I woke up to the sound of Sarah crying again. Once again, no sleep. I yawned and got out of the bed. I dragged myself to the nursery and looked down at her. "You're hungry aren't you?"

I lifted her and started to breast feed her. I sighed, thinking at what my life has came to. All I had was Sarah... She keeps me alive.

I could just picture Shadow next to me, smiling and caressing me lovingly. It's so depressing to think about, but I will never stop. He was my husband, my lover. Just as Sarah was done, I noticed her bright smile. It would be hard telling her why she has no father.. I never thought about that. How else can I make myself cry? Could my life get any worse as it is?

I heard a knock on the door; like I needed guests right now.. I held her tightly in my arms while walking to the door to open it. To my surprise, it was Amy. She was a great friend to me, and so is Sonic and the others. "Hey Maria! Just stopping by to talk for a while! I brought breakfast!"

"Thank you Amy.. Come in!" I giggled nervously and shut the door. She followed me into the kitchen and sat down the food on my table. We sat in separate chairs and waited for her to give me my breakfast. "How's everything? I see Sarah is wide awake." I chuckled and nodded to her. I got a little burger with pancakes as buns and a sausage in between them. "Thank you Amy.. How's the little one and Sonic?"

"Were doing great! Tony has been fussing a lot though, but that's what babies do." I smiled partly and took a bite out of it. The warm taste filled my mouth with an amazing flavor. "Mamamama...Mama.." I noticed Sarah reaching out for my food and I couldn't help but giggle. "You have already eaten sweetie!" Amy made out an 'aw' while I sat it on the wrapper of the sandwich. "Honey, I'm sorry but you can't have this."

She whimpered and sucked on her thumb some more. "So Maria, have anything to do today?"

"Nah not really.. But you will not believe what Samuel asked me yesterday." She cocked her head to the side and I looked down to my lap. "He asked me on.. A d-date." Amy instantly gasped. "What did you say? And he likes you?"

"I turned him down." I heard Amy silently gasp again, with me not bothering to look up. "I understand why.. I wouldn't think twice about saying yes to another man after..."

"It's okay. But, yeah so he.. Tried to kiss me also." She scooted towards me and took my shoulder. "He didn't get to though.. At least he didn't get mad-I don't think." Sarah gazed at the pink female next to me in wonder. "I wonder why he would move on you like that! He knows what you are going through." Her finger held up to Sarah's face and she took it. "He's a good guy, but I'm not ready. I don't think I'll ever be."

"You will. Trust me.."

"I don't know Amy. I mean.. I-I can take care of my baby myself.."

"Maria, your daughter needs a father." I felt my mood switching to a depressed sadness. I had tears all in my eyes and my ears slowly folded. "I can't help it that her father is.." The tears fell and I sobbed. "Oh, Maria please Don't cry! It's okay! I didn't mean to.."

"Mama.." I sniffed and bit my bottom lip. "It's..Okay. Thanks for breakfast." I got up and went to put Sarah in her crib. I leaned on it and wiped a tear from my chin. It wasn't her fault, I just can't take it anymore. "Maria? Are you okay?" I looked over to her and nodded. "Amy, it wasn't your fault.. Don't feel bad."

"I know you're going through tough situations.. Maria if you need to get things off your chest, you can tell me."

"I'm fine.. I just... Don't know anymore."

"I miss him too." She hugged me for a few seconds, then smiled. "Maybe you should just spend a little time with Samuel to know him better.. Just as friends for a while! He is pretty nice." I shrugged. "Just think about it okay?"

"I will."

"Well, sadly I have to go.. Be careful okay?" I nodded and watched her leave the room and closed the door. Alone again..

Hours and hours pass, I have fed myself dinner and Sarah, so I had the rest of the day just sitting around and thinking of my state.

Ring ring ring...

The phone began to ring loudly into my ears. I walked to the wall phone and picked it up. "Hello?"

"Maria, It's me Sam! How's everything?" I sighed and gulped, afraid of what he was calling for."Okay, you?" "Just fine. Listen, I'm sorry about last night.."

"It's okay Sam, I just didn't expect it.."

"I'm sure you're quite bored so.. Want to take a walk around the neighborhood?"

Really? "Um.. Sure. I have to take Sarah along though.." I heard silent laughing which was odd. "That's okay. I'll be there in a few."

"Ok.. Bye." He said his goodbyes and I shut the phone back onto the wall. Why is he so interested in me? I really didn't want to deal with him right now. I took a little stroller and quietly entered her room. I lifted her up and noticed she was wide awake. "Hey baby." I put her in the seat and buckled her in. "Aww don't fuss.." She sniffed and rubbed her eyes.

"It'll be quick okay?" I brushed my golden hair and looked at my tired face. The stress is getting the best of me.. I have bags now. I heard a knock and pushed us both out of the bedroom and to the white door. I opened it and revealed Samuel in a button-down white shirt and jeans. He brushed his hair to the side, and wore black shoes.

