Chapter 4

It was finally Saturday. Selene had much studying to do, especially with her upcoming math test; something Selene would stress about. Getting good grades meant becoming more successful later in life, and that would be something worth looking forward to. The hedgehog woke up early and grabbed her studying notes. She slipped them in a denim messenger bag and set it down beside her door. The pale hedgehog slipped on jeans and a shirt and covered it up with a bubble coat and a wool scarf. She walked through the back door and stepped onto a large area of lawn. Selene quickly sprinted over the wet grass, soaking her socks. She didn't mind, since she would rather get her feet cold then get punished by her parents for sneaking out in the morning.

All of Selene's exposed fur was num, and her breath came out in little white puffs. The forest around her villa was layered in frost, and the forest floor was tougher than usual, making loud thudding noises every time her boots hit the ground. She walked for about half an hour before the area around her burst into shades of soft pink. She looked around amazed; cherry trees were blossoming pink petals and were swirling across Selene's indigo eyes. She sat down and rested her homework on her knees

"Selene?" a voice from behind called.

Surprised, Selene jumped and fell. She gazed up and noticed a shocked face, which made Selene squeeze her eyes as if she was dreaming. It was Shadow. "What are you doing here?"

"Well…" Shadow looked down, "I like this place. It's the only place where I can be myself."

"I found this place by myself. I need to get away from my family every once in a while," Selene sighed, "I really don't know a lot about the city or anything…"

"Would you like me to show you?"

Selene's eyes widened. What if mom and dad catch me? They'll KILL me. But it's time for me to leave the cradle and grow up. One step at a time. The silver hedgehog's eyes beamed back at the dark one's. "I'd love to."

"Great," Shadow smiled, "I finally have a friend."

Sometimes, you have to get out of your safety zone and try things you've never done before. Selene slipped her messenger bag over her shoulder and waited for Shadow. He reached his hand out, and Selene uneasily held his hand.

"Hold on tight," a devious grin spread on Shadow's face.

Suddenly, a burst of speed pressed against Selene. Adrenaline was pumping through her body. She had never had this feeling before…it was like being on a rollercoaster, but having full control of it. She knew that if she would let go or yell 'stop', Shadow would stop immediately. That's how much trust she had in him.

They were now on a tall grassy hill, which overlooked the city. The horizon was silver and the tall buildings were lit with lamps. It was around seven in the morning, and the city could not run without workers. The skyscrapers were so high that it was hard to even see the streets; Selene looked even harder and noticed a canal at the edge of the city. "I think you need to explain me this."

"You see this? This is the city. Over the years, the technology has become so advanced that people have forgotten the outside world. We have forgotten about almost everything. There are so many places out there in the world, yet they seem like just a speck of dust in the wind to us."

"You sound like my dad when you say that," Selene giggled.

Shadow lay in the long grass. Selene lay down next to him. Shadow had a deep sigh and closed his eyes. Selene looked at the sky harder. It was strange…until now she has never paid attention to the details in life. She quickly scrambled up and looked over to her friend, who was resting. She steadied and leaned back a bit…just a little bit more….

POUNCE!

Selene tackled Shadow, and they both playfully rolled down the hill. Both of them were laughing.

"I haven't done that since I was four!" Selene smiled.

"Hm, you're making me feel like I'm four," Shadow chuckled and rolled in the grass.

A loud noise made Selene jump again. "Great…I'm starving…" Selene rolled her eyes. "Now I'm going to have to go back home."

"Who says?" Shadow grinned, "I've got some money on me."

"You don't have to-"

"Why not? You're saying I'm not your friend?" Shadow frowned.

"Fine." Selene sighed.

"Great, I know this great breakfast place, I'm sure you'll love it," Shadow said, rubbing his hands on his quills. He led Selene to a small corner where a diner was.

The floor was really hard, and it made every step a very loud thud. The floor had a black and white tile pattern and the walls and ceiling were creamy. The red velvet seats were put in all corners of the place, making it seem like there was barely any room to walk. Selene sat down across from Shadow, who pushed a menu in her face.

"What would you like, darling?" a waitress with a southern accent came to the table.

"Give me a second…" Selene answered, scanning through the menu as fast as she could.

