The humming clackity-clack of the train wheels was almost hypnotic to Shadow. It was a constant sound, uninterrupted, and relaxing, even to him. Shadow sat back against the worn leather seat, eyes watching the scenery flash by in the window.

The trip across country from Arc Colony to Station Square was a long one. Even for the fastest trains, it would still take a day and a half to complete the journey.

Still, it wasn't a matter of time for him. He could deal with time.

Shadow 's eyes drooped, red striped quills lowering slightly as he shifted to get more comfortable. No, he didn't care about time.

It was what happened during that time that was the problem.

Firmly shoving these thoughts away, Shadow let himself slowly sink into sleep, letting the never ending sounds of the train lull him away.

The compartment door slid open.

"Hello Miss."

"Well hello there!"

His ear twitched at the loud voice, peace suddenly shattered. Fighting the urge to growl in annoyance, he cracked open one eye.

Pink. Very pink was the first thing that came to mind when looking at the girl. She was a hedgehog, with short quills hanging around her face, and three bangs bouncing in front of green eyes. She was talking to the train stewardess, chatting away as if they were life long friends, which they weren't. Unlike everyone else riding the train, this girl was seemingly the only one who hadn't grasped the term quiet. Shadow's teeth ground together.

The stewardess politely cut her off and began leading her to the seats.

Damn, Shadow thought, closing his eyes again. Of course, the only remaining seat was beside him. He did his best to ignore the presence that sat down at his side, every inch of his body signaling his need to be alone. Nevertheless, the dark hedgehog mentally braced himself for the assault…

Which never came.

Nearly ten minutes went by in silence, which disturbed him more than he expected. Had he dreamed the girl up? Was he hallucinating? It wouldn't have been the first time…He opened his eyes.

She stared right back, green eyes reflecting the sunlight from the window. They were bright, but odd, and he couldn't tell why. He didn't want to tell why.

"It's rude to stare." He said flatly, his tone annoyed.

She frowned and actually stuck her tongue out at him like a child. "I was just looking at you for a second, no need to get all huffy about it!"

She folded her thin arms across her chest, and he noticed the magenta vest she wore.

"Besides, it's not a crime if I want to know who my travel mate is mister."

Shadow resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Travel mate? Perish the thought. She was a stranger to him and nothing more. He turned his head back to the window.

"So anyway, my name is Amy! What's yours?"

"Shadow."

He spoke his name automatically, and inwardly cursed. He didn't want to give this girl any reason to be familiar with him!

"Shadow? That's an odd name."

Silence

"So Shadow, where are you going?"

He didn't answer, the question ringing in his mind against his will.

"Hey. Hell-oooo? I asked you a question!"

Shadow refused to respond until a small finger poked his shoulder.

"You're the one being rude now you know!"

Temper barely in check, he glared at her.

"I don't care. Any of my business doesn't concern you."

"Says who?! Besides, I'm only trying to have a conversation."

"I do not want to have a conversation!"

"Well guess what?"

"What?!" he snapped, finally loosing patience.

"We're having a conversation right now!" Amy said with a smug smile.

Shadow turned away in disgust. All he wanted was peace during this trip, and this pink-haired nuisance had all but destroyed that! Red eyes focused on the sprawling green plain rushing past the window.

"So anyway, where are you going to Shadow?"

His ear twitched again when she said his name, and he briefly considered ignoring her permanently. But…he sighed in defeat and answered.

"Station Square."

"Oh wow! So am I!"

Of course she was. He closed his eyes, numbly accepting the oncoming purgatory.

"I'm visiting friends of mine who live just outside of the city! One of them, Tails, is entering this sciency-invention thing at the convention center, and of course Sonic will be there, so I'll be right beside him cheering Tails on! It'll be a lot of fun…"

Her voice trailed off for a moment and Shadow ordered himself not to wonder why.

"But enough about me! What about you Shadow? Why are you going to Station Square?"

Knowing it was pointless to resist, he answered her.

"Funeral."

A very loud silence fell at that single word. Shadow could almost feel her deflating, shrinking away from the very idea of his destination. The darker hedgehog wondered idly if it was also because of the extreme contrast between the two, one of bright life, the other death.

"I'm…I'm so sorry." Her voice trembled, and couldn't sound more sincere. He didn't know what to make of that. Cautiously, he looked at her, his face set in a neutral mask. Amy was looking down at her lap, her small hands tightly gripping the hem of her skirt. Her shoulders were hunched, as if she were scared of any hurt she might've caused him.

That confused him even more.

"It was sudden." He said carefully. "But not unexpected. There was nothing to be done. She ran out of time."

Amy seemed to shiver at that.

"…what was her name?"

"Maria." He pushed away any hurt that came with that name. It would fade with time.

"Maria." She repeated the name, but no pain seemed to follow. She looked up at him again, trying to smile through a second-hand grief. "She sounds nice."

"Yes." Again, he couldn't help but respond, but it didn't bother him as much anymore. That sincerity, she needn't have it. He was a stranger to this girl…Maria even more so. But…

Shadow didn't like living. He hated his life and saw no point to it. He saw no point to anything. Maria…she was one who had almost changed that view. She was dead.

"Um, c-can I ask, what was she like?"

And yet…

This girl was alive.

He found himself talking for over an hour, describing Maria, his life, everything. She listened, she laughed, and she talked, about everything.

The train was still clacking, still humming. Shadow still stared out the window, watching the scenery pass by. Night had fallen, moonlight casting shadows. Amy's head rested against his shoulder as she slept. Shadow peeked at her now and then from the corner of his eye.

He still found her annoying and loud. Her life was still an unknown to him. But her invitation to attend the Young Minds Innovation Competition was still worth considering.

Carefully placing an arm around him, Shadow finally drifted off to sleep.