33. Birthday

Work. August was working. He completely went to work after what happened. At this point, work was the only thing that kept him from thinking about " her." He worked without interruptions, without food or water. Work, that was what Augustus was thinking at the moment. But he did not notice that this was very disturbing to others.

After the meeting with Polly, Augustus closed in on himself. He hardly spoke to anyone except Peridot, did not rest or eat. The atmosphere became more tense every day, the gems began to worry very much about him. They just didn't know which way to approach him, but Peridot didn't seem to feel the atmosphere.

--- You need the nutrients.

--- I don't want

--- I'm not interested in what you want, you need " food ", so get it.

--- I'm not hungry.

--- You haven't eaten for 3 days, even though you don't feel hungry, your body feels it.

--- You'll leave me alone, won't you ?

--- When you sing.

--- Why would you even care about my health ?

--- If you are weak, the work slows down. If the work slows down, then...

--- We're dying

--- Correctly. So eat and don't argue.

--- Okey. But then you'll leave me alone.

--- Ok

Only Peridot could stir Augustus up a little. She alone was not afraid to approach him and speak to him. It was only thanks to her that the gems knew he was okay. But it couldn't last long. Something had to be decided. And the day will soon come when they can make their move.

At night, when everyone should have been asleep. Augustus was welding metal plates. He carefully welded them together, as he had done many times before, but today was an unusual day.

When he finished welding, took off his welding mask, and put down the tool, he looked at his work. It wasn't the first time, but it still gave him pleasure. And when he wanted to continue, he was caught in a tight grip from behind.

--- Wha...!

Before he could say anything, he was gagged, blindfolded, and had his hands tied. He was quickly slung over the shoulders of his captors and began to lead him somewhere.

" What the hell ?! Am I being kidnapped ? What for? Who is it? Heck ! I am can't even call for help. "

All Augustus could do was think and wait. To his surprise, very soon the kidnappers reached the right place. They put him on a chair, removed the ropes, the gag, and began to remove the blindfold.

--- Who are you ?! Why do you...

--- SURPRISE !!! [ all ]

As soon as the blindfold was removed, all questions disappeared. He was sitting at a very long table. There were various goodies everywhere. Cakes, chicken, whole boar, steaks and much more. At the table, on each side, sat all his acquaintances. Stephen, Amethyst, Garnet, Pearl, Lapis, Peridot, and even Miss Peregrine !

--- What's going on here ?

--- Your birthday. Steven said you people like surprises.

--- Was it mandatory to tie me up and gag me ?

--- Amethyst ?!

--- What ? It was Peridot's idea. I have nothing to do with it.

--- Haaa, okay, never mind. Happy Birthday to you August !

--- Happy Birthday !

--- Thanks.

And although the atmosphere was festive, everyone was smiling at each other, there was a lot of delicious food on the table, and there was not even a shadow of a smile on August's face.

--- August ! Why are you so surly ?

--- Pearl, me....

--- Never mind ! Your mood will immediately lift when you see cake ! Bring it here !

Amethyst and Garnet pulled out the tray and carried it to Augustus with a smile on their faces. They put it in front of him and sat back in their seats.

--- I told you, I...

--- Open it ! This cake will be perfect !

He had no choice. He sighed, and slowly began to remove the lid from the tray. He took it off and there it was...

Polly Evans ' head.

Augustus jerked away from the table and fell to the ground. There was a look of horror on his face.

--- What the hell !?

--- We thought it would make you happy. She's upset you so much.

Pearl, with a smile, walked over to him and lifted her fallen head.

--- He seemed to like the way you think, Polly ?

The head's eyes opened quickly and a smile appeared on his face.

--- Agree. I told you he'd like it ! I'm his mother !

--- Hahahahahah !

Everyone started laughing. Somehow, their figures started to get bigger and bigger, and their smiles got more and more terrible. Their eyes were bleeding, causing them to turn red. Together, they created a huge figure that began to rapidly move towards August.

--- Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !

.......

--- Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !

Augustus rose quickly. He was sweating coldly. His eyes were filled with horror and pain. He just sat there for another minute, then finally walked away.

--- It was a nightmare. Just a nightmare.

Augustus lay where he had finished welding. In the same place.

It was a hallucination.

When our body does not sleep for a very long time and does not take food, our brain is overloaded. And because of the prolonged lack of sleep and a sharp change in mood, the brain just shut down to recover a little.

--- Phew. I think I need to rest.

He stood up, turned, and ...

--- Happy Birthday !

There were gems with a cake in their hands.

--- Aaaaaa !

August became ill and passed out again. Pearl and Stephen abruptly ran up to him and began to check his condition.

--- What happened ? Stephen, you said people like surprises.

--- I know. But I think we scared him too much.

--- This is not true.

Garnet came over and put Augustus on her shoulder.

--- That's not true. He is very tired, he needs to rest. We'll continue tomorrow.

She carried him to the barn, laid him on the hay, and covered him with a blanket. She took off her glasses and looked at him with soft eyes.

--- Sweet dreams.

She kissed him on the forehead, then put her glasses back on and left.

Augustus slept all night and half the day. He didn't have any more nightmares.