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“You’re pathetic.”
The cutting words echoed across Pearl’s mind as she raced through the birch forest, her sword clutched tightly in her hand. A full moon hung above her like a lantern against the coal-black sky, giving the pale trees an eerie glow. In spite of the moon’s brightness, groans, hisses, and shrieks pierced through the darkness. Pearl’s eyes shifted this way and that, alert for any monsters that decided to make the unfortunate decision of crossing her path.
Sure enough, a zombie emerged from the shadows. It lunged at Pearl, its jaws barely missing her shoulder. She spun around, striking hard and fast. Sword scraped against flesh, and in a matter of seconds, the zombie was dead. The rotten heap barely made it to the forest floor before Pearl turned around to resume her journey. This was no time to collect loot.
“You’re pathetic!”
Pearl scoffed at the voice, which only seemed to grow louder as the birch trees grew thinner and further apart. She wasn’t pathetic; she’d just killed a zombie in mere seconds. She placed second to Scar in Secret Life. She had won Double Life for crying out loud!
Pearl wasn’t pathetic, and tonight she was going to prove it.
The trees cleared as a bridge appeared before her. The point of no return. Pearl sucked in a breath before taking a step across the threshold. The wood screeched loudly under the weight of her boot. She held her breath, waiting for the shouting of voices, the pounding of boots, the harsh glint of swords against moonlight.
There was nothing but the lapping of the river against the birch.
Pearl let out the breath she’d been holding and continued across the bridge. The steady rhythm of leather against wood fell in time with the pounding of her own heart. With each step, the voice in her head grew stronger, more mocking. It became harsher, the words echoing in her head like the ringing of a village bell.
“You’re pathetic! Pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic!”
Pearl let out a low growl and quickened her pace. She was going to silence that voice even if it killed her. Before long, wood gave way to grass, and soon Pearl was standing in enemy territory.
A comically large car stood before her. Beyond that was a barn made of various materials housing a herd of bellowing cows. Pearl ducked behind the car, crouching low. Against her better judgment, she took a quick peek through the side window. A sleeping Joel lay inside, clutching his sword as if it were the only thing keeping him alive. Pearl returned to her crouched position and turned toward the barn. She only had one target tonight.
The voice was back again. This time with a lot more to say.
“Pathetic!”
Pearl rolled her eyes.
“You’re a coward!”
She gritted her teeth.
“Traitor!”
Each word bit and scratched, daring a reaction out of her. Pearl continued on, unfazed.
“I don’t love you!”
Pearl gasped, stopping dead in her tracks. The voice laughed victoriously. Its sharp, high-pitched shrills stabbed straight through her heart like swords. It knew the pain it had caused; it relished it. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to think of anything else—anything but those words, those fiery orange curls, the snarl, the hurt in her voice, anything but her.
No. She would not let this consume her. She would not let this weakness be her downfall.
Pearl reached deep down inside her, trying to summon the one thing that would get her out of this, something that she hadn’t felt in the longest time. Rage. Blood rushed to her ears, drowning out the harsh laughter. She tightened her grip on her sword as red filled her vision. She imagined driving the blade through the heart of her target, the river of red that would follow. She imagined the thrill, the satisfaction of bringing her tormentor down to red. She imagined the relief of the voice being silenced forever.
Her eyes flew open. The barn loomed above her, an angry red beast silhouetted against the moon. Its entrance was a black mouth waiting to swallow her whole. Pearl gave the barn one final glare before marching inside. She was ending this tonight.
Pearl could hardly believe anyone could sleep through the sound of several bellowing cows, but she couldn’t complain. The sound covered up her footsteps quite nicely. Hay bales, flower pots, and barrels lined the mismatched walls. She considered taking a quick look at the barrels’ contents, but decided that would have to wait until after the mission. She spotted a ladder propped against a beam. Pearl sheathed her sword and gripped its rungs. Her hands shook with each step, and she prayed that she wouldn’t fall.
She climbed over the last rung of the ladder and found herself in a dark but cozy room. A bed sat in the corner, where Gem lay sound asleep. She crept closer. Her heart raced as the voice returned, louder than ever.
“YOU’RE PATHETIC!”
Pearl carefully unsheathed her sword.
