Disclaimer- I don't own the Sonic the hedgehog characters.

A/N- I know that you guys hated me for that cliffhanger, but I hope that this chapter was worth the wait! There's no need to shed any tears…I'm looking at you, Procrastination X)

Chapter 4

"What do you want?"

Shadow could barely process the question, the stench and the threat of becoming this monster's next meal being effective distractions. However, when the words eventually registered in the hedgehog's overstimulated brain, confusion instantly mixed in with the dread and terror.

…What the hell?

Black eyelids opened to reveal terrified scarlet irises that stared warily up at the bloody intruder. The blue hedgehog had to be toying with him. He had to like playing with his food before he saw the life drain from their eyes. He had to because Shadow was the one targeted, stalked, and attacked…

However, the striped rodent didn't see anything but those wild emeralds boring down on him with a distinct downturn of lips, only the unnaturally sharp canines visible. He was seriously waiting for an answer, but Shadow couldn't formulate one at the moment. His brain and mouth weren't communicating with one another. Shadow was left gaping like a fish out of water.

His shocked-induced silence apparently wasn't appreciated because the intruder snapped his jaw right in the place Shadow's nose would have been if he hadn't pushed himself as far into the couch cushion as he possibly could. Shadow could feel the rage radiating off the other, and the accompanying deep snarls made the captor dig deep into his mind to relocate his ability to speak.

His tongue was thick and heavy, more of a hindrance than a help in the endeavor. "I don't know what the f-fuck you're talking about!"

Shadow felt agonizing pain blossom from his cheek when his head was suddenly whipped to the side. He couldn't hold in the gasp when a clawed hand pressed relentlessly against his skull, the soft fabric of the sofa only helping so much.

"You're lying," a malicious voice hissed in his twitching ear while his rapidly beating heart threatened to burst out of his chest. Shadow didn't know what to do. He was trapped, and a being that had crawled out of a child's worst nightmare was harshly pinning him down, not caring about the precious life beneath him. Shadow knew that he was nothing but a juicy steak to the other, ready to be devoured.

But what could he do?

The darker hedgehog cried out when the oppressing hand curled and those filthy nails pushed. Panicking at the horrid feeling of his skin breaking, Shadow tried desperately to push the monster off of him, planting both of his open palms on the cobalt intruder and shoving with all that he had.

Those electric emerald orbs stayed right where they were.

Shadow shouted when more weight was put on the stabbing talons, and it was subsequently cut off when a bloodied and calloused hand muffled his tortured voice. The beast then jerked his arm to the side, and the striped rodent's scream was nearly muted as well when his cheek was ripped open, blood immediately dripping down the torn skin.

The pain was unbearable. His face from right below his temple to the top of his chin felt like it was on fire. Shadow was paralyzed as the fluid leaked from his head, staining the cushion under him. He didn't dare move, his respiration rate damn near hyperventilation. He was hurting so much, too much; he couldn't deal with any more.

Shadow Robotnik wasn't known to cry, but shit…blood wasn't the only substance streaming down his severely wounded face.

Moist scarlets squeezed shut as a single clawed finger dug deep into the shredded skin and scraped the muscle there; the bleeding hedgehog bit his lip to keep from screaming again, the fire turning into a blazing inferno that he mentally begged to be put out.

The taste of copper was on his own tongue now, lining his mouth as it spurted out of the hole Shadow's teeth had unintentionally made. He refused to swallow it; he didn't want to have anything in common with the beast. Shadow pushed it out with a pink taste budded muscle, shuddering when his tongue accidentally brushed against the hand covering his mouth. The thought of how many organs that appendage had torn into made the Robotnik gag, cringing when the subtle movement agitated his searing injury.

The rough hand lost contact with his muzzle. Shadow opened up his eyes again only to freeze in horror at the sight of the boy slowly lapping at the thick fluids on his palm like it was ice cream on a cone. The killer then moved to the fingers of his other hand, sucking off the pieces of skin that were stuck on and under his claws.

Burnt pizza, peas, and stomach acid welled up in Shadow's throat, and he forced it down with a painful gulp. The disgusting foods mixed in with the blood at the back of the rodent's mouth; that aftertaste alone almost prompted the contents of his stomach to be sprayed all over his hardwood floor.

The murderer was staring hard at him, the heat in his gaze impossible to ignore. His red mouth moved, uncovering similarly stained teeth, and Shadow's insides twisted knowing that his blood was now part of the intruder's growing collection.

