Lapis rested her back against the cold stone wall and pulled her knees close to her chest. Her feet and legs ached; her lungs screamed for air. She felt her heart shattering in her chest. Tears trickled down her hot cheeks as she let out a frustrated cry. She was lost. Lapis only knew how to get to the springs by herself. Every other time, she was guided by Peridot. And in her attempt to avoid coming across any humans, Lapis had made several turns that lead her to this dead end. She had no idea how she got here or how to get back. It was dimly lit and evidently rarely used trail. Not that it mattered. It was dangerous for her to be found by any other human in the Temple. Lapis sniffled and screamed hoarsely.

She knew Peridot would turn her away. It was only a matter of time. She was expecting it but, still, it hurt. It hurt a lot more than she thought. The pain pressed against her chest as she sobbed and sniffed. Peridot had been nothing but good to her. She guided her through this unfamiliar world; something Lapis knew Peridot had no responsibility to do. She gave her strength and confidence that had long since been beaten out of her. And Lapis hurt her. She was horrible. She was dangerous. Her emotions had overcome her; she let them consume her again. This was how she ended up imprisoned. Lapis bit her lower lip and squeezed her eyes shut as the memories danced back into her consciousness.

They had been creeping into her mind lately; sneaking into her thoughts, unrelenting. No matter how hard Lapis tried to push them back into the dark shadows of her psyche, they managed to seep through the barrier she had constructed. She did not mean for it to happen; it had never been her intention to cause such destruction. Fear had overtaken her, exemplifying her power. The human man-with his perverted plans and lecherous grin-snatched her up while she slept on the banks and took her to his home. Lapis never heard the other screams when the sea engulfed the island; she only heard hers. She did not mean to sink the city. It was a crime nonetheless but, Rose had been merciful when deciding her punishment. The penalty for taking so many human lives would have been death but, Lapis had been sentenced lightly, an eternity in a lapis lazuli. That was how she had received her name; Jasper gave it to her since she had forgotten her own.

Lapis wiped the slime from underneath her nose then rested her head on her arms and closed her eyes. The man's face returned with a mocking leer on his features. Anger swelled deep inside her. This is all your fault, you stupid human! He shook his head, laughing. This is your own doing, he mouthed. All you do is blame others for your recklessness and selfishness. You are death and doom and no one to blame but yourself. Lapis scowled and swiped at him. The menacing shadow evaporated into smoke. She woke up with a dull pain in her neck and back. Lapis uncurled from her little ball, stretched out her limbs and stared at the wall in front of her. What now? Home? Her eyes widened as reality hit her. She had kept it at bay; her focus had been on Peridot and her wellbeing that she had not realized...she had nothing.

Everything was gone. Her home, her family—destroyed. Even returning to the ruins was not an option. It was nothing but rubble under the sea. Tears streamed down her cheeks; the flow of emotion renewed with intense vigor. Her hands thrust in her hair, tightly gripping as she shook. She had nowhere to go. She had no one. The only friend she had was done with her. Lapis doubted the others would allow her to stay when Peridot banished her. They accepted her for Peridot's sake. No home, no family, no friends. Nowhere to go; just vast nothingness and anxiety. She was alone. Well, not all alone…

She could return to Jasper. A chill crept up her spine at the thought yet; it seemed to make the most sense. She knew Jasper and Jasper knew her. Jasper understood. Lapis dreaded the repercussions of her disappearance but she felt intimidated by the vast unknown before her. She had been fighting the urge to run back into the safety of a small space; back to the familiarity; back to Jasper for so long that she did not want to succumb to her fear. Lapis sobbed, her eyes stinging with desolation. She buried her face into her arms when she was vaguely aware of a voice shouting incoherently down the hall.

Her body tensed. What if she was found? What would they do? She scooted further into the shadows, shrinking her body as small as possible. The person continued to advance, calling out in desperation. There was something awkward with how they walked and the shuffle of their feet. No, foot. Scrape, tap, tap, scrape, tap, tap. The voice was more distinct as they drew closer; the words were more recognizable. They were calling her name. Peridot was calling her name. Lapis perked up before slumping back down. Peridot did not want her. What would it matter anymore? Lapis sat still, waiting for Peridot to pass her.

