Chapter 2:

Twilight Myth

Alice POV:

"Ohh, morning already?"

I honestly think that there aren't enough hours at night. Not that I didn't like waking up. Getting up with morning wood made it that much harder; no pun intended. Something that I current have. Oh well, at least Reigi wasn't here breathing down my neck about my favoritism about my male-sex. My hedgehog mom was more understanding with her. My fox mom with me. At least there is someone in this household that understands my needs fully. Well, mostly. Yawning, I rose up from my bed. My boyfriend, Issac, was on my mind all night. Just thinking about him made me harder. He is sooo dreamy. Of course, my sister wouldn't understand. She did not fantasize about sex with another. I can't figure out why she thinks getting erect is so bad. Another thing I don't understand about her is her assertive nature, or lack-there-of. That's why I'm always going to be her big sis. Opening the bedroom window, something I usually do first thing when I wake up; the room gets so stuffy. The air, it's so clean in the morning. It's a waker-upper for sure in my opinion. The sun hadn't really come up over the horizon yet. It's just the time I wake up. I'm not sure my internal clock has such an early alarm. Oh wait, that's because this is everyone else's internal alarm. I suppose it doesn't matter right now. I'm awake and there is nothing I can do about it. No, I'm not going back to sleep. How I would love to, though...

"Alice, honey! Get downstairs, breakfast is ready!" My hedgehog mom called from downstairs.

"Coming, mom!"

I find if funny how confusing it is for my moms when I want to grab one or the other's attention. They are both moms after all. Putting my red vest on, a courtesy gift from my aunt Sally, my thoughts were entirely on my boyfriend. My fox mom doesn't like it when I go to breakfast with a "stiffy" and my hedgehog mom doesn't like it when I'm late for breakfast. So, I had absolutely no time to beat off. I hate when I have to wear something tight to cover myself. Why couldn't I just walk around like some of the other people around here? Most of the boys wear only shoes and gloves. Hmph, I suppose my over reactive sex drive would draw a scene. Damn. My choice to covering my lower region: blue jean short-shorts. My bulge was still visible, but I really don't care. My fox mom would just have to deal with my arousal being present. Not like she doesn't ever get hard, come to think of it, I don't really think she should lecture me about my maleness. Hers is huge, compared to mine, after all.

"Alice! We're waiting!"

Oh boy, that was my fox mom this time. I may have been talking to myself for too long. I have a bad habit of doing that...why am I still doing it?? I think I'll wing it on the socks today. I grabbed a pair then raced down stairs, taking my seat.

"About time, sis." Reigi said.

She is so damn cheeky when our parents are around. "Urusai." I growled.

"Enough, you two." My hedgehog mother said.

For breakfast we have the good ol' fashioned toast, bacon, and scrambled eggs. The bacon was nothing to joke about. I swear when I attempt chew it it's as difficult as dry beef jerky. Yeah, that's good for everyone's arteries. I didn't bother with a fork for the bacon, I'm certain that the prongs would bend if I tried stabbing it. Also, I didn't want to break a claw over it, so I just started on my toast and eggs. My fox mom loves bacon, especially this kind. It shows in an odd way. Recall what I said about it being like jerky? That's exactly how she eats it. As she lifted the piece of meat to her mouth by her claws I could feel my hackles stand on end. She took a bite, tearing a large chunk out of it. Yeah, that was ladylike. I shouldn't talk, though. I have a six inch throbber in my pants currently. What did I care. I know my fox mom has the same thought about how she eats. As she puts it: We are all weird in our own way. That always brings a smile to my face, even if a small one.

I soon shoveled my meal down my throat, I even ate half of my one of my two pieces of bacon. I think I'm a bit sick because of it, but I'm not going to let that bother me. The sun had just risen from it's twilight. Even though it is still quite early, it has melted most of the morning frost off the vegetation. I know, I know, the big words are unbecoming for a child, but that is what I get for hanging around my aunt Tails. I think I used that word correctly. Anyways, a broad vocabulary is probably one of the few things my sister and I share. Although, we don't exactly know how to use the words some of the time. For example, I used the word "antidisestablishmentarianism" in a sentence describing fruit a year back. I used it because I thought it made me look smart. Aunt Kokoro pointed out it made me look, I suppose I'll just be blunt, stupid. Oh well.

