Yes, yes, this is the sequel to "Gone". It takes place a bit after the ending, but it should all fit into place fairly easily after a bit of reading. The focus of this story changes a bit, and I will disclaim right now ownership of any of the characters and/or settings in this story that belong to others. However, I will claim the idea behind this story and the whole idea of my take on what very well could have happened on the ARK. Hahaha, confused yet?
Well, here it is...
Unforgivable
Chapter One: Black, Red
He changed. From the silent, strong figure I'd always known him as. To something else. He spoke often, about whatever trivial thing seemed inviting, whatever could create conversation. Never anything important. Never a word to what was actually bothering him.
I listened to him and spoke only whenever spoken to. I always found food but didn't ever force him to eat, always kept the place dark but couldn't force him to sleep. I would never force anything. It was an agreement, silent and mutual. And it made neither one of us satisfied.
He had a longing to leave. I could see it in the way he stared toward the sky at night. He had an unspeakable, ever-present yearning... To go after the Master Emerald, to erase time, to live as if nothing had ever happened, as if he'd never been taken from his little world all those many years ago. To live in the past, when the present and future were pressing down upon him. He was caged in his own desire - but he never once tried to break free.
That made two of us.
I was trapped, too. In desire. But maybe mine was a desire too different from his for comparison...
He dreamed in black and white.
But silently... and secretly... unintentionally... I dreamed in black and red.
"There will be rain tomorrow." He didn't look at me as he said it, walking into the room.
I glanced over to see him wring his dreadlocks out, trying to get rid of some of the water soaking his hair. "Will the rain be as bad as today's?"
He closed his eyes for a moment and stood completely still. I could almost see his power in the coursing of the energy in the room. And then his eyes slowly opened, and he shook his head before stating, "Worse."
I nodded. His flawless ability to detect changes in the weather almost amazed me. Rarely could any natural being be so attuned to the world. But there was no doubt that nature spoke to Knuckles. And I never questioned his predictions.
He walked away, over to his favorite wall - the one that was completely blank, completely empty - and he leaned against it before sinking to the ground. And there he sat, thinking all of his "What if..."s, thinking of what could have been, what could be... And despite the fact that I knew better, despite the fact that I knew it was wrong, despite the fact I knew that I shouldn't...
I stood there and watched him and did exactly the same.
Alright, will be updated as soon as possible. Now, for anyone who read "Gone" and is totally confused (eh, you're probably not - you know I'm weird), no, this chapter did not specify how much time has passed, what is going on, or really, even who the narrator is. The clues are in the context and title, but if it helps, yes, Shadow is the narrator of this chapter. (It confused some, so I thought I'd just clear that up.)
Reviews are appreciated! Any questions - feel free to ask, though many, if not all, should be answered in the end.
