Chapter Text
After walking for 20 minutes (more or less), the group of Steven, Connie, Sadie and Amethyst reached Vidalia house. It was Steven who ring the bell to advice that they were there. After that they heard some quick steps and opening the door was a very tired looking Vidalia. It was obvious that she had gotten dressed as soon as she walked up in the very early hours of the disappearance of Onion. Her eyes were puffy and her hair looked a little disorderly. She was dressed in her usual denim overalls and I her left hand he was holding her shotgun pointed to the ground as she opened the door. Not even amethyst had any humor left after seen in what kind of obvious distress her poor old friend was. Breaking the silence Vidalia was the first one to talk.
-Oh Steven, Connie, Amethyst…Sadie, is good to see you—she said trying to smile.
-We came as soon as we knew—Amethyst was the first to react to her old friend words. As soon he finished she went and hugged Vidalia.
The group soon followed amethyst lead and gave her a group hug. When the hug finished, Vidalia invited them inside and while they walked and sat in the living room she said.
-Sadie, if you want you can go with Sour Cream…he is up wit Buck and Jenny—Vidalia said as she sat in the purple couch with Amethyst by her side. Sadie looked at Connie and Steven and the three of them did a non verbal agreement. It will better to leave the old friends talk and go see how Sour Cream was; he was after all, the one who found what remained of his brother. As they walked up the stairs they saw the yellow tape in what Connie Supposed was Onion Room. As they neared sour cream room they were a little startled by Jenny who was going outside.
-Steven? And Sadie and Connie?—Asked Jenny, looking at them sounding surprisingly somber.
-Jenny...hummm…hello—said Steven awkwardly after being clearly scared by Jenny—we want to see Sour Cream…-began Steven.
-If it's appropriate—Said Sadie not knowing how to approach the talk, a kidnapping was kind of a blind point.
-sure, I was going out to ask for a pizza and something to drink, enter Buck and Sour Cream are inside—she said signaling them to enter the room and after they entered she went her way. Inside there they saw Sour Cream laying in his bed looking straight up, Buck was for his part sitting in a folding chair in a corner and as they entered Buck lifted his eyesight and greeted them with a hand gesture, and sour cream sat in the bed to make room. Sadie sat at the feet of the bed with her legs dangling, Steven sat also there but cross-legged looking at sour cream and Connie sat besides Steven. Connie thanked that Sour cream was skinny enough that he could just move to the corner and give her a little space.
-So… guess that you already know?—he said sounding quite and her voice a little tired.
-Yeah it was this morning—Steven Began—Sadie got the paper with the story and showed it to us while Connie and I returned from our morning Routine…
-Morning routine?—Asked Buck looking at the pair.
-yeah…after my dad died, Amethyst and Pearl are trying to get me into shape—Steven said an attempting a little humor he flexed his arms.
-so you and Connie workout this morning?—Buck asked smiling.
-oh yes… we jogged and then Connie helped me with my weight training…-he began.
-It wasn't that much help Steven—Connie said a little shy.
-are you kidding? You helped me with my pushups and chin ups—He began.
-How did Connie helped with those?—Asked Sadie curios remembering their workout attempt.
-She was in some harness in my back to give me some weight….then in the chin ups she hugged me to have weight during the Chin ups—he said looking at Connie—she also worked out.
-what did you do?—asked now Sour Cream.
-Hum mostly Body weight…my mother will never let me do weight training at my age—she said.
Just as she finished, jenny came back carrying a pitcher and some glasses.
-The pizza will be here in 15 or 20 minutes…but your mom sends you this, fresh lemonade—she said as she served lemonade to every one—oh man…this whole weekend has been horrible—she said as she sat in the ground but was stopped by SC who signaled her to climb in the bed and sit close to him.
-yes…this weekend did not please me—Buck said.
-Neither to us…especially last night was just weird—Steven began to say.
-What do you mean?—asked Jenny. Buck and Sour Cream leaned in interested.
After recounting the events of Connie school…Sadie Dream, Steven's dream they eventual encounter with the man known as Freddy Krueger they were left with a shock…and oddly enough the first one to speak was…
-So…you meet him in a dream?—said Buck looking at the trio of Sadie, Steven and Connie—first Steven, then Sadie and now Connie…
-that is some creepy stuff—Jenny said as she took a sip of her lemonade.
