*Chapter 10: A Need for Speed!*
Weeks went by on the ARK, and everything was peaceful. No danger from Veldon or Widow. Shadow has been skating around the whole ARK to check each area for those two, but so far, nothing. Everything was good. It's now a month of December, on the 13th. Only two weeks until Christmas. And Shadow asks for everyone's help to set up a surprise Christmas Party for Maria for tomorrow. Shadow couldn't wait to see the expression on her face when she sees everything.
Shadow returned to the main hall to see the big tree for decorating. Shadow learned about Christmas trees, presents, even Santa Claus, but...that man was make believe for the children, and Maria was too old to believe such a thing. But Christmas isn't about the presents, it's about getting together with close friends and family. Love. Shadow was still trying to figure out what love is, but he had to let that emotion aside.
Mardic puts the red clothe on the big table and his parents are putting up the wreaths on the walls, ribbons here and there. Shadow came up to the tree with a smile. Once everything was ready for tomorrow, Maria will be so surprised.
"I can't believe that we are really doing this." Mardic said with a grin. "Maria will be so surprised. She will love you till the day you die."
"Yeah. I just want to make her happy, and I want to spend my first Christmas with her here." Shadow said. "Never thought that people can bring a tree this big." Mardic looked up and nodded.
"Yeah, trees like that can be big. I figure they chop this from the woods." Mardic said. "Well, I'll get the stuff for it. And maybe you can fly up there with your hover shoes to put a star on top." He rush over to the boxes to bring over, and Shadow turned to see Gerald coming in with a little box.
"Good evening, Shadow." Gerald said with a smile. "How was everything turning out?"
"Perfect, professor. Maria doesn't know about this, right?" Shadow replied.
"No. But, she was asking about what I want for Christmas and she wanted to give you something as well." Gerald said. "I guess she cares about giving her close ones gifts. She still thinks we're going to have the same old party like before. But, she will love this." Shadow nodded, and pointed at the box.
"What's inside that box, professor?"
"Oh, a present for Maria. I thought you would like a peek." Gerald said. He opened the box, and there is a light blue Chaos Emerald. Shadow's eyes are wide, and he can feel the energy from the emerald. "I found this laying around in my lab, and I thought I would give it to her."
"But, professor, that's the...Chaos Emerald." Shadow said. "Why would you give her something that was more valuable?"
"I have to give it to her, Shadow. It can...protect her from anything." Gerald said. "It's very important. This is the only emerald I have, Shadow. I don't know where the last six are." He closed the box and put it in his pocket. "This is between you and me, Shadow."
"Of course." Shadow said. "And...should I...get her something, professor?"
"Oh, Shadow. You've done enough already. You made this party happen, and Maria would like it." Gerald said with a smile. Shadow is silent for a moment. Mardic started to put the ornaments up in the tree. Gerald came over to help him, and Shadow looked through the box and found a silver star for the top.
"Hey, you still gonna put that up for us?" Mardic asked by turning to the black hedgehog. Shadow smiled and uses his shoes fly up to the top of the tree and set the star up. He comes down and look straight up. Mardic and Gerald smiled at the sight. "Wow. Nice and straight." Mardic commented.
"Let's finish the tree." Gerald said. "Shadow, could you help us for the top parts?" Shadow nodded and took the box and fly up to the top to put the ornaments on. Everyone else came over with a ladder to help out. They are setting up the lights, candy canes, everything on the tree. Shadow came down and step away to see the good view. The tree was complete. Maria will love this.
"It's perfect." Mardic said. "I never thought I could see a tree like this in a long time."
"Everything was set for tomorrow." Gerald said. "But the food was be baked and cooked tomorrow since it's still a little early." Shadow nodded.
"Let's make sure Maria doesn't come in here." Mardic said.
"Don't worry. I will lock this grand hall until then." Gerald said. "And we all have to dress up for the party, and Shadow, I have something for you to wear, but I will show you tonight. Rest up. You've been working all day with this." Shadow left the grand hall and wander down the corridors. He hasn't seen Maria since this morning. Wonder what she's been up to?
In the escape pod room, Maria is sitting on the chair against the wall, reading a book. Her eyes wander over to the window to see the Earth. She was thinking of the people are ready for Christmas and play in the snow.
"Maria?" Shadow's voice asked. Maria turned to see him coming in. "You alright?"
"Yes. Why wouldn't I be?" Maria asked with a smile. "Where've you been all day? I haven't seen you since this morning."
"I was roaming around the ARK." Shadow lied. "But, then, I come here to see you." Maria giggled.
