Pas Maintenant (Not Now)

A huge yawn crossed my lips and I covered it with one hand and stretched the other outwards. I was more sleepy from long, restless nights rather than the food in my belly, but it surely helped awaken the tire. I closed my eyes, letting my feet keep moving, but only for a while. The steel floors were an uncomfortable feeling under my feet, almost slippery like ice, and the feeling made me nervous.

My eyes were open and I was more than half awake in an instant. Though a part of me was still sleepy, I could bypass that part at least for now. "Ahh," I rubbed one eye with the back of my hand like a child. One of the robots dared to press its cold hand against the small of my back. I yelped and jumped up, only to touch the ceiling. The strange robot laughter could now be heard. As I slunk down to the floor, I felt my face grow hot with embarrassment.

Suddenly, a large ornate door was in front of me. I looked up at it curiously, one ear swiveling to the side as a gesture of amusement. It was red velvet underneath with golden dragons and vines wrapped around and around it in dizzying circles of sparkling yellow. The jade eyes of one of the dragons stared at me.

I stared right back, hissing. The fur on my arms and chest were standing upright. The staring dragon made me uneasy, for I was always wary of statues that could look at me. On that note, pretty much any statue.

One of the robots opened the door and the other prodded me in the back, forcing me inside. My eyes didn't leave the creepy statue as I walked into the room.

Ick! The plush carpet under my feet was worse than the slippery steel outside and even more unnerving. I groaned and turned my attention towards the large black leather chair behind the very business-like desk. "Why have you come to see me?" Asked a voice that was almost human…and one I almost recognized.

"Master, we've brought the prisoner, the source of the noise that disturbed you." Answered one of the robots at my left hand. I wondered how many of them were here now, but that was a thought easily pushed away. I was too focused on the dark figure before me. I knew that voice, but it had been so long…

"Oh?" The chair swiveled and I saw the face. I knew him now, from the six thin hairs on his otherwise bald head to the thick, pointy, fleshy nose. But, it was rumored to have died…! "So nice to see you again, Sonic."

"Never thought I would, Snerdly," I retorted calmly. "That's a good voice for you, by the way. How did you survive that explosion?"

Snively Robotnik forced a laugh that sounded like a robot's laugh. Exactly how human was he? And, if he was bionic, shouldn't they be feeding him? How come e wasn't breathing? My silence must've disturbed him, so he spoke again. "If you're wondering about the new me, I internally robotisized myself, so my outside stays the same but my insides are no longer human."

"You wanted to be a robot?"

"I was half dead from the explosion. No, I didn't want to be a robot, but I wanted to live." And "Master" Snively grinned evilly. Yes, everything on the outside was human, and only the insides had changed. But, not by much.

"You're still as heartless as the day you supposedly died, Big Nose," I commented, rocking on my toes. "Still as stupid." I scoffed. "A cage? Really now, Snively, I thought you were smarter than that."

Snively looked at me quizzically, then shrugged and waved a hand dismissively. " I starved you, Hedgehog. I made you beg for food. Made you so weak you could barely stand, I made you groan! Oh yes, I'm far smarter than my uncle and," two small feet met the desk with a sharp clank, "a far better ruler."

"You underestimated me," I answered confidently, remembering my short burst of strength.

"A ruler mustn't allow himself to be troubled by mistakes," Snively answered, closing his eyes. "I won't underestimate you again. Robots?"

"Yes Master?" All the robots stood at attention as if saluting a flag, even the one that was guarding me. I had a strong desire to make a run for it, but my odds wouldn't be good so I stayed put. I realized I needed time, nutrients, and answers. And I wasn't going to get that by running away, being recaptured, and perhaps put into a more heavily guarded cell.

"Take the hedgehog back down to the prison." An evil grin crossed his face. "And let him starve for fourteen more days!"

"What?!" I snarled, trying to pull away. But, the robots held my arms fast and the friction against their sharp parts caused scratches. I had robots pushing me from everywhere and I couldn't get close to my hated new enemy. "You can't do that!" My voice was high, desperate. I couldn't figure out why, after my feast, I was getting hungry again. My ears were clenching closed, my throat was tightening, there was no describing the emptiness in my stomach, and I wanted dinner. It was nearly night now.

"I can," grinned Snively, "and I will!" And his laughter echoed throughout the whole room. It was still the laugh of a madman, even warped by a robot's voice box.

The robots took me back to my cell and threw me harshly inside against the wall. I whined as tender bruised parts collided with cold, hard stone and my heart sank.

I was going to be alone and, very soon, starving.