-Not even half of it—Sadie then got out her three silver dollars—remember my dream?, he paid me this, three uncirculated dollars, the only damage that they have is a small dent in the edge after they fell to the ground.
-Wow—said sour cream looking at the coins—this look recently mint.
-Yeah…and you never got them before I want to your house?—asked Jenny
-No, as I told garnet and pearl, if I had they before I would already sold them, I need the money, I mean, the show gigs pay enough for the rent but the extra money for this will be nice—Sadie answered flipping one…the crystal clear sound echoing in the room.
-Still, this Krueger man, or thing, this sounds so bizarre…a man that maybe is connected with this kid in Connie's school, and maybe Sadie and Steven—Jenny said, then they heard the sound of the ring bell of the door—oh the pizza is here.
Every one of them began to search for some cash when Jenny said.
-Don't worry, this one is on me—she said going to the front door…as she went out Connie asked for the toilet.
-there is a bathroom in the door at the end of the corridor and a single toilet down under the stairs—Sour Cream told Connie.
As soon as Amethyst and Vidalia sat in the couch Amethyst asked.
-So…do you know what happened?—Amethyst said sounding a little awkward, she simply was not used talking about tragedies.
-As far as the cops know, it looks like…Onion struggled and…-she was trying hard to keep her composure knowing what they told her when she asked about the blood and what those organs where, the cops answered that they will need forensics was not reassuring at all—he simple disappeared, he is nowhere in this place, no even in his private place on his room.
-private place?—asked amethyst confused
-There is this room behind a poster—Vidalia explained—like some secret alone place.
-oh…I understand—just then Jenny went down the stairs.
-Miss Yellow…can I borrow your phone—Jenny asked to Vidalia—I want to order a pizza for everybody upside—she said.
-Sure…hey what are you boys going to drink?—she asked standing up.
-Maybe I ask soda with the pizza—Jenny said as she made her way to the kitchen where the phone was.
-Hey, wait up…I make you some lemonade—Vidalia said entering with jenny the kitchen—hey amethyst, do you want something?—Vidalia asked to her friend who was sitting on the couch still thinking.
-a sandwich will be good—Amethyst answer back sighing and turning to look at a pot plant at her right…why this weekend had been to shitty? A couple of moments after that Vidalia and Jenny came out of the kitchen. Vidalia was carrying a pitcher in one hand while in the other she was holding a plate with 2 glasses and her sandwich. Jenny went up with other pitcher and some glassed in her hand. As she got her sandwich she turned and asked her Friend.
-You suspect of someone or…?—she began but Vidalia immediately answered.
-NO…sorry…I mean, nothing this serious has happened in this tow…as far as human problems—Vidalia said.
-What do you mean?—Amethyst said, sandwich still intact, in a rare time in her life, she was not compelled to eat the sandwich.
-The only source of problems in the town are gem related…-she began but the amethyst interfere.
-wow…we are a problem?—amethyst began
-not you, but…your gem stuff kind of attracts some very messed up stuff—Vidalia began.
-Like what?—Amethyst said cold
-The red eye thing for example, the green arm thing and…-Vidalia said trying to say the stuff in a light manner…it was a mistake.
-Oh, I see it, we are the problem—amethyst said crossing her arms.
-you aren't a problem…I don't think of you as a problem—Vidalia said.
-But as the "thing" that attracts the problem here?—she said now looking Vidalia in the eye—just say it…it will be honest—said her now turning away and giving a bite to the sandwich..She then felt a hand on her shoulder.
-Amethyst…you are my friend, I have know you and the crystal gems since before Steven was even born…I don't blame you for what you have to deal with—she said looking at her and smiling it was that moment when she heard the door ring—oh the pizza—she said as they heard jenny walking down the stairs to pick the pizza up...
As Connie went to the bathroom…Steven lay down in the bed…it was so comfy, her feet dangling on the right side her head a couple of inches from Sadie…without knowing he dozed off a little.
Connie was cleaning her hands in the sink as she finished using the bathroom. Everything had been so weird, Eric death, the dream fight with the Zombies and this Freddy guy…Who was him? and what he wanted? As she was finishing cleaning her hands she went to lower the tap of the toilet when she saw something weird…the water was red. After looking at this she thought that maybe the piped were dirty or clogged, thinking that maybe another flush will clean them up, she flushed the toilet again…just to se the toilet fill itself with water of a darker shade of red. Now this was highly unusual.
