I tried a new aproach to writing so it might be beter. Please tell me what you think.
Steven wasn't well rested because of the hellish dream. The blood it, he couldn't, he killed... It didn't matter anymore. He told himself to forget it. After he stopped thinking about the dreams, he noticed that the gems and his father were chatting. It was nothing that concerned him so he ignored their idle chatter, he had plans for today, and if it couldn't be done today, tomorrow. Everything needed to be perfect so he can easily leave.
He got up and stated down the stairs. However, as soon as they noticed he was awake they stopped talking. Steven thought about it for a moment, they were most likely going to talk to him about what he told Garnet. That was the cost of his plan, but he needed them to think that was all that was bothering him. Steven needed to leave this place, around every corner there was a memory; that pushed him to his goal of never coming back. However there were good memories, however seldom they came they always brightened his mood.
Steven noticed they were all sitting on the couch, and staring at him. He frowned, this wasn't going to be fun, well he already knew that but with the palatable amount of tension in the air, it made it worse. What would be great was a way out of this, he doubted there was one; as much as he wanted to not do this he was on the ride. He rolled his shoulders back and stopped in front of them. He could be direct when asking them what was going on but he couldn't be too direct or... To much thinking and planning in just saying something, he smiled before heading to the bathroom to complete his morning ritual. Steven knew he was being ridiculous with the amount of foreplanning recently, he must remind himself that sometimes the best way to do things was without planning out every detail.
When he was showering he realized something, he had changed since he learned more about Rose Quartz's secrets. He had become more like in ways and as distant as possible in others, the first change he knew of was not calling her mom anymore, it was always just Rose Quartz. Steven never would become like her, even if he had to died because of that stubbornness. He shivered, he probably did what she would have done to the Rubies. 'Are the Rubies still in space?' Chimed in the back of his head, except in his own voice. He then vigorously scrubbed at his hair with shampoo, telling himself that he was nothing like her.
As soon as he was finished getting ready for the day, psyched himself up before leaving the bathroom. Steven had on a clean pair of clothes, and was prepared to talk to the gems they looked at him as he walked up to them once again; in Steven's mind, they were glaring at him. He frowned looking at Garnet, she was never alone, yet he always was. He stood in front of them, and didn't even give forethought to what he was going to say. "I suppose you all mean to talk to me?" He looked back on what he said, the voice tone was calm and neutral, and the delivery straight to the point. Just as it should be.
"Yes Steven," Garnet said, looking him in the eyebrows sadly slanted. She loved the shades, they never betrayed her emotions, and so she could keep a looser reign on them. Garnet also noticed the amount of neutrality in his voice. He must have practiced on saying things like that, or planned ahead. It was odd for him to plan things out like this, he must started to plane his word like his mother. She smiled that was sweet, mother like son. "Now, I know how you feel about us, and I just want to say Steven, well love you just as much as we did Rose if not more."
Steven smiled, the reassuring words actually made him happy for however briefly it was, but he forced the smile to stay. 'let them think that is all it would take.' He also took note of Garnet's neutral voice, it was always like that but her mouth twitched to a smile for just a moment. She was in a slightly good mood, but how much leeway would that get him? Best to use it to his advantages, and Pearl she was frowning, Amethyst just looked bored, and his dad looked concerned; he must use all this information they gave him without knowing. He would be able to get his way, and not have this talked about as long as he thought it would be. Now what to say?
"Steven, I know I miss Rose but you were the best thing she's ever given to us," Greg said that trying to smile, but it was only a twitch. Pearls, jaw tightened, her eyes looked a little water. He would apologize to her before she said anything that would be the best course of action. Pearl looked at Amethyst who smiled. Steven was definitely going to have to be careful around Pearl; maybe even more so than Garnet.
"Pearl, I'm sorry for what I said earlier, it was uncalled for," Steven barely stopped himself from smiling that was a perfect delivery. Pearl smiled and relaxed a bit, it needed something more. "I didn't mean what I said." There it was he saw her shoulders and arms calm, and her eyes looked less ready to cry. That was better than he hoped for, everyone had their lucky days, he was glad it was his.
"Thanks Steven, but I'm still sorry for making you feel that way." It looked like it must have been Amethyst turn, because her back straightened, and she looked more nervous instead of relaxed now. Steven had nothing against her she had done nothing wrong. In fact she was like an older sister to him, he was sad he has to leave her behind. He had to remind himself to keep a neutral face. He wouldn't get to carry ou this plan today. That was fine he didn't need to, but her should keep low, make them think that everything was resolved. He had to keep an eye on Garnet though, Pearl had already been soothed.
"Dad, you don't need to apologize or tell me anything, I know you love me, I'm sorry for creating all this drama," Steven said everyone nodded except Garnet. She must know that he was holding back, lying even now, for what she may not know. He needed to stay level headed if he ever wanted to be free of them, and Rose Quartz.
