Egad.

Sorry for the wait folks, I'm in the process of moving so I've been jumping between states for what seems like forever.

Nevertheless! On with the story! Beteedubz, ty for all the encouraging comments, you five beautiful rays of sunshine, you. :D

Chapter 2

You're My Escape

Heart Shaped Box

Any normal day would have consisted of the same boring classes, the same boring teachers and the same boring classmates. Although something seemed to have changed in the air around Westopolis High, it was the same white walls, the same double glazed windows, the same tiled flooring. It was something Shadow the hedgehog could not quite put his finger on as he sauntered through the bustling halls of all critters alike rushing to morning classes. He walked straight, hands in his pockets and leather satchel carefully swung over his right arm. He was dangerously elegant. Woman stopped and stared, swooned as he waltzed past them, he however hadn't paid any attention to a girl since any of his friends could remember. Sonic was always jibing at him to get laid, but as Shadow saw it, it was no more than a waste of his time. Digging in his pockets, he pulled out a simple key ring and proceeded to his locker where fumbling with a combination lock stood a very frustrated Amy Rose.

"Hmph." He sneered.

She cast a glance at him only to return her attention back to her combination lock. Shadow opened his with ease, no need for a combination when you had a key. He peered at her through the slats of the locker door, her hair was different today, up in a ponytail and she looked as if she'd just rolled out of bed. Slamming his door shut an air of scented perfume carried their way through his nose and imbedded itself in his brain.

'Peppermint and… Vanilla?'

Shadow snuck a glance at her again, still struggling with that combination, he mentally laughed, a small smirk tugging at his lips. At that moment the bell starting to ring it's second round, five more minutes till class started, he turned on his heel to leave and almost rounded the corner until he heard a rather sly remark.

"Hey boys, look who it is, our very own mute but cute."

His name was Odi Fairman, a sleazy raccoon who'd had his ways with many a girl in Westopolis High, not to mention shared with his vulgar group of friends. A feeling, the same feeling as before burned deep within Shadow's stomach but this was different, it raged instead of flickered.

"How's about I try and make you scream?"

Odi had cornered Amy in between the lockers, and was inches from her face. She kept her head down looking straight at her shoes as she nervously played with the hem of her skirt.

"I'm not gonna bite pretty thing, you can look at me. I'm not that ugly, am I boys?

He looked over at them and laughed, raising a hand to touch her and just as he was inches away from her face a quick movement had everyone dazed. Shadow was now stood in front of Amy, an indifferent look upon his face as he had hold of Odi's right hand.

"Why don't you get your cockbeaters off this young female and toss off your boys in the bathroom before I break your ribs so you can suck your own dick."

Amy stared up at Shadow, a thankful expression gracing her features as she held onto the back of his shirt peering over his shoulder at a laughing Odi.

"Well now, this is a surprise, Shadow the hedgehog protecting a female? My my, could this be an attraction?"

Shadow was taken slightly aback by this comment, was this feeling… Affection? His mind spun, he'd never thought of this before, what was she to him? Why was she anything? Odi spotted a weak point and grinned mischievously.

"I guess my questions answered, but I'll have you know Shadow," he leaned in close to whisper, " I will have my way with her, whether you like it or not."

A fire burned so deep within Shadow he didn't feel his fist come into contact with Odi's skull, or the dense slam of his body against the lockers. He didn't feel the school guards pull him off Odi's beaten body or hear the way he laughed as he got carried away but what he did see was Amy. Crying.

'Shit, she's scared of me.'

And abruptly, Shadow lost his will to fight.

It wasn't until last period that Shadow was released from the principals' office with two weeks of detention, he knew they'd let him off easy, only because of his straight A's and attendance record. The halls seemed eerily blurred as Shadow walked back to the physics classroom, for some reason seeing Amy crying was almost unbearable, and now he had to face a whole class with her. The palms of his hands started to gather perspiration and he quickly shoved them in his pockets to avoid suspicion.

"Ahhh, Mr Shadow, fashionably late as always. Take a seat."

Shadow casually walked over to his normal seat at the window and quietly got his textbooks together. He inhaled deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose.

'I need to remind myself, why the hell I took Physics in the first place.'

Mr. Allocar slowly gained the rhythm of his lecture as he started finding the ins and outs of his new class. Even Sonic's hazy attempts to be humorous didn't phase him anymore. Shadow smiled at the thought, this must be killing Sonic. The class was interrupted by a small knock on the door, a very faint one, Mr. Allocar called for whoever was on the other side to come in. Shadow held his breath as a very rough looking Amy stepped through the doorway. She looked worse than this morning, but still somewhat beautiful. Random quills had removed themselves from the hold of her ponytail, her eyes rimmed red and hollowed. Mr. Allocar never even questioned her as she took her seat at the back of the class, and promptly resumed his teaching.

'Woah, somebody rolled out of the wrong side of the bed this morning.' Sonic jibed at Shadows ribs as he awkwardly laughed, noticing that his companioning wasn't finding his remark very funny.

Shadow glanced at her, busy scribbling something on a piece of paper torn from her textbook. He watched as she tapped the persons shoulder in front of her and pointed in his direction. He pretended to nonchalantly be interested in what the teacher was rambling about before a piece of crumpled up white paper landed on his desk. He looked up at Amy who was busy taking notes, he almost smiled to himself,

'What are we? Twelve? Juvenile.'

He proceeded to unfold the note, and there in elegant script were the words that calmed him.

'Thank You.'

I love writing on days like this. Pouring down rain, all snuggled up in bed, my cat purring next to me and a giant cup of coffee.

Bliss.

So, I believe you all should tell me how this chapter was. I normally like writing in the character's POV but I tried something different and I'm not entirely confident with it.

-BehindtheShadow-