-what the…?—she then grabbed the water container of the toilet and lifted the cover….
-hey guys…pizza is here—Jenny said as she walked to them.
-hey steven—sadie said playful giving him a light nudge…poor guy had just dozed off for a minute—pizza is here.
-what? Oh great—he said wishing that it wasn't square…as shake himself wake he heard sour cream phone—what kind did you asked?
-humm—sour cream said as he pick up his phone and looked at the screen.
-Good old fashion pepperoni pizza—Jenny said as she gave everyone a cartoon plate.
-Is something wrong—Sadie asked as she got her pizza slice.
-My phone can't recognize the number—he said showing the screen that read unknown.
-let me see—Buck said as he was the last one to get his pizza and as he looked he said—is a voice message.
-let heard it—said Jenny.
-Hum Jenny maybe is a private thing—Steven said.
-don't worry…maybe is just publicity or something—Sour Cream said as Jenny put the pizza box in the ground and got in the bed. Buck got his chair closer to the bed and put the phone in the center to play the message as they began biting at their pizza…one by one they feel something wrong. Sadie felt some metallic taste in the sauce; the pizza was not so much had it as it was impregnated of it. Sour Cream instantly recognize the taste…he just didn't want to believe it; years of skating had taught him how it taste like. Jenny instantly associate it with the taste that she felt when she pulled out one of her milk toot. Buck had a similar learning experience as Steven. One by one began making faces…some of disgust, some of shock…and some of them of horror. As some of them spit the half chew pizza in their plates the message began sounding.
"Welcome to Fred's pizza, the only one pizza that is guaranteed food for the soul….special of today is pepperoni with our secret Onion Sauce…eat up and don't worry…we always have space for one more…slice don't we?"
After the message finish every single one of the sat there in silence. Suddenly jenny stood up fast and going to the garbage can she puck. Sadie barely contained herself from vomiting right there. Steven took a swing at his lemonade and as it was mouth wash he passed it for his mouth and spited it back to his glass feeling sick. The other followed his example and after every one was more or less calm they looked at the pizza box. Slowly as in complete synchronization they walked towards it. As they stood there they looked at each other uneasy.
-Who is going to pick it up?—Sadie asked looking the pizza box like and unholy abomination.
-I will do it—said Steven…and instantly wished that someone would have beaten him to it. Kneeling and as he extended his left arm for he wanted to touch it the less possible. Then a drop fell in the box. Steven looked at the drop in the white box, it was red and shined a little then as it dried a little the color darken…slowly he looked at the cool kids and then to Sadie who looked the drop confused…then another one feel. Looking slowly up everybody they saw a spot in the ceiling…it was building up for another drop.
Jenny was about to scream when someone beat her to it…then the sound of porcelain breaking made everybody turn and run towards the second floor bathroom at the end of the corridor.
As they heard Jenny close the door, Vidalia turned to see her friend when I saw something odd. The pot plant that was at the right of amethyst was withering before her eyes. Amethyst looked at the shock expression of her friend and turning she saw the same thing. The plant began to lose its green color and as it turned brown amethyst kneel in the couch looking at the plant dying in front of them…then it began to smoke a little.
-What the F…-she began when the suddenly the plant burned. Thinking fast she drank the whole pitcher and transforming her mouth in a hose she showered the plant turning the fire off. Amethyst then turned to Vidalia who was speechless…they they heard a scream and porcelain breaking.
Sour Cream was the first on the bathroom door and after trying to open it fast and finding that it was close he turned to Buck and nodding they prepare themselves to ram it when the door suddenly opened and Connie with tears in her eyes jumped ran to Steven and Sadie who hug her. Amethyst and Vidalia came soon after. Amethyst with her whip on her hands as they turned towards Connie who had begun to babble barely coherent sentences.
-the water…red and…oh god—she began between sobs.
Vidalia looked at the bathroom were there was broken in the floor, the cover of the water container. Walking there with amethyst she then looked inside. She did not scream, she did not say anything. Everybody just saw how her body went limp and amethyst cached her before she hit her head with the shower. Before they enter the bathroom she looked inside the container and she feel genuine horror. Turning towards the teens and looking at Connie and Steven, the first one who was still a nervous wreck she took her decision.
