Crashed CHAPTER 10

As soon as I woke up I felt the urge to run. I thought I needed to escape whatever had captured me that morning.

The only evidence that it even happened at all was the fact I woke up in a room that wasn't mine.

I had no bruises, I felt no pain. I actually felt better than I had before I got kidnapped. Not a single scratch.

I examined the room around me—it looked almost like… a hotel of some sort? The bed was very comfortable, and was covered with white brand-new looking sheets. On each side of the bed were end tables, one had a lamp and on the other sat a phone and a card with some phone numbers on it. I picked up the card.

A number for room service, and a number for emergencies.

I was tempted to call the emergency number, but I decided I would feel out the situation. I mean, who kidnaps a girl only to leave her by herself in what seems like a very nice hotel?

I pushed myself out of bed. There was a full length mirror on a walk-in closet door, and the reflection revealed I was not in the dress I was wearing earlier. It was a lacy purple nightgown… my nightgown.

What is going on!?

I rush into the hallway, suddenly very scared. Whoever had done this took the time to make sure I was comfortable… and who knows what they did before they changed me!

And I bump into someone.

My heart was racing, and I swung without looking or thinking about it. But whoever it was caught my arm and pushed me up against the wall.

"What are you doing here?" Shadow's voice whispered.

"What do you mean what am I doing here!?" I tried to push him off, but he just pressed himself closer. "I'm the one that just got kidnapped and left in a fancy hotel! And so far… you're my only suspect."

"Suspect?" Something in his eyes changed. Almost a mix of anger and sadness… "I may be a little forward but… Kidnapping? Are you serious?"

"You're the only other person here."

"That's what I thought before I ran into you. How about we stop assuming things? Huh?" Shadow tilts his head, raising his eyebrow. "I woke up here randomly just as you did."

I wasn't sure if I could really believe him… but I did almost just accuse him of kidnapping me without any real evidence.

"What's this?" He eyes my nightgown. My very short nightgown. "I never knew you had this."

"I only usually wear it on special occasions." I look away, avoiding his eyes. Now is not the time for him to toy with me. "You kinda always just show up out of nowhere whenever I see you. That's not a very special occasion."

"Oh! There you two are." Blaze interrupts us, and I immediately push Shadow away. "I checked your rooms but neither of you were there."

Something about Blaze's calm voice, her relaxed walk, her entire aura enrages me.

"How dare you—" I stomp towards her. "how fucking dare you!"

"Rouge? What are you—"

"You just disappear, freaking me the fuck out, and suddenly I'm kidnapped when I decide 'hey, maybe something's wrong and I should look for her'?" I felt the urge to punch her, to tackle her and scream in her face. How could she do this to me? "How could you just act like this is all okay!?"

"Rouge, something bad almost happened. Something very bad. I—I had no choice but to bring you to the safe place. It's the only safe place." Blaze remained uncomfortably calm, and it made me want to run away from her.

"Safe place? What the hell are you talking about!?" I wanted to scream.

Blaze turns back to Silver, with tears in her eyes. "It was too soon. But I panicked…I…"

"It could also be too late." Silver whispered, with empty eyes glancing at Shadow and I. "The dreams—they're getting worse. They're happening too fast. I've never seen this before and I can't catch up—"

"Um, hello!? Did you guys forget we were here!?" Shadow pushes past me, and stands face-to-face with Silver. "Why are you guys so damn weird all the fucking time!?"

"It doesn't matter right now. We just need to—"

"Need to what!? Go talk behind my back? Keep secrets from me?" Shadow was becoming enraged, reminding me of the scene in my dream. The one where he punched Silver in the face.

"Enough!" Silver starts the floaty-thing I saw him do in my dream. His eyes glowed a blinding icy blue, matching the aura around him. "We brought you here too soon. But there's a threat that started closing in too soon. You guys just—need to trust us!"

Threat? What the hell was he talking about? Why is he making it sound like we are in some god damn fantasy video game!?

And why is he floating!?

I fell back, freaked out by the power that he just proved he had. "Okay, so Blaze's flame thing I got over. But this!?" I couldn't handle it. There was something wrong. Something I never thought about. "What are you two!?"

"It's—too soon. But possibly too late." Blaze stared at me with a look of suppressed guilt.

"Rouge, Shadow, you're the only ones who can save us."

"What!? What the fuck are you talking about!?" I pushed myself backwards, trying to get away from them.

Blaze started crying. "Without you, we'll all disappear. But I can't figure out—I can't figure out what you're supposed to do yet. Why you two found each other so soon—it's only been a couple of weeks. How? It's my first big job and I'm blowing it—I'll never get this opportunity again."

Silver eyed Blaze. "You need to stop talking."

Shadow was just as dumbfounded as I was. He was rooted to his spot.

Silver and Blaze both nodded with some silent agreement, and Blaze stared into my eyes very intently. I was confused, I was hurt, I wished I were dreaming. I started to shake.