"You know." The stranger brought his head down to get eye-level with the wounded hedgehog. Teeth were bared again as a raspy gruff voice slipped past them once more, forceful and certain. "I feel the pull. You can't tell me that-"

Jaded rubies widened when the other's whole body lurched. The boy grabbed at his own throat and started to cough, which quickly turned into painful sounding wheezes. Shadow watched in shock as his attacker backed off of him, struggling to breathe. Carmine painted hands dropped to the floor a second before the bluer one projectile vomited on the ground, clear and red fluids filled with unidentifiable bits mixed within them splattered against the ground, a large puddle of sick forming around those clawed fingers.

Shadow shakily sat up on the couch, careful to not move his head much unless he wanted to feel the equivalent of shards of glass mangling his face. Blood flowed down from his chin and into his formerly pure white chest fur, but Shadow couldn't take his flabbergasted gaze off of the dry heaving hedgehog in front of him kneeling on the ground.

The striped rodent then tore himself away from the sight, training his still damp red orbs on his front door. He could make a run for it while the intruder was distracted, because he knew that he definitely would be out sped during any other situation.

However, before he could so much shift his foot in the direction of his life and freedom, the retching sounds stopped, and Shadow inwardly cursed, slowly turning back to focus on the trespasser whose deadly green irises were filled to the brim with lethal venom.

A growl so loud and deep shook the boy's whole chest as he wiped the leftover bile from his lips. The beast didn't bother with coherent words as he pounced on Shadow, the victim not seeing anyone move so fast ever.

That was the only awed thought that flowed through his spent mind before the dirty body collided with his, the collision so powerful that the couch tipped back because of the intruder's momentum. Shadow landed hard on his back, the impact tensing his muscles up in pain. The action also jarred the gashes on his cheek, which just added icing on the cake.

"Shit! Damnit!" he swore, face throbbing.

Shadow's attempt to squirm out from under the one straddling him was futile. The boy wasn't heavy at all, but he had never felt this weak. The red striped anthro's breath hitched when a forearm pressed down on his windpipe, effectively cutting off most of the air flow to his lungs. Shadow thrashed, desperately needing more oxygen, but the limb didn't budge, and the sneer directed at him was aloof and uncaring.

"What…" Teeth were gnashed as the blue rodent snarled. "What did you do to me?"

Then to Shadow's surprise and relief, the weight was lifted up some – but not much – so he could get the minimal amount of air he needed to stay conscious. He wheezed and panted, stunned at the most…unthreatening expression Shadow had seen the boy wear on his face.

The emerald irises were still wild and unpredictable. The hate hadn't left, but something akin to curiosity swirled within their depths. A blue head was tilted marginally as those orbs narrowed, taking in Shadow's features and frame. Chapped lips were pulled into a straight line, not scowling, glowering, or even frowning. They were simply unmoving.

Shadow didn't know if the intense pain and suffering had made him crack, but he couldn't help but compare the look to one a confused child would use when studying something new.

A confused, murder obsessed, and cannibalistic little child.

The voice was still gruff from apparent disuse, but it didn't promise death and agony. "What…are you?"

It seemed like the boy had a knack for asking questions that should be aimed at himself.

Before Shadow could formulate an answer that could possibly save his life, a loud and swift knock on his front door did his job for him.

"Police! We're coming in!"

The attacked hedgehog couldn't measure the amount of the relief that flooded into his body when the male voice echoed around his apartment. However, it was short lasting when the murderer whirled around and growled at the closed door. For a moment, Shadow was concerned for the life of the officer outside, but then there was a sudden blur and the blue boy was gone.

The wounded anthro glanced over to his open window, hoping that the killer would land wrong and snap his neck. However, despite the six floors of open air, Shadow couldn't help but believe that the hedgehog would miraculously survive the fall.

His body jerked when his door was violently kicked open. From his current position, he couldn't see with the obtrusive overturned couch in his way. Cursing under his breath, Shadow carefully sat up and eventually got his feet under him, face still dripping.

He instantly put his hands in the air when cocked guns were aimed at him and let them hang loosely as the weapons were lowered. Shadow rose a finger to prod at his open wound, but he subtly shook his head, discouraging himself. That was a horrible idea.

There were two officers, one male and one female. The latter was obviously the one in charge; experienced violet eyes darted everywhere, absorbing all of the scene. He heard the human suck in a breath at all of the blood and gore before focusing on Shadow himself, her gaze zeroed in on his mangled cheek.

"We were called in about a disturbance," she stated.

"Severe understatement," Shadow tiredly muttered, his adrenaline wearing off. He never knew that complete and utter terror drained so much energy.

"Look at all of this blood…fuck…" Her partner, a red and black armadillo, wasn't as composed because he looked sick in the face, especially at the sight of the vomit on the floor.

