Shadow

As I left the cabin, I couldn't help but feel nauseous at the fact that I almost told Amy that I loved her. I was beginning to think that I was infected. I was beside myself and it scared me immensely. I thought that I wasn't supposed to be capable of love in these types of situations. Hell, there were flesh eating things out there that had to be killed and here I was, having sex. The thought made me laugh almost. I just had sex...and it felt so good. (a/n: Could NOT help myself...kudos if you get the reference.) I had never actually felt so fucking vulnerable until that happened. It was scary but eventually, it became this indescribable feeling that I never wanted to lose.

I approached Knuckles who was sitting on the Emerald. From the look on his face, he was upset for some reason. I plopped down next to him and sighed, "You okay?"

"I guess." He shrugged, "Just...bored."

"That's all?"

His eyes narrowed, "And...heartbroken."

I raised an eyebrow at the echidna, "Why?"

"I don't know...I just..." He hopped off, "It's Rouge. I mean, she's a...bitch but she's so...gah! I hate this! I have feelings going this way and some going the other way-"

"Whoa. Are you coming out on me?"

He sighed, "Yes. That's it. No, Shadow. I'm not."

I chuckled and jumped down in front of him, "Look, have you talked to her about it?"

He shook his head and looked down, "I don't want to get rejected..."

"That's part of it. Taking the risk. Knuckles, we're in a fucking pandemic. Who cares about rejection? Tell her. What do you have to lose?"

His violet eyes traveled down to his feet. He slowly nodded and trudged toward the cabin where she had headed. I jumped back on top of the Emerald and stared off into the jungle, thinking. So much had happened in three days that I couldn't fathom it, almost. It was so weird. I was a completely different person than I was before and I actually liked it. I was loved by someone and it softened my heart a little. My mind traveled back to the time when Maria had died. I frowned and slid off of the Emerald. I started to walk.

I could have done a lot of things to stop her from taking her last breath but it was...the bullet had already pierced her heart. She had told me to run and I did, like some selfish bastard. She would have been there with me, smiling and making that entire pandemic something to laugh at. I missed her optimism. I missed those beautiful blue eyes and the way they looked whenever she laughed. She was my first love and always will be but for some reason, her and Amy were similar. Yes, Amy had this fierce way about her but...it was soft at the same time. That's what I cherished about the both of them. The fact that they were so sensitive and fragile creatures and they trusted me with their lives.

I just felt...honored.

I had wandered to the edge of the Island, not noticing. I looked out into the clear blue water and felt a sense of tranquility wash over me. How could such a beautiful place be so infected with those...things...? I clenched my jaw at the thought and began to get frustrated. I figured that this moment of paradise wouldn't last long and that I couldn't get too comfortable. I groaned in frustration and kicked a rock into the ocean. Suddenly, a piercing scream sounded in the distance.

My sense sparked alive as I snapped my head towards it.

Amy.

Before I could think, I felt myself sprinting through the jungle. My legs moved faster as the scream grew louder. I ran all the way up to a clearing. I was at the top of a waterfall and I looked down. There she was. Pinned down by one of them. I jumped down, bringing my heel down on its skull. My clothes became soaked as I jumped down into the tiny pond that rested at the bottom. Amy quickly got up, grabbed a stone and started to bash its head into the ground.

Tears were running down her face, "I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I FUCKING HATE YOU!" She screamed. She kept going until she gave up with a huff. Pretty soon, she just started to cry, bent over by it. I could do nothing but sit there and watch her. That's how I felt on the inside, that's what I wanted to do but I don't cry. I haven't cried since...she died.

I slowly walked over and knelt by her, "Ames..."

She looked up at me wearily. Fresh tears sprung to her eyes as she suddenly clutched onto me. I wrapped my arms around her tightly and kissed her hair, "It's okay...it's gonna be over soon, Amy. Look at me."

Her eyes met with mine and held them. I kissed her lightly and whispered, "Please. Don't give up on me. Not right now...you're stronger than this."

"Am I?" She pulled away and looked at me.

"Do you realize how badass you are...? I mean, you're still alive. Not everyone would have the mental stability and physicality to survive any of this. Honestly, you're amazing."

She sobbed a laugh and blushed slightly, "...You are too, Shadow. Really. But, thank you." Her eyes grew wide as she stared behind me. Her small arms shoved me to the side and all I saw was blood splatter on the ground. I peered up and my eyes widened in horror.

One of them their teeth sunken into her shoulder. She gritted her teeth in pain and punched it in the head. It released itself from her arm and fell to the ground becoming completely still. Amy cried out in pain as she dropped to her knees, holding her shoulder.

I rushed to her, "Amy!" I tore off my shirt and held it against the wound.

"God! It hurts!"

"Why the fuck did you do that?! What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

"It was going to bite-" She coughed and blood came running out of the corner of her mouth.

My eyes started to burn. I picked her up and started running back towards the cabin, "KNUCKLES! HELP ME!"

As I approached the cabin, he ran out of it, gasping at the sight of Amy. He exclaimed, "What happened?!"

"Those things are here! They...she...one of them almost bit me and she...she..."

He took her from me, "Come with me." Amy dug her nails into his arm and screamed. I winced and followed. He set her down on the bed and removed my shirt from the bite. His face crumpled just looking at it. The smell of blood hit my nose, making my stomach turn. I grabbed her hand and kissed it.

She looked at me and squeezed it tightly, "Shadow..." More tears came to her eyes.

"You're going to be okay, Amy. Don't worry. Stay with me. Please..." I bent down and kissed her forehead, "Stay with me, babe. Please."

She smiled weakly at me, "Shut up. I'll be fine." She coughed again and blood spilled from her mouth. Knuckles tried to ignore it as he kept working on her shoulder.

I bit my lip and put my forehead against her hand. What I felt, at that moment, was too complex to put into words...so I just said it.

"I love you."

Her breathing became shallow, "I love you too..."

Tears finally rolled down my cheeks.