♢Tɯιʂƚҽԃ♢ | a Steven Universe Future AU [DISCONTINUED AS OF MARCH 2021]

Chapter 10~ Isolation

     Steven came to in a cold sweat. "I-It was just a nightmare.." Steven sighed with relief. "W-Where am I...?" Steven glanced around the room. He was in a dark, white room with no lights or windows. The room was padded and there were security cameras in the corners. He tried to move. He was trapped in a straight jacket. Steven began to panic, sweating profusely as he attempted to wiggle free. "I-Is this the place in movies where they put crazy people?! N-N-No! I can't be here!!" 

    Steven screamed for help. "THIS HAS TO BE ANOTHER NIGHTMARE!!" he wondered out loud. Steven stared at the corner of the room. He flinched as he saw a glowing pink figure standing there. It had glowing pink eyes and a disturbing smile. "W-Who are you?!" Steven trembled. "I'm you." the figure spoke... with Steven's voice. 

     "What do you mean? I'm me!"

     "Did that feel good?"

     "Did what feel good?!"

     "...Releasing all that anger..." 

     The figure's voice became deep and distorted... almost demonic.

     "N-NO! GO A-AWAY!" Steven did not want to think at all of putting their lives in danger. "T-THAT WASN'T REAL! This isn't real!"

     "Why are you trying to suppress me?" the figure asked. 

     "I'm helping."

     "Admit it... you liked it. You enjoyed the thrill of it all." Steven voiced, his eyes glowing pink just like the figure. It was like he was being controlled like a puppet... by himself. 

     "I certainly did."

     ...

     "You love this. This is fun. You like it when they feel your pain."

     ...

     "You don't need their help... you... I can help myself."

     ...    

    "They deserve this!" 

     ...

   "I shouldn't be afraid anymore."

     ...

     "They are the ones who SHOULD BE AFRAID...!"

     Just then, Steven let out a cold, psychotic burst of laughter as he banged his head on the wall. His skin illuminated pink as his eyes shifted back into their diamond form. His body swelled up, causing the jacket to break and setting Steven free. He pounded on the locked metal door. 

     "LET ME OUT!!" he wailed angrily, even louder than before. The sound was loud enough to crack the security cameras in the room.

     Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, and Connie stood huddled in front of the small screen before them. Connie struggled to choke back the tears as she looked at the surveillance footage. It hurt her so much to see Steven in this state of mind. To see him in a psychiatric facility. He has attempted to murder them out of malice. She truly felt angry at herself for not doing anything sooner. Whenever she tries now, he gets furious. "What's happening to him?!" Connie exclaimed frantically to Pearl, not being able to contain the tears any longer. Pearl pulled her in for a hug. "I don't know... but we'll figure this out. Right?" she comforted softly. She glanced up at the doctor's puzzled face. He sighed.

      "We aren't exactly sure yet, but he seems to be displaying early symptoms of schizophrenia, which there is not a clear cure for unless he gets serious treatment." He turned to face the gems. "Also, is there any particular trauma induced experiences he may have gone through as a child? This might help us diagnose him and see what kind of treatment he needs." the doctor explained. All the gems looked at each other with worried expressions. Just then, Greg came through the door. "CONNIE! I'm here! What's going on?!" he exclaimed nervously. "Where's Steven?!" Everybody's faces darkened. Connie pointed at the screen. Greg gasped in horror. "S-Steven...?" he looked at the gems with frightened eyes. "WHAT'S HAPPENING TO MY SON?!" Greg shouted. "TELL ME!" Suddenly, they heard talking coming from the footage. They listened carefully to what Steven was saying. 

     Steven was talking to himself.

     "Oh Steven..." Greg choked, cupping his hands over his mouth. His brows furrowed as he turned to face the gems again. "I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THERE WAS MORE TO THIS! I SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE FOR HIM MORE OFTEN! ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED! NOW MY SON IS IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL!" he cried, covering his face angrily. Garnet came over to Greg and placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. "It's going to be OK Greg." she calmly said. "I-I just feel like I could have done better..." Greg stuttered. Pearl stepped in. "We all do. It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself for all this." Out of nowhere, everybody flinched as a loud, crazed laugh blasted through the screen. "This is serious." the doctor said, grabbing a clipboard and began taking notes. "I-Is his skin... glowing?" They saw Steven run towards the door as a booming scream could be heard, as well as the sound of glass cracking. The camera went to static. "What's going on?" the doctor questioned, frustrated. "These camera's were just installed!" 

      The lights above them started to flash red as an alarm went off, blaring these words:

     "CAUTION! CAUTION! A PATIENT IS LOOSE IN THE FACILITY!"