A Smile that never appeared again
A smile that never appeared again
The ARK 50 years ago -
Shadow waited for Maria to come. He checked the digital watch on the wall. She was about 10 minutes late.
Shadow kept glancing at the doorway and the ARK was silent except the whirring of the machines.
The door made a whoosh sound and Shadow turned around. There was Maria in her apron ready to go.
Shadow glanced and smiled, "Maria, you didn't need to wear the apron though. It's just for baking the cookies".
Maria winked and said " I thought it would be nice if we got into the mood of baking".
Shadow just looked at her amused and walked with her outside of the training room. He looked around. All the scientists were busy with new experiments to show to the government. Then Shadow saw Biolizard in a huge tube that was renforced with steel and needed a passcode. It was a big, red and ugly lizard who was supposed to be the orginal Ultimate Lifeform but it got out of control and lacked "perfection" that Shadow had. Shadow was always told that he was the one and only Ultimate Lifeform but really most of the time, he didn't feel like anything important or powerful.
Just a black and red hedgehog.
They finally reached the kitchen. Maria seemed so excited. "Come on Shadow!" and plopped something on his head. He couldn't see what it is was until he figured out that it was a chef hat. Shadow smiled and said in mocked anger "Maria! How dare you do that to this Ultimate Lifeform!". Maria replied " I do!" and made a goofy face at him. Shadow sighed and asked " Maria, what are we going to need for the cookies?". He looked at her pondering face and felt that he was nothing but a hedgehog after all.
Maria thought about it for a moment and took out a carefully folded paper out of her apron pocket. She began listing off ingredients " We need... flour, sugar, butter, chocolate chips...". Shadow said "I'll get the flour, chocolate chips and butter". So Maria and him got all the materials except one. Maria was trying to get the flour which was on the highest cabinet. Shadow looked as he saw Maria about to fall.
"Maria!" he got her safely in his arms. " You had me worried for a sec!"
Maria blushed and looked away. "Well thanks Shadow." she quietly said. Something about her tone wanted him to ask her if she was alright.
Until the flour dropped onto the floor.
The whiteness of the flour landed all of Shadow's fur. He coughed and tried to find Maria but there was a cloud of white blocking his sight. As the "smoke" disappeared, he saw Maria all powdered in white. Only her bright blue eyes were shining through the white powder. He couldn't help but laugh at the silly expression that she had.
" Hey!" said Maria in a offended way. But until she looked at Shadow, she laughed too.
" Oh Shadow! You are white as those snowmans on Earth in those books!"
Shadow looked down and saw his fur completely white. They stared for a moment and laughed together in the messy kitchen. Shadow gave Maria a gentle and warm smile which would be his last.