This shouldn't have happened

Windows shut, lights off, every shred of light ray blocked out.

I sat within the confines of my room, comforted by the darkness the small chamber was shrouded with. It felt strange. Very strange. Normally I would hate this sort of condition in my own quarters, for I usually prefer the soft, enchanting glow of my lamp settled atop my night-stand. Sometimes gazing upon it as I daydreamed or simply waited to fall asleep.

But not today, or yesterday, or even the day after that.

Why?

Because of what went down a week ago.

It shouldn't have happened.

Much of me has changed; physically, mentally, behaviourally. Deep down I am still that cheeky, optimistic and overly energetic pink hedgehog. But I needed to let go of who I was, what I am, how I used to be, to get used to the...morphing of this version of myself. It's not like I had a choice anyway. The changes were beyond my power. I couldn't stop them even if I wanted to. This is how I am now and I needed to accept it. Even if I didn't want to. It's for my own good anyway...and for those I love, for my friends.

My friends.

They need not know. It's best if they don't. I know them well. The moment they discover my...my 'illness', they'll do whatever it takes to find a cure.

Whatever it takes, come hell or high water. That's how strong our bond is. Despite the moments where our personalities oppose the other's, we still cared for each other, for what we hold is as strong as family.

And that's where the problem lay. There is no cure. Not anywhere found in this planet or anywhere in the universe. The doctors won't be able to draw a conclusion if I were to be examined, because this is something entirely unrelated to their profession. I am going to be like for as long as I live.

...long as I live...

I shut my eyes closed.

"This shouldn't have happened," I rasped.


Cream stood outside the house with Cheese hovering beside her, gazing at the window that gave her a poor view of what was inside. She couldn't see anything. Everything looked so...dark.

Cheese's concerned chao-ing noise interrupted her. She turned to her little blue friend and gave a small smile. "I know, Cheese, I'm worried too," she said. She looked back at the window, eyebrows drawing together in deep concern. "Amy hasn't come out of her house for three days now. I hope she's fine."

She walked towards the entrance, raised her hand to knock on the door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Amy? Are you home?" Cream called her voice ever so gentle and sweet.

There was no reply. She knocked again, much louder this time and waited for a moment for a sign that her pink friend was inside the house. "Amy?" She tried again, hoping.

An answer never came. It made Cream very worried. Maybe Amy wasn't home? Maybe she had gone out to chase after Mr. Sonic again like she always does. She spun on her heels and walked off the porch. She cast one last glance at the building, before heading away to the rest of her friends.

As Cream marched along the road, her head was hung low with a pace that was a tinsy bit sluggish. She was just so worried for her best friend. It wasn't like Amy to not talk to Cream for more than a day. Her sister, no matter how fixed she was on chasing after her hero, would always remember to drop by Cream's house either to spend some 'girl-time' after the long frustrating pursuit for the love of her life or simply to say hello. I hope they didn't have a fight, Cream thought worriedly.

The rabbit arrived at Tails workshop. The fox was working on his plane, tinkering on the stuff that Cream didn't really understand. "Hi, Tails." She greeted.

Tails' creeper slid beneath the plane's belly to look up at Cream. He looked a bit surprised, probably because he detected the small hint of sadness in her voice, something that wasn't usually there as the rabbit was always cheerful and happy.

"Hi, Cream," he answered back. He sat up and wiped his forehead with the towel that was draped across his shoulders. "Can I help you with something?"

"I was wondering if I could stay here for a while. If it's okay." She asked politely.

"'Course it's okay," Tails smiled. He turned towards his toolbox and sorted through its contents. "Where did you go to?" He picked up a wrench, examined it then placed it back to look for another tool. Cream sat on a nearby stool. Cheese rested on her lap and she hugged her little chao. "I went to see Amy, but she wasn't home."

Tails paused. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen Amy for three days now."

"Do you think she's okay?" She searched his blue eyes for the assurance she desperately needed. Tails didn't answer her immediately. He looked away from her. He seemed uncertain himself, which did not help her at all. Cream sighed sorrowfully; causing Tails look up at her.

"I'm sure she's fine, Cream," the fox quickly said in a soft, soothing voice. "You know how Amy is. I bet she went after Sonic like always."

Cream told herself the same thing, but she was having a hard time convincing herself with that reason. Before, whenever Amy goes after Mr. Sonic, she would always come across her best friend at least once. There had been no trace of pink fur for three days!

Cream simply forced a smile that looked almost free of any sign of concern. "Maybe you're right."

Tails smiled at her, and she could see in his cerulean orbs that he knew that she was not okay. He slid the toolbox so it was across his feet facing Cream, offering. "Do you wanna help me fix the X-Tornado?" he asked.

Although still feeling a little sad, Cream said yes.


Earlier…

Cream was outside my house. I can sense her presence, her every move, her every breath, every beating of her heart. She walked to my porch and raised her little fist to my door. She paused, and then knocked. She called my name but I decided to ignore her, thinking that an encounter with anyone of my friends is not what I need right now.

She called me one more time before finally taking her leave.

I sighed in both relief and sorrow. I cannot believe that I was doing this to my best friend, to my sister. We had never treated each other like dirt, and yet here I am doing just that. But it's for the best. I might end up hurting my little sister if I let myself get close to her given my...condition.

But I doubt that I'll ever be close to anyone now.

Eyelids unveiled my eyes. I know they are so different now. I raised my head slightly so that I was peeking over my arm to stare at the shadow-encrusted floor in my room.

Empty. Just like me. And how I'll always be.

"This shouldn't have happened," I said again.