Chapter 1. Insight.

- Where is he? Where? - Nearly cried Shadow the hedgehog, rushing through the corridors. - No, no, I can't lose him, especially after what happened! I must save him! I have to tell him what I didn't have time to say then…

A tear rolled down on the cheek of black hedgehog, but he immediately whisked it. He now had not before. Suddenly he heard a desperate cry, the cry of whom he loved more than anything else.

Shadow immediately rushed to the source of a sound, praying that he is not too late. When he knocked out one of the doors, his eyes appeared a horrible sight.

- Sonic? - Shadow's eyes widened in horror.

On the cold marble floor was Sonic the Hedgehog... covered in blood, beaten to a pulp. Almost every part of his frail body was covered with a wound, scratch or bruise. But the worst thing was that on his chest was a large wound from which blood was gushing. There was no one around.

Shadow quickly ran up to Sonic, knelt before him and picked him up, the weak and defenseless.

- Sonic, please, wake up... - pleaded Shadow.

Sonic's eyes slightly parted, revealing the emerald orbs. Finally, they focused on who held him so tenderly in his arms.

- Shadow... - barely whispered Sonic as tears streamed down his face. He felt the wild pain, which is amplified many times at the slightest movement. But he felt not only physical but also emotional pain. He could not understand one thing: why? What did he do to merit it all? And now he will never be with the only one who is now next to him, without whom he sees no reason to live, though he has not long to live...

~Half a day before~

Sonic the Hedgehog was running as usual streaking instantly through the forests, fields, meadows... He ran to the place where he hoped to see the one who he secretly has been in love with.

Sonic finally ran on the field, dotted with a variety of beautiful flowers. Sonic also loved this place. He loved these quiet, calm and peaceful places where no one may worried, and he can stay in silence, enjoying it. After all, his regular work was very noisy... But today he was here for another purpose. In the middle of the field has grown a large tree, leaning on which he sat. Shadow the Hedgehog.

- Shadow… - whispered Sonic and approached him cautiously.

Shadow heard footsteps and opened his eyes to see who was coming to him. When he saw that it was Sonic, his heart was pounding in his chest loudly, but he gave no sign of any kind. You see, he has secretly been in love with Sonic, but he could not admit his love for three reasons: 1). both of them were male. If Shadow and dared to do so, Sonic will probably be decided that he was crazy; 2). once he lost his only close friend, and would not wish this to happen again, and 3). Shadow was confident that Sonic will never be able to love him. Because Shadow was cold to all around and over the Sonic he almost made fun of. But in fact, Shadow was not so, no. After all, what happened to him, his soul was torn to pieces, he was very hurt inside, but he didn't want to show his weakness, so he decided to be cruel to the world, as it was cruel to him.

Sonic walked over to Shadow and sat down next to him.

- Hey, Shadow! - He said cheerfully. - Long time no see, huh?

- What do you need, Faker? - Shadow growled.

- Nothing, just decided to make your company, you're always alone, and I thought ...

- What did you think it doesn't matter! Leave me alone, I want it!

- But Shadow ...

- Enough, I said!

Sonic sighed deeply, got up and was ready to go, but before leaving, he asked:

- Shadow, why?

Shadow flinched. He had not expected such a question from Sonic.

- Why what?

- Why do you always do this to me? I'm just trying to help, I see that you feel bad alone, but you always chase me, not wanting to hear and speak the words that hurt me to hear from you.

Shadow said nothing. He could not say a word. He understood that he hurt Sonic, but he never thought that he might just tell him about it.

- I just want to be your friend, Shadow, I just want to help. How can you not see it?

And with that, Sonic ran away. But before he could do it, Shadow thought he saw a tiny tear rolling down his cheek...