Cursed

by S. A. Morley

Upon first meeting him, Nicole Zareck knew something was wrong with Shadow, and she was more than determined to figure it out. Despite warnings from Sonic, she digs deeper, prodding him incessantly, desperate to know what it was the enigmatic hedgehog was hiding. Little does she realize that the price for knowing his closely-guarded secret could be her life.

7. What Lurks in the Dark

Holy crap. I haven't updated in MONTHS. That is embarrassing! :( I'm very sorry to all of you readers. I didn't mean to grow to lazy, but... my interests like to change.

Anyway, I realize I've gotten more fans for this story, so I decided to update it. This chapter is relatively long, but packed with action. I hope you enjoy it.

Please ignore the typos and errors. I stayed up pretty late about four nights over Thanksgiving Break just so I could give this to you. -_- zzz (sleepy)

Enjoy! Chapter Seven: What Lurks in The Dark

After being hustled out of the art studio, Nicole sniffed irritably. "Well that was rude. I didn't think Arcon was that kind of guy."

I was about to respond that he was much more than that as we made our way down the hall, but Sonic stole my attention as he studied his bloody angel wing sketch. His expression was set in deep pondering, mouth pressed into a tight line with his eyes traveling across the page in concern. "Hmm..."

"What does it mean?" I asked again, poking my head next to his and examining it with him.

Sonic shook his own head. "That's the thing, Shadow. I have no idea!"

"But you drew it," Nicole pointed out.

I grabbed Sonic's wrist and waved his charcoaled fingers in front of her nose. "We've already established that, thanks."

"Real mature, Shads..." he mumbled, taking his hand back. I shot him a sneer.

Nicole huffed and strode alongside us silently, my impolite behavior finally getting her to shut up. I breathed a sigh of relief. Peace and quiet... from her voice.

Crap. Now I'm starting to sound like H... That's not me, that's not me...

...

I waited.

No cruel answer to my internal encouragement came. I fell confused for a second, but was reminded again of how empty my thoughts were with him mysteriously gone. I gritted my teeth; I wasn't used to being so alone. Come to think of it, I hadn't been alone in years...

It seemed like he had always been there, patiently biding his time for me to slip up; listening to the beats of my heart, the things that I considered, and the notions that could put me off. I consistently felt his presence on the border of my mind, weighting down my emotions colorless some days, intensifying them vividly others. He knew everything about me since day one, but I only knew fractions - no, hints - about him.

Of the scarce amount things I did understand about H were that he was ruthless and demented. Never sympathetic, kind, or helpful. A malicious being whose only goal in life, was to ruin mine. His attributes had corrupted my own: cunning, smart, and cool... twisted into hate, revenge, and spite.

I shuddered uncomfortably. Why did I torture myself?

Why did he torture me?

An abrupt growl from Sonic distracted me. "I can't figure this out! It's so bizarre!" He grunted and pounded his fist lightly into his forehead. "Man, I feel like Silver!"

I barked out a laugh. "Stupid, you mean?"

He nodded. "Exactly!"

It was a pretty easy explanation for our dislike of the guy, seeing as he was tricked by Mephiles into attempting to have Sonic killed (and eventually succeeding). He never got over that.

In addition to our ill feelings towards Silver, we had often labeled him as, "the cocka-lion-hog," due to his ridiculous, bird-like spines and mane of fluffy white fur that wrapped around his neck and chest. We also scoffed that he had mental issues from being hit upside the head too many times, which had resulted in permanent brain damage and lead to his absurd psychokinetic powers. I sniggered, remembering his obsession for, "Protecting the future!" and dramatic way of speaking and acting.

But at least we had some fun throwing him in a dumpster, sabotaging his date with Blaze, and TP'ing his apartment, afterward turning on the sprinklers. Oh, what jerks Sonic and I can be...

Snapping out of my reverie, I looked to Sonic. "So what now?"

He sighed. "Well, I really want to decode this thing, or it'll drive me crazy. I need to concentrate. Where could we go?"

I shrugged. "Your dorm I gu-"

"No. Shadow, you're not allowed in any faculty dorms. That's strictly prohibited," Nicole interrupted, crossing her arms and staring me down with blazing sapphire eyes. "I thought I made that clear already?"

I snorted. "Clear as mud, Nicole. Clear as mud."

She ignored. "If you want someplace quiet we can look at it in the library, or the staff lounge," she quickly told Sonic. "The library is always silent-"

"Is the librarian a monster?" I intervened. "I've dealt with too many evil librarians who got on my case and nearly bit my head off."

She looked appalled. "No! Ella is a nice, gentle woman."

I scowled. "Even if she is, I'm not taking any chances. I hate libraries. Let's go to the lounge." I turned, though I had no idea where I was going.

"Why do you hate libraries so much?" Nicole blurted.

I stopped and faced her. "Because!"

"If you tell me, we won't go in!"

"Why should I? You've already butted into my problems, now you gotta know my tastes too?"

"Well I'm your counselor, so yes!"

"I don't need any counselor! I'm fine on my own!"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, really!" By this time we were in each other's faces, yelling and glaring knives. I suddenly had the urge to grab her by the ears and scream at her...

"Ugh, will you two stop fighting?" Sonic shouted, grinding his teeth. We froze and shifted our heads in his direction. "You fought in the lunchroom, the studio, and now in the halls! Gosh... You're so annoying, Nicole! If he doesn't want to talk about it, don't force him!" She recoiled. "And Shadow, you need to chill, dude. It's not the end of the world if she wants to know why you don't like libraries!" he snapped. I went rigid.

Nobody spoke for a moment, each of us drinking in the thick anger in the air. My heart was racing, pulse thudding loudly in my ears. My neck twitched.

"Are guests allowed in the lounge?" my brother stated to break the silence, his tone of voice mono. "Because if Shadow isn't able to go in, I'm just going to the library to check this thing out." He flashed the crimson-tainted feathers enveloped in black smoke to Nicole, who ogled at it uneasily.

I cringed at the word 'library'. Please, no...

Nicole sighed in aggravation. "Yes. Guests can come into the lounge, as long as they are accompanied by an employee or counselor."

Sonic brightened considerably, gesturing from himself to her. "Well, we've got more than enough people to keep him under surveillance, don't we?" She stiffly nodded and he smiled widely. "Then what are we standing around for? Where's this lounge?"

Nicole forced a grin and started walking again, though a little reluctantly I could sense. "Follow me. I know where it is."

"Lead the way," Sonic said, grabbing my wrist and harshly yanking me behind him as we went after her. I exhaled miserably, my rage dissipating. Due to my actions and words, I was starting to consider I was becoming like him... Sadistic and heartless...

That's not me, that's not me... Even my own thoughts shook with nervousness. I used to be courageous and daring. But now... How afraid of him had I become?

"What are you thinking about, Shadow?" Sonic whispered, troubled. He appeared to gaze into my soul.

