Chapter Revised [x]

(Shadow's POV)

Never in my life had I ever witnessed someone attack the Doctor like that. That was the last thing I expected to happen. We had been here no more than twenty minutes, and already that girl was creating complications. Even though she was small and powerless, her desperate teenage anguish alone might've made Dr. Eggman pass out from lack of oxygen, had I not stepped in and knocked her down. She actually tried to strangle the man.

I knew she was scared, but it's not like that mattered. What her thoughts and feelings happened to be were the least of our concerns.

I re-entered Dr. Eggman's office to see how he was doing after all that by trudging in and taking a good look at him. He seemed absolutely fine despite what went on a few minutes ago, except his agitation was ten times more evident.

He heard my footsteps on the metal floor and spun his chair around slowly, face scrunched and teeth bared. I'd only seen that him look that way when he was dealing with someone completely intolerant. His tapped his fingers together and he pouted.

"Way to go, Shadow," he spat angrily.

I put one hand on my hip and frowned back at him. "How is any of this my fault?" I asked, already knowing where this was leading.

He lifted his hands and made choking motions around his neck. "You saw what just happened! She could've killed me, Shadow! You've kidnapped Satan's spawn! We were supposed to capture a much more civil man. One who doesn't have that kind of energy or violent tendencies. If you had stuck to the original plan from the beginning, this would have never taken place!"

Now I was getting mad as well. "Oh I beg your pardon, but weren't you the one who said that this was a great, no, brilliant idea and that it would work out perfectly?"

"Well that was before I had my throat rang by a fussy little brat of a teenager!"

"Just keep in mind that she is the G.U.N. Commander's grand-daughter."

"And she's going to be a major handful too if we don't break her soon!"

There was a long silence since after that. I didn't know what else to say. I looked down at the floor, sifting through my thoughts. He did have a point. Maybe this wasn't the best plan after all. Dr. Eggman interrupted my thinking with a question I knew I would've been asked sooner or later.

"Shadow. Exactly how did you find her?" he asked me in a much calmer tone.

I directed my gaze back to him. "Well, I went to capture Tower off the train before it reached Mystic Ruins, and right before I could locate him, she just so happened to be in the same cargo as me and tried to prevent me from leaving, probably to protect her father. And might I mention she's also the very same girl that I rescued from those predators in the alley yesterday."

Dr. Eggman's eyes widened. "WHAT? You're kidding me! Oh ho ho, that's impecable! Seems as though fate has a sense of humor!"

"Yeah. You're telling me," I mumbled.

He only grinned in response. "I heard you say earlier that she revealed her identity to you, so I'm guessing that you decided to bring her here after you found out who she was. Well, let me hear it. What's her full name?"

I paused and turned my head away. Her name... I never bothered to think about that. Obviously her last name is Tower. But her first name...?

"I don't know it," I admitted. "She didn't tell me and I didn't ask."

Dr. Eggman tilted his head to the side. "Hm? Seems to me that needs to changed immediately. We can't just keep calling her girl or captive. What room did you put her in?"

"B-12."

"Well what are you waiting for? Go back there and find out her first name!"

My eyes widened. "What? Why me? I just dragged her all the way there, and now you're telling me to go back? You can ask yourself."

Dr. Eggman slumped back in his seat, making a 'tsk tsk tsk' sound. "Shadow, Shadow, Shadow. You're the only hedgehog that I've ever been able to tolerate, you know. But that can change rather quickly."

I stared at him in boredom. "Is that supposed to be a threat?" I challenged flatly.

His face turned red with fury. "Listen here, I'm not taking the risk of her attacking me again! Don't you get it! I'm too old to deal with a teenager who's that out of control. As of now, you're the only one here who can handle her! Just go ask for her name, report back to me and be done with it! If she doesn't answer, you know what to do. I'll let you take care of the situation from there."

I sighed and started taking steps towards the hall. "Ah so what do you want me to do, beat an answer out of her?" I asked sarcastically.

He grumbled and turned back towards the controls. "I honestly don't care! Use your imagination if you have one. Now if you excuse me, I got an Egg Carrier to steer," he said while taking hold of the controls again.

I growled to myself and began walking off. "Damn," I hissed under my breath. Fraternizing with this girl was definitely not on my to-do list.

(Rachel'S POV)

I was getting aches from the all the crying I'd done combined with the lack of rest. I had not had any proper sleep for nearly two days now, and it sure was taking a toll on me. It felt like the physical form of death.

Maybe if I get a little shut-eye, I can refresh myself and be more alert. I'm already stuck here. No sense in forcing myself to stay awake the whole time, right?

I reluctantly stood from my spot on the floor and walked like a zombie over to the bed. Even though I didn't want to be here in Dr. Eggman's flying, floating, whatever it was we were in, the fluffy pillows and soft sheets on the bed were practically calling my name.

Rachel…Rachel…lay on us Rachel. Soak up our fluffiness like it's all made of clouds. You know you want to…

I wiped the last of my tears away and plopped myself down on the bed's gray sheets. The mattress felt like a heavenly tuff of cotton under me.

Just sleep, Rachel. Sleep and get it over with already.

My eyelids began to glue shut.

That's right, just close your eyes, get your well-deserved rest...

I began to feel light and nearly fell asleep right there, while still sitting up. I couldn't remember the last time I was this tired.

Almost there...

"Hey, girl!" I heard Shadow's voice yell from the other side of the door, followed by a few knocks.

Never mind, the devil's knocking.

My eyebrows furrowed as I opened my eyes, squinting them into a glare. You've got to be kidding me.

