Hey guys, I'm back. I apologize for my absence, but I had a death in my family and it simly devastated me. I couldn't focus on anything, much less writing anything even remotely creative, so I went on a short hiatus. On top of that, I got a virus that deleted all of my stories, published and unpublished. So I had to write this chapter right from the beginning. The original chapter 2 was fairly longer than this rewritten version, but I just couldn't remember all of the details.
Hope you'll like it despite that.
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Shattered Memories
Chapter II.
Fade
"Oh fuck."
The curse almost left my mouth as soon as it was formed in my mind. Luckily, I managed to keep quiet in order to not alarm the nurse standing next to my bed.
"I'm completely sure I haven't seen anyone who fits that description. I'm really sorry, Sir", she said, "I can check at the reception desk if you want me to", she offered.
I shook my head. Last thing I need now is for them to think I started to hallucinate, "It's okay. It's not that important anyway."
"Are you sure?", she asked, her eyes failing to hide her doubt.
"Yes, I am", I answered.
"In that case, I need to tend to other patients now. Call me if you need me", she politely nodded and left the room, leaving me alone once again.
I couldn't help but wonder if she was going to disappear as well. Everything had become so weird, so confusing. And the fact that I didn't understand a single thing that had happened frustrated me to no end. I was starting to doubt everyone and everything around me, I couldn't deduce if all of this was real or just some sort of a twisted dream, since I was completely sure by now this wasn't a prank. This place... These people that I know but at the same time don't... It all made me feel like I was losing my sanity...
I have to get out of here.
As soon as the idea came to my mind I stood up, quickly unhooking all of the machines I was attached to. My eyes quickly scanned the room for my shoes, and I found them in no time.
'Okay, I hope I'm not to weak for this...', I thought.
I closed my eyes, gathering what little strength was left in me, "Chaos Control!", I said, and opened my eyes.
Only to realize I was still in my room, but now visibly exhausted. Of course it wouldn't be that easy.
Okay, okay, let's see... There must be a way for me to leave the hospital unnoticed. I opened a wardrobe to see if there was anything I could put on that would help me hide my face. After a minute of searching, I found a black hoodie. Well, at least a little bit of luck's left for me in this twisted situation. I put the hoodie on, and it seemed to fit me perfectly. I pulled up the hood over my head so it would hide my face as much as possible. With my face at least partially hidden now, I took a deep breath and exited the room.
Luckily for me, the hallway was fairly crowded, so no one really paid attention to me. I still decided to take no risks and lowered my head, placing my hands in the hoodie's pockets. I walked; avoiding eye contact with any nurses and doctors I passed by. Soon I noticed I was nearing the nurses' station, and spotted the nurse who was in my room ten minutes ago. I turned my face away from her, and tried to casually walk past her, praying she wouldn't recognize me.
I managed to walk a few feet away from her, when I heard her voice behind me, "Excuse me, Sir!"
Shit shit shit. She noticed me. And I'm too weak to even try to run. I kept walking, pretending I didn't hear her.
"Sir!", I heard her again, the sound of her high heels coming closer. I was so close to the front door, just a few more feet and I'd be free.
She grabbed my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks, right before I could exit the building. Damn it, not here! I tensed up, expecting she'd call for security to bring me back to my room.
"You dropped this", she said, and gave me a wallet.
I gulped, and tried to avoid looking at her, "Th-thank you", I said, mentally cursing myself for stuttering. I took the wallet and hurried through the front door.
Once I was out I breathed a sigh of relief, and let my tense shoulders relax. I took a look around. I was in a city, but I couldn't recognize which one. I was sure this wasn't any of the cities I've ever been to. I guessed it was because I had to be transferred to a different hospital after my supposed 'self harm'.
It was raining. Usually I'd be annoyed by the weather, but the water droplets were actually refreshing after spending time in that stuffy hospital.
For the third time in my life, I felt lost. I didn't know where to go. I figured I should look for any familiar faces, and then proceed to look for Sonic and the rest of his friends.
Rouge! I should find a way to contact her. Maybe all of this was some kind of a plan Eggman hatched to stop us from thwarting his plans. Whatever it was, G.U.N. should have at least a little bit of info about it.
I looked at my wrist only to find that I no longer had my communicator with me. Figures. I was just starting to contemplate returning to my hospital room to look for it, when I found that the wounds on my wrist formed some sort of an address. Now, that was weird.
"42 Orion Street"
I figured I should check the address. I was certain this would help me get some answers. The only problem, though, was that I had no freaking idea where I was.
I looked around; trying to find the name of the street I was currently in. Green Street. What a dumb name for a street. I shrugged it off, and decided I should ask a passer-by for directions.
I managed to stop a young woman, who seemed to be casually strolling the street, in contrast to all of the other people who seemed to be in a hurry.
"Excuse me", I called.
She turned to look at me, and the moment I saw her face I froze in place.
She had big, innocent blue eyes that gently looked at me. Her mouth was curved in a sweet smile I knew so well. Her soft, blonde hair framed her face, held by a blue hair band. I felt like I was going to cry right there and then, because the person in front of me could only be an angel.
I suddenly forgot what I was going to ask her. My voice was shaky, but I paid no mind to that, as I asked in a tone that was close to a whisper, "M-Maria?"
She just kept smiling. And all I felt was bliss.
"Maria... You're alive?"
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I love cliffhangers, don't you?
Anyway, Maria is alive? Or is it just Shadow's mind toying with him? Is she even Maria? You'll find out in the next chapter!
Also, I'm thinking about bringing the "Shadow, The Ultimate Babysitter" story back from the dead. So I put a poll on my profile. It's up on you to decide, whether it shall be continued or left forgotten and buried among my other stories. Do you want to keep watching our dear Shadow struggle through the hell that is babysitting and let him finish the job once and for all? I can't wait for your feedback on this one! :)