I paused, about to respond, but shook my head instead. "Nothing..."

He was unconvinced, but didn't pester. I was grateful, knowing that if I told him, he would be seriously fearful. And I detested doing that to him. He already had enough to worry about as it was.

We made our way out of G hall and back into the plaza. It was near deserted, besides Torran, the grey-skinned lizard guard.

He was wearing a coal colored, loose shirt, with black and white striped sleeves and a peculiar symbol printed on the chest. Torran had in his clawed hand a large black club, which was studded with rounded barbs coated in something dark.

I shuddered. Was that... blood? He thumped it against the calf of his baggy black sweats, glancing around the plaza in boredom and sticking out his bottom lip slightly. The long, pale tail he had flicked around his ankles in sync with the stained weapon softly whacking his leg.

"Eep!" Sonic squeaked faintly, shooting to my side and hiding himself. "Oh no! Don't let him spot me!" He mimicked my footsteps, swings of my arms, and walked on his tiptoes so my upward-pointing spines would disguise his hanging ones. "He'll wring my neck!"

I glanced to the guy. "Was he really that mad?"

My brother bit his lip. "Heck yeah! He was insane! All because of that stupid basketball hoop!"

"Must have a bad temper..." I mumbled.

"Super bad," he breathed, shivering. "He scares me."

I chuckled. "The great Sonic Diago is afraid of a measly salamander. How heroic."

Sonic glared. "Hey, you'd been afraid of him too if he'd made you midway deaf."

I simply smiled and made sure to keep him out of Torran's gaze as Nicole swerved into A hall. I was pretty sure he hadn't seen Sonic, but just to make sure I looked back at him.

He was staring directly at me, yellow eyes burning with hostility. His lip curled back into a snarl, long, jagged-edged teeth glistening in the sunlight that came down from the overhead windows in the commons area. He lifted the club and cracked it onto the wood floor, a reverberating boom sounding and shaking me off balance a bit. I thought I glimpsed the whites of Torran's eyes flare deep black, and another pair of eyes open below them.

"Leave this place, Shadow Robotnik..." His whisper carried across the corridor as if he were standing next to me.

I whipped my head back around, a lump in my throat, and dizzy for some reason. I swayed on my feet as I walked, straying into Sonic and almost knocking him over. "Whoa, you alright?" he worried, reaching up and holding my head steady as my eyes rolled in their sockets.

I blinked to find some sense of direction. "Did you see that?" I murmured, both terrified and amazed.

Nicole and Sonic looked at me expectantly. "See what?" my brother wondered.

I pointed back to the plaza. "That was freaky! Torran's eyes, they turned black and he suddenly had more of them... I- he-" I noticed that the lizard had disappeared... and how much of an idiot I sounded like. "Wh-what?" I squinted at the empty spot in the room, thoughts scrambled up in shambles.

Nicole made a face. "I think you're hallucinating, Shadow. Torran doesn't have four eyes." I gazed at her dully, a frown on my face. "What?" I didn't answer.

Wasn't my counselor supposed to be helping me? Believe everything I claimed? Aid me in healing from my trauma? Well, she was doing a lousy job.

My flabbergasted statement had roused Sonic's curiosity, however. "Really?" He looked where Torran once stood with me. "I always figured he was a creep, but that's crazy!"

"Yeah..." I trailed off, realization hitting me like a freight train. Torran's eyes flashing black were equivalent to what Blitz's eyes had done the night before... A chill ran through my spine, with my fur standing up on end and my teeth chattering.

Nicole rolled her eyes and moaned. "You guys are so weird. Come on, the lounge isn't far." Swiveling around, she continued down A hall, not bothering to wait for us. We obeyed, I prying my thoughts off of Torran's strange eyeballs while Sonic muttered how messed up this place was.

Turning a corner, the three of us arrived at a plain white door. Lounge was written across the wood in capital letters, its shiny, brass doorknob glistening invitingly. A laminated slip of stark pink paper was displaying what Nicole had said about the rules of the lounge. A small window on the top of the door vaguely revealed the inside: made of birch, which was also loosely decorated.

Nicole smiled blandly, twisting the knob and swinging open the door. The minute inside, I felt an odd aura. It was almost familiar, but at the same time very foreign. I didn't know what name to place on it as I gazed around.

The walls of course, were wood, but extremely shiny and posh. There was a lush, brown shag carpet beneath my feet, which looked comfortable enough to sleep on. Two leather couches that were parallel to each other sat in one corner, with a long, glass table between them covered in books and old magazines. Above the pair of sofas was a beautiful painting of a twilit castle. The lights in the windows were warm, which blended nicely with the muted, darker colors of the surrounding moat, fields, and sky. That scene tweaked my memories of something... but I couldn't recall exactly what it was.

On the other side of the lounge was a line of squishy armchairs, the kind that once you sat yourself in, you sunk two feet into. They also made those funny sounds as I watched some counselor collapse into one, immediately asleep and snoring softly. He began to drool.

The seats on the ends of the strip were recliners, with side tables also stocked with reading pamphlets. At the far end of the room were two vending machines, which looked brand new and rarely used at all. Their humming was like background music in the still lounge, setting a calming mood. Fake, potted trees and cactus were at random places, shelves and on the tops of tables. The curious, enjoyable aroma filled the lounge as well.

The first thing we headed for were the couches. Sonic and I crashed onto one, while Nicole seated herself, lady-like, on the other and picked up a magazine. She flipped it open but seemed uninterested after a moment's study, and set it back down, scavenging the pile for something that caught her eye whilst paying no attention to us. I could tell she was still mad at me.

While Sonic leaned forward and scanned his drawing, I glanced around at the people occupying the lounge. There were several counselors, all hanging out with their friends or taking naps on the mushy chairs. A few of them were with their assigned guests, of which looked miserable and misunderstood. I felt kind of bad. Was that how I seemed to others? I wasn't sure.

My stomach churned when my gaze caught Paimen muttering to Armaros in the furthest corner of the place. They were deep in a conversation, talking quickly with troubled expressions.

I tried to listen in on their discussion, but couldn't understand a single word they were saying. Disgruntled, I continued my viewing, though finding nobody else that I recognized. The one guy that did walk in though, was wearing way too much cologne.

I coughed at the strong scent as he passed and approached Cassiopeia, who I hadn't seen hiding behind a large, plastic flower, trying to stay out of sight. Unsuccessful though, she was discovered by the man who smiled at her and began to strike up a conversation. Cassiopeia did not look happy at all, but was nice and talked back to him, her turquoise eyes glittering with apathy. I smiled.

Nicole snarled suddenly, rolling her eyes again and dropping the magazine she had been reading. The article it was open to was about easing one's problems by talking about them to others. I snickered as she looked from me, to the text on the page, then back to me. She slapped the thing shut with disgust.