"You look tired.. Are you getting sleep?"

"Yeah, somewhat." I trailed outside next to him on the sidewalk cement. "So.." I snapped out of my sudden spacing out and looked to him. "Nice night.." He walked closer, but I scooted a little on instinct. It was quite awkward, just in silence. "Are you uncomfortable?"

"N-no I'm fine." I hated stuttering, but I couldn't help being so nervous. "Wahh!" I stopped and checked Sarah. "What's wrong dear?"

"Wahhh!" "Woah, she isn't happy." I unbuckled her and picked her up. "Baby.. Shhh..." I patted her back and kissed her cheek. She turned to Sam.

"Ad.. Ad!" I blushed furiously as she continued to say 'ad'. "I don't know what's wrong.. Is she calling you bad or dad?" Samuel walked to Sarah and touched her hand. "What?" She cried even louder, and curled up to me. "Mamamama! Ad, ad!"

"Maria, I-I think she's fine.. She's just fussy.. That's all." I looked curiously at him, but eventually let it go. "Sorry about that.. She never was like that to people.."

"It's fine.. I think she is tired.." I agreed and said,"She was from the start, but I couldn't leave her alone." We turned to the other side of the neighborhood. My eyes stared straight ahead, but I felt Samuel just glancing at me... For over a few minutes that is. I had to keep sane, that's one thing. After some time, Sarah has gotten very tired and pouty. "I guess it's time for her to go to bed.. Same goes for me."

I opened the door and ejected her out of the blue stroller. I heard a shut and a lock of a door, Maybe he locked it for me. I put her to the crib and kissed her little forehead. "Good night baby.."

I turned around and gasped. "Don't say a word or scream." My eyes widened and he trapped me in the corner of the room. "Samuel...W-what are you.." I was shocked. What he had in his muscular hand was a knife to my throat. "Sam?"

"Shut up. Don't speak." His breath released on my neck, making me clench. I almost choked on my own saliva, forcing it down. I couldn't move; I was too surprised to even think. He was so nice earlier, but in a moment he had me cornered. All that came out was whimpers of him biting on my nape. I wanted to slap him off me, but knowing how strong he is, I would be killed. There was no way out of this-I was going to suffer tonight.

I heard myself accidentally whisper,

"Shadow..."

He chuckled louder and louder when it eventually turned into a laugh. "Shadow..? Shadow. That's that fool that you still can't get over.. Baby, I will make sure you never say his name again." I winced in pain as he slid the sharp object slowly into my shoulder. "Ahh!" I screeched, and tears formed into my eyes.

He took it out roughly and took my long yellow hair. He pulled me on the ground with it and again making me cringe. Why is he hurting me like this?

"Now now.. Don't wake the baby.." He whispered and gripped his hand on my thigh. I trembled in fear of him doing this to me. He striped me down fully and chuckled more. "Such a pleasant body.. I bet you miss this don't you sweetheart?" Tears have already escaped my eyes, and I was about to get raped. The knife slit my other forearm and little marks on my stomach. "No.. Stop please!"

"She's sleeping.." He warned me so much times, and I knew that. He beat me up a bunch, but only on my stomach and lower. Even worse that most of it was near my inner thighs.

After a long time, he had his 'share' and came off of me with sweat on both on our bodies.

"If you tell anyone our little secret, I'll make it shove into you harder. As in the knife."

I gulped and noticed my breathing get softer and fearful again. "I'm not done with you.. See ya." I covered my body and curled onto the carpet with my eyes filled with distraught. What did he just do... I never had gotten raped. I cried almost all night, lying there in pain. I couldn't help but shudder. I couldn't sleep after the horrors of him doing things much too sudden and so quickly. I had no energy. It's like he sucked it out of me, but he clearly didn't literally.

"Oh.. Shadow she's one fine gal."

"Why would you say that all of a sudden? What happened? What did you do to her?" He growled, showing his teeth. "Ahh, it wouldn't be worth telling you and getting mad." Shadow snarled and shook the chains. "So help me if you laid a finger on her I'll change your life."

"It seems she had gone her own way.. She enjoyed it according to her own mouth."

"You liar!" The crimson striped hedgehog jumped, but was caught back by the silver chains keeping him. "Oh no no... I am going to be the father while you rot in here!" He laughed obnoxiously and smirked after wards. "She wouldn't give up. I know her too well to know that. You just want her to yourself instead of letting her actual husband take place!"

"Oh, we'll get married. The little brat baby needs a daddy. And it seems you're not going to be there.." Shadow rolled his red orbs and closed his eyes in deep thought. 'Maria... Please understand I'm here..'

chapter 2! I updated faster than usual!

Poor Maria! :(

Please review saying how you think! Thank you for reading!