The weeks went by... Christmas was on the horizon.
Sonic was suffering. Thin as a waif, the hedgehog looked as though he was starving himself. He had several bare patches in his fur and it was heavily matted, he was pale, his eyes had lost that sparkle and his quills and ears drooped.
The house was falling apart. Sonic would regularly have temper tantrums and everything, from picture frames to ornaments, were all smashed into a million pieces. The place was covered in dust and cob webs, and the gardens were like a jungle. It was clear the hedgehog was not well, and needed help. Fast.
He had still been regularly keeping in contact with his former little brother, but it was becoming apparent that Tails had moved on. He was happy, and it seemed he wouldn't change his new family for the world.
Tails explained to Sonic how he now attended school, and he had made some new friends. He explained how much he loved his new adopted family. Sonic would always lie, and say he was happy and that nothing was wrong. Tails would often question if he was really ok, and it worried Sonic that he felt Tails was picking up that something wasn't quite right.
Sonic had still not seen Tails since the day he left home. He had used all his money to buy Tails dozens of Christmas presents. When I mean a lot, I mean 2 sacks full, and it wasn't cheap. Another reason why Sonic hadn't been eating was due to him saving all his money to give Tails the best Christmas gifts he could afford, even if it meant him starving. Usually, Tails would only get less than half this amount. But this year... This year it was different.
Sonic didn't quite know what he was trying to achieve by giving Tails such a vast amount of presents. I guess false hope was lingering there again, and it felt to him, like a way to win him round.
...
2 weeks later...
Sonic had taken the long journey of visiting Tails' house with the two sackful of presents. The journey was agonising. Once athletic and fit, the hedgehog could no longer run without stopping to take regular breaks, to catch his breath. He was fading away... becoming iller and iller. He wore a long red jacket, to cover up his skinny figure. The last thing he wanted was to worry Tails, not with Christmas around the corner.
He was so excited to see Tails. He'd been looking forward to this day for weeks. Finally, an excuse to see his little bro again. He could reach out and hold him in his arms again. Something he had longed to do for oh so long.
He had kept the visit a surprise, he figured if they were out he could always stick around a while until they came back.
He entered through the automatic gates and the hedgehog's mouth immediately dropped. He had never seen such a huge house. He could see why Tails was so happy and settled in! There was a 10 foot tall Christmas tree in the centre of the enormous front garden. It looked beautiful with it's thousands on multicoloured lights twinkling away.
Sonic reached the doorway. He was getting nervous, so nervous... his hand shook. In a matter of seconds, he was going to be reunited with his brother after so long. Grinning, Sonic rang the doorbell.
Shortly after, Robert answered the door.
"Surprise!" Sonic cheered.
"Sonic! How nice of you to drop by! How's things?"
"I'm pretty good thank you. I have come to deliver presents for Tails. I have spoiled him extra this year!"
The look on Robert's face was not good...
"I'm afraid Tails is currently away. He's staying round his friend George's house overnight."
THIS hit Sonic like a ton of bricks. His grin dropped, tears welled up in his eyes... his hand shook. He turned his back to Robert.
"Sonic, Sonic are you ok?" He questioned, concerned.
"Yeah yeah I'm fine. I was just looking forward to seeing Tails, that's all."
"You are free to come back any time, you know that."
"I know. Any way, tell Tails I visited, and that I hope he likes his presents. I don't want anything in return, just a card."
"I will tell him Sonic. And once agin, I'm really sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"Any way Sonic I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!" Robert spoke.
"You too. Rightio I must be going. Bye."
"See you soon."
And with that, Robert took the sacks in and closed door, and Sonic headed off. Once outside the drive he dropped to his knees, head in his hands. He poured his heart out lost in a flood of tears.
What was he going to do?
...
Tails returned back the following day. His friend only lived several roads away from him so he was able to walk back home. He reached the front door, suitcase in his right arm.
His Mother greeted him.
"Tails! Nice to have you back honey. How did I go?" She asked, whilst bending down kissing Tails on the lips.
"I had a great time! We stayed up until 3am reading ghost stories and playing video games!"
"Aw. I'm glad you had fun. Let me take your suitcase up into your room."
"Thanks Mum."
"And there's a surprise in the living room for you. From Sonic."
"Sonic?! You didn't tell me he was coming over!" Tails said disappointedly.
"It was your Father who saw him. Apparently it was a surprise visit. He's in the living room also."
"Oh right."
And with that, Tails made his way into the room.
"Good morning, Tails! Nice to have you back. Did you have fun round George's?" His Father questioned.
"Oh yes. We stayed up until 3am!"
"3am. Blimey. I will let you off seeing as it's half term."
"I was told Sonic came yesterday?"
"Yes, that 's right. He came with a rather... large amount of Christmas presents." Robert pointed, in the direction of the presents in the corner.
Tails walked over and just stared, gobsmacked...
He was expecting nothing from his brother this year. And the amount he had given him, had Tails worried more than anything. He had never received this much off Sonic in all his life, and he wondered how Sonic could have afforded it all. He must've been saving for months, as he knew Sonic didn't have a lot of money. Sonic shouldn't have given him this much stuff, and he felt bad for not being there...
He read the tag. It read:
To Tails (little bro)
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and get everything you wish for.
Lots of love,
Sonic
xxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxx
There was a wet patch on the left side of the tag, like a... tear drop? This set alarm bells ringing, for Tails.
"Tails, I don't want to worry you but there's something you ought to know." Admitted his Father.
"What is it, Dad?" He asked suspiciously.
"When Sonic came round yesterday he... he didn't look very well..."
"What do you mean, not well?" Tails asked, worriedly.
"He looked pale, and thin. And he wore a baggy red jacket, like he was trying to cover up something."
Tails' eyes grew wide, mouth gasping. Guilt grew heavier and heavier with every spoken word. He KNEW something wasn't right. Sonic's voice had been lacking that cheerful tone for a while now and whilst Sonic wouldn't admit it, he seemed unhappy. Sad, even.
"And when I told him you weren't here, he looked like he was going to burst into tears."
With his, Tails' own eyes filled up with tears.
Something was terribly wrong.
