Chapter 2
Shadow carried a tray through a corridor and into an elevator. The doors closed behind him and he pressed one of the buttons on the panel, -2. The bottom floor. He stood in silence and waited for the lift to descend. Once the doors opened, he walked out into a dark corridor. There was no light until he stepped out of the elevator. Lights on the ceiling flickered above his position wherever he walked. They followed him and turned off behind him about 30 seconds afterward. He walked around the corner where a light was already shining. There was a cell, fully visible through a wall of thick bars. The cell was fully furnished with a comfortable bed with a soft duvet and several pillows. There was a TV, a desk and chair, several books and magazines. A small wardrobe. There was a small gap at the bottom the bars to fit the tray of food through. There was a full balanced meal on the tray, complete with drink and desert.
"No progress yet?"
Shadow looked up and made guilty eye contact with the prisoner inside.
"Not yet. I'm sorry."
Shadow kept his eyes to the floor as he walked away.
Sonic was on the other side of the valley in no time and off towards the Mystic Ruins.
"I haven't seen Tails in a while. He must be wondering about me," Sonic said to himself as he rushed past the forests to his left and buildings on his right. "Shadow should be out of it for a while… so a quick visit should be safe." He skidded to a stop and shook his head. "I need to stop talking to myself." He looked around him. He'd kept close to the outskirts of the city. He nodded at the sights before him. The city… and on the open roads, a clear pathway towards the dock. He took in a deep breath and ran into the city, and from there, the train station.
Sonic stopped once he'd stepped foot on concrete and looked around him. He sniffed around until he pinpointed his next direction. "A chilidog stand was close by after all." He smiled as he jogged at the pace of the cars on the road until he reached the source of the smell.
At the stand was a slim man dressed in a dark uniform and white apron. Sonic looked up at him. "2 chilidogs, pal!" He held out 2 coins with one hand and put his hands on his hips with the other.
"Of course," he said pleasantly and smiled. Sonic narrowed his eyes at him.
"You new to this? Usually, people who serve this stuff are kinda bored and bitter about it," Sonic joked.
"Oh no," the man said as he served up the food. "Just making good business."
Sonic began tapping his feet. He looked away for a few moments, watching the world go by and waiting impatiently. He glanced back at the vendor for a split second, enough time to see something suspicious. The man held a vial in his hand and poured it onto the hotdog. Sonic held back a smirk as looked away again and handed the money over. The vendor handed over the chilidogs. Sonic went to take a bite, whilst looking at the man, and then suddenly opened up his hand and dropped the Chilidog. He threw the other to the floor.
"That wasn't salt, pal!" Sonic pointed an accusing figure. "What's going on! Who hired you?"
The man held out his hands and looked at him with wide, pale blue eyes.
"I don't know what you're on about!" he cried out. "I-I… what do you think I've done? I'm just doing business!"
"What did you use to spike my chili-dogs?" Sonic asked. He looked around him as he was beginning to garner the attention of passing citizens.
"Oh-oh please, mr hedgehog I wouldn't-"
"Hey! Where's Frank? He's meant to be working the stand today!" A man walked over, wearing a greasy white uniform and hat. Sonic turned to looked at him. "I leave for a break and this happens." They both looked to the stand to see that the man once standing behind it was getting away.
"Hey!" Sonic yelled and ran after him. The man turned the corner into an alleyway. The man stopped at a dead end and swung around to face Sonic, who skidded to a stop in front of him. The man's expression changed suddenly from afraid to confident when he pulled out a firearm and pointed it at Sonic. Sonic looked up at it and attempted to turn and run. The man shot and Sonic was hit with a blast of electricity. The hedgehog's body went into a spasm which hurt all over. Sonic's heart skipped a beat and his whole world collapsed before him as he fell to the floor and lay there. He lay on his side, unable to move. He wanted to call out for help. He managed a groan, but his mouth wouldn't move. He watched the man bend down and reach for him. There was a sinister look on his face… which was the last thing Sonic saw before he blacked out.
Knock knock knock
"Come in!" Tails called, whilst tinkering at a table in his workshop. He looked to the door once it swung open. It was Knuckles. Tails dropped what he was doing and stepped out from behind the table. Knuckles took a few steps towards him, a disappointed look adorned on his face.
"Still no luck?"
"No. Still nowhere to be seen," Knuckles said, waving a fist of frustration. He looked to the floor. "No one saw her that day."
"You were the last one to see her?" Tails asked. Knuckles inhaled, closed his eyes and looked down. "So… are people…?"
"Suspecting me, yes," Knuckles said. "I want to ask GUN if they know something but…" He looked at Tails desperately. Tails nodded in understanding. "I hear they're after Shadow."
"Yeah, Sonic told me about it," Tails said. He looked at Knuckles, curious. "Have you… seen him around?" Knuckles raised an eye ridge.
"Gone off again?" he questioned.
"I think so. I haven't seen him for a whole week," Tails said. "Usually, that wouldn't bother me but… with what's going on between him and Eggman…" Knuckles grit his teeth and put his hand to his forehead. He gave out a heavy sigh. "Knuckles… you don't think Eggman has him, do you?"
"Two of our friends missing?" Knuckles complained. Tails' tails curled around his legs. He took one of them and began wringing and twisting the abundance of fur nervously. "Tails… don't worry. I think I have an idea." The fox looked up at him with hopeful, blue eyes. "If I pass Shadow… I'll question him. There's more chance I'll come across him than I will Eggman's base."
"He's… hidden it well this time," Tails frowned. Knuckles nodded. His body was tense, an air of worry painted on his face.