"You brought it on yourself, you know," I said soothingly, yet mockingly. "You never had to ask." Her glare in response made me cringe. "Sorry, sorry..."

I wasn't sorry. Why would I be guilty when she was the one nagging me to death? I was the real victim, here, and in more ways than one. I couldn't give a care about her employment in the slightest.

"Yeah, you should be," she continued grumpily. "I'm so gonna get fired..."

My eyes wandered to Sonic, still engrossed in his picture. "Splendid. One less thing for me to worry about, then."

Nicole was outraged. "You're unbelievable, Shadow!"

I spun the Ring on my wrist leisurely. "I know." The golden shine winked playfully at me. "I've had years worth of practice on girls."

"Being absolutely wretched to them? How many girls have you offended?"

I sat forward, resting my elbows on the knees of my jeans. "Tons." I smirked.

My manners had irritated her, so she got up from the couch and stormed away. Feeling like I had accomplished something, I cuddled into the leather cushions and clasped my hands behind my head, smiling and tapping my foot to a song that popped into my mind.

'I've been wrong, I've been down into the bottom of every bottle... These five words in my head, scream: are we having fun yet?'

I chuckled. Oh yes.

I watched my counselor walk towards the dragon and cat standing concealed in shadows in the corner, her own tail darting around unhappily. Paimen's emerald eyes shifted to her as she drew near, his face hardening even more, while Armaros went stiff and didn't turn to acknowledge her. The sports director crossed his arms and frowned as she stopped.

Now I could make sense of what they were saying, since the three of them weren't speaking in that weird language. I listened while blindly grabbing the book Romeo & Juliet, turning to the first page and setting my gaze on it, though not paying heed to the words Shakespeare had written. My ears turned in the trio's direction.

"Hey," Nicole greeted.

Paimen was silent, but Armaros replied. "Hello." His voice sounded gravelly and fatigued.

"How are you?"

He sighed. "Fine." The dragon still didn't say anything.

"Are you sure? You looked pretty bad this morning." She paused. "...And still kind of do."

"Mm... I wasn't feeling my best when I awoke. A tad ill."

"I'm sorry. That's never fun. Are you okay now?" Nicole had a crush on Armaros, I could tell just by the way she talked. The fact she was in love with him noticeably showed through every syllable she spoke, and through the uncertainty of her word choice.

"Um... More or less." He was clearly feeling awkward, now.

A heavy sigh came after Armaros' response. "I'm outta here. See ya later," Paimen grunted. I quickly glanced up at him over the aged, yellow pages of the book.

The white dragon trudged away from Armaros and Nicole with morose, thrusting his hands in his pockets and puffing out an exasperated breath. His tail dragged behind his bare feet, twitching agitatedly. He slowly walked closer to Sonic and I, dog tags at his neck jingling with each step he took.

I returned to eavesdropping on my counselor, holding Romeo & Juliet higher to block my eyes from their view. Hopefully something meaningful would be said. I didn't want to waste my time on a nervous chat about Armaros' health.

"So, do you know why Arcon is mad at Blitz?" Nicole wondered. I lowered the book again, curious at the change of subject. She was leaning against the wall and twirling the end tuft of her braid around on a finger, while Armaros relaxed his taut position and casually gazed at her.

He cocked his head to the side. "No. I was unaware that Blitz had done anything wrong."

Just then his left eye flickered to me, a look of stark awareness over the shocking blue. His ears twitched, the small, square earrings in them swinging. I felt that disturbingly memorable aura again with his stare, quickly glancing away as my neck throbbed sharply.

"Ack!" I hissed, almost flinging the book onto the table and clapping my hand over the lump. "What the...?" That hurt... Little shoots of stinging darted through my muscles, causing me to wince. The pain was brief, but severe as I squeezed harder. I gritted my teeth once more.

What was that?

"You alright?" someone asked.

Sonic had noticed my outbreak of pain, his eyes concerned and a brow raised. "Is your neck bothering you?"

I was about to explain to him, but became distracted. "Whoa. Shadow, I never pictured you holding Romeo and Juliet." Paimen's snide voice came from above, a smile behind the words. I looked to him standing with folded arms and his wings half unfurled. "Had the dire need to read some tear-jerker chick novel? Y'know I always thought you were more into action packed, gory books for emos."

"I can assure you, I'm not emo, Paimen," I said, a little bugged. Just because my fur was black, I had red streaks and crimson eyes, with a tragic past did that mean I was emo? Everyone I came in contact with thought that. Even Amy had suggested I get a makeover, dyeing my stripes green and getting contact lenses. I wasn't in a good mood that day, and shoved her face into a heap of mud. Man, the nerve... "I haven't read it."

He chuckled. "Sure you haven't. You just kept it in front of your nose and pretended you were reading it while you were actually snooping on other people's conversations."

I stared at him blankly, imagining the chirps of crickets. "Uh..."

A grin cracked across his face. "Eh, I'm kidding. I know you'd never do that." He heartily laughed, hands on his hips. "You're a reasonable guy."

"Ha ha ha! Yeah..." I nodded and left Romeo & Juliet on top of the glass coffee table, finding it upsetting that Paimen had known exactly what I was doing. Lucky guess, I suppose...

Or was it?

Paimen abruptly ceased laughing and looked to Sonic. "What's this?" He sat across on the opposing couch from the blue hedgehog, focused on the picture intently. "Did you draw that?"

Sonic watched him sheepishly. "Yeah, why?"

The dragon slid his claws beneath the paper, lifting it to the edge of his snowy muzzle and observing the charcoal drawing. "It's remarkable..."

Sonic smiled unsurely. "You're too kind."

"No really, this is amazing."

"Oh? Well, thanks, I guess. I didn't try too hard, the idea just came into my head randomly."

"Is that so?" His tone signified that he didn't want to say anything more, so we left him to inspect the sketch. Minutes passed.

Without warning, Paimen froze, his eyes wide. Jaw dropping, a stunned choking escaped his mouth as he goggled and became more and more milkily toned. "This is...!" He wheezed, gaze glossing over. Something had clicked in his mind.

Sonic and I both stared at him, the strange reaction having us both uneasy. The plating beneath the dragon's eyes darkened to a midnight purple, making his unlit, green irises seem black. Inky veins sprouted within the rich violet, twisting around his scales.

My brother spoke up first. "Paimen?"

The sports director looked at us and hollowly smiled, beginning to break out in a sweat. He flew to his feet and abandoned the drawing onto the clutter of books. "I-I gotta go. Need to... talk with... err... Bye." In a few seconds flat, Paimen had exited the lounge, and was sprinting down the hall in a psychotic manner. His wings fluttered behind him as I watched him disappear around the bend.

Sonic and I exchanged glances. "What was that all about?" He shrugged.

A moment of silence went by, then I switched the topic. "So, have you figured it out yet?"

