Here's chapter 7, y'all! As always, thanks for the reviews and favs! It means a lot!

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Chapter VII

Her blue eyes again met his in a gentle gaze. She then proceeded to pull a small key out of her dress pocket. Once she unlocked the containment holding him, she wrapped her hands around his small torso and lifted him off the ground in a slow sweep. She rested his head on her chest then rushed out of the room.

Shadow was hardly taking in what was happening. One minute the world was growing dark, now it seemed to explode in the purest of lights. And she was the source. He knew it. She had to be. He didn't understand what it was exactly but his worries and troubles melted away like snow in the sun when he was with her. If Shadow had known what an angel was, he would have described her as such.

Before he knew it, he was gently being placed on some cushy surface that was raised up from the ground. For a split terrifying second, he thought he was being placed on an examination table. When he felt the soft blankets and pillows though, he knew he couldn't be on a table. He wasn't sure what he was on, but it definitely was cozy. Maybe this feeling of joy wasn't going to disappear as quickly as he thought it was.

He looked at his surroundings. He was in a small, tidy room that smelled…nice. He couldn't place the scent as he sniffed the room, but he was so used to the stench of chemicals and the strong malodor of antiseptic, this room smelled better than the world's best and most expensive perfumes to Shadow's nose.

He was so caught up in sniffing the room he was startled a bit when he heard childish giggling come from his right side. He glanced to his right noticing the girl was sitting next to him. She giggled some more until she spoke.

"I'm sorry, Shadow, you just look funny with your nose up in the air that." Shadow gave her a confused expression as she continued. "Really, I'm sorry, I'm not making fun of you, you're just, well, um, kinda cute?"

"Cute?" He asked her as if he didn't know the meaning of the word.

"Oh, never mind. Hey, have your eyes always been ruby red like that? They're really pretty." Shadow just blinked not really knowing how to respond to her sentences. When the professor spoke he always gave him an instruction to follow out, or a warning to heed, or something else that always required a specific action for Shadow to comply to. But this girl wasn't requesting anything.

"Uh…" He was lost for words.

"You're probably tired little guy." She cut him off. "Here, you can sleep on the floor next to my bed." She got up with an armful of blankets and placed them on the carpeted floor. She then picked him up and set him on the ground.

"There you go. You should sleep soundly tonight." She smiled at him, turned off the lamp by her bed, and then slipped underneath the covers of her bed. "Goodnight, Shadow." She smiled again before she rested her head on her pillow and closed her eyes. Shadow just sat up on the floor eyes blinking still trying to figure out what exactly was going on. Maybe the professor had instructed her to take care of him before the "execution" tomorrow. Yeah, that must be it.

He laid down looking up at the high ceiling. If only he didn't have to die tomorrow…he could be happy here, with the girl. But he knew it was all but a foolish dream. He had to except the end.

Shadow sighed as he looked up at Maria's bed. He wanted her close to him. He wasn't sure why, but he felt this unusual feeling of safety with her. She looked so cozy and peaceful…what the heck? He was going to no longer exist tomorrow so he might as well do what ever he wanted. He got up, resolute in his decision and climbed up on her bed. He snuggled up to her back side careful not to spike his quills. Feeling a sense of security with her, he fell fast asleep.

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A massive amount of bright light flooded the small room where a girl and hedgehog were resting. Maria opened her eyes sleepily as she tried to look out the window. The sun brightly shone like a blinding white ball of light as it peeked over the blue planet's rim like it was playing hide and seek with Maria. She smiled wide but was than interrupted in her moment of joy as she heard a faint sneeze. Looking down on her bed she saw the most touching sight. Shadow the Hedgehog was curled up in a little ball on her bed next to her, sleeping ever so soundly with snores so soft you could barely hear them unless you leaned down close.

"Shadow…" she whispered as tears of happiness filled her eyes. Suddenly, a BANG was heard as Maria's door was crashed open. A man with red eyes accompanied with dark circles under them and a face contorted with fear yelled out:

"MARIA! The creature! It's GONE!"

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Nothing to say. :P Well maybe, enjoy!