"It's alright Steven, you did nothing wrong, It's out fault that we made you feel that way." Greg stated, smiling at Steven. Steven smiled back, he would miss his dad. His eyes looked over the gems once again, gathering information, they for the most part looked more relaxed, though he wasn't sure about Garnet. Greg soon dismissed himself, and the gems went on the mission they planned. Everything was going perfect. Lion soon arrived and sat down in front of the screen door, sitting and looking. He must have known Steven needed him soon. Steven packed all the things he needed, food, and even a few extra things, into Lion. Now he had to visit the car wash.
Lion followed Steven as he opened the door and began to walk to the car wash. He willed his feet to move forward but with every step he was reconsidering his actions. Was this a good idea? What would they gems do? And many questions like them rushed through his head, he reminded himself to stay focused and that the only thing that would be in his was his self doubt. As soon as he was at the car wash he noted thankfully that his dad was washing Mayor Dewey's Car. He walked to the van, hand slowly opening the door not to make noise. There was his dad's money jar. He took all of it, he needed it. Then jar went into Lion's mane along with everything else. He got on Lion and they were off, to wherever Lion took them.
Steven's trusted steed brought him to a plains area with massive swords it didn't take long for him to recognize the place, the Strawberry battlefields, he heard pearl say it was in Norway. It was too close to a warp pad he needed to see if there were any towns near by. He looked to Lion, he smiled at least Lion brought him some place. "Lion, is there any place where humans live near here?" The creature sat down relaxed, Steven found, and thought for a moment. The people her probably didn't peek his language. Now he was limited to America, Canada, and England, "Lion could you take me someplace in America? That was the preferred and most comfortable place. Lion shot up and Steven got on, he opened the warp once more. Steven came out in what looked like a desert area. It had hills, and brush and dry grass. He looked to the north and the south seeing mountains in the distance, snowy on their peeks despite it being early summer. He got of Lion, and began to walk south, the mountains were be a nice reclusive place.
Steven Soon came across a road with semis and trucks driving on it. He hoped on Lion saying follow the roads in the south direction, which is what Lion did. Many people honked and slammed on the breaks when seeing a pink Lion and a boy riding it. They soon came to a canyon, with a big arching bridge for the cars. There was a sign that said Welcome to Falls, Idaho. "Lion you brought me to Idaho?" Steven said shocked a little, he thought Idaho was some eternal western film. He laughed, what a silly thought, that was like saying everyone I Canada must like maple syrup, or that everyone in California was on a diet. He asked Lion to take him to the other side, where he saw a running track and fences. Lion did as he was told, but as soon as Steven got off Lion left. He frowned, he looked at his surroundings, maybe he should just leave and live in the desert are around the town, maybe even the mountains, and not be in a town. There were so many things wrong that could happen in a town.
He walked into the clothes store parking lot that was nearby, he saw plenty of cars. He would just walk around for a while, for a desert it was even cooler than beach city. Steven walked along the running trail, every now and then seeing someone on it. It drought him buy It took him buy business restaurants, and homes on the rim, overlooking a lush forested area in the canyon, accompanied by a snaking river. Soon the trail ended and the sun was a little pass it's zenith. He needed to find a place to stay the night. He was regretting having everything with Lion. He did noticed caves along the sides of the canyon. He could make it down, he's been practicing on using his gem powers on command.
Steven hoped the fence and walked a few feet to the edge. The sharp lava rock, made scaffolding, to a cave far to the left, that was way easier than what he expected. He climbed down the rocks, and walked to it, It was tiny but had enough space for him and Lion to lay down out of the sun. It had a wonderful view, and it was near a small water fall, there was no stream that he saw walking by, but the rocks weeped. It was most likely fresh water, or a ground reservoir. He closed his eyes and dosed of, he hoped Lion was here soon.
He was welcomed in his dreams with nightmares. He was back on the cliff and Connie was there, she had his mom's sword and it was pointed at him, eyes had a deadly stare. Lion jumped in and ripped her throat he weeped over her, then Rose Quartz appeared and said, "You are so much like me, Steven." He pushed her off the cliff, and she screamed, as she fell. He looked back to see himself, only for the other Steven to push him to his death. As he feel the gems looked over the side at him, his tears streaming upwards. They wouldn't save him, even as he died. When he hit the bottom he was in a pit with shattered gems, it was so colorful but he knew what it meant.
The shattered gems were surrounded in fog, and he heard weeping. Steven walked towards it, only to see Rose Quartz, crying. "You weren't supposed to see, my crimes, all here." She screamed at him gems dust flowing through her fingers, he turned and ran. Anywhere but where she was, he soon recognized he was on the Beach City boardwalk. He spun around only to find out the way he came was gone. He looked forward again, and saw the Gems. They had their weapons summoned. "Steven there you are we've looking all over for you," Garnet said angrily, gauntleted fists clenching, a frown permanently placed on her lips. She sprinted towards him, and grabbed him and carried him like a sack of potatoes or sugar beets.
