Her sister had her eyes open, and though they looked as groggy as Garnet felt, she was looking directly at her. Silently speaking to her. Trying to figure out what was going on. Trying to tell her that she was alright. That she was behind her.
Goldie was a sweetheart. From the top of her head to the tip of her pink toenails. She was still wearing the pink and white checkered dress with the poofy white sleeves that Garnet once teased her about for being overly girlie. But Goldie was always ready to fight with Garnet, no matter when or against whom. And that included here and now.
She was safe for now – or, at least, they weren’t hurt.
But there was a collar around her neck.
Garnet’s breath stilled when she caught sight of it. That wasn’t a necklace or anything. It was a ring, dark gray and metallic, locked securely around her throat. And seeing it, Garnet became suddenly aware of a tightness around her own throat.
They were both collared. Like fucking pets. Like animals!
Her eyes snapped back up, catching on Goldie’s. She saw the fear in her sister’s gaze that only hardened her own determination.
Gray guy was coming back. He bent over, reaching for her. Garnet kicked again, going for his knee this time. Though she was actually successful in hitting him she did no damage. He just kind of stared at her, unmoved by the show of violence.
Until Goldie threw herself on him from behind. He whipped around, sending her sister flying. Garnet used that chance to scramble back to her feet. She screamed, rushing for him, both fists flying. Hitting whatever she could.
He turned again, easily catching her by both wrists. He pushed her back up against the wall and spoke again. His voice was as sharp as his features, leaving no doubt in her mind that he’d just commanded her to stop.
Until he let out a roar of pain. He fell back, releasing Garnet as Goldie pulled on the long, thin, whip-like tail coming out from under his belt. He whirled around, reaching for her, but he was too late. Goldie had already let go and was running past him.
Garnet grabbed her by the arm and pushed her behind her back, shoving themselves into a corner as the guy frowned, rubbing his lower back.
Yellow ghost guy was still there, but he was laughing. Head thrown back, his image flickering, as he hollered his amusement. The gray guy gave him a look and a short order. Yellow responded with sass that needed no translation.
He was making fun of the guy for being overpowered by a couple girls. Garnet could practically hear him saying it.
“Garnet,” Goldie whispered, putting a hand on her back. “What’s going on? What happened?”
“I don’t remember,” Garnet hissed through her teeth, brow furrowing. “The last thing I remember was us walking home, I think?”
“I don’t even remember that much…”
“We definitely got abducted,” Garnet tightened her hands into fists. She was more awake now, so it wasn’t as difficult as before, but she didn’t think she’d actually be able to overpower the guy. At least, not just by hitting him.
“What do we do?”
Garnet clenched her teeth so hard, she was afraid she was going to break them. Shehatedhearing that tone of fear in her sister’s voice. She was her sister’s keeper, damn it. She was supposed to make sure things like this didn’t happen to her!
“First thing’s first: We got to get out of here,” Garnet whispered over her shoulder, tracking the gray guy who was giving her an unreadable look.
“I think that’s a door. Over there.”
Garnet looked past the guy and, sure enough, one of the walls was different than the others. If it was a door, it was a door that took up the entire space. This room wasn’t huge. Probably about the size of their apartment living room. With the giant metal casket in the middle, it was even smaller.
“Okay. Got an idea. I’ll run for him. You go around the casket. See if you can get the door open. We bail the second it does.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
Garnet didn’t really have an answer for her. “Ready?”
Goldie made a soft sound.
“Go!”
They tore off in different directions. Goldie ran from behind her, towards the casket, going to the other side. Meanwhile, Garnet charged at the gray guy.
He followed Goldie with his eyes only until he saw Garnet rushing towards him. She pulled back her fist with a cry and threw it forward-