"Language," she snapped at him before giving Shadow her full attention. "What happened here?"

He couldn't exactly say that a wild werewolf had tried and almost succeeded in having him for an early dinner. "Someone climbed in through my open window and attacked me." Shadow bobbed his head in the direction of the glass, moving his mouth as little as he could to avoid unnecessary pain. "He got me with his knife before jumping out when you two arrived. I didn't get a good look at him…" he murmured. If they didn't catch his bluff, they had a better chance of surviving.

The man – avoiding all of the liquids – quickly jogged over to the window and peered out of it, gun at the ready. "The guy has to be a damn magician or something." Nearly black irises glanced back at his companion. "Do you think that it's the same person?"

"If it is…" She approached Shadow and gently put a finger beneath the hedgehog's chin, marginally turning his head to examine the injury. "You're lucky to be alive kid. Be glad that this complex has thin walls." The officer grabbed the rodent's wrist and softly tugged it, leaning in the direction of the open door. "Come on."

He didn't have it in him to question or resist.

Once in the hallway, the sandy haired woman began talking to another hedgehog who was leaning against the wall, an uncomfortable expression on his face. His white quills were messy, his light blue tee was a size too big, and his sweatpants were ruffled. The newcomer's nose was scrunched up, and Shadow assumed that the stench of blood was to blame.

"Can you take him to the hospital? He needs stitches. He can't drive in his condition."

Liquid golden irises switched from her to Shadow. The light rodent shrugged like he didn't care, but Shadow could tell that he was a bit uneasy. The piercing yellows didn't leave him. "I…guess I could. If that's okay with you."

The striped hedgie sighed, breath heavy and exhausted. "As long as my face gets fixed, I don't care."

"Good." The female cop stepped away from the both of them, radioed in back to her station, and disappeared into Shadow's room, the door shutting with a thud.

The wounded rodent was left alone with the white hedgehog that was fixated on his horrid injury. "Whoa…that must really hurt…"

Shadow wasn't in the mood for this. He was dripping in the middle of the hallway. "If you aren't going to drive me, then-"

Startled eyes blinked before a hand rubbed the back of a pale neck. "Heh…sorry…" The chuckles were forced. "I'll uh…go get my keys!" He was about to move, but, unexpectedly, an open palm was held out in front of Shadow. Lips pulled back in a friendly smile. "I guess you should know my name before getting in a car with me, huh? I'm Silver!"

The striped hedgehog stared dispassionately at the hand before drifting his gaze up to the newly named Silver's face. "Shadow."

Silver pulled back his offered palm, the smile now strained and quivering. "Okay…" He waved as he jogged over to the door that apparently led to his own apartment right next to Shadow's. "I'll be right back!"

The Robotnik didn't respond. As soon as the other was out of sight, rubies shifted over to his closed apartment, hearing muffled mutters and the shifting of items. Shadow doubted that he would get his home back today.

A door slammed. He turned his head in the direction of footsteps. Shadow was taken aback to see Silver approaching him with what seemed to be a fitted sheet. He was too confused to push the hedgehog away when the cloth was wrapped around his shoulders. It was like he was wearing a cape.

"It's so you won't drip everywhere…" Silver explained, rubbing a piece of the sheet between his forefinger and thumb. A lopsided grin grew on his muzzle. "And so you won't stain my seats." In his other hand was his keys, and he jingled them a bit. "Let's go, yeah?"

Shadow couldn't argue against keeping things clean, so he just nodded and followed the white rodent as Silver briskly walked over to the elevator at the end of the hall. The button was pushed, and they stood side by side for the lift to arrive. Shadow felt eyes on him, and he deemed that Silver was floundering for a topic to initiate conversation. Either that or he was waiting for Shadow to start talking. He would be waiting for a while then.

The ride was quiet as well, and it wasn't until they reached the lobby that Silver's somewhat nasally voice reached his ears. "So uh…do you go to school around here?"

Shadow knew that it wouldn't last. Ignoring the curious and worried glances from the occupants of the lobby, he answered curtly, "Station Square High."

"Really?" Gold orbs lit up and Shadow instantly regretted responding. The white hedgehog seemed a little too excited. "I'll be going there too! Well…in about a week or so."

The striped hedgie couldn't help raising a brow at that. A new student missing the first week of school wasn't heard of and very stupid if Shadow had to be brutally honest. Though, he was sure that the boy had a good explanation for it.

"Hey, don't give me that look! I just moved here today and my parents-"

Shadow stopped listening when they stepped outside. He hissed under his breath when the flowing winds stung his open wound. However, his pain was quickly forgotten when he felt eyes on him again. Eyes that weren't meant to be seen. Shadow froze, his whole body tense as he scanned his surroundings, scarlets snapping in every direction.