Pointing to the picture that lay (almost) innocently on the paperbacks, Sonic studied it with me. "Well I've got a hunch of what the blood is for, and maybe the wings and smog," he replied, relieved that he wasn't decoding it any longer. "The faces I'm still unsure about, though."

"Fill me in."

He sighed. "I think the blood symbolizes something that could fly got seriously injured, and hasn't healed. Hence the pool beneath it." He paused. "But what they're attached to has thrown me for a loop."

"Smoky wings?" I said incredulously.

He chuckled. "I don't think that's it, Shadow. Hmm... It's very enigmatic though, wouldn't you say?" Sonic traced one of the yawning mouths on the page blithely.

I nodded, pursing my lips. "Mysterious."

He was focused on the drawing, hand over his upper lip in a thinking pose. "Mm-hmm."

"And creepy," I added.

"Oh, yeah."

Sonic blinked and stood up, stretching widely. "Well I'm getting tired of staring at this thing. I'm done." He looked at me. "Wanna come with me to my dorm?"

I hesitated. "Aren't guests 'not allowed'?"

He waved his hand and rolled his eyes. "Relax. I'm just gonna drop it off so Nicole doesn't go postal."

I agreed with a chortle. "Sounds good."

Getting to my feet as well, I followed Sonic as he snatched his picture and approached Nicole and Armaros. "We're ready to go," he said to catch their attentions once we joined them in their corner.

Both feline heads turned, with Nicole smiling sweetly. "Already?" she sighed, clearly not wanting to bid her 'boyfriend' goodbye. Why was she interested in all the freaks? Well she did work at a camp for kids with problems... Maybe it was unavoidable? I dismissed the thought.

"All right, then. I'll see you," she sadly stated, swiveling away from the black-haired cat to between Sonic and I.

As we were about to leave, Armaros looked my brother up and down scrutinizingly, his hands in the pockets of his blanched denims. His grey tail twisted at his booted feet, with the protruding spikes on the end of it combing through the carpet threads. He scowled and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I do believe that you were specifically commanded by principal Dekker to stay away from Shadow?"

I almost yelped. Sonic had been restricted from me? Why would he- did Arcon know?

The blue hedgehog nodded. "I was." Sonic's voice was tense, with a flippant touch. "But that rule doesn't apply right now." His eyes became slightly lighter green, a shimmer of white heightening them.

"And why is that?" Armaros raised a brow, though looking rather excited.

"Because I'm the only one who can stop what could potentially happen."

For a moment they stared at each other, only the vending machines' purring backing up their silent showdown. I waited for either of them to move, but they were both perfectly still. In the meantime, the air conditioning turned on noisily, a far off door opened with a creak, and somebody sneezed.

Armaros spoke up, catching everyone off guard. "Indeed. Well." He looked at each of us. "I hope you all have a wondrous afternoon." Sneaking a final glance to Sonic, he pushed his way past us.

I blinked after my eyesight fuzzed out, swaying on my feet. A whooshing feeling soon arose all through my body, making my head swim a tad. I shook my head to clear my vision.

I found Nicole watching me, her eyes suspicious. "You dizzy, or something?" she pestered.

"Not at all," I grunted back, looking to my brother as an alternative to conversing about my shrouded troubles. He was right. She was annoying.

Sonic was glaring after Armaros when the lounge door swung shut. "C'mon guys. Let's go." He gripped his drawing tighter, striding away sullenly.

Nicole and I followed closely behind as we reentered A hall. Something didn't seem right, which made my stomach turn sickeningly. Paimen's behavior was questionable, as was Armaros' smugness. The odd thumping of my neck was erratic, which worried me terribly. I groaned to myself, loathing what could possibly be awaiting me later. That unrelenting feeling continued nagging as we rounded a corner and passed through the corridor Sonic and I recently ruined.

To my surprise, the walls were almost entirely covered with fliers, which were cleanly glued onto the wood in neat rows. Glancing around, I recalled a few of the pictures I had gathered from before, chuckling at the cheesy punch lines. My gaze traveled down the hall to the front desk secretary, Fiѐt, standing on her toes and sticking a hot pink poster onto the paneling. Her fingertips were coated with a thick, tan glue, a bucket of it sitting near her high-heeled feet, and a stack of notices next to that. Her hair was sticky with adhesive, as were spots on her face and the cuffs of the black sleeves of her shirt.

We approached, Fiѐt's purple ear flicking backward. Her numerous earrings tinkled with the movement, and she turned her head to the side to look at us. The passing gust of AC wind blew her ivory locks into the adhesive stuck on her cheeks, her stunning copper eyes suddenly glinting.

A filthy scowl bore into Sonic as he passed by the girl, though he took no notice whatsoever. Fiѐt gave Nicole no reaction, but I received another glower that sent me spiraling into a serious guilt-trip. After staring me down, Fiѐt continued on with her redecorating job, muttering under her breath, "This jisting glue is going to take eternity to wash out!"

I didn't care much about laundry, so I followed after Sonic and Nicole, not wanting to be left behind. Even though she was drop-dead gorgeous, Fiѐt wasn't someone you messed with. I could also say that about Blitz, Armaros, Arcon, and Torran. I shuddered and hunched my shoulders closer to myself, the extremely frigid breeze from the vents causing goosebumps to erupt from my skin.

"Why is it so cold in here?" I asked around chattering teeth.

Sonic smiled and met my eyes. "You really think it's cold? I think it feels great!"

I sneered. "But you're never cold, dude. You could go outside in the middle of the winter with nothing on, roll around in the snow, eat the snow, then buy a snow cone and still feel warm," I grumbled, remembering the time we built an igloo together on Christmas Island.

The thing was enormous. About ten feet tall and eight feet wide, we were able to fit sleeping bags, our old XBOX, and then Uncle Chuck's mattress inside it. When Sonic was packing the outside to keep it firm, I was inside of it, arranging the interior of our new hideout till spring came along... but along the way he had accidentally packed too vigorously.

And thus I was buried beneath the heaps of ice and snow, stuck for hours. He had ran - as quick as possible in heavy boots and three foot snow banks - to go get a shovel and some pickaxes, and in the meantime it lightly rained, snowed, and hailed. I was frozen stiff when he and his adoptive siblings (his parents were killed by Dr. Robotnik) finally dug me out.

Sonic's foster mom had felt pity for me, and forced me to sit in a scalding bathtub. I defrosted for the next several hours and afterward threw Sonic face first into a snowdrift. I was fuming.

It was a shame he had (and still has) great body temperature, so he didn't become a hedgehogsicle. I then proceeded to chase him around the island with a sled in my hands, vowing to smack him upside the head with it.

That was a freezing holiday season.

Anyway, Sonic laughed, slowing down and swiftly rubbing my arm with his empty hand. "I don't get it. You have more fur than I do, but you freeze like nobody's business."

I stared forward. "Yeah, but I grew up in outer space, you were raised on a sunny island."