“COWARD!”
She arrived at the head of the bed. Her lungs grew tighter, her breaths shorter and faster.
“YOU BETRAYED ME, AND I DON’T LOVE YOU!”
The voice cackled. Gem—the source of this cursed voice, the cause of all her torment. She lay on her side, her body turned toward the wall. Her hair, bright and vibrant as lava, spilled across the pale sheets. Pearl remembered a time when she would tuck those same orange strands behind her ears. She was almost silent in sleep; the only sound she made was the soft rise and fall of her breath. She looked almost… peaceful. As if she were incapable of hurting anyone.
No. Pearl nearly jumped at the bluntness of her own thoughts. How long has she been standing here, stuck in this trance? You know what she’s capable of. Don’t let her do this to you again.
She raised her sword with shaking hands. This was it. Just one stab and a new red would be thrust into the world. Just one quick stab and it would finally be over. Just as she was about to plunge the blade through her chest, Gem rolled onto her back with a sigh. Pearl’s breath caught in her throat.
Do it! her mind screamed, Take the kill! She’s making it so easy for you!
But her body wouldn’t cooperate. Pearl stood frozen, unable to rip her gaze from Gem’s lips, curved to form a slight smile.
“Hello, Pearl.”
Before Pearl could react, a blow hit her in the gut, sending her stumbling backward. Her body slammed into the ground. She gasped, desperately trying to recover the breath that was knocked out of her. Her sword clattered uselessly to the floor somewhere beside her. A hand dug into her shoulder, pinning her in place. She felt something cold and metallic pressed against her throat.
“Gem!” Pearl said with a halfhearted smile, “It’s good to see you too!”
Void, why didn’t she take the kill when she had the chance?
“Come to kill me again, I reckon?” Gem dramatically tilted her head, her voice tinged with boredom. The shifted weight caused more pressure on Pearl’s shoulder. She winced in response.
“Noooo, absolutely not…” Pearl squirmed under Gem’s grasp, her eyes darting to the left. Her arm flailed haphazardly, searching for her fallen sword.
Gem rolled her eyes. “Yes, it appears you have. And I’m holding your sword right now, genius.”
“Oh.”
Pearl’s face flushed as red as her cloak. She fell limp with a huff.
Yellow and green eyes stared into reds. Then a small giggle escaped Gem’s lips, cutting through the silence. She threw back her head as she laughed. (That laugh again. Why is it always that laugh?)
“And in my sleep, too? Ha! You really are pathetic!”
Pearl’s face couldn’t get any hotter. She glared up at the ginger, who continued to laugh above her. Her hands balled into fists, feeling the red rage bubbling up inside her once again. The vice grip on her shoulder loosened as Gem attempted to suppress her giggles. This time, Pearl took the opening.
She struck Gem in the chin. The metallic pressure against her throat lifted as her captor recoiled. Pearl kicked out wildly, landing a blow to the stomach. She scrambled to her feet as Gem hit the ground with a loud thud.
Gem righted herself, her face contorting into a vicious scowl. The two adversaries’ eyes locked. Memories swam within them; ones of camaraderie, glory, betrayal, death. Their gazes bore into each other, daring the other to look away, to give in, to admit defeat. The silence was deafening.
“You want to kill me that badly?” Gem snarled, “Then fine. Kill me.”
She tossed Pearl’s sword at her. She caught it, still refusing to break away from Gem’s sharp glare. Gem took a step backward and sank into the bed.
“Kill me,” she repeated.
Pearl’s eyes widened. Her mouth went dry. She glanced down at her sword, then back at Gem. Mindlessly, she took a step forward. Then another, then another, until she was finally standing mere inches away from Gem. The tip of her sword found its way to her chest, just above her heart. Gem raised her hand slowly, the fingers gingerly enclosing the tip of the blade.
“Go on.”
The whisper could barely be heard over the rush of thoughts in Pearl’s mind. It would be Gem and Pearl against the world once again. The two most formidable Reds, finally reunited. A glimmer of hope ignited deep within her.
But Pearl had played enough death games to know not to trust the word of just anyone.
“You aren’t playing a trick on me, are you, Gem?”
