CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: AN INESCAPABLE PAST (Draft 1)

James looked down and crossed his arms. 
“I told you to stop using your powers. At least until we figure out a way to get Mother and Father back.” 

“They’re dead, James–” Violet began. 

“No, they’re not, Emmy,” James closed his eyes. “We can still save them. Save everyone.” 

“What do you mean by ‘everyone?’” Sage argued. “We saw our sister get brutally murdered by our cousin. We saw our grandparents shatter into a million pieces. We saw our mentors fall dead in pools of their own blood. Who are we meant to save, James?” 

“Besides...” Scarlet groaned. “Why are we even talking about this?” 

James didn’t answer straight away. His eyes swept over their faces. Finally, his eyes narrowed. 
“I know.” 

“Know what?” Violet asked softly. 

“One of you broke my rule.” James answered grimly, “One of you used your powers.” 

Silence fell. All their eyes widened. Scarlet froze. 

James directed his gaze towards her. 
“The break-in at the police station. They found a framework that was meant to be bolted to the vent the criminals used to escape. It was melted; as if it encountered fingers as hot as the sun itself.” 

Scarlet gripped the edge of her shirt tightly as she looked down. Sage and Violet exchanged confused glances. 

“But I feel like Scarlet isn’t the only one who went against me.” He continued, his voice growing sharper with each word. 

He glanced at Blue, who had said nothing during the interaction. She sat straight, staring off into space, her face completely emotionless – as if she was trying to contain something, as if she was thinking about something else. He sighed, 
“I don’t even want to know why she was at the police station in the first place. I tell you girls to hide your powers, your true identities for your own safety.” 

“You know they might find us...” He looked away, “And when they do, I don’t know if Cherry and I will be powerful enough to protect you. Or if you’ll know how to properly control your Gemstones to defend yourselves.” 

He glanced over at them once more, “Just keep that in mind, alright?” 

He turned around and left without another word, slowly closing the door behind him. The Gemstones sat silently on their beds. 

Violet stood up and stared at her sister, tears forming in her eyes. 
“Ruby... what are you hiding from us?” 

She looked away, 
“I couldn’t tell you, Amethyst. Even if I wanted to.” 

“But why?” Violet cried. “Why do you three have to hide so much? So much pain? So many secrets?” 

Sage turned her gaze to the floor, “I don’t think that’s the point...” 

“Really?” Violet shot back. “Come on, Emerald! You think I don’t know about the nightmares?” 

A flicker of alarm widened Sage’s gaze. 
“How... how do you know about that?” 

“It’s obvious!” Violet's voice broke as she turned to her youngest sister. “And you! Staying quiet won’t help! You’ve been hiding stuff from us ever since we were kids. Are we really that untrustworthy?” 

Blue looked away. 
“It’s not that you’re untrustworthy... it’s–” 

“It’s what?” Violet exploded. “Aren’t your secrets slowly eating you up on the inside?” 

Blue clenched her fists and closed her eyes. 

“Do you really think I’m keeping my secrets willingly?” she muttered. 

Her eyes shot open. 

“My secrets are the reason our family isn’t whole anymore!” she barked. “The reason our home is gone! Why our mentors are dead! Why our sister was killed! Why Sam–” 

She froze midsentence, realising she had said too much. 
“Forget it.” 

And with those words, she bolted from the room – her rabbit hopping behind her – down the stairs, out the door, and as far from the truth she could, refusing to look back. 

Silent tears flowed down Violet’s cheeks as Sage placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. 
“It’s not your fault she ran... it’s just the way she is.” 

Scarlet rubbed her hand behind her neck. She wished she could tell them everything that was going on. But there was no way she could do that without betraying Flame’s trust. 

She stood up. Violet and Sage turned their heads towards her, watching as she slowly made her way out. 

Scarlet paused at the doorway and clutched the door handle behind her. 
“I’m sorry, Amethyst... I know you hate secrets. Especially after what it’s done to us. But I can’t tell you anything when the secret does not belong to me.” 

She slowly closed the door behind her, walking away without another glance. 

Violet sank onto Sage’s bed, wiping her tears away. 
“I’m sorry, Emm– Sage.” 

Sage sat down next to her. 
“It’s not your fault, Vi. Ru– Scarlet just told us that it’s not even her secret.” 

“Then who’s could it be?” Violet complained. “Is that someone more important to her?” 

Sage shrugged. 
“They may or may not be. It doesn’t really matter when she’s that loyal.” 

Violet’s chest rose and fell with a weary sigh. 
“I guess Father did always teach us to be loyal... but what about Blue?” 

“I don’t know...” Sage murmured. “I guess our young, naive Sapphire has another side to her we don’t know about.”