Tails stared at Esplouge in shock.
No, he can't possibly, not after everything we've been through these past few days, I worked too hard for this to happen...
"H- how much do you remember, exactly?" Tails asked, trying to keep his voice level.
"How much do you think?" Esplouge asked. "I remember much more than you would want me to, although I'm not sure I remember everything just yet."
Esplouge pinned Tails down to the couch, making sure he couldn't get up and run away.
"When did we first meet?" Esplouge asked quietly. "How did I feel about you when I first saw you? I can't imagine my feelings toward you haven't changed in the time that we've known each other."
"Wh- what?"
"I... I don't know, am I starting to hate you even more, or am I actually warming up to you?" Esplouge asked, seeming completely lost. His eyes almost seemed to see nothing as he stared down at Tails. "These past few days... There were times I wanted to rip your head off, but... when you were there with me..."
"Esplouge, what the hell are you talking about?"
Esplouge didn't seem to hear him.
"... I actually felt safe," Esplouge finished. "Like... A part of me knew you couldn't do much to protect me... you're just so weak and all... but you were somehow... comforting. I felt... happy for once. You made me feel happy. Almost sane. But I guess that's all over now..."
"It doesn't have to be," Tails cut in, finally seeming to grab Esplouge's attention. "You... You still have the choice to act sane if you want to... Er, well, I mean..."
"I've run out of choices," Esplouge said coldly.
"Run out of... What do you mean?"
Esplouge got off of Tails and started toward the door. Tails sat up but made no attempt to follow.
"Esplouge?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Esplouge asked weakly. "Isn't everything just so obvious now?"
"What the heck are you...?"
Esplouge opened the door and stepped out, not even bothering to close the door behind him. Tails stared after him for a moment.
Where the heck is he going?
When Tails finally decided to get up and try to follow Esplouge, he realized that Esplouge was out of sight.
Shit, what do I do now?
Tails stood there a moment, eventually deciding to wait for Esplouge to return home.
--
I guess there's only one thing left for me to do...
That's right, Esplouge. Well, actually, no, you're wrong. There are two things you need to do, not one.
Two?
Yes, two.
What are they?
I'm only telling you one of them. You already know the other.
So tell me.
Which is the one that you know?
... That I need to die.
And do you remember how you can accomplish such a feat? After all, you've tried to die before, but you...
Yes, I know what to do now.
...
Well?
Well what?
You were going to tell me the other thing.
Hunh?
The other thing I have to do.
Oh, yes, that. Well, you see...
--
Esplouge found himself outside of Amy's house. He stared at the door, almost as if wondering how he had gotten there in the first place. He knocked on the door softly, already regretting what he was about to do.
This'll only make that other thing you have to do easier. So relax.
Amy answered the door, seeming both tired and confused.
"Esplouge?" she asked, her voice sounding as sleepy as she looked. "What are you doing here so late?"
"Uh... Um..."
Just tell her what I told you to say, Eppy.
"T- T- Tails and I got in a f- fight..." Esplouge stuttered unsurely. "C- can I stay here with you?"
"Of course," Amy said, allowing Esplouge inside. "What did you two fight about?"
"Uh... Um... I..."
You need some glass, Eppy. Remember?
"I... I'm sorry, c- could I get a glass of water?" Esplouge asked. "I'm really thirsty..."
"Sure," Amy answered warmly. She headed for the kitchen and returned moments later with a glass of water. Esplouge accepted it with shaking hands and took a sip of the water, feeling even more sick as the liquid made its way down to his stomach.
"So, what did you and Tails fight about?" Amy asked. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"N- not really..."
Esplouge found himself unable to look at Amy.
"B- but I guess I have to..." Esplouge continued. "I... Shit, my head hurts. Do you have any headache medicine?"
Amy headed back into the kitchen, looking for the medicine. Esplouge stared after her a moment before letting his glass fall to the floor. It shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces, but like always, there was one shard that was just the perfect size and shape for what he would need it for. Amy rushed back into the room upon hearing the glass shatter, stopping only when she saw the shard of glass in Esplouge's hand.
"E- Esplouge, what...?!"
"I love you," Esplouge said quickly.
Amy stared at him, wondering if she had misheard him. She had no idea how to respond to the situation, much less to what she was sure Esplouge had just said.
"I think it's Shadow and Tails' faults," Esplouge continued. "You... You just remind Shadow so much of Maria, and Tails... well, he's loved you for a long time now. So naturally..."
"What on earth are you talking about?" Amy asked.
Esplouge offered a weak smile.
"I love you almost as much as I hate myself," Esplouge said.
Do it, Esplouge, kill her!
"I'm really going to miss you, Amy."