“No.” The ginger shook her head and averted her gaze. “No. Of course not. I’m not like…”
Her heart gave a start. With painful realization, Pearl knew the end of that sentence.
You betrayed me, and I don’t love you.
“Not like…me.” she finished.
Pearl lowered her sword. Her face twisted with shame. Her throat tightened as guilt washed over her. The message was clear: there was no way Gem would accept an alliance, not after what she’d done.
“I knew it.” Gem sighed. “I knew you didn’t have the heart.”
A part of Pearl wanted to bite back, retaliate with some sort of scathing retort, but no matter how hard she fought, she knew she would never be able to win this battle. Gem had put down her sword and replaced it with words, yet they still cut, stabbed, and hurt the same. And now Pearl was paying the price of her own betrayal.
So the only thing to do now was to admit defeat.
“I guess I have nothing left to prove.”
She sheathed her sword and turned to leave. Oh, how Scott and Cleo will never let her hear the end of this! She was about halfway toward the ladder when a voice cut through the darkness.
“Wait.”
Pearl’s breath hitched, pausing for just a moment. She urged her body forward a step.
Just focus on the ladder.
“Pearl.”
Gem’s voice now quavered with an emotion Pearl couldn’t quite place. Was that a hint of desperation in her voice?
Don’t turn around. Don’t fall for it. Don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t—
“Pearl, please.”
Pearl growled and spun on her heel, hungry to face whatever attack Gem would throw at her next.
“What, Gem?!” Pearl barked, flashing her teeth.
Silence.
“Don’t think I don’t know you, Pearl.” Gem stood and moved forward a step. Pearl took a defensive position.
“I may not know why, exactly, but I know that you try. Hard. You feel the need to prove yourself.”
Pearl glared but said nothing.
“Which is why…” Gem continued, “I’m challenging you to a duel.”
Pearl’s attention was caught. Gem seemed to sense it too. She grinned, and Pearl had a sickening feeling she had fallen into another trap.
“No tricks?”
“Nope, just a good old fashioned sword duel. We’ll have it outside.”
Pearl regarded her with suspicion. But then again, she couldn’t pass up this opportunity; when would she ever get one like this again? Maybe if she beat her, Gem would finally take her seriously, and the alliance could be a possibility again. Her pulse quickened.
Don’t get your hopes up.
She sighed and relaxed her stance. “Fine, but on one condition.”
“And what would that be?”
“If I win, you’re sworn to an alliance with me once you’re red. Deal?”
Gem squared her shoulders, “Okay, and if you lose, you’ll leave me alone forever. Meet you outside!”
She slipped past Pearl before she could respond, grabbing a sword out of a nearby chest and skipping outside. Her laugh trailed behind her.
What did I get myself into?
Pearl jumped down the ladder and stepped into the night, where Gem was waiting. She stood with her sword at the ready.
“Ready?” she said, “I’ll count us in.”
Pearl got into her fighter’s stance, her eyes trained on the orange-haired woman in front of her, “Ready as you are, Gemmie.”
Gem let out an exasperated sigh.
“Let’s get this over with. First one to disarm the other wins.”
“Disarm?” Pearl barked a laugh. “I’m a red, Gem. surely we can draw a little blood.”
Gem ignored the remark and started the count.
“Three…”
Pearl dug her heels into the ground.
“Two…”
Gem gripped her sword tighter. They stood as mirrored toy soldiers, frozen before the other shoe dropped and everything went wrong.
“One!”
They charged. Gem struck first, going for Pearl’s shoulder. Pearl blocked it quickly, sliding to the right. Gem followed with a quick jab toward Pearl’s chest. They went back and forth, an endless storm of blade against blade, a strike followed by a quick dodge. All the while, the moon watched from above. Soon, Pearl was forced against the barn’s wall, Gem’s sword pushing up against her own.
“This feels a bit familiar,” Pearl chuckled as the swords grew ever closer to her throat.
“Give up?” Gem snarked, “I could go on like this all night, you know.”
“Never.”
Pearl tried pushing back against the force, only to be met with an equal force pushing back at her.
Gem giggled, “Aw, you’re so cute when you’re cornered.”
Cute?
