Characters belong to them happy people over at Sega and the song No Light is by 3rd Strike! And it's short. It's always short!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shadow hurriedly packed the few material possessions he owned from his temporary bedroom. Rising to his full height, he took once last look at the room with its barren walls, unmistakable odour and mess gathering in the corner. He peered through the window only to see the building beside his. Not much of a view, but still one he was used to seeing. He had never been very good at handling change. This room had been his shelter. His sanctuary. Now he'd be leaving it too. He had pretended that there was somewhere else for him to stay. Not because he'd wanted to leave, but because he felt he had to.
 
Heading towards the open door, Shadow looked out. He shuffled down the hallway and through the living room past the couch facing away. Clearing his throat, as there was someone sitting on the couch watching the television, Shadow started to speak. He was quickly cut off when the loud noises of gunshots and cries of pain sounded from the TV. Loud enough to be real and in an apartment, Shadow was certain there would be complaints about it. But he should say goodbye, at least bring himself to say thank you to his host. He hadn't exactly gotten the friendliest welcome from him, but still…
 
"I'm leaving now…" he said, unsure if anyone was listening. "Uh… Thank you for…" He noticed a gloved hand with a skinny tanned arm attached appear from over the couch, waving for him to leave. Eager for him to leave and probably only half realizing he was. Shadow felt like he had intruded more than ever now. The black and red hedgehog shrugged and walked off through the front door. He closed it, remembering again that he might not have a roof over his head tonight.
 
Wandering along the streets alone, Shadow was left to gather his thoughts together. Here was his problem as he saw it; he had nowhere to go as of this morning when he moved out of Sonic's apartment, he didn't have any money, and all hated him. Yes. That was the worst one. All did hate him. Him personally too. When he walked by, people would glare at him, mouths turned down, eyes narrowed. Just because he looked too much like their hero, Sonic the hedgehog. Shadow had a reputation; he could never live it down. But then, had he really changed? He'd survived. He just wanted a normal life. He wanted to mourn Maria's death alone and wallow in depression. And just disappear. No one wanted him around. No one ever did.  
 
On the outside looking in no light
Another man with a blood shot soul
Get up don't be one stand up 
Control destiny don't back away
Guns are blasting
Hating me
Feel like something's wrong 
Can't take me
I've got to survive
First the order the hit
Then forget it's all justified
No retreat defeat
All that complete
Life full of tears
Sin for 2000 years
 
"Look" Tails said just as he bit into his sandwich. He nodded in the direction and Amy Rose's eyes fell on Shadow the hedgehog. She turned back to Tails in disbelief. He was grinning and swallowed. "No one's gonna let him eat here" he added. Amy Rose looked over at Shadow. She felt sorry for him. Why was everyone so unkind to him? Shadow seemed to sense someone looking his way. He glanced at Amy and Tails from where they sat, then turned and left. Her shoulders slumped.
 
"Poor Shadow," she sighed. "Why doesn't anyone give him a chance?" Tails nearly choked and set his glass down on the table. The soda sloshed over the sides.
 
"Poor Shadow?" he exclaimed. "Did I hear you right?" Amy continued to watch the door with her head propped in her fists. "Shadow's anything but poor" Tails said worriedly. "How do you know he still isn't evil?" Amy glared.
 
"How do you know he still is?" she challenged. "I can't believe you all!" She took a deep breath. "Maybe he feels…" 
 
"Shadow doesn't feel, Amy!" Tails cut her off. The fox locked eyes with her, truly worried now. "He's dangerous" Amy nodded.
 
"I guess," she murmured. Sighing, she went back to eating her dinner. 
 
She knew Shadow was bad. She knew it. When they'd been informed that he'd survived, they were cautious. He needed somewhere to stay. Sonic reluctantly let him use the spare room. Shadow went everywhere with angry glares at his back. He was bad. But… Amy could see something more in him. He only looked evil. Weren't there feelings past that tough black hedgehog exterior? Like Sonic, but darker. More mysterious. Like a mystery that took time to solve. Amy Rose always found she liked the dark and handsome types. Maybe more than the "Sonic types". Not like she'd ever say so. Everyone really did seem to hate Shadow. But they weren't happy when he was gone. In fact, they felt guilty. Even she did a little. Like should have gotten to know him better.
 