"Must be nice to run free." She said. "Feel the wind, energy running through you, everything." Shadow smirked. Why not experience it now? Shadow took her hand to drag her out of the room. "Shadow? Where are we going?"
"You'll see." Shadow replied. They left the room. Shadow took her to the corridors. He turned and have Maria's arms wrapped around his neck.
"Shadow..."
"Why not feel the rush right now?" Shadow asked with a smile. "Hang on tight. I'm gonna go really fast." Maria started to smile and set her knees on each side of Shadow's sides, and he held her thighs to hold her. Shadow fires up his shoes and skate off in full speed. Maria's hair was flying behind her, and she opened her eyes to see how fast Shadow is skating through the corridors.
'So this is what it's like.' Maria thought. Then they head outside and Shadow started to jump on the rails, gaining his balance, holding Maria tight. Maria looks down and see nothing but space.
"Don't look down, Maria. Keep your eyes straight." Shadow told her. Maria turned back to face the front.
"You're not gonna drop me, are you?" She asked. Shadow could tell she was nervous.
"I won't. I got you. Just hold on tight." He said. They slide through the rails and Shadow jumped on the platform and skate off down the halls and found a computer room ahead of them. Shadow slows down and Maria sat on the floor, panting.
"That was...that was...amazing!" She exclaimed. "I never...I never thought you could be so fast with those shoes." Shadow chuckled.
"How do you think I can take you the nursing room in seconds while you were poisoned?" He asked. Maria giggled. She was about to stand until she felt a pain in her chest. She grunted and got on her knees, using one hand on the floor, the other over her chest. Shadow came over to her in worry. "Maria?"
"Sh-Shadow...my...my heart..." Maria said. "...Take me...to Martha." Instantly, Shadow picked her up and skate off to get the nursing room. Maria grunts in Shadow's arms, holding her chest. She's in pain.
"Hang in there." Shadow said, trying to remain calm.
"Oh god, this hurts..." Maria whimpered. "Shadow..."
"Hang on." Shadow told her, skating through the corridors. But, Maria told him to stop skating and put her down to the floor. Shadow did and watched Maria in worry. Maria panted hard, holding her chest, grunting. "Maria, I have to take you to the nursing room." Shadow said.
"I..." Maria spoke. She puts her hand over her nose. "Shadow, stand back..."
"Huh?" Shadow blinked at her and then...
"AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Maria screamed as the blood flows out of her nose like a fountain. Shadow's eyes grew wide. Was that a nosebleed? Blood is all over the floors and the walls. Everywhere.
'What the hell...?' Shadow thought in shock. Maria was trembling on the floor, tears falling from her eyes, and her face is red. She was embarrassed. Her nosebleed in front of Shadow. They are both silent for a long minute. Shadow couldn't think or speak, but he was so worried about Maria. That was a lot of blood.
"Maria..." He spoke. "Are you-"
"Shadow..." Maria said. "I'm so sorry."
"Huh? But, are you okay? There's blood everywhere, and you need to see the nurse right now." Shadow said, about to pick her up, not caring if the blood will be on him. He got her in his arms and skate off to get her to the nursing room. Maria kept her hands over her nose to stop the bleeding.
"Nosebleed?" Gerald asked in shock. "How bad was it?"
"I...well..." Shadow was trying to describe it. Seems like Gerald has been through this before. "Her blood was like a fountain. It's on the floor, and on the walls. Everywhere, and I mean, everywhere. But...Maria is fine now. Right?" Shadow said. Gerald turned back to see Maria in the bed, sleeping for now since she lost some of her blood.
"One of the side effects, Shadow." He said. "You see, when Maria's heart increases, she can feel so much pain, and the blood will start pumping and comes out of her." Shadow shuts his eyes in shame.
"I'm so sorry, professor. I...wasn't aware of that part. I guess Maria can't take too much excitement then." He said.
"It's not your fault, Shadow. Things do happen, but just be more careful around her next time." Gerald said by patting Shadow's shoulder. "But, she will be fine for tomorrow." Shadow nodded. He looks at Maria and came over to her side. He held her hand. She's warm, which is good for her.
"I'm sorry, Maria." He said. "I will be more careful next time, but I do glad you enjoy the speed." Gerald smiled at the sight. By the doorway, Abraham watched from the beginning. He was about to see Maria after what happened, but Shadow was there of course. The boy glared as he watched the black hedgehog stroking Maria's hand gently.
"He could've killed her. I knew that creature was trouble..." Abraham said to himself. "I don't know why Maria was so into him. That hedgehog is no hero!"