Pearl could hear the laughter again. It echoed around her. The Scarlet Pearl, everyone! it mocked, Pinned down twice in one night!
She tried reaching inside her, trying to gather her rage she felt at the beginning of her mission. But the voice seeped inside her, choking like a vice. There was nothing but pain. This time, it consumed her. The Scarlet Pearl was snuffed out, gone forever. In her place grew something wilder, something far more dangerous.
Adrenaline surged through Pearl as she lunged with all her strength. Gem stumbled backward with a yelp. She regained her composure, her eyes blazing with fur. Pearl rushed forward, her sword trailing behind her. She leapt, delivering a downward blow that was parried by Gem. Pearl persisted, battering Gem with a clash of metal. With each hit, she let out a sound that wasn’t quite human.
Gem backed onto the bridge. Pearl pressed on, her attacks growing with fury and precision. Soon, Gem’s moves became sluggish. And yet, her green and yellow eyes still shone with determination.
“You’re really stubborn, you know that, Pearl?” Gem giggled nervously while blocking a strike to her side.
Takes one to know one. Pearl thought, searching for an opening.
Gem’s left arm fell to her side, trying to catch her balance on the slick wooden surface. There! Pearl rushed forward, her elbow aiming for Gem’s exposed chest. She felt Gem’s sharp breath against her cheek as she swiped her sword left, knocking Gem’s weapon from her hands. The blade fell into the river with a splash before sinking into the depths below.
Pearl pointed her sword toward her defeated adversary. As her vision started to clear, she saw Gem holding up her hands in defense. Their labored breaths pierced the silent night.
You can kill her. Right here, right now! her mind yelled.
She took a step forward.
Red bore into yellow and green. A new emotion filled them: fear. Gem’s breathing grew quicker as the silence stretched on.
She has no weapon! Do it now!
Another step. Pearl’s grip on her sword tightened.
A growl sounded from behind Gem. Yellow teeth and rotting outstretched arms shone in the moonlight. Pearl couldn’t really remember what happened next. One second, her sword was pointed at Gem. The next, it was stabbed through a zombie’s chest. The creature disintegrated within seconds.
Pearl released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She looked back at Gem. Her eyes were wide but her expression was unreadable.
“Thanks.”
“…No problem.”
There was a beat of silence. Then, Gem did the unthinkable. She laughed. A genuine, joyous laugh. It filled the air and rose above the trees. It swirled around Pearl and its touch felt soft as a feather. For the first time in a long time, Gem laughed and it was music to Pearl’s ears. Her mouth twitched into a smile. Then she joined Gem, laughing with her in the face of the night.
They laughed until they were sprawled out on the bridge, breathless. They lay there for a while, the smooth wood cooling their skin.
Pearl turned to look at the sky. The moon was starting to sink. The soft melody of lapping waves filled the air. Scattered stars were fading into a sea of purple. The world was beginning to stir—dawn was approaching.
“I think I better get going,” Pearl said as she stood up and stretched. She winced, already feeling the resulting aches of their duel.
“Already?” Gem groaned, “But I’ve been having so much fun!”
“Oh, so now you want me to stay!” Pearl laughed, rolling her eyes dramatically.
Gem snickered. “Well, after tonight…I might actually consider your alliance.”
“Really!?” Pearl jolted, nearly jumping out of her armor.
Calm yourself, Pearl.
She righted herself.
“Well, if you say so,” Pearl mumbled, coughing into her fist.
Gem smirked, “Ugh, you’re so–”
“Pathetic, I know.”
Gem’s gaze softened. A slight breeze tousled her orange curls. Sunlight bounced off them, giving the impression of an open flame. She stuttered, trying to form the words of some sort of apology. Pearl scoffed and shook her head. Words were never their strong suit. She strode across the bridge, stopping some inches away from Gem. Her fingers lifted and tucked an orange strand behind Gem’s ear. She smiled fondly.
There, that should be enough.
“Looking forward to our alliance, Gem.”
Before Gem could respond, Pearl turned on her heel and crossed the bridge.
“Pearl!”
She stopped.
“Swear to me we’ll be together once I’m Red.”
Pearl turned and called over her shoulder, “I swear it.”
She strode into the forest, where the sun was starting to climb above the trees.