"Hey mom." I grabbed both of their attention. I think we need to set them apart with a label, differing, but still the same in terms of definition. "Okay...Think I can go hang out with Issac today?" I asked.

"Sure, just don't do anything you'd later regret." My fox mom said.

"Thanks." I said.

I'm unsure why I need to ask permission to go see my boyfriend, he lives, perhaps, twenty feet from our home. To be simple, we're neighbors. I quickly washed and placed my plate back in the cabinet. I kissed both my moms' cheeks then bolted out the door. I was unsure why we lived in a log cabin. I had seen photos of our previous home. The one in a city. My moms' friends stop by for a visit every now and then from the city. I'm not sure why we don't live there anymore. It seemed nice. Stepping to the front door I shout his name. It's my thing.

"Issac! Come out and play!"

With speed like my uncle Sonic, he is there, and opens the door.

"Ally!" He said gleefully.

His arms wrapped around me, and mine around him.

"What shall we do today?" I asked with a smile.

"Hmm...not sure. We can go into the forest and look around a bit."

He must be joking. I know he is. With any mention about going deep into the forest the people around here become scared out of their pelt. I know I do.

"I don't want to go too deep. I heard that a few people have gone missing lately." I said concernedly.

"I know, Alice, I was kidding...I wonder what is going on?"

All the townsfolk, including our families, are worried that something may be out there. It's not normal for people to go missing for weeks on end. Unless they are moving to another area, but everyone gives notice before they do. I've only seen one family move in the past year. I'm worried that more may soon leave. Purely in fear of whatever is out in the woods. I'm not too proud to say I'm scared. Everyone is scared. My parents usually don't tell me to avoid going too deep into the woods, they don't have to. I know better. Impulsively, my arms clung to Issac. I am not just scared, but terrified of the thing that is snatching people up. If I knew what the thing is I would probably be less scared, but not much. People claim they have seen the thing. Some said it is a demon that feeds on mortal flesh, with teeth that can grind bone to dust, others say it is an undead creature of some sort. All the sightings have something in common, though, what ever is out there casts a deadly shadow upon all who see it. Chills, they are crawling all over me just thinking about it.

"I...Issac...lets stay inside today...please."

I am that scared, yes. Don't mess with me about it. Issac and I stepped with a lightness into his home. Fear of having food is another concern the townsfolk have. Getting food, especially wild game, has just become something to attempt in desperation. Sure, crops could be sewn, but that can only go so far. Omnivorous we may be, but deprive some of our kind of meat for too long and we become somewhat cannibalistic. We still have that animal instinct inside us. I can feel my tears of dread pushing at my eyes. I never thought I could get so scared so quickly.

"Honey? You're so pale, is there something wrong?" My Aunt asked me.

"It's that thing we keep hearing about...It cannot be coincidence. You can't deny it either..."

Tails POV:

I couldn't lie, the stories and the disappearances, they made me worry greatly. I am still learning much about this part of the world. Things are easy, almost too easy. I cannot complain, though. This is my home, but the uncertainty of this creature that casts a shadow of death. It makes me wonder if such a being has always been dweller here. None the less, I can't falter to my child and to Yukiko's children, for that matter. Sonic has always said I was a strong woman. I have to hold up to that title. Sonic, he went to the village to receive our weekly food supply. I wonder how long the traders would continue to come here. Given the rumors of that alleged murderous monster. What was this world coming to?

I need to comfort Alice for the time being, she seems to be taking this particularly hard. She knows all the people in the town and they her. She is a very social fox and hearing the names of those people who disappeared is a major blow to her emotions. I hope that it can be stopped soon, the rumors and the killings.