-everybody out—she said as she carried Vidalia towards the door.
-What's there?—said Sour Cream walking towards the bathroom.
-none of your business—Amethyst said…they must not see it.
-just let me in—he said walking towards the door—this is my house.
-yeah well you can't—amethyst said as she leap out of the bathroom with Vidalia and putting her in the floor she took out her whip and closed the door—just call the cops—she said looking at sour cream daring him to get close to the door. Everybody turned to see each other and after a little bit Sadie said.
-Sour Cream…please, for Connie…we had enough for today—Sadie said hugging Connie.
Sighing sour cream turned and signaled all to walk down stair…he stood there and before joining them he turned a final time towards amethyst and bending down to carry her mother downstairs he asked.
-it's about my brother…eh purple?—he said giving a last glance that amethyst did not return.
After half hour the cops came to the home. Connie was calm now but she just stared to the front, her eyes unfocused. Steven felt lost…he had never dealt with a situation remotely similar…no matter how dangerous it was they always returned home remembering it as an adventure…this feel more like a nightmare.
All of them looked how one police officer came down with the pizza inside a clear plastic bag. Other one went down with something inside a darker one and he could hear clear sounds of officers working in Sour cream room. Sour Cream was talking with an officer explaining the pizza incident and giving to them his cell phone where the voice message was still there.
Everybody shudder when they heard it again except Connie who looked confused and for the first time had other expression on her face…realization. Steven also caught on…he turned to Sadie and he saw her face change from horror to shock. As the officers leave the house and Vidalia came back to her senses and went with amethyst to the garage with amethyst Steven had to talk.
-I know who called you—Steven said feeling fear but decided.
-We know who was—Sadie added raising her glare.
-you know who was the one who killed Onion…my brother?—sour cream said barely containing his anger—then why did you not say it before?
-We were too shocked by the "pizza", Cream—Sadie said—and I just remembered the voice after I heard it again.
-Girl, if you who is, just spill it out—jenny interjected—and Sour Cream cut her some slack, she is trying to help.
-it was Freddy—Connie said in calm yet audible voice.
-What—Said Jenny and SC at the same time.
-Freddy Krueger—Connie said looking up
-The man from your dreams—Buck said looking at the three: Sadie, Steven and Connie.
-It was the same voice—Steven said.
-yes it was him—Sadie corroborate—we know how he sounds like, and that was his voice.
-Lets say that is true—SC said—what will that mean.
-A dream…-Buck began but was cut short by Jenny.
-This is not a dream—she began but Connie stopped her.
-He is onto something—Connie said looking at Buck—what were you going to say?
-what if he works in dreams?—he said hunch over hands close to his face.
-Like some sort of dream ghost or dream wizard?—Sadie asked.
-yes—he said cryptic—your coins…they transcended the metaphysical realm into the real.
-Onion was asleep when he disappeared—Sour Cream said, rubbing his chin.
-I fell asleep in front of the TV—Sadie Said.
-we were sleep when we help Sadie and saw him together—Said Connie holding Steven hand.
Jenny began to feel uncomfortable…wasn't Gunga asleep when she…no it can't be. Jenny just hugged herself and turned. SC noticed this and hugged her.
-even Eric was asleep when he died—Connie said slapping her forehead.
-If my memory isn't too screwy…this Freddy guy told you from where he was—SC said.
-Springwood—Sadie, Steven and Connie said together.
-hey…isn't that the place where Garnet and Pearl went—Jenny asked.
-yes—said the voice of amethyst, at her side was Vidalia…she looked so old and tired.
-Tell me everything that you know—Vidalia said, looking at them
-MOM…how much did you listen—SC asked surprised.
-Enough to believe you…now…tell me what you know about this Krueger man—she said.
-we just scratched the surface—Buck said.
-yeah…After Garnet and Pearl Come back we will know more—Steven said as the rest nodded.
Vidalia walked to the garage and came back with her shoot gun.
-then let's go to your house…I need answers—she said with no room for any objections.
-they said that maybe they will come back tomorrow maybe…-Amethyst said but stopped with a stare from Vidalia.
-Then I wait the whole night if it's necessary—she said.
SC looked how Steven stood and walked, soon follow by Sadie and Connie. Looking towards Buck he just silently walked with them. Without a word he took Jenny hand and soon they were following them to Steven house…to wait for the truth.