Characters created by: Rebecca Sugar
Chapter 6: Massacre At Saint Petersburg
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Saint Petersburg, Russia-January 22nd, 1905
Steven was shivering in the Russian cold.
"Oh jeez. Russia cold is a new kind of cold."
He put his hands around his gem, creating a circle surrounding it. His gem glowed, and he had on a winter coat, many different colored scarfs, and a blanket over his shoulders, waving from the wind on his back. He sighed with relief.
"Better."
Suddenly, he heard nearby chanting. He was perplexed. He looked around a corner to find a whole crowd of people gathered around one man. The man had long hair and a beard, was wearing big fur cap, had long robes, and a rather large necklace. Steven could not make out what was on the necklace. The man spoke.
"Fellow members of the Assembly of Russian Factory and Mill Workers of Saint Petersburg, today, we bring this petition to Tsar Nicholas the Second, that addresses fairer wages, better working conditions, and working day reduction to eight hours! We will march to the Tsar's Winter Palace and present this petition to him!"
"The Winter Palace?" thought Steven.
He walked up to a person in the back of the crowd.
"Hey, where's the Winter Palace?"
The main pointed to behind Steven.
"About a few blocks from here that way."
"Thank you."
Steven began his walk to the Winter Palace.
Palace Square-Ten Minutes Later
Steven gazed at the marvelous Winter Palace. The majority of the palace a light green. It was a beautiful sight indeed.
Steven sighted a few soldiers guarding the Palace gates.
Suddenly, he heard many voices approach. They became louder every second. He turned behind him to see the crowd from before, marching up to the Palace square. They were giving chants.
"Fairer wages, better conditions, eight hour work days! Sign the petition, make Russia better for workers!"
The crowd stopped a few yards behind Steven. Steven turned back to the direction of the Winter Palace, and he saw it.
He suddenly saw soldiers of the Imperial Guard march into two shoulder to shoulder lines, holding rifles. An officer called out.
"Ready!"
The front line crouched, making the back line now visible. Steven was filled with sudden fear. He ran over to the crowd.
"Guys!"
The officer called out again.
"Aim!"
He could hear the sound of rifles clicking. He ran right into the crowd, pushing over a few people. Then he heard the final command.
"Fire!"
He heard simultaneous gunshots, followed by screaming. He lifted himself from the ground and saw bodies laying beside him. Then he heard it again.
"Fire!"
More shots, and more screaming. He put his hands to his ears.
"No! I don't want to be here anymore!"
Steven found himself beside a tree, bushes nearby, and he could see rolling hills in the distance.
"Woah. Where am I now, Hourglass Thingy?"
He peeked through some bushes and gasped at what he saw.
It was the barn.
"The barn? What am I doing at the barn?"
He then noticed Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, and… himself, but younger. He smiled at his kid self.
"Aw, I was so adorable at a young age. Wait…"
Steven noticed the Gems and Kid Steven standing at a white table, with Amethyst and Garnet both wearing birthday hats. Amethyst was also holding balloons. Pearl was folding ribbons. Steven gasped.
"Oh my goodness! It's my fourteenth birthday!"