That boy was watching him again, no doubt.

But why?

Shadow rewound back to their rather violent encounter and to the words spoken to him. He couldn't make sense of it. First, the murderer had stalked him and asked him what he wanted, and then said that Shadow was pulling him? That was all insane blabber. Maybe that was the blue hedgehog's version of playing with his food, catching them off guard and confusing them.

Damnit… Maybe he should have told the police who the fuck almost ended his life, then the boy would have a bullet in his skull. Perhaps he didn't need to, since that thing was covered in blood and couldn't be too hard to track. Shadow just hoped that they didn't end up like the cops Rouge had called.

The boy wasn't in his monstrous form…so he couldn't do as much damage, right?

Shadow blinked when a light hand shook his shoulder. Concern was etched in Silver's features. "H-Hey man, are you alright? I've been trying to get your attention for a while…"

The striped anthro covertly shook away the contact. "I'm fine. Where's your car?"

The worry was still present as Silver jacked a thumb over his shoulder. His ride had to be somewhere past the police car parked that obstructed the view. "Over there, but are you sure that-"

"Let's go then." Shadow borderline commanded, and the white rodent nodded. As they walked, the gaze boring into him from the shadows never let up. He never wanted to get to a hospital faster in his life.

Shadow stroked the bandages on his face covering his multitude of stitches as the old-schooled truck rumbled back into the apartment's parking lot. He felt the sutures slightly pulling his skin underneath, and he knew that talking would take extra effort than usual. At the hospital, Shadow had told the people in charge to not contact his grandfather. He and Maria both would have aneurisms.

"We're home," Silver quipped with a snicker before the warm expression melted off of his face at the sight of multiple police cruisers positioned in the lot, more than before. "Wonder what's going on?"

"They probably called backup to help search," Shadow clipped as he climbed out of the vehicle, shutting the door behind him.

The feeling of being watched wasn't there. It had been the same at the hospital; the boy wasn't stalking him anymore, he was sure. Perhaps the wild child had been taken down. Shadow was finally safe. A pleasant sigh escaped his lips.

Silver sent him an inquisitive look, but he just shook his head.

Inside of the lobby, there was a single officer who was talking to one of the human owners of the complex. The man was typing keys on his computer while the male cop stood impatiently with his arms crossed. From where he was standing, Shadow couldn't see the officer's face, but he couldn't shake the feeling of seeing the man before.

There was a tap on his upper arm to get his attention, and Silver jerked his head in the direction of the elevator. Shadow took his focus off the reception desk and was about to make his way to the sliding doors, but then words filled the air that made him pause.

"That room is occupied by a Shadow Robotnik."

"Robotnik? Why does that name sound familiar to me?"

Shadow whipped his head back in that direction, stitches pulling uncomfortably. He would recognize that gruff and authoritative voice anywhere. "Mr. Tower?" he called out, hoping that the other wasn't as eager to send bullets flying as he was to give out worksheets. At the sound of his name, the man faced Shadow, and the hedgehog read the words 'Sheriff' on his uniform. "You're an officer?"

The grey haired adult narrowed his dual colored eyes at him. "That's why I've heard your name before. You're in one of my classes." Shadow's teacher marched over to the pair of rodents. He towered over them, expression stern. "Yes, I am the sheriff, but I usually work nights. This situation is critical, and I'm needed now. However, that is no concern of yours. What you should be worried about is giving me the information that I need." The officer switched his hard gaze onto Silver. "Who are you?"

"S-Silver Hedgehog sir…"

"You're the one who called in, yes?"

The white anthro nodded meekly.

"Then you tell me what you know as well."

"What kind of information do you want?" Shadow asked, resisting the urge to scratch around the bandaging.

"From you, I need to know the appearance of your assailant."

"But I don't know-"

"You better remember, hedgehog!" Tower ordered, face turning red. "Because the officers who responded to the call, Agent Topaz and Agent Mighty, have died, and I refuse to lose any more members of my force!"

Shadow's jaw went slack while Silver gasped from beside him. They…died? What…

The boy…was still out there…

Slightly trembling fingers dipped into his pocket when a tone rung from his pants. His mind was a whirlwind as he read the message and absently replied to it, his response automatic.

Maria: Hey lil hedgie! How was your day?

Shadow: Good.

He wished that the lie had been true.

Woo, another character's been added! And well uh…two were taken out…

Ehhem…moving on.

So the stalker's a little insane in the head…or at least, Shadow thinks so.

Heh. I'm having way too much fun writing this…