Pulling in Alice for a hug, I could tell she wants to cry. She has some pride, though. I couldn't force her to do so. With a sigh and a kiss on Alice's forehead I released my embrace. Visibly, her color had returned. It's amazing what a little compassion can do for someone in her position. My heart beat is a bit fast. I was scared just like everyone else. I had the mind to talk to my sister about this entity, she probably would know more than everyone else. She does, after all, read books all day. She is bound to have some knowledge on this thing plaguing our fears. I'll wait until Sonic has returned, though. I want to know he is safe. Sure, I may be over reacting, but you can't be too careful. This thing had already claimed ten people. Alice, Issac, and I took a seat in the living room. Silence. Robotnik, when she was a he, he was a formidable foe; however, we did not fear him. We knew who he was and what his intentions were. Something you do not know, something that has been claimed to kill, something you cannot read intentions wise, this is that something that can inflict true fear. You do not know who its next victim will be. Everyone hopes and they pray that the next person will not be a loved one. To all of the people here, including Yukiko and my family, a loss of one is a hurt felt by all. Every person has their part to play in the community, if that person vanishes, then who takes their place? We are not so desperate to have the children attempt such a task, so that link is lost until said child is old enough to take the duty. Sometimes, however, that can take many years. And with this new threat among us, the wait is lengthened even more.

Amidst my thoughts I heard the door handle shakes and crack as it turned. What a relief, it was Sonic, entering the house with our deer pelt bag slung over his shoulder, and full of food. He could have passed as Santa if only he had the red suit and large belly.

"Oh, Sonic, I'm so glad you made it back." I said, looking to him.

"Hon, did you forget who I am? I'm Sonic the Hedgehog." He said, setting the bag down, and shutting the door.

"Sonic, I'm very concerned...I know you are, too." My sights moved from him to my lap.

Sonic said nothing for a moment. I heard his footsteps and his kiss on my head. "Yes...I am concerned Koko, but I can't let that stop me from feeding our family."

"Sonic...our wedding bands and Issac are a promise. So, you cannot leave me." I said.

"That's not even on my list of last things I wouldn't want to do. Don't worry, I will not leave you. Ever." I felt his arms wrap around me as he stood from behind me.

"I need to go talk to me sis. I want to know is she has any insight on this dreadful matter."

"Alright."

I stood up and gave Sonic a lengthy kiss on his lips. I then left, what felt like, the safety of my home. I entered my sisters house, the fur on the back of my neck standing.

Yukiko POV:

I heard the door open and close quickly. My sister's arms were crossed under her breasts as if she was freezing. I grabbed a blanket and covered her as she continued to rub her arms back to warmth.

"You look like you saw a ghost, sis. Are you alright?" I asked.

"I got the chills. I'm fine, don't worry."

Walking my sister over to the couch I helped her sit down. "Sis, it is that fear of that monster, Isn't it?"

She said nothing. Her silenced confirmed what I had thought. Everyone feared going outside, even in a crowd the trepidation was still unbearable. Something had to be done about it.

"Sis, what is that thing?" She asked.

"Kokoro, I myself am unsure. It could be a demon, but they have not been a part of this world for many millennium. I can't see what power what would be string enough to bring them back." I reasoned, but even to my knowledge it did seem likely it was a demon.

"Maybe like, I don't know, a seal broke or something." My sister said.

"Could be, but I have not read about any type of seal." I said.

"There must be something, though. This thing, it is so evil. You can feel it in the air."

I have hope there is something that can be done. I just didn't know what. I never would have imagined, not even in my nightmares, that something this horrible could get out. Every day I wait for news of another person being captured. This is the main cause for my insomnia, really. Anxiety does that. It isn't even nine in the morning and everyone was already flooded with fear, gives me a sinking feeling.

"Kokoro, I think we should give Ivy a call, tell her to bring the Albatross. We need to evacuate everyone before another life is lost. Can you do this for me? We are all scared, we need some time away from this menace."

My sister did not respond, but I can tell she wants to save the townspeople, the one's we have left. The town can't afford another loss, especially if it is the loss of a child. I know that none of us could handle that.

"Yukiko, I'll call her, but I want to come back. I can't leave our home again."

"I understand. I feel the same way you do, but we need to inform everyone of what we are planning to do." I said.

"Okay, shall we all make the trip over there?" My sister asked.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." I agreed.

I have a strong hope, that with time, that whatever is causing all this pain will go away. Maybe it feeds on fear and without anyone around, it will starve. It's a long shot yet, any attempt will be well worth it. I just hope we don't experience another death before the albatross arrives.