Until he heard something.
"Steven..."
Another whisper. Steven widened his eyes as he felt something grab his shoulder, only to turn his head around and see nothing there. The arm that was apparently placed on his shoulder had disappeared right on top of it. Steven was frightened now.
He slowly got off the couch, hoping he still wasn't being watched. He slowly headed for the door, not trying to alert the creature-or whatever was in his house.
"Steven?"
Steven jumped up and turned around, only to be greeted by Amethyst and Pearl. The voice had came from Amethyst.
"Are you okay? We came in and you started acting as if you were frightened or something." Pearl claimed, scrunching her face in confusion.
Steven bit his lip. "Oh. Sorry. I was just...uh, heading back to my bed when I thought I heard something..."
Amethyst raised an eyebrow. "Why were you heading towards the door then?"
Steven's mind was all over the place, but he managed to think of an excuse. "I was checking outside. It sounded like it came from the door..."
Amethyst and Pearl both looked at each other with an expression Steven couldn't quite put his finger on. Suspicion? Worry? Both? He didn't know.
"Well, okay. Anyways, Garnet wanted all of us to have a so called "meeting" today in the burning room. She asked us to ask you if you wanted to be a part of it." Amethyst rolled her eyes as she said meeting. From what she's heard from most meetings was that it was boring people talking about boring things.
Steven thought for a second, then gave a reassuring smile. "Sure! It'd have to be before 7pm though. Connie wanted me to be her partner for a dance at her school. But what is the meeting about?"
"Peridot." Both Amethyst and Pearl said in unison.
"Figured." Steven thought. He knew she posed a huge problem, and especially if she found a way to leave the planet and contact Homeworld, but right now Peridot was the least of his problems. In fact, she was more of a priority then a problem.
Steven frowned. "Oh, okay. I'll be there."
"Thank you Steven. The meeting should take place approximately 4pm your time." Pearl warmly smiled.
"Welp, my job is done. See ya'll at the meeting." Amethyst soon went back to her room while stretching.
Pearl soon did the same and Steven was left alone again with only his thoughts to accompany him.
He looked up at the portrait of Rose above him.
"Why can't you help me out here Mom?" Steven had thought remorsefully as he clutched the part of his stomach where his gem was.
Steven had always thought that his mother was with him every step of the way. Guiding him. Helping him. If it wasn't for her, the replica would have killed him. She was still there...But not this time. She wasn't there. He couldn't see her. He couldn't touch her. He couldn't hear her. He was by himself.
He was alone.
A/N: As you can see I've changed the story title back to Growing Darkness (it's original title). The reason I kept changing it was because I felt it was just unsatisfying for a title, but after the other two failed attempts of making a better one, I decided to just stick with the OG one.
The finale of this arc is coming shortly, with the final chapter being the next one. The final chapter for this arc isn't anything action packed or intense, just strange, mysterious, and creepy just like this whole arc has been. The next arc title is "Pink and Purple" and it's pretty obvious who those two Gems are with those colors but I'll have you figure it out by yourselves. The chapter titles are all on my profile up to arc 5 so if your curious go ahead and read them. No, this does not mean the story will end at arc 5. More arcs are being thought of and written by me in the coming months. For now, enjoy the next two arcs.
Also, yes, when I have time, I will update this story regularly. Don't worry.
Leave a review giving me your feedback and take care! :)