My head started to pound, and I couldn't keep my eyes open.

I saw Shadow drop to the ground just as I blacked out.

…

I woke up in my room, and my head felt sore.

I remember looking around for Blaze last night, and suddenly being asleep or something?

"Rouge?" Blaze quietly stepped into my room, shutting the door behind her.

"Blaze?" I sat up, holding my head. "When did you get back? How did I—"

"Well, I came back last night and you seemed hungover. You were wandering around the apartment looking for me, and then suddenly passed out?" Her hand came to my forehead. "I brought you to your room and tried to put you in some comfy pajamas. Easiest article of clothing I could find to put you in was the nightgown, sorry but that dress you were wearing looked like it was suffocating you. Also, think you're getting a fever."

I thought about it, I did feel sick. "Okay… But—where were you? I was so worried I—"

Blaze hushed me. "I was just with Silver, Rouge. I'm sorry I never answered, I hardly paid any attention to my phone. Silver kinda had a um… family emergency we had to attend to."

It sounded fishy, but I felt too crappy to care. "Blaze I—I'm sorry. Thank you for taking care of me."

"Also, just letting you know I contacted Vector. You're not going to work tomorrow with this fever."

I was amazed. Here she went again, always thinking ahead of time.

"Blaze, I'm fine. You didn't have to do that." I tried to stand up, and instantly regretted it. Blaze caught me as I fell over.

"What's going on with my head I—I lost all balance. I feel so weak." I let Blaze get me back on the bed.

"I knew something was up when I found you last night. You definitely need to lay down." Blaze pulled my blankets over me.

"I feel like something is missing—like I can't remember an important part of the night. How did I end up sick like this so suddenly…?" I was thinking out loud.

"I don't know, but I have to leave with Silver again. Promise me you'll stay here and rest?"

I instantly got irritated, but I didn't want to show it. I guess the family emergency explained why Silver has been around a lot more lately, and I know it isn't my business, but I feel like something is up.

"I called someone to come take care of you. He'll be here soon." She flashed a mischievous smile at me, and quietly left my room.

I didn't have the energy to inquire who she was leaving me with.

A few moments later, Knuckles walks in.

Great.

"Hey Rouge, how you feeling?" The echidna sat on the edge of my bed and patted my shoulder.

"What are you—" I suddenly remembered how I left his house last night. I was flushed with embarrassment. "Knuckles, I'm so sorry,"

"Don't worry about it. Blaze—that's her name, right?—called me from your phone and told me you came home sick." Knuckles stared at his hand, which continued to rest on my shoulder. "God you're so warm."

"So anyways, I just assumed you left because you weren't feeling well and didn't want me to see you like that." Knuckles chuckled. "I think it's silly, though."

I just wanted him gone. I wanted to be alone.

"Y-yeah, that's what happened. I'm sorry." It wasn't true. "I'm sorry Knuckles, but, I really don't need a babysitter. You can go home."

"Heh, Rouge, that attitude isn't very cute." He tried to feign a laugh, but I could tell he wasn't joking.

It really ticked me off. "And you know what? Neither is talking to me like that. Like I need to be what you want."

Knuckles was taken aback. "Rouge I didn't mean it—it was a joke. Lighten up, will ya?"

"I don't need to lighten up I—" I tried to sit up, but I was too weak and flopped right back into my pillow. "I just… I want to be alone."

Knuckles looked worried, but was also unsure. Like he would burn if he touched me again. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright, I'm sorry."

He stood, and started walking towards the door. "I'm gonna go find some medicine for you, alright?"

I sighed, and flipped so my backside was facing him. "Thanks."

I don't know why I suddenly really loathed having Knuckles around. It was like having sex with him pushed all the good thoughts from my brain.

That tired feeling. The extreme weight on my eyelids… oh no.

Here comes another dream.

"Please no… not right now…"

…

I was standing at the base of a tree, I knew that much, but I had know idea where I was. But I heard him.

"Why do I feel like shit… sick out of fucking nowhere." And there he was, sitting on a tree branch above me. He was swinging his leg back and forth, kicking the tree every time it came back his direction. "I feel like death."

Shadow? He's sick too?

"I know you're here."

I froze. Was he talking to me?

"Rouge. Say something. I can feel you I… I need you to talk to me."

I dared to fly up, I dared to hover right in front of him.

I dared to speak.

"Shadow…" I whispered.

"I knew it," Shadow stared at me, like he confirmed some suspicion he had.

Well, more like he stared through me. Like he was looking behind me.

"Can you see me?" I reached toward him, but for some reason I was afraid to touch him.

"I can hear you. And that's all that matters." Shadow's crimson eyes disappeared behind heavy eyelids.

I wondered how many secrets he kept in those beautiful orbs.

"But why?"

He wasn't able to answer me, because I woke up before he could open his mouth.