He made a face. "Shouldn't we be opposite, then?"

"Now that you mention it... Yeah!"

Nicole was giving us funny looks. "Right..." She composed herself to speak, her next words confident and explanatory. "Well, to answer your question, Shadow, no one really knows the exact reason why."

I raised a brow. "Nobody?"

"At all?" Sonic added.

She pointed to an overhead vent, which was rattling. "Rumor has it that the air conditioner is permanently broken, so it will always blow cold air," Nicole stated. "Mr. Dekker hired Cecil, the janitor, but he was too inexperienced to know how to fix it, so it's been keeping Artemis chilled for years." After a nearly invisible sneer, Nicole paused. "...personally I don't believe it. They're just too lazy to keep the darn thing under maintenance."

"Couldn't they just call a repairman?" my brother asked.

I leaned towards him as Nicole opened her mouth. "No, he doesn't want the bodies to spoil," I muttered into his ear. He broke out in fits of snickering.

"What'd you say?" Nicole wondered after observing us giggling uncontrollably.

Sonic watched her closely. "What? No, weird," he blatantly said, still smiling widely. He elbowed me in the ribs sharply.

"Ow!"

My counselor rolled her eyes and swiftly strode onward. "Men..."

Still giggling like schoolgirls, Sonic and I followed.

Eventually we arrived at my brother's dorm room eleven. Nicole seemed skeptic as we stopped and waited for him to dig his key out from his pocket. "And what are we doing at your room?" she questioned, eyes slitted. "We better not be-"

"Simmer down. I'm just going to leave this here," Sonic interrupted, finding the key and unlocking the door. He swung it open and stepped halfway inside, looking back at us. "I'll be right back," he said in a parental manner, then closed the door and disappeared.

Once alone, Nicole immediately glanced to me. I dully scowled at her, a blank frown on my face as I leaned against the wall. I knew what she was doing. Crossing my arms, I prepared myself for a verbal battle.

"Wh-" she began.

"Don't," I cut off.

"Wha-"

"Ehp!" I grunted, raising a hand to silence her.

"But-"

"No! I'm not going to tell you what I'm hiding, so stop pestering me about it!" I nearly shouted. What more did I have to do to get her to quit?

She raised a brow. "I... wasn't going to ask you about that."

I loosened up. "You weren't?" Nicole shook her head. "Oh."

There was an awkward silence.

"Then what were you going to ask me about?" I said, tilting my head to the side.

Nicole lowered her head, shifting her weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "Well, I was curious..." She paused, gathering her words. "That girl you were drawing in the studio... was that... Maria?" Slowly her eyes found mine.

That came by surprise.

I gradually got myself to nod, a bit startled that she had noticed my simple sketch. "Yes. Why?"

A faint smile appeared on her lips. "She's really pretty."

I saddened, ears drooping. "She was. The prettiest Robotnik of them all." A vision of Maria laughing materialized into my mind, her voice pleasantly ringing throughout my thoughts. Warmth soon overcame me, and I found myself feeling like I had just been collected into a tender hug. I sighed, my fur standing on end once more as the icy gales brushed through my thin shirt.

"What do you mean, 'she was'?" Nicole questioned, rousing me, her tone curious.

I gave her a hard stare. "Maria's dead," I said flatly. Did she have to ask me about this now?

Nicole gave a small gasp. "She is?" I watched her own ears sag. "I'm sorry... I-I didn't know... Hopefully I didn't pry..."

I looked at my feet. "Maria Robotnik has been dead for... for..." I suddenly couldn't remember anything. "How long...?" I ran through my memories, but all that came up the furthest I got back was waking up in the ARK's hospital wing, surrounded by the gazes of tormented scientists, feeling dry-throated and drained. I also remembered a distinct smell. The heavy scent of metal.

My mind was racing. I couldn't even recall how she had died. Not even a blur of what demon had snatched her life. Was it her NIDS disease that had killed her? A problem with the ARK? Had my programming gone awry and I, Shadow Robotnik, her only friend in the universe, killed my beloved friend? With my head beginning to pound, I stared blankly through the wall, going stiff and growing colder.

You're a soulless murderer!

The voice that had sounded tore through my thoughts like a white-hot blade. Everything I had been thinking about shredded to ribbons.

Was it him? I went even more stiff. No, NO, NOO-!

So great was my trance that I barely heard Nicole speak.

"Shadow?"

Jerking as if from a dream, I faced her. I had forgotten she was there. I noticed instantly that the girl seemed frightened as she peered at me. "Sh-Shadow, are you all right?" Nicole brushed some stray locks of her butter-blonde hair behind her cheek and tensed in such a way that it seemed she wanted to bolt.

Without even seeing myself, I knew I was sweating and struggling to breathe. I knew that color had drained from my face, with my limbs shaking even when standing sculpture still. I muttered one word after practically breaking the handle off of the door behind me, "Sonic-"

Throwing it open, I retreated from the hallway and Nicole's terrified watch into the blue hedgehog's dimmed room. Almost tripping because of the bed, I staggered over to him, waiting at the window with the curtains drawn a thread. A small beam of light sliced through the faintness, Sonic looking intently through the split at whatever lay beyond the wall.

I stopped about a foot from him. "What are you doing?" My voice shook in panic.

He didn't respond, but silently gestured me closer with a flick of his head. Doing so, Sonic pulled me next to him and parted the curtains further, widening the gap between them. I blinked against the harsh sunlight, but quickly adjusted to the sight outside.

There was a large, concrete-paved, open area enclosed by the outer walls of Artemis on three sides. The remaining side's asphalt was cutoff by untamed grass, and a few feet further stood a barrier of tall, thick tree trunks. I couldn't see through the heavy branches overloaded with already-reddening leaves, but didn't desire a peek into the eerie-looking forest at all.

I reverted my attention backwards. Inside the vast blacktop field were several climbing walls. Busy with guests fitted in climbing gear, the place bustled. Everywhere climbers struggled to reach the top of the high walls, competing against each other in scrambling races. Sonic wasn't interested in the majority of the people there, however, he was zeroed in on one particular person, who was standing amongst a group of Artemis inmates.

Armaros seemed to be the subject of the playful argument that was ensuing at the foot of a climbing wall. He waved his hands and shook his head several times, but the repeated encouraging smiles and jabs on the shoulder finally got him to do whatever they were discussing. I watched Armaros approach the wall and begin to unzip his jacket. Hushed cheers erupted from the crowd (mostly from females) as he tossed aside his windbreaker and removed his shirt.

Sonic seized my quivering arm and pointed at the cat outside mutely, eyes burning with intensity. I froze when the sun shined upon Armaros' bare back, reflecting dozens of clearly visible, black, curling symbols that were printed across his fur.

