January 1, 2014

Lunarian Shadow

Chapter 2

"Shadow, is everyone out on your side?" Sonic asked into his wrist communicator above the sound of falling debris.

"So far but I have one more room to check," Shadow replied just as loudly.

Another explosion was heard by the dynamic duo.

"Well hurry it up. We don't have much time. This place isn't going to hold for much longer."

Shadow gave his affirmation and raced to the final door. It was stuck from the fire so Shadow kicked it down. Immediately flames blazed in his face, which he shielded with his arm. When they tamed a bit, he peeked over his arm as he cautiously walked into the engulfed room. He looked around the entire apartment but could see no signs of anyone inside. He was just about to take his exit when a faint sound hit his eardrum. He twitched and twisted his ears to get a better focus. Just as he thought that maybe he was hearing things, his ears honed in on the sound. He couldn't tell exactly what is was but he could tell which direction it came from. He followed the sound toward one of the back rooms.

Just before he went inside, a beam from the ceiling came crashing down in front of him, blocking his way. He jumped back to avoid being hit and strained to see into the room. Inside, he noticed a baby crib in front of the window. The window was broken for Shadow could see the smoke escaping out of it.

Knowing he had to get a closer look to be sure, Shadow curled into a ball and jumped over the beam into the bedroom taking minimal damage from the flames. He instantly ran over to the crib to inspect. The infant inside was in fact still breathing, though with difficulty. And it did receive a glass shower from the broken window but didn't look to be cut.

Very gently, Shadow picked up the child and held it to his chest. Just as he turned around to leave the way he came, an explosion occurred. He turned to shelter the baby from the blast though it caused his back to become slightly singed. He hissed but shrugged it off.

It was obvious that he was not leaving the same way he came in. His only option was the broken window. Just as he was contemplating how he was going to leave without harming the child, violent shaking began to take place all around him - a sign that the apartment building just lost its last bit of support. Shadow cursed under his breath and tightened his hold on the baby - not to hurt but for security. The shaking grew more violent and Shadow knew he had no more time to think.

Outside, Sonic and Knuckles took the last bit of people from their sections to the paramedics to be checked out - more for smoke inhalation than burns. Firemen were trying to hose down the building in vain.

"Yo, where's Shadow?" Knuckles asked Sonic.

"I don't know. He said he had one more room to che-"

An explosion interrupted their rendezvous and all eyes turned to the building. They watched in horror as the building came crashing down, imploding on itself.

"SHADOW!" Sonic cried.

All was quiet minus the sobs and the hose from the fire truck. Sonic looked around for the black hedgehog but could not see him. He frowned. Knuckles put his hand on Sonic's shoulder.

"Don't worry. It's Shadow. I'm sure he's fine."

"Would be nice though if he showed his face."

"You saying you miss me?"

Sonic and Knuckles jumped and turned around to see the Ultimate Lifeform with his arms crossed over his torso. They were ready to retaliate against him when they noticed the cloth sticking out from under his arm. They gave him a puzzled look. Shadow opened his arms to reveal the baby wrapped in a blanket. The baby began coughing and Shadow immediately went over to an EMT. The EMT took the child and immediately gave it oxygen and checked vitals. Shadow watched as the paramedics took the child into the ambulance, closed the doors, and drove off. He continued watching until Sonic came and put his hand on Shadow's shoulder.

"Don't worry. I'm sure the baby will be fine," Sonic reassured. Shadow did not acknowledge Sonic and simply began walking away.

"Hold on, Shadow. You should get checked out by the medics. Shadow!" Shadow did not once look back.

~*~*~*~*~TBC~*~*~*~*~

Authoress Note: I do wonder if my chapters are too short. Please tell me what you think as far as how I can improve. Thank you for your time and energy. ~Sakura