"Lapis?" Her gaze wandered up. Peridot was leaning on her crutches. Her blonde hair was a mess around her face; her features were etched in concern. Lapis shamefully looked away. Peridot approached her and set her crutches against the wall. She struggled to slide down the wall to sit next to Lapis. She bent her good knee and let the stump rest on the ground. They did not say anything for a moment. "I'm sorry, Lapis. I didn't mean…"

"No, you did," Lapis interrupted. "You're right. I have no reason to be here. I cause nothing but trouble and pain."

"Yeah," Peridot replied, absently. "You have been a pain in my ass since I saw you in the forest but…"

"I don't blame you for wanting me gone," Lapis sobbed. "I'm horrible. I'm dangerous and unstable and selfish..."

"But…"

"Don't tell me I am wrong! All I do is destroy! I was imprisoned because I sunk an island. When Jasper released me, I sunk cities and towns and villages so that I could go home and I had no home! It's my fault you lost your leg!"

"Fine. I won't tell you you're wrong," Peridot replied, flatly. "You're right about everything, really. I don't know about the whole island thing but, I know everything else. I lost my home and family and now my leg because of you. You put us in danger by being here."

"I'm trying to leave but—but…I'm lost! I don't know how to get out of here," Lapis exclaimed, frustrated. Peridot snorted and shook her head. "It's not funny! You told me to leave, and I am trying. I was trying to avoid this group, but I took…"

She could not continue because Peridot was laughing. Her whole body shook with sharp, high-pitched laughter. Lapis gaped at her in disbelief, her cheeks angrily flushed. What was so funny? Why was she laughing? Lapis growled with irritation and pressed her face into her hands. Wetness spilled from her eyes and slicked her palms. Peridot tried to stop laughing, hiccupping and wheezing for breath. She apologized repeatedly between gasps and giggles. Peridot removed her glasses and brushed away the tears from her eyes. Lapis stared miserably at the ground.

"It's not funny," she mumbled.

"It's not but it is," Peridot replied, breathlessly. "It's fortunate, though. I was worried I wouldn't catch you in time."

"Catch me? Why? You told me to leave!"

"Because, well, um…okay…we think Jasper destroyed your home to trap you. If you had nowhere to go, you would have no other chose but return to her." A scowl touched Lapis's lips, her eyes furrowed. Peridot glanced at her, trying to gauge her reaction before she continued. "Pearl thinks that Jasper has no real power and that is why she needs you. She can't have some being with power out of her control. Hence, why she has the nymphs too."

"That's impossible." Peridot shrugged her shoulders and pushed her glasses back on her nose.

"It's just a theory. And it makes sense. But, I didn't want to be the one to push you back to Jasper. I saw what she did to you in the woods. I saw how you were treated and the position that you were in. If I'm completely honest, I probably would have done the same to get home," Peridot admitted. Warmth seeped into Lapis's chest at Peridot's concern, but it was quickly replaced by ice as her eyes fell to the stump on the ground.

"I'm dangerous to you. You lost your leg because of me. You could have died."

"True. I'm not going to deny it; I'm still pretty pissed about it. Look at me. I am already unattractive and now I have to deal with this!" She tried to make a joke, but there was bitterness to her voice. "You're not ugly," Lapis said, softly and Peridot blushed.

"However, it doesn't make you bad. You are a fucking emotional mess with incredible powers, and that is never a good combination." Lapis grunted; Peridot smiled and continued, "You're dangerous and a huge liability but it's better for you to be dangerous with us than against us, I guess. Something like that. And, well, I would feel awful if you went back to Jasper. Even if it doesn't feel like it now."

"Wait. So, you want me to stay?"

"Yeah, I guess that is what I am saying." Lapis flung her arms around Peridot's shoulders, catching her off guard. She felt Peridot's arms wrap around her, returning her embrace. They sat for a moment in each other's hold. It felt so nice. Lapis felt secure in Peridot's arms; a delicious warmth spread through her body. She could almost feel the tenderness flow between her and Peridot. She felt so comfortable and at ease. Eventually, Peridot moved uncomfortably underneath her, and Lapis pulled away.

"The others…they will let me stay?"

"Yeah. It's a huge risk but it wouldn't do us any good for you to go back to Jasper."

"I see," Lapis replied, dully.

"Well, of course they are concerned about everyone else's well-being."

"No, I understand. I get it." Peridot grabbed her crutches and attempted to stagger to her feet. Lapis jumped up and helped Peridot on her foot. She handed her the crutches. Peridot tucked them underneath her arms and adjusted herself.

"We should get back." Lapis nodded.