Sorts of spiked, unintelligible words surrounded his muscular arms, with dots trailing his lower back and sides. Twisting patterns lined the nape of his neck and sank down his spine. The most profound tattoo that I saw on Armaros was the elegant pair of wings that were etched into his grey coat. I heard Sonic lightly gasp at the dull, sluggish borders that covered the tips of the wings, dripping like rain into a small, painted in puddle on his body. A slight reddish tint highlighted them from the rest of the markings, making them stick out marvelously.

"I'd know those tattoos anywhere," Sonic murmured darkly. "He's an Orionne."

"But they shouldn't exist anymore!" I whispered frantically, completely dismissing the feelings I had had previously of fear within my own self. Now I was horrified for Sonic's safety. If an Orionne was here... "They were supposed to have been wiped out!"

A heavy breath came from Sonic. "Supposedly. Crap."

"What now?" I asked.

Sonic didn't move. Nor did he say anything. He simply watched as Armaros had successfully ascended the climbing wall without harnesses. Standing triumphantly upon the top, roaring applause rang for him. His smile was tiny, but still flashed his joy at the amount of praise. A dead weight dropped in my chest and my stomach churned.

Abruptly, the stomping of feet greeted our stupefaction. Whirling around from the window, Sonic drew the curtains and regained his suave composure. I slowed my heart and tried to breathe evenly, waiting for Nicole to stride across the room to us with outstretched arms and a disgusted expression upon her face. "May I ask what are you two doing?"

"Looking out a window," I said.

My counselor babbled senselessly with her jaw dropped. "What are you, Peeping Toms?"

Sonic shrugged. "In a sense, you could say."

"Huh?"

"Wanna see?" I stepped aside and drew the curtain a touch, goading Nicole's interest with a sly smile.

Huffing, I watched her hands ball into fists. Despite her next words, Nicole marched towards the window, a glimmer of intrigue shining in her eye. "I most certainly do not want to see whatever- aahhh..." The grumbling had stopped once her infatuated gaze found Armaros, who had leapt down from his perch upon the rock and was hurriedly putting his clothes back on. Sighing, barely noticing Sonic and my sniggering, Nicole admiringly clasped her fingers on the windowsill. "He's so awesome... Look at how his hair just flows in the wind-"

Sonic had grabbed her by the shoulders to steer her out of his room, pleasantly smirking. "All right Miss Lovesick, c'mon."

"But-!" Nicole protested indistinctly, trying to drag her feet against Sonic's thrust.

"Ah, ah, ah! No buts! Love is a distraction. You're at work! You can't go ogling people through windows, that's a little unnerving."

"Huh... Guess you're right..." Nicole breezily mumbled, letting him push her through the door and into the hall. I followed a little hesitantly, my thoughts still heavy.

What was wrong with me?

Was I truly forgetting?

Had H returned?

---

About nine hours later, the three of us were wandering the halls in starvation. Our nerves had settled overtime, either due to boredom or hunger. It was mostly hunger, because the dinner schedule had been prolonged. Typically it begins at six o' clock, but for some reason, tonight's meal was late two hours.

I was suffering.

"Food... Must... have... food..." Sonic groaned, holding his hysterically growling stomach as he shuffled along the floor. "Slowly... losing... consciousness..."

Nicole sighed as we insensibly left the corridor we had been dawdling through. "Quit being such a drama-hog, Sonic. We'll have dinner soon." A loud rumble from her abdomen caused her cheeks to flush red. "I hope so..." she whispered under her breath.

"How soon?" I croaked, jotting down the number of times we had circled Artemis' passages: fifteen.

She was about to shrug when a high-pitched shriek blasted from behind her. Nicole jumped and squealed, flinging herself onto me in shock. I staggered beneath her force and collapsed to the ground, her on top of me and hugging my neck in a death-grip. "Nic-cole! What the heck are you doing?" I exclaimed. Sonic swung around with his arms up in a fighting stance.

After a moment, I watched him smile. He loosened his position and casually grinned at whoever he faced. Tossing Nicole's braid aside, I glimpsed Ellick, a thin hand over his cloaked head and boasting with laughter. In his free hand was clutched a large megaphone - the source of the shrieking. His illuminating green eyes were slitted as if he were closing them.

Heaving out an exasperated huff, I pushed Nicole off and onto the floor beside me. "Hey! Oof!" she cried. I ignored and stood, shooting Ellick a semi-dark look. .

He wiped his glowing eye with a blanched white finger, still chortling. "That was classic!" Witnessing the expression I was offering him, Ellick tilted his hooded head to the side and twitched his ears at me. "Don't give me that look. I was only having fun, Shadow."

I snorted. "Yeah right." Nicole's tail ferociously whipped the ankle of my jeans. "What was that for?"

"Hmph!" She got up and brushed her pants smooth, pursing her lips with irritation. "Some way to treat a lady!"

"At least I caught you!"

"Then you shoved me off!"

"What, did you enjoy our little cuddle session?"

She was appalled. "You're such a jerk!" I received a rough slap across the arm. Biting my tongue from replying, I teasingly snarled at her. Our fights are getting a little worse...

Ellick rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Anyway, I came to find you guys. We got dinner started up and the rest of the Camp is waiting for you."

"Took 'em long enough!" Sonic hollered. "We can finally eat!"

Nicole stared into Ellick's dark, shrouded face. "What happened to make it be so late?"

He took in a breath, but thought better of telling us the reason. His round stare caught Sonic for a fleeting second. Then he looked away towards the dining hall. "You'll see." Ellick twisted around and bade us to follow him.

As we did, I noticed that only Nicole's and my footsteps were audible. Falling confused, I considered. I understood Sonic's quietness when walking, he just had light steps. The tall figure's cloak barely skimmed above the floor, giving off the impression he was floating. I tried to peek beneath the tattered fabric, but failed to visualize anything. Did Ellick even have feet?

Banishing my inquisitiveness (and impossibility), I quickened my pace as our escort did. He still made no sound at all. My ears strained to catch even the slightest sound, to the point that I found myself gazing baffled at the folds in his clothing, wondering what on Mobius this guy truly was. What was he hiding from the world?

Eventually, Ellick felt my scrutiny on him, and shifted from forward-walking to backward-walking in a single, fluid swivel. "Something wrong?" His voice was sonorously amiable. So much that it appeared otherworldly.

Quickly shaking my head, I said nothing.

At last we arrived at the cafeteria. Past the doors, the familiar boom of excited chatter awaited, along with a smell that radiated from the room and into the hall. I recognized it to be cheap beef and some sort of beans. I also recognized the sickly smell of barbecue and tomato sauce.

Sonic heave out a small, "Urp..."

Ellick guided us into the place, stopping only a foot from the doors we had just entered. I took in the sight of dozens of tables brimming with Artemis guests, all of their attentions focused on us. A circular clearing sat in the middle of the commotion, large enough to accommodate Arcon, Armaros, Torran, Cassiopeia, Fiѐt, and Blitz, who were gathered in a small bunch. I took note that Blitz's face was masked in shadow by a slate grey hood, and of Arcon patiently watching us from where he stood, a bleak smile on his tanned features.

