Author's note: Wow! I am alive! Really sorry about the wait, but hopefully this will be the last time I do that! If it ain't, I give you all permission to smack me with a cast iron skillet!

Chapter Four: A Turn for the Worst

When I woke up, Mighty was gone. I guess I didn't expect him to really be there for me when I woke up. Feeling sick, I stood up. My head spun and I turned and threw up. It was unusually hot outside and I was already sweating. I had to find my way out of there.

My cell phone rang and I picked it up. "Hello?" I asked quietly.

"Sonic? This is Knuckles. Where are you?"

"If I knew that, don't you think I would have told you by now?"

Knuckles sighed. "True enough. So, where's Mighty?"

"No idea."

"You mean he ditched you?"

"No, I think he went for some food."

Knuckles let out another sigh. "Alright, well, we have your phone on the tracker and well be out there soon."

I nodded, but then realized Knux couldn't see me. "Alright. I won't go anywhere." I sat down and sighed. My shoulder was burning and my head was killing me. I turned to my shoulder and took off the bandage. Once again I felt like throwing up, but after my first puking spree, I had nothing left to take out. Looking at my wound, it was red and puffy. "Great," I whispered. "Look's like it's infected."

I put my hand on the reddened skin around the impale mark. Even through my glove, I could feel the heat from the infection. I winced at the pain and leaned back onto a tree. "Well, Sonic old pal, looks like your in over your head," I said to myself. I chuckled. "Talking by your self is insane."

It was pretty quiet that morning. I was wondering why Mighty hadn't returned yet, but honestly, it didn't bother me too much. Mighty was a loner and if he didn't want to baby sit me then more power to him. I wasn't entirely sure when to expect Knuckles and the rest of them, but I was getting hungry. The night before had taken its toll on me and before I knew it, I was drifting back to sleep.


"Sonic?"

I jolted awake. "Knuckles!" I exclaimed. "You found me!"

He smiled. "We thought you were dead for a second there."

I shrugged. "Join the club. It seems like everyone thinks I'm dead today."

Tails was there as well as Espio, but Vector was not. Knuckles held out his hand and I took it with my healthy arm. A loud whimper escaped, but I quickly stopped myself from making any more noises. Tails turned away from me and I shook my head. "Where's Vector?" I asked.

Knuckles sighed. "He's not in the mood to see me right now. We need to get you to a hospital."

"So you guys know how to get out of here?"

Espio nodded. "Yes, but the real problem is how you got out here."

"No idea. Ceaira didn't drag me out here."

"Didn't think so. Do you know how lucky you are to be alive right now?"

"Yes, I do. Did you guys see Mighty?"

All three shook their heads. "Strange," Knuckles said, "Mighty never struck me as someone to ditch people."

"Maybe he was kidnapped."

Espio, Knuckles and I turned to Tails. I figured he wasn't speaking to any of us. "Kidnapped?"

Tails nodded slightly. I shook my head. "What do you think, Espio?"

The detective shook his head. "Doesn't look like there was a struggle."

I sighed. "Don't worry about him. Mighty isn't really a social kind of guy. He probably just wanted to make sure I was okay and then he left when he thought that I was fine."

Knuckles nodded. "Most likely." Tails did not put in his input. I walked up to him.

"Tails," I started.

He turned away from me. "We need to get back to Station Square."

That rejection hurt me more then Ceaira's spear.


The walk back to Station Square was torture. Every step was a weak attempt to get to the city. I was in a lot of pain. Knuckles offered to carry me a few times, but I was going to hold onto what ever pride I had left. It took us almost six hours to reach the train station. No one questioned why we were there, but some did take a good look at my shoulder and winced. I just smiled back at them, but how long can one guy act like he wasn't hurt?

Once we got on the train, I just sat on the seat and stared blankly at the wall opposite of me. Knuckles and Espio were talking about something. I didn't catch the conversation. I was too out of it to understand their words. Tails sat silently beside Knuckles. I wasn't entirely sure why he was avoiding me and I knew the answers were with Shadow, but he wasn't here.

When the train stopped, I stood with effort and we headed towards the hospital. Knuckles made sure I was walking okay and Espio had run ahead to alert the paramedics. Tails walked behind us. The one time I looked back, he didn't even bother to look away. He just stared at me with a haunted expression. I shook my head and looked forward. I would get him to talk to me sooner or later.

The hospital people were pretty nice about it. When we got there, I was put on a stretcher and wheeled in. I'm not sure what happened after that, because I passed out again. I do remember, in my half-consciousness, a lot of yelling and screaming. I even think I heard a clap of thunder. I wasn't sure if this was a dream, or if they were really yelling and screaming at each other.

After a while, the screaming in my head calmed down and I slowly woke up completely. Low and behold, Tails was the only one in the room when I did. "Hey," I said.

He jumped and turned to me. Without saying a word, he started heading towards the door.

"Are you going to keep running from me?" I asked, trying to sound less hurt then I really was.

"You need to rest," he muttered.

"No, we need to talk," I retorted.

Tails planted his two-tailed behind in the chair. "Alright, talk," he growled.

I jumped at his bitter tone. "Why does it seem like you suddenly hate me?"

He glared at the floor. "No reason," he muttered.

"Okay, so you're throwing our friendship down the drain for no reason what-so-ever? Great, just great, Tails! I would be happier if I had done something to make you mad at me."

Tails didn't look up. He muttered something that I couldn't hear.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing," he growled.

"Could you quit yelling at me?"

"No!" He screamed.

I jumped fully this time. The pain in my shoulder was intense. "Jeez, forget it then," I snapped back.

"I will forget it!" And with that, he walked out, slamming the door on his way. I sank back into the bed with a loud sigh. "Great," I whispered.

Knuckles came in a few minutes later. "You know, he is under a lot of stress," he said without formal greetings.

"Yes, I do know, but the question is 'why'? He won't even talk to any of us. It would be easier if he would."

"Sonic, the kid's reaching 14 years old. He doesn't need us anymore."

"He never needed us, Knuckles, but I just want to know what's bothering him."

Knuckles shrugged. "The doctors say you had a nasty infection, but they gave you some antibiotics, so you should be fine."

I nodded. "What about Ceaira?"

Knuckles shook his head and stared out the window. "It seems she won't rest until we're dead."

I nodded again, and then sighed. "So, what do you think we should do?"

"Well, Espio and I have been talking and we have come up with a temporary solution. Just long enough for you to heal up."

"Okay, lay it on me. But first, what does Tails think of this idea?"

"He says it is fine, but we were worried you wouldn't like it."

"Try me," I said.

"Sonic, it's time we take a vacation."