She can describe in detail the way the sky bends before it's about to fall. It takes on a green hue at the edges of the world, the clouds thin and retreat as if fleeing in terror, and the air becomes acidic. It's a memory transmuted by her fear yet still horrifyingly accurate.
She's running from him. Running to try and get away from the feel of his body against hers, the smell of his fur after a long day's struggle, the sound of his voice as he growls into her ear. She's trying to flee from their piercing screams, their accusations, their truths.
And then he's standing before her with that look on his face that told her that he was enjoying her pain. She'd seen it too many times in the privacy of their camp, far away from their team, far enough that they wouldn't hear her sobbing. Or screaming.
He's got her arms wrapped around her in this surreal kind of way that can only be described as "dreamily". Not because she was happy he was there, but because this couldn't be happening. She realizes this is a dream. And she laughs in his arms because he can't hurt her. And she's laughing so hard now, she's crying. But she still can't force herself to look into those eyes. Because if this is the before, his eyes will be gray, but if this is the after, they'll be black.
And although this is a dream, she's still terrified. As her laughter begins to turn into tears, he nuzzles his mouth against her ear and whispers, "It's not a dream."
As Sonic lies on the ground with a metallic hammer pressed against his nose, he realizes that he probably shouldn't have tried to wake Amy from the nightmare she was having. The crash had caused Tails and the visiting Rouge to run in from the kitchen and begin to smile at the silly situation. However, as the oddness of the situation dies down, Amy's rigid body and refusal to lower her weapon became a silent battle between awkward and threatening.
"Um, Amy, I'm sure Sonic didn't mean to offend you with whatever he did," Tails says hesitantly as he begins to creep toward the pair. Sonic nods in agreement, careful not to make any sudden movements. Just as Tails coaxes the hammer from Amy's hands, Rouge realizes that the silence is filled with Amy's ragged breathing and dripping tears.
Rouge takes this moment to step in front of Tails and gently leads Amy to the couch she had been sleeping on. She realizes that perhaps Amy shouldn't be left in an apartment on her own, at least not until they figure out what just happened. She holds one of Amy's shaking hands with her own, and filled with an overwhelming sense that Amy would snap if their voices went above a certain volume, Rouge whispers, "Sugar, what's up? You okay?"
Having the exact same thoughts, Sonic and Tails decide to give the girls some space and back up to the kitchen's entryway. Sonic shifted uncomfortably, not used to such emotionally intense moments when all he could do was watch. Tails placed his hand on his brother-in-arms, knowing full well how Sonic felt about being useless. So they stood there, concern lighting their eyes as they struggled to piece together just what would make Amy snap in such a way.
She felt so stupid, so weak. How could she have let them know something was wrong? How could she have compromised herself so early? She had wanted to escape and pretend that the past three years had been a dream but she could see now that even in her dreams she could not escape him. Realizing that she had been drifting in her laments for far too long, Amy lifts her gaze to Rouge and smiles brightly.
"I'm so sorry! Being on the road for so long makes you a bit weary of when something happens in your sleep," she says, using a tone of voice Sonic hadn't heard in years.
"Well, honey, that seemed more cagey than weary." Rouge replies, attempting to broach the topic as carefully as she could.
Sonic stands, eyes narrowed, as he realized beyond a shadow of a doubt that Amy, their Amy, is gone. When Amy glances up at him, his face reveals that he had figured it out to some extent. Their time together, though the love was one-sided, had allowed them to know one another like the backs of their hands. Sonic takes a step back, startling Tails with the sudden movement. Abruptly, Amy releases her hands from Rouge's and strides over to Sonic, leans in, and touches the side of his face, "I'm sorry for almost hurting you, I was scared."
Against his better judgment, Sonic leans into her hand and reluctantly nods his head. Stepping aside so she can get some air, Sonic stops Tails from calling out as Amy walks out the door.
"What just happened?" Tails said, looking back and forth from Rouge to Sonic.
"I think there's something Amy's not telling us," Rouge replies with an uneasy gaze aimed at the door.
"She'll tell us in her own time," Sonic says as he moves to the window to stare after Amy's retreating form. Tails notices Amy's dark maroon petticoat draping the side of the couch and wonders if she'll be back before it starts snowing for the night.