As much as he tried Steven could not activate his bubble or do anything that could save him from going back to the gems. He cried and screamed, not strong enough to make his escape, or even have Garnet's grip loosen. He was terrified, his blood pounding all over his body, fear cascaded over him washing away everything but that fear. Before he realized it they were at the beach house and he was sat down on the couch. The Gems glared down at him, judgment in their eyes.
Steven woke up, forgetting where he was a brief moment. As soon as he realized the dream was over and where he was, he noticed the snoring of Lion. The beast typically slept next to him, no matter where he was. He looked out to the canyon it was night time, and he got up, looking at all the stars it was truly beautiful. He looked on his phone, twelve o'clock and forty-six missed calls. Connie, he was going to call he, he frowned when he realized he'd been called from her. He knew they could track his phone so he'd move after calling her, and shutting down his phone. He dialed.
"Steven!" He heard her shout.
"Hi, tell my dad goodbye, this is the last time they'll here anything from me." He sighed.
"Steven, what do you mean?" Connie asked concerned.
"I'm not coming home, and they'll never find me. I'll call you on pay phones though Connie." He laughed, smiling finally.
"Steven, you're running away?" he heard the pain in her voice, "Steven you can just up and leave, I'll go with you!"
"Connie, I wish you could, but life is hard with what I'm doing." He said sadly, he didn't want to hurt her so she needed to stay away from him and the gems.
"Steven," She sighed, "Where even are you?"
"Idaho, though I won't be there much longer." He said, he would leave by morning to a big city, live in the abandoned buildings.
"Steven, is there anything you want me to tell the Gems?" She almost cried, he teared. Never hurt her. EVER.
"Tell them that this for me, they did nothing wrong."
Steven ended the call, tears welling in his eyes he never thought it'd be this hard. He shut down his phone, and shivered, it was cold, he'd leave at dawn, which was around 6 hours from now. He pulled a blanket out of Lion, careful not to disturb him, and went back to sleep. His dreams tormented him once more. This time he was running from Rose Quartz, and it never ended, with gems crunch underneath his feet. He told himself that this wasn't his fault.
When he woke up Lion, was standing ready for him. How did Lion, always know what he was going to do? That wasn't important, he needed to find a place that he could stay. He hoped on Lion and was in a area with quaking aspen trees. He frowned, when he was in a place called Sun Valley Idaho, so him and Lion went off again. He found himself in Salt Lake City Utah. That was okay, he could stay here today, it was Monday morning, and he hadn't eaten in a while. He went into Lions mane when he found a Park to stay for a while. He pulled out cheese and crackers, with some salami, and ate looking at the park.
Steven as soon as he finished his meal, started to walk around the city. Lion soon left and he was alone, there was some cool buildings, though it was over all and average city, expect he was putt of a little with the fact there was no water nearby. Steven frowned maybe he should go back to the gems, put this all behind him. No! I told himself, adamant that he never go back. He hadn't even thought about cutting since he decided to leave them, and everything was so much better. True he'd miss the people in Beach City, and Connie, but it was for the best, and it needed to stay this way.
It was soon three and he was a little lost, he tried wandering around until something looked familiar but that didn't work. He just decided to walk, honestly it didn't matter where he went he had no home, however freeing that was, it was a burden. He saw a pay phone and realizing that he didn't have money he sighed, he was going to call Connie see how she was doing but all the money was with Lion. He could call he now and just sleep in different places everyday. That would be nice, there'd be so much adventure, and he'd see a lot. Everything would be new everyday. No, he could call her later. She probably told the gems what he was doing. He knew she would, and he knew he couldn't trust Connie.
He couldn't trust the person he trusted most in the entire world. He glared at someone walking by him making speed up. He looked forward again, he couldn't trust anyone. That was a fact that he must face now, even if he makes friends in the future or finds a place that he'd stay, no one could be trusted, only himself. He frowned, a year ago he was so naive, and now he learned what the real world was like, and he was just like the world. Steven knew he was being harsh, that's the way things needed to be.
After two more hours of wandering, he found his way back and went to the park, and sat on a bench watching people walk by. It was a peaceful sight, reminding him that all wasn't bad. Everything would be better, things would be better, and he finally would be at peace without the gems. He needed to be strong, and steadfast, and he would be okay he had to be. Maybe he should go, back? No!
He must be strong, he would be better without them. Lion's arrival soon brought him out of his thoughts, he smiled and pet the beast's mane. Sunset would be soon and he needed to find a better place to sleep than a park. Some abandoned building would do fine, but it would take a while to find. He sighed, and began to walk, with lion following him. He'd find a place just perfect for him. No gems, no Rose Quartz, and no one he could hurt