On the outside looking in no light
Another man with a blood shot soul
Get up don't be one stand up 
Control destiny don't back away
Guns are blasting
Hating me
Feel like something's wrong 
Can't take me
I've got to survive
First the order the hit
Then forget it's all justified
No retreat defeat
All that complete
Life full of tears
Sin for 2000 years
 
As she and Tails were about to part ways, Tails faced her.
 
"Sorry I kinda freaked out before…" he said quietly. Amy smiled; glad to have someone care about her. 
 
"It's fine, Tails" she replied cheerily. "I'll see you later okay?" He nodded and walked off, waving. She waved back, and then headed in the direction of her house. It was late and dark. Amy wandered along under the streetlamps, reminding herself to get home. Still, she dragged her feet and kicked pebbles along the sidewalk. Her thoughts were still on Shadow. Why should she feel sorry for him? Why should she care? He's the last person on earth that could possibly need help. As she wandered, she felt the slightest of breezes as someone walked hurriedly past her. Someone with dark fur.
 
"Shadow?" Amy asked. He stopped and turned slowly. Everyone knew his name. They muttered it coldly when they saw him. He'd never heard his own name spoken without a tinge of hatred in the tone. A question. Directed to him. But nothing cold about it. So why? Shadow slowly turned. That girl. That pink hedgehog faced him, eyes wide and worried looking. Concerned. About him? She wasn't like them was she?
 
"Uh… you probably don't know me that well… but I'm…" Amy started. 
 
"Amy Rose" Shadow finished quietly. "I know." Amy smiled. She gingerly moved closer to him. She grabbed his wrist and pulled him under the lamplight. And her fear returned. He was just as sinister looking as ever. So hardened from death and misfortune. She gulped and released him. But now Shadow was studying her. Somehow… in the strangest way, he was reminded of Maria. She had been so much closer to him that anyone. She understood him. And in a way, helped him to prepare for the life ahead by her death. Shadow blinked and looked away. Amy forced herself to look at him. He was the same one that had gone around killing the innocent like it was nothing more than some sick game. She had every reason to hate him and fear him. But she just couldn't.
 
Look away cause I'm strange in my mind
Let's make a place for me
So I feel right inside
 
Lost what is gone
Need to know to carry on
I've I'd only see the light
Maybe then I'd be alright
I know they'd rather see me down
On my knees than on my feet
Tell me what's this world we're living
Sometimes it seems so strange
 
"How are you…err… doing?" Amy asked. Shadow's stare hardened as he was reminded once again of the present.
 
"Like you don't know" he replied. "Everyone hates me. Even you must" Amy shook her head.
 
"I don't" she insisted. "I think everyone deserves another chance" Shadow simply shrugged and turned to walk off. "If you need something…" Amy called to him. He glanced over his shoulder, a small smile paying on his face.
 
"I don't need you" he said. He seemed to be reassuring himself of something. "I'll be seeing you, Amy Rose" And he melted away into the darkness, leaving Amy standing there. She smiled as well. Then she continued to walk on. Her home was in the opposite direction.
 
How could he let her go? Shadow continued to walk. She might have been the only person that didn't want him dead. Why had he left? She'd even offered her help. Maybe it was time to heal… She could help him. Then he drew in a long breath and looked up to the starless night sky. 
 
"I need you…" he said quietly in almost a whisper. Then he shook his head and walked on.
 
Amy arrived home. She yawned and stumbled through the dark. Not even bothering to change into her pyjamas, she simply collapsed onto her bed. She clutched the blankets with eyes half closed. She smiled secretly and fell asleep.
 

Be not afraid that's what they say
I'm fed more lies
See my violent self
All has past away
But dreams stay alive

 
 
Hey hey! Am I sick or what? Well? Should I continue with this? Should it go into the shitter? E-mail me ok?