I've never told anyone. A feeling was rising within him. A burning sensation: shame. I'll never tell anyone. Flatting the patch of dirt with his shovel, Tails knew there was no turning back. The hole was filled and no one would ever know what lay beneath. He would make sure of it.

Missing

"Sonic," Amy shrieked through the hallways of the Thorndyke's mansion. "Where are you?"

Weary from her search, Amy plopped onto the red carpet floor. Heaving a sigh of despair and longing, she wondered where her blue prince had wandered off to. So much time had passed and no one had seen him. Amy couldn't bear being apart from him more than a second. "Where are you!" The door creaked open from across the hall and her two tailed friend stepped out.

"Amy are you all right?" Amy stared up into the concerned eyes of her young furry friend.

"How can I be when Sonic has abandoned me," she said with a whimper.

"You know Sonic. He enjoys his freedom," Tails said, followed by a reassuring smile. "He'll turn up eventually." Amy hung her head dejectedly. "Sorry Amy, I wish I could help, but I already promised Uncle Chuck I'd help him out."

As he turned to go, a memory sprang into her mind. Amy was certain she'd seen Sonic with Tails last. And from what she remembered, they where heading towards the garden; however, Tails came back alone.

"Tails," Amy called, halting him. "Did Sonic tell you where he was going?"

Although Tails had stopped, he did not turn to face her, even as he gave his answer, "No."

"He didn't say?"

"No," he repeated. "Why would he tell me?"

"I don't know," Amy answered—if you can call "I don't know" an answer. "It's just, I saw you two heading for the garden together."

"Did you," he asked. His voice sounded funny. Strained, Amy thought. A cough drop might help that.

"You didn't see what direction he sped off in," she inquired.

"What else did you see," Tail asked, ignoring her question.

This made Amy very angry. If Tails wasn't going to cooperate, she'd continue her search without his help. Rising from the carpeted floor, she decided to head to Chris' room, perhaps he could help.

"Thanks for nothing," she said before turning to leave behind an unhelpful Tails who, unknown to Amy, was shaking violently from head to toe.


A loud knock on his door accompanied by the high pitched voice of Amy, awoke Chris from his deep slumber. Though morning passed long ago, Chris felt the need to indulge himself by sleeping in since summer break had begun. And indulge himself, he would. Covering his ears with two pillows, he tried his best to drown out her shrieking voice and incessant knocking. "Go away!"

"But it's important," she shouted. "It's about Sonic."

Sonic! He sprang out of bed and ran to the door, swinging it open. Nothing was more important than Sonic. His sleep could wait. "What is it? Did you find him?"

She stepped into his bedroom. "That's the problem," she wailed. "I can't find him." Chris' shoulders slumped as he walked towards his bed. Sitting down, he buried his face in the palms of his hands. Sonic had never been gone this long. Was he staying away on purpose or had something…NO! The mere thought of Sonic hurt or worse made him ill with worry. "We have to find him."

Find him. He fell back onto his mattress, laughing bitterly. "I would if I could," he said. "But it's impossible."

"Maybe for us," Amy said. "But not for the Chaotix."

Chris shot up, a glimmer of hope in his blue eyes. "You're right."

"They're not cheap," she added. So this was why she came to him: money.

"Alright, I'll get dressed and we'll go see them." Chris ran through his room, collecting his clothing from his closet and dresser. "Wait here, I'll be out in a moment." Moment, he'd be out in a second, Chris thought as he sped towards his bathroom. Closing the door to his bathroom, he threw on his cloths, brushed his teeth hastily, and hurriedly washed his face. Finally, he thought as he opened the door. Finally, he had hope. "Let's go, Amy," he said. "Amy—"

She was asleep. Should he wake her? No. He'd let her sleep.


A strong wind burst through the balcony doors, chilling and waking Amy. Wrapping a blanket around herself, she scolded herself for having fallen asleep. Oh well, Chris could handle it. Yes, he would hire the Chaotix and they would find Sonic for her. She smiled widely.

Another strong gust of wind came through and Amy shuddered in spite of the blanket's warmth. She crossed the room to shut the glass doors, but stopped. There was something or someone on the balcony. "Chris is that you?" No answer. "Sonic?" Not a sound. It was probably nothing. Amy knew this, but nothing often left much to the imagination of a twelve year old. Scared, she fled toward the bedroom's exit, but the bedroom door slammed shut. She tried turning the knob, but it was stuck. This would require brute force. Pulling out her hammer, she raised it high in the air.

"Amy."

She turned, hearing her name. "I knew someone was there," she said, relieved to see a familiar face. "What were you doing out there Tails?"

"Did you see," Tail asked. His voice was shaking, and there was something in his hand Amy couldn't make out.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play games with me," Tails shouted. "You saw it—didn't you?"

"Everyone saw it," she replied. "Try wearing some pants sometimes, if it bothers you so much."

"You weren't supposed to see," he said fiercely. As he slowly approached her, the object in his hand became clear. Fear struck through her. "I promise you, it won't hurt."

Gripping her hammer, she pressed her back to the door. "Tails stay away or I'll have to hurt you," she stammered. "And I promise it'll hurt. A lot!"

This did not deter him. He was coming closer.

"Why are you doing this?"

He stopped. "Because…You saw."