Somebody stood in the doorway but she was unable to lift her head to see who it was. There was a crash outside, and then gunshots; Less ear-shattering than they'd been a few seconds ago. There was also screaming and crying but none of it was coming from her. The side of her face rested against the cold metallic floor, and she could literally feel the warmth of her body seep into it chunk by chunk- As if she were being absorbed by her very surroundings.

Her breathing was labored but the pain she felt was becoming numb. Her eyelids were growing heavier and heavier by the second, her vision blurring in and out of focus. She wanted to keep them open, to face whoever had done this to her despite the impending darkness eager to tug her away. They just remained in the doorway, both feet planted outside of the room and their weapon left like an afterthought on the floor beside them. Abandoned.

She knew the life she led on the ARK was over. She'd known the moment he'd wrapped his hand around her own and tried to make a run for it. She'd known when she felt the bullets whiz past them. She'd known long before she'd activated the escape pod.

Tears rained down her cheeks as she basked in the warmth of that single thought. Saving his life. Keeping him safe. It had been the best decision she'd ever made. She held onto it like a life jacket as her consciousness floated precariously on the surface between life and death. He was alive and that was enough.

If this was her last breath, she'd have no regrets.

The person that stood in the doorway was joined by more, and their dark figures suddenly flooded the room. They were all around her now, circling her like a hurricane. She could no longer make out any voices or feel her own body. Her eyelids must've slipped shut because she was suddenly engulfed by darkness.

o0o0o

A kaleidoscope of memories crossed her mind, and a part of her was convinced it was the moment one's life flashed before their own eyes. She welcomed it with open arms, knowing full well it would probably be the last time she'd ever be able to witness them again. But then something cold nipped at her skin and she was reluctantly dragged away from it. As soon as the sensation had come, it was gone.

o0o0o

At one point there were voices.

Pain.

The smell of blood.

And then an endless void.

o0o0o

Light blinded her suddenly. Her body was rocked by an indescribable cold and she was struggling to breathe. Something wrapped itself around her limbs to keep her from thrashing about as air was suddenly pumped into her lungs. She gasped and wheezed, realizing for the first time how strongly her own heartbeat pumped inside her chest. How desperately she felt the need to live.

Her head rears back and she opens her eyes. Unseeing at first, but gradually adjusting to the light. She sees her long hair floating above her in gold waves. A long metal tube hangs down from the low ceiling, connecting to the device strapped around her mouth and nose. The things holding her wrists and ankles let go, and her body goes limp.

Her mind remains comfortably blank as she watches air bubbles rise and disappear.

"Now now my dear. Everything's going to be okay...," a voice tells her, though it sounds far away. "You're with family now."


A/N: Oh boy, who could that be? :D

I know it's short, but I had a very random urge to write something after watching Sonic Forces playthroughs for like the millionth time. So spoilers ahead~

Also, things might get graphic in future chapters (Just a heads up in case you don't like reading about blood and gore and such). I think it'll be kept to a minimum for now, but I'll make sure to warn ya'll ahead of time. Anyways, I hope you liked the first chapter! Hope you guys stick around for the rest! ^^