Chapter 4 is here and thank you to those who have followed or favorited this story. But, I would appreciate some reviews you know!

Anyway, I don't have any real comments on this chapter so...I hope you like it!

After allowing Principal Robotnik to rant about how it was only the first day and how unbelievable it was that Scourge couldn't even wait a day before pulling a stunt like that, Scourge left with a detention scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. He scoffed as he left the office, not even knowing why it was that big of a deal. No one was hurt and he did what the teacher asked. Perhaps he had explained why but it wasn't like Scourge was paying attention.

"I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have to wait out here all day, hon." Fiona greeted him once he stepped out of the school. Like before, she was sitting on the concrete railing with a smirk playing on her lips, "So how much trouble did you get in?"

Scourge allowed his expression to mirror the vixen's, "I got detention tomorrow, but that's nothing new."

Fiona made a thoughtful noise before sliding off the railing and her sky-like eyes flitting to the near empty parking lot. She spoke again as she removed the yellow bow holding back her hair and let it fall, "The others already left."

"You're as loyal as always, babe, waiting on me like that." Scourge winked, "So, you wanna go anywhere? I've got time."

Fiona shook her head apologetically, "Sorry, my mom is taking me shopping for some new clothes. Why she decides now after the first day of school? I have no idea."

Scourge couldn't hide his disappointment but shrugged nonchalantly, "It's all good, maybe another time. Well, guess I'll head on."

"I'll text you later."

The two shared a quick hug, strangely affectionate for teenagers who seemed so casual, before Scourge headed out into the parking lot and climbed inside his car. He took off down the road with loud music blasting into his ears and mind in disarray with thoughts of Fiona and the bizarre black figures.

The bell gave out a happy chime as Scourge walked into the gas station. He really didn't care to come to this one much as it screamed 'sketchy', but it was on his way home so he might as well. He waved at the indifferent cashier and strolled in, heading for the drinks. His gaze trailed over the various cans and bottles, finally deciding on a dark soda with a faded grin. After grabbing a few more assorted snacks, he headed to the counter and placed the money in front of the cashier. The worker gave him a suspicious stare, almost questioning where the verdure teenager obtained the money. Scourge did give off that 'future criminal' atmosphere with his dark clothing and mischievous expressions, the cashier but took it without question and placed the change in his gloved hand.

"Oh, I'm on five..." he nodded outside to his car and placed some more bills on the red counter.

As he walked out to put gas in his car, he spotted Shadow and stopped. He hadn't gotten the chance to speak to him at school and was wondering if his friend did anything interesting over the break. The two didn't hang out as much as they did during middle school, but there was still a mutual respect for each other. Not to mention they both shared a dark sense of humor.

"Hey, dude. How've you been? Haven't heard from you all summer."

Shadow was quiet as he stopped in his tracks. He held no emotions in his expression and there was an unusual light in his crimson eyes. It was right then that Scourge knew something was wrong. The air was heavy around the ebony hedgehog, as if something was physically weighing him down and something made Scourge's skin crawl with unease. It was like there was another presence with him; at least, Scourge would say that if he believed in that sort of thing.

Shadow simply shrugged before he walked into the store.

"You alright, Nack? You sound pissed off."

Scourge felt the damp air cling to his fur and the sky was dim, covered with a thin gray blanket ready to send rain down at any moment. His cerulean gaze scanned the trees that stood proudly behind his house while his foot tapped against the wooden porch. With so much nature around them and a lot of space between the other houses in the area, he liked to joke he lived in the middle of nowhere.

"Aye, no. I'm just irritated, I don't care much for this new 'ouse."

"Really?" Scourge couldn't imagine why the greedy weasel wouldn't be loving the expensive looking house, "Why's that? It looks really cool on the outside. Is it bad lookin' inside?"

There was no answer at first. Seeing movement in the corner of his eye, Scourge turned to see if his father was standing behind the screen door. But, yet again, there was nothing there.

Aggravation was beginning to push away the fear he felt every time he spotted one of those strange figures. A growl barely kept itself from making itself audible and he peered through the glass. Nobody stood in the living room and nothing seemed to be touched. The small television was off, the couch dull with age wasn't occupied, and no footsteps were heard. Scourge couldn't wrap his head around it.

"...you there?"

Nack's vaguely concerned voice chased away his thoughts and he realized he had completely blocked out whatever his friend had said. Shaking his head as if trying to clear his mind, he awkwardly cleared his throat and turned back toward the forest, "Sorry, uh...what did you say?"

"I said there's nothing wrong with the place, I just don't feel comfortable 'ere. Feels like something else is 'ere."

The hedgehog rolled his eyes while pushing his recent unexplainable happenings to the back of his head; Nack was being ridiculous. "You're just being paranoid about the new house. It'll grow on ya."

"I 'ope you're right."

"Also, I wouldn't tell Nic. It'll just be something else for her to make fun of you for."

"...too late."

Scourge sat on his bed with his homework forgotten beside him. Only a handful of the blanks were filled in with messy writing, showing that he was in a hurry to get it over with. Though, at some point he obviously became distracted by Fiona and ended up texting her than doing his work.

Hey Fi, is something wrong with Shadow? I saw him today at the gas station but there was something off. He almost ignored me when I talked to him

Aw man I heard that he's gotten into some really bad stuff over the summer

Scourge was puzzled. What qualified as "really bad stuff"?

Like what?

I wish I knew, babe :/ Much as I dislike her, you should probably ask Rouge. She is his girlfriend after all.

The ivory bat mentioned always antagonized Fiona and Nic; the three females were very much alike, but they were always competing against each other and trying to end up on top. Scourge never understood why his friends couldn't get along with Rouge, though he stopped questioning it every time once he remembered Sonic.

I'll try to. Must be something hardcore if it's too bad for us

Scourge wondered for a moment. Was anything too bad for them?