Unknown
By Gino C.
Prologue:
She ran down through the meadow that adorns the big hill by the old brown farmhouse, its giant and ancient wooden windows and doors casting a prominent and proud shadow over the lush land it guarded. It was like a modern-day castle, sitting silently in the night, guarded around its perimeter by an electric fence that kept intruders out of the 100 square acres of property.
Nighttime was cool in the valley, and the wind swept through her radiant pink quills, and made her little nighty billow like a cape behind her. Her boots felt particularly clumsy on her in that nightgown as she stumbled through the field in the dark. She'd complain, but she wasn't supposed to be out there anyway.
Why not sneak out in the cool dark night of the valley, protected so powerfully by the electric fence though? Why not cross the little meadow down the hill below the house? Why not peek through the barn door? She was sure he'd be there. The last couple of night he was. She loved to go see him...
The chill had her quills standing on end, and her face was flushed. Her heart was beating fast, and her pink flesh trembled in excitement. She had been dwelling all day on the thought of her little midnight visit to the barn down by the house. Her heart jumped when she saw the flicker of what could only be candlelight coming from the little building. He was there, she was sure of that now if she wasn't before.
She quickened her little pace, striding as fast as her short legs could carry her toward the barn, her boots clomping dully in the dirt and mud. She reached the barn door, and peeked in. his back was turned to her, showing her spiked black quills, pointing upwards to the barn roof, and ending in little red tips. He was staring up through the hayloft out at the moon, which was casting a pale blue light down on the whole valley. Stars flickered brightly against the black background of night sky. She pushed the door a little bit, and it squeaked, making him jump in surprise.
"Huh? Oh... it's you... I thought you'd come." He turned his gaze back to the blue moon up in the sky, surrounded by dancing stars. A chill wind rushed through the barn, and ruffle his quills with its passing.
"Huh?" She blushed. He had been expecting her! "Uh... well... yeah..."
"Come on in."
She stepped into the barn, slowly, letting her heart try and rest and catch up with itself. His red eyes were piercing, and they only worsened the faint and faraway feeling she was experiencing. They made her feel safe and vulnerable all at once. She walked to him, still trying to keep her heart in check.
"I uh... I'm glad you came." His face reddened a bit, as he turned to face her. "I'm glad Sonic and that woman you two are living with haven't caught you."
"Sally? Oh... well, no they haven't found out yet." She sighed, chuckling a little bit. "I'd just tell them I went for a walk."
"Yes, just so long as they don't start coming around down here at night." Someone finding out about their little meetings could turn out bad. It was complex enough as it was; better to let things be.
"So you're going to keep coming back?" There was a question. He didn't think he could pry himself away from the enchanting young girl. It had been so long since he had felt such strong, guiding friendship... not since his birth.
"Well... do you want me to?"
"YES! I mean... y-yes... yes."
"Hehehehe... well, I guess I will then. I'll come to see you." He chuckled to himself, watching the pink hedgehogs cheeks redden. It was interesting, how compassionate she was. He had tried to harm her in the past... grated that was some time before, but now she was so eager to help him... so eager to be near him. "Did you see how bright the moon is tonight?"
"Yes... it's beautiful."
"Yeah, it really is." A moment of silence passed between the two of them, as their eyes locked together. Tears began to well up in his eyes, and he turned his head away before they could reach his cheeks. The girl in front of him smiled weakly, knowing how he felt. She wanted to wrap her arms around him... she wanted to hold him...
"I just want you to know that..."
"I understand, Amy." The black hedgehog stepped past the girl; sitting down on a blanket lay on the ground beneath them. Amy turned and followed him, her own tears starting to get the best of her, and she sat down next to him, hugging her knees to her chest.
"It isn't fair..."
"I know." He set his hand down next to her, smiling as best as he could, offering it as comfort. The young girl looked down at the black hedgehog's gloved palm, and reached out for it with her own. The two gloves never once touched, but rather did Amy's hand disappear within his. It was true; she wanted to wrap her arms around him. She wanted to touch him, and hug him... it had been a few weeks that they had sat up late in that barn together in the warm summer heat of night... and she felt something strong for the boy. She wanted to touch him, but she could not. Shadow the hedgehog had died 2 years earlier... and her hand couldn't ever touch his.
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