"Oh, I see what's going on here. Both of y'all be coming here for a date," the waitress laughed

"No!" Selene exclaimed, her cheeks burning red. I don't even like Shadow…in that way.

"Oh, I guarantee it," the server winked, "or maybe you'll just stay friends."

"I'll take some orange juice and pancakes," Selene ordered in a paranoid tone. I would never even think of Shadow in that way!

"One orange juice and order of pancakes, coming right up," the server said, and left.

"That was…embarrassing…" Selene rested her head in her hands and gazed at the ceiling.

"I thought it was quite funny." A grin twisted on Shadow's face, waiting for a response.

"Oh, shut up," Selene kicked Shadow's shin, laughing. A plate was put in front of her, supporting a large pile of pancakes toppled with syrup and a hunk of butter. I don't think I'll finish this… "I don't know how to thank you…" Selene blushed.

"No thank you needed," Shadow pulled out a bunch of wrinkled dollar bills and handed it to the waiter, who put it in her pocket and walked off.

"Oh man, I'm stuffed…" Selene said, taking a large slurp from her orange juice, "mind finishing it off?"

"Not a problem at all."

There was so much in the city Selene never knew of; many work facilities, high-tech stores, and even a theme park! It was truly amazing. The sun was now overhead, the sky crystal clear and blue.

"I've never…really seen anyone like you," Shadow blinked, observing Selene's face. "Your eyes…they are a spark of resemblance to your sister's…except, yours are prettier."

"Shadow…" Selene sighed, "You're so sweet…but, I don't know how you even know me so well."

"Our personalities match. You are predictable."

"Our personalities match." But how? He's a cool kid; I'm just a girl that no one wants to look at, just a puppy that everyone kicks around. Predictable, how am I? Selene tilted her head sideways, frowning. "Shadow, it was nice being out here with you…but I really need to get home. My parents are going to kill me no matter what, even though they know I'm not a morning hedgehog, sooner or later they'll see that I'm not around," Selene's tone was very serious.

"What will they do?"

"Call the police…that's the least they'll do," Selene's eyes flooded with tears. Her body grew weak and her knees hit the ground.

Shadow gazed at her, speechless, and walked over by her side. He rested an arm on her shoulder. "I'm here to protect you, Selene…" His fingers slipped down her neck and touched her crescent necklace. He lightly tugged on it and the crescent charm slipped down the string and into his palm. He gazed down at her and weak smile spread across his face. "Just call me if you're not feeling well, okay?"

Selene nodded. She stood up, and gazed at Shadow's face. For a while they were gazing in each other's eyes, like they were in another world. Shadow's eyes widened, but it was too late. Suddenly, from behind Selene, a bunch of arms grabbed her and pushed her to a brick wall, while others pushed Shadow down to the ground.

"Help me!" Selene squealed, kicking frantically. Shadow tried to struggle, but the strength of the police's grip was stronger than Shadow's.

"Are you okay ma'am?" one of them asked.

"Let go of me!" Selene screamed, "Don't hurt him!"

She fell to the ground, dark tears flowing from her eyes. She was in shock; everything happened so fast, too fast for her. She couldn't take it any longer. Her body crashed into the cement ground. In a faint distance she could hear Shadow escaping the grip and coming to her side…

Selene woke up in her bed. Moonlight was pouring on her covers; the window was wide open, the curtains flowing through the air. Selene weakly stood up, right when the door opened and her sister hugged her tightly.

"Selene! I was so worried! And Shadow…he was there too…and oh, if you were only awake, it was so romantic, fighting for you like that."Aurora gazed off.

"I'm fine, thanks," Selene the room, and for a few minutes there were only silence.

Selene gazed down at her crescent necklace; it was giving an odd glow. It had never done that before…then her past echoed in her mind… "Just call me if you're not feeling well, okay?" It was such a bittersweet memory. A tear flowed down Selene's cheek as she huddled the necklace to her chest. "Shadow…" she whispered silently.

"I'm here."

She looked up in surprise. The hedgehog was sitting in her window frame. How did he manage to scale the large fence? And get past the security guards? White moonlight was pouring down on his quills, his crimson eyes giving a small hint of red. She ran up to him and hugged him tightly, same as he did. He rubbed her silky hair and smiled.

"I'll see you at school on Monday…"

"Bye…"