I wasn't sure what made me angrier. The fact that it seemed impossible for me to get any sleep, or the fact that Shadow had the nerve to come back here and bother me, after giving me the worst day of my life.

Before I could invite him in, or tell him to get lost for that matter, the door slid open. The black and red hedgehog stood there with his permanent frown, staring me down like I was some sort of virus.

"Alright, so we need to know your name," he said plainly, sounding like he didn't want to be there just as much I wanted him gone.

I lifted an eyebrow. "Uhh…Why?"

He closed his eyes, sighing in irritation before walking into the room. The door slid shut behind him. After I realized that it was just us two alone, my anxiety returned and I felt my pulse quicken.

"It doesn't matter why," he continued. "Just tell me and I'll be more than happy to leave."

I let out a fake laugh. "As much as I want you to leave, I think you asking me for my name is unnecessary."

His eyes grew harder and he took more steps closer to me. I tried to scoot back from him, but decided to remain where I was in order to stand my ground.

"I'm not asking you. I'm telling you to give me your name. It's an order. Remember what I said about those?"

I tried to hide the fear in my expression, but I could tell he already noticed it by the way he played it out as if he was superior over me. He knew I was too weak to do anything for myself, besides make a sissy attempt to strangle an evil conqueror. I clenched my teeth tightly before parting them to speak.

"All I'm asking is for one reason why! Just one."

"Because I told you to. That's the reason," he stated as if it were obvious.

I shook my head. "That's not good enough."

Now, it was very obvious he'd had enough. He was done with me, and I was sure that if I angered him further, he'd lose control and kill me.

"If you value your life, you will tell me it. Now."

I half-lidded my eyes. "Tower."

"Hmph, don't be a smartass. Your FIRST name."

"I don't want to!"

"Do it right now!"

"No!"

"Are you refusing to answer me?"

"Yes! I sure am!"

Shadow grunted with fury. "Fine! Don't say I didn't warn you!" He raised his hand above his head. " Chaos...!"

My confidence fell apart like brittle dirt. I gasped and turned away, bracing myself for his attack.

I'd seen what he had done to the man who stood up to him on the subway. I was already younger and weaker than that guy, but combine that with how disgustingly fragile I was now, and I knew this could very well leave irreversible damage on me. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to seal my lips and keep from screaming when it happened. But instead, my desperation took over and I ended up shouting my own name.

"Rachel!" I yelled, letting my arms fall to the mattress as I buried my face into them out of shame, beginning to cry all over again. I felt so endangered inside. Even though he hadn't done anything to actually hurt me yet, my regular ferocity and will-power had been wiped out.

"It's...R-Rachel..." I choked through my tears.

I waited for Shadow to say or do something. I waited for him to leave after he got the answer he wanted and go away at last. But I could feel his presence still looming over me. I could even feel him watching me.

Just let me be! I wanted to shout. Get out! Go! Leave me alone! Leave...me...

I'd only closed my eyes for fifteen seconds, and already I was drifting into a deep sleep.

And just like I had many times before when I was younger, I fell asleep hating Shadow the Hedgehog with every fiber of my being.

(Shadow's POV)

This girl was really beginning to get under my skin.

I swear, if she were anyone else she would've been dead by now with the attitude she's put on! But then I have to stop and ask myself, why do I let it slide with her? There's nothing special about her. I hardly even know the kind of person she is, other than a whiny, melodramatic waste of space.

Maybe that's just it. Maybe it's because I'm aware of how helpless she is. Even though I was ready to unleash a Chaos Spear on her, something told me that even if she still defied me, I wouldn't have been able to bring myself to hurt her after all had been said and done. Who knows though, if she kept pushing me, that might very well change.

But now I knew her name.

Rachel? That's it? Rachel Tower. That's the big unveiling.

I figured it wouldn't be something that simple. But then again, I didn't really know what to expect. Not bad I guess.

After she had told, or shrieked at me that her name was Rachel, she hid her face and began bawling again. I couldn't see it, but I could definitely hear it. Her sobs were loud and short, and then they were nothing. I stopped and looked closer. Her back was rising and falling gently, and she was breathing deeply. I couldn't help but sigh to myself.

The human fell asleep.

I knew it was completely out of my nature to feel remorse for anyone, but a part of me wanted to…console her for whatever reason. She'd been put through so much in the past few days, and I knew it too. She was still innocent beyond belief, and I alone was corrupting that for my and the Doctor's own selfish reasons.

I slowly lowered my raised hand, and extended it towards her. I almost gave her back a small pat. There was something in me that wanted to show her some sort of reassurance her that I wouldn't hurt her as long as she followed our orders. I wanted to make her feel a bit of security.

I was the one who saved her yesterday. I was the one who did that not to benefit myself or anyone, but simply because I felt sorry for her. And I felt that way now. And it was stupid.

Stop, Shadow. Don't forget your motives. She's asleep now anyway, and what would comforting her when she's not even conscious do?

I drew my arm back.

Something on her neck glimmered and caught my eye. It was a silver chain of some sort, probably a necklace she wore. I shrugged the thought away and left the room, locking the door behind me.

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(A/N)

I know these chapters are getting shorter, but believe me they will start to get longer again soon. What do you guys think? I don't know how frequently I'll be able to update now since school starts in exactly six days. Yeah, if you guys haven't guessed by my vocabulary, I'm still a kid. Im 16, and gonna be a junior. R.I.P. Summer ... you went wayyy too fast. But oh well, I'm not giving up until I finish this story! Review please :)