Shadow felt stunned when there was a another set of firm, loud knocks on the door. He didn't recall having any other friends that would want to visit him.

"Agent Rouge! I know you're in there!"

Shadow sighed in relief. That was the voice of the Commander. Rouge looked at Shadow warmly, then ran to the door. Shadow felt his throat close up and his heart wrench. The moment of silence that followed, tore at his nerves. He heard the door on the other side of the apartment click open.

"H-hello there, Commander," Rouge said. Shadow sighed in relief.

"She wasn't alone long enough. The human could have broken in before I was finished with her…"

"And you don't want to blow your cover. You coward," Shadow hissed quietly.

"I just want to draw this torture out as long as possible~"

Shadow put his right hand to his head, the left one shook close to his skull, unable to take any pressure.

"Or you could just end it now!" Shadow exclaimed, eyes closed tightly. His eyes snapped open to see Rouge and the Commander standing in his bedroom doorway. They both looked at him as if he was crazy. Shadow felt a gut wrenching, face burning feeling of embarrassment. "Uh…" he choked, trying to say something, but no words came to mind.

"So, he's in this much of a state," the Commander said in disgust.

"Yeah," Rouge said solemnly. "He refuses to sleep alone. I've had to sit with him."

"That's why you've been here so long," the Commander said. "I expected you back at work an hour ago."

"Sorry about that," Rouge said nervously.

"It's understandable," the Commander said. "I know you're concerned about Shadow. So am I."

"Stop talking about me like that! I'm right here!" Shadow yelled. "GET OUT OF HERE!"

Rouge narrowed her eyes at Shadow.

"You didn't want me to leave your side, and now you want me gone?" Rouge asked. Shadow felt his heart drop into his stomach; he couldn't stand upsetting her. "Look, Shadow. Get some sleep. Please. I hate seeing you like this. I know this isn't really you." Shadow was slightly relieved at that; Rouge wouldn't absolutely hate him. "I'll be back some time tomorrow."

"And you have your mobile if you need us before then," the Commander said. "But think before you call Rouge out of work."

Shadow nodded slowly, feeling awkward, because the mobile was broken long ago. He watched as the two of them walked away from the bedroom. He leaned over the side of the bed and craned his neck so he could watch them leave.

"So, I couldn't catch Rouge on her own… shame."

Shadow looked to the corner of the room, there was Mephiles. He wanted to yelp, but no sound came out of his mouth.

"But look who I did catch on their own," the demon said mischievously as he stared at Shadow darkly. The crystalline demon lifted up his clawed hand again. "I think I've drawn this out long enough." He stepped forward, making Shadow push himself in the opposite direction. "Don't make the same mistake again, Shadow." The hedgehog's name was said with such hatred and disgust. Shadow continued shuffling backwards while Mephiles slowly moved towards him. "My, how far you've fallen."

Shadow grit his teeth as he stared at Mephiles with wide eyes. He pushed himself a little further, and fell off of the other side of the bed.

"What did I just tell you?" Mephiles asked. "I wonder what could possibly be wrong with you~" Shadow shivered at the spine tingling tone of Mephiles' voice. He heard the demon's slow, footsteps, getting closer. The sound of the footsteps panned around the bed; Mephiles was walking around it. Shadow pushed himself under the bed. "Could it be something to do with the lack of sleep?" The hedgehog curled up under the bed, and put his hands over his head. He didn't care about the pain in his wrist anymore; he was too afraid to. "This isn't my fault, is it?" Shadow tensed up even more, the voice sounded close. He lifted his head slightly and looked up. Mephiles' face was there, sideways. The demon was bent over, looking in on Shadow. "What a quaint little hiding place you have here." Shadow pushed himself backwards, but Mephiles reached in a grabbed him with his clawed hand. Shadow yelped as he was yanked out into the open. Mephiles held Shadow by his upper arms and stared at him.

"I thought you were going to draw this out," Shadow winced as he turned his head away.

"Maybe I will," Mephiles said. "Maybe I'm just playing around." The demon's face got closer to Shadow's. The hedgehog strained his neck to try and increase the distance between their faces. This was very uncomfortable. "Maybe, if you scream at the top of your voice, the human and the bat might be able to hear you, and come running to your rescue…" he mocked, narrowing his eyes. "Go on. Scream."

"No," Shadow said through gritted teeth and closed his eyes tight.

"Are we really going through this again, hedgehog?" Mephiles asked. "Beg." Shadow flinched at that word. "Remember that?"

Shadow nodded his head quickly. Mephiles pulled Shadow even closer, their noses touched.

"Will you obey this time?" Mephiles asked. Shadow trembled, giving no answer. "Will you!?" He shook Shadow violently.

"NO!" Shadow cried out. Mephiles looked at Shadow in surprise.

"You haven't learned one thing," Mephiles hissed. "And for that, you'll certainly suffer." Shadow sighed in acceptance. This was the suffering he'd been anticipating for a month. Mephiles pushed Shadow to the ground; the hedgehog skidded into the wall, banging his head. He grunted at the impact, then looked up at Mephiles, who got to his feet and stood tall over the hedgehog.

"We'd best go somewhere else. We don't want to disturb the neighbors. Any last words before we begin?" Mephiles asked as a sphere formed in his hand. It sparked and flickered dangerously. Shadow closed his eyes tight, waiting for the pain.

"No. Just do it."