The talking stopped immediately, and I felt suddenly exposed. Arcon lit up as he raised his arms in welcome. "And here he is! The star of tonight's dinner! I was beginning to think he wouldn't show..." His voice spread easily over the crowd. Reaching into his tuxedo jacket, the principal removed a stunning silver pocket watch on-chain, which he flipped open to glance a moment at the time. "Fashionably late however, Sonic Diago." Clapping the device shut, his golden irises gleamed with mischief. "Come, come! We mustn't be rude and ruin our own party now, should we sir? Take a seat!"

Ellick bent over and whispered swiftly, "I must go. Enjoy the meal!" Then he scurried off between overpopulated tables and joined the rest of the faculty in the heart of the cafeteria. Taking his place beside Blitz, he patted down some frayed feathers at his shoulders and straightened his posture. I could only see Blitz's burning red stare meet Ellick's charming green one, the both of them muttering something and then ending with a brisk nod.

Someone tugged on my elbow during my studying, pulling me over to three vacant chairs and sitting me down harshly. He lowered his hand into his lap and sat silently. I was next to Sonic, with Nicole on his other side. We waited for Arcon to acknowledge us again.

He began. "Aren't we lucky to have such a... celebrity join us this summer?" Mr. Dekker happily stated. "I think we can all agree that we are even more fortunate at receiving two infamous hedgehogs into our midst. After all, when does one ever get to witness an epic soccer match between heated teams? Or perhaps see Sonic's world class speed with their own eyes? Maybe observe Shadow's second to none power? Well..." He paused after a snicker. "I, Arcon Fallon Dekker, believe that these boys came to Artemis for a reason. A reason that shall unfold in due time...

"Now! It is my greatest pleasure to announce a limited offer, special dinner dedicated to everyone's favorite blue blur. As he will only be here once, we welcome him with his preferred dish... Chili dogs!"

With that introductory monologue, I watched as Sonic practically turned green. Mild clapping resonated from the surrounding guests, all of them excited about the announcement. My brother and I exchanged glances of repugnance. "Shadow..." he bubbled. "I'm scared..."

After a clack of a tray being set down, I looked at the chili dog that lay before me on the table. Servers were passing them around the room, the ravenous guests eating them up like wild hounds. The lumpy beef frank enclosed in a stale bun and slopped with foul smelling sauce and beans goaded my gag reflex. I swallowed and tried to suppress retching, looking to poor Sonic as his face became pallid.

Nicole noticed our reactions to the food. "What's with you two? Not five minutes ago you were begging for something to eat!"

Sonic said nothing, but kept a glazed watch on his chili dog. "You'd be hesitating too if you've witness what these abominations can do to your body!" I hissed across the tabletop to her. She raised a brow, nonplussed. "Ugh."

"Do you have all your organs, Nicole?" Sonic weakly asked.

She made a confused face. "Yeah...? Why...?"

He shivered and hugged himself tightly around the torso with his arms. "I got appendicitis because of those darn things. I could have died! All because of a stupid chili dog!" Sonic clenched his teeth and stared intently at the juices flowing from the long sausage. "That accursed chili dog... Urgh..."

Nicole was spooked. "Isn't appendicitis the condition where your appendix swells?"

"...and if you let it go untreated it will explode. Killing you," I finished, scooting my chair further from the chili dog that emanated evil. Sharing a phobia of chili dogs kind of screws you up. And Sonic was pretty screwed up because of that toxic stuff.

"Whoa," was the only word Nicole could utter. Sonic clutched himself and turned his head from the food on his plate, whimpering.

Three silhouettes approached out of my peripheral vision. Growing edgy, I stiffened in my seat. All of that talk of exploding appendixes and rancid chili dogs was making me nauseous. On top of that, I wanted to avoid those three figures at all costs, no matter who they were. I felt extreme paranoia. Springing to my feet, I headed for the door, hurriedly muttering to Sonic before I left, "I need some air."

He desperately watched me go. "But you just got here! Take me with you! PLEASE!"

About to respond, I was stopped in my tracks by a firm hand. "Where're you goin', Shads?" said a voice I knew to be Paimen's. "Don't like the publicity?" His emerald eyes glittered.

"No, I-"

"...or is it the food?" DJ piped up behind Paimen's wings pathetically. He looked rather bilious and ill. James, who was next to him bore a sinister smirk. He lifted his elbow menacingly towards DJ's stomach, daring to pound him. DJ quickly cringed away with an eyelid twitching. "Don't you risk it, man! I'll break you!" he hollered desperately.

The monochromatic hedgehog contemptuously folded his arms and surprisingly backed off, a twinge of fear hinting at his pale features. He stood stiffly and bit his lip, while chuckling to himself. Strange... I thought.

There was a pause as everyone's attention waned on the bipolar pair of hedgehogs. Looking from face to face, I eased Paimen's three-fingered hand off of my shoulder, slinking behind him and right by. The dragon paid no heed.

I crept out of the cafeteria unnoticed it seemed. Taking one last peek to ensure I wasn't missed, I caught the gaze of James. He was expressionless, besides squinting at me with a look of deep dislike. "What are you gawking at me for? Go on!" Shuddering, I darted out of his sight and out of the F hall, direly needing some time alone.

Without a second glance behind me, I sped through the plaza with moonlight basking my steps. My footfalls reverberated around the deserted walls, with my breath easy and relaxed even as I ran. I began to think while briskly traveling the corridors, allowing my thoughts to fan out towards the secluded spaces of my mind.

James' unforgiving look haunted me. Why had he spoken to me so harshly? I hadn't done anything to him at all. In fact, I had never even seen the guy before I came to this forsaken place. I only met him today. Did he just harbor a hatred for everyone he saw?

I shook my head and held back a chuckle. That couldn't be so. As I recalled the mere depth and raw emotion to his stare, I felt abruptly cold, like my insides had been frozen. There was something in those dull blue eyes... something that knew me.

My fur stood on end and another gale of the air conditioner's arctic wind chilled me to the bone. I skidded to a stop in front of my dorm room, laying one hand on the doorknob while rubbing my shoulder with the other. "It's freezing in here..." I said in an undertone. Did I just see a puff of my breath?

Pulling and twisting, I couldn't pry the door open. Embarrassed by my own stupidity, I reached into my pocket and fished around. It was empty. I dug around in the other three pockets of my jeans, coming up short in locating my key. Where is that thing? Then I remembered earlier today, when Sonic had shut the door behind us on our way to lunch, when I hadn't grabbed the key.

Slouching my shoulders, I groaned. "Great. Now I gotta go to the front desk and beg for a new one. Ugh..." Reluctantly turning around, I retraced my steps and walked through each dismally desolate passage till I reached the main office, the temperature decreasing with each foot I trekked.

When I arrived, I found the tiny room to be without Fiѐt sitting behind the desk, scowling at each attendant who entered. Stepping inside cautiously, I kept a lookout for any soul I could spot. "Hello? Uh... my dorm key is locked... in my... dorm..." I muttered aloud as I slowly tiptoed inside. "Could anyone help me?" My words had fallen on inanimate object ears.

Sighing, I leapt over the top of the front desk and pulled out the many drawers and filing cabinets that sat beyond it. Cluttering around with papers, files, CDs, photocopying instructions, and a whole stack of motivational fliers, I cleaned out almost everything in the vicinity. Carefully re-alphabetizing the things I had scattered, I continued scrounging around for keys.

Finally I found a rectangular box tucked between a filing cabinet and a wall. Blowing the dust off the case once I removed it, I plucked my spare labeled key from the silk interior and held it firmly. Completely forgetting the opened key container, I left it on the carpet and hurriedly exited the office before somebody saw me.

After nearly going supersonic down the halls, I ended up in a split-second before my locked dorm. Happily sliding the key into the lock, I opened the door triumphantly and collapsed upon my bed once within. I glared at my original key sitting innocently on my nightstand, throwing the other one next to it. Stupid key...

I grew suddenly exhausted, yawning widely and stretching. Deciding it was time for bed, I got up and roamed into the bathroom, needing to brush my teeth before I retired for the day. I also remembered with disdain that I had to take that Souffler once more.

"Don't worry, Shadow, this'll all be over soon..." I reminded myself, and held the sloshy bottle, uncapping it and lifting it to my lips. Before taking a mouthful, my gaze wandered into my reflection in the mirror.

Purple irises glowered back.

I dropped the Souffler.

Crying out in the ferocious pain that had erupted in my skull, I pinched my eyes shut and gripped my head tightly. The wave of vibrations began to flow into my jaw and fingers, spreading to the rest of my body and heightening acutely. I gritted my teeth and bit back yelping as fire pulsed through my veins.

I'm baack...

N-no! It can't b-be!

Did you miss me, Shadow the Hedgehog? Ha ha ha ha!

Another jolt of pain tore through me. I crumpled to the tile and struggled both internally and externally by the psychotic laughter that shook my whole being. Quivering and trying to repulse him, I dug my fingers into my fur, hoping that that would at least do something. Anything at all to overshadow this curse.

Why? I had finally gotten rid of you!

You actually thought you had been freed? Foolish boy! I will forever be part of you, there is nothing in this world that can tear me from your body!

H's voice was a fearsome growl, backed with starvation of pure bloodlust. He sounded extremely excited, but for dark purposes I sensed. I curled up into a ball and howled, terror rushing through me.

What if he gained control?

No! No! No! I can't let you... I can't, I can't! Even though I was fighting back as best I could, I knew I was losing the bodily battle. I could already feel myself going numb. H had become drastically powerful in his absence. This can't be happening...

You seem anxious, Shadow... Do you want to go out for a stroll? We have not had a decent night out together for quite some time... I'm just itching to see that moon!

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" I screamed out loud, arching my back and writhing on the floor.

H replied with a blood-curdling laugh, ignoring my shout. No! I think that is a great idea! Why don't you take us beyond this place you so detest, back to the outside world and fresh air you crave?

"I WILL NOT! YOU CANNOT MAKE ME!"

Is that what you think? You have still failed to fully realize my powers...

I went stiff, but the pain still wracked every inch of me. What was he doing?

Get up.

My legs moved without my consent, pushing me off the ground and floppily upright. Grinding my teeth, I grasped the countertop and pulled closer to it, refusing to move. "I will not!"

Obey me or face the consequences!

Fists shaking, I hurled myself into the vacant shower stall, slamming the transparent door behind me. Crashing to the floor, I extended my limbs to press against each wall, locking my position. "NO!"

He growled, something snapping inside him. DON'T YOU SPEAK THAT WORD TO ME, VESSEL!

I lost momentary control of my body, H flinging us forward and through the glass door forcefully. Shards sliced everything around us, including my skin and clothes. Grimacing and blinking blood out of my eyes, I shoved him aside and reached up to the towel rack and held it firmly. "I'm not... moving!" I shrieked to him.

H's anger boiled, making me feel overheated and sick. I groaned as my left hand obtained a mind of its own, and slapped itself to the floor to drag me along the tiling towards the door. Seeing through my adversary's plan, I twisted around and kicked the door closed. I was now in an awkward situation, whilst sitting on glass fragments. My right arm high above my head, my left arm at my side and creeping across the tile, with my legs oddly laying in front of me.

This is a battle between your will and mine, Shadow...

Do your worst!

Do I sense a challenge?

The strength increased in my muscles, causing the towel rack to crash off its clamps and clatter to the floor. It barely nicked me in the ear as it fell. I gasped, for that was my only means of holding H back.

He noticed. Ha ha! My legs were raising me again, this time, throwing me into and through the bathroom door and tumbling into my dorm. Spitting out carpet threads I had accidentally torn out with my sharpening teeth, I deliriously noticed H standing me back up and twirling to face the exit door. I had to act quickly.

Oh no you don't!

Huh!

With a heel kick backward, I stumbled into the wardrobe, banging my head on it. The impact opened it wide, all of my clothes spilling out and littering the ground. I grunted and lifted my hand to caress the forming bruise, not knowing that my inner evil had gained control of both my arms.

He snatched hold of the dresser, turning and launching it across my dorm with a fearsome bellow. The thing smashed into the wall above my bed, boring a hole in it, insulation, sheetrock and all. I could spot the couple making out in the neighboring room through the gaping pit, both of them immediately screaming in terror. H curled my fingers into malevolent claws and roared at the two through my voice, resulting in the romantically embracing pair to high-tail it out of their dorm in a frenzy.

This has gone on long enough! From now on, I am in control!

And that was when I was locked inside my own mind, unable to move my vulnerable body.

"Finally. Conquest," H hissed.

No! You can't do this!

"On the contrary," he said. "I already have."

H!

I watched helplessly through my eyes him take us out of my dorm and into the frigid halls, instantly taking off running with an extra speed boost from my rocket shoes. He kept quiet as the wind blew through his hair, an ominous grin forming on his face.

Rapidly passing door after door, and sliding through hall after hall, H managed to escape the Artemis building unseen and unscathed. Zipping up the towering wooden gates, he landed softly on the springy grass and took a long look at the twinkling stars in the broad sky overhead. Breathing in the cool night air, he sighed with content and began walking with pleasure across the lawn.

Where are you taking us?

He again ignored me. As usual. I felt worry, but didn't try to rebel against him. He was much stronger than I was, now. I curled into a corner of my mind, hopeless.

What was the point?

Dun, dun, dun!

Driving you crazy? ME TOO! (Edited! Wa-ha! I made some changes. Hope you like 'em.)