I woke the next morning to the sun's blinding rays shining through the leaves of the tree I was perched in. I moaned and turned my head out of the light 'til my eyes adjusted to the morning light. Scanning my surroundings I found it deserted other than the occasional chirping songbirds.
Jumping down I stumbled forward slightly, pain coursing through my legs and back at the wounds from the previous night. Damn that lunge whip I cursed recalling the tigers deathly blows he landed on my back and calves the previous night. No doubt they would scar. Shaking it off I limped over to the path home and began my excruciating journey home.
hours later
"OW! F*cking thorns!" I swore loudly. I was stuck. My clothes were in tatters and I had more cuts thanks to mother natures nails, aka thorns, digging into my raw flesh. I growled in pain as I tried to grab hold of a branch and pry it away from my skin. IT STUNG LIKE A MOTHER F*CKER! I winced painfully and continued to pull at the pricks (no pun intended) attatched to my stomach. Being totally surrounded and covered in the little buggers sucked.
I sighed exhaustedly and just lay there for a moment. I wasn't too far from the mansion so perhaps if one of the guys were out running or walking they would stumble upon my location and help me out. I'm sure your thinking why dont I just scream for help. Well what good will that do when it's highly unlikely that anyone will hear me and that someone not so friendly will find me. Closing my eyes I listened to the sounds around me. Water gushing down a stream...anilmals in bushes...twigs snapping rappidly in sync...foot beats...wait a minute...*gasp* someones coming my way! I calculated. Lying in wait I stared out into the opening where I suspected my suspect to appear. Past some bushes and trees came a shadow, it's rapid pace slowing as it came closer until it was several feet away at the border of shade and light. I peered at its face, looking for any hint as to who or what it is. It seems farmilliar...c'mon just step into the light so I can see you...yeah just a little closer.. oh...
"Hey Shadow! Down here! Little help please?" I said loud enough for him to notice me. He looked down at me in hidden shock. Walking confidently over 'til he was just infront of me he crouched down, kneeling on one knee.
"What happened?" he asked with worry in his eyes.
"Um...dangerous wandering...hard time getting back home...trapped by mother natures evil clutches...So how are you?" I asked casually, as if I wasnt being contained by nettles and in emence pain. Straightening up he examined the state and position I was in.
"It will take a great deal of pain and time to get them off you" he studied; "though if you're willing to, I could chaos control us back to the house. It'll hurt and you'll have loads of thorns stuck in you but you won't be trapped underneath this mess" he explainedgesturing to the thorn buh I was ensnared under. I pondered this over quickly and decided it was my best option.
"Go ahead" I choked, closing my eyes tightly in preparation of the pain that awaited me. He pulled out a chaos emerald and grabbed my arm.
"Before you chaos control us, will you do it so that we're in my room? I don't wanna face everyone at once until I fix myself" I blushed remembering that my clothes were tattered nodded without questions and shouted "Chaos Control!".
I bit my lip so hard I drew blood. The pain I felt was unbearable, like needles being stuck into every inch of me and being ripped out one by one. When the bright light cleared I was lying on my bed, stomach down looking in Shadows direction. I was too dizzy to notice his slight blush at my appearance as he walked off to retrieve bandages and that really sore spray they put on cuts to disinfect them. Pushing myself back on my haunches I began picking the thorns out carefully yet quickly. I got all of them except the ones on my back which I couldn't reach. Shadow walked in and set the supplies on the bedside locker.
"Um I can't get the ones on my back"I said shyly, gluing my eyes to the duvet. He nodded stifly and motioned for me to lie down again. I did and he began plucking out the final pricks from my back. Man his hands are warm!
When he finished he sat back.
"Go wash yourself. When you come back I'll put your bandages on" he ordered quietly. I nodded and slowly glided oved to my closet, pulling ou loose short clothes and headed off to take a quick shower.
I came back smelling of water lillies and jasmine tea leaves. Shadow began bandaging up my arms and legs. Then he got me to turn my back to him while he did my back. At least he respects certain bounadries I thought as I pulled my shirt back down when he was done. I checked my watch to see it was 5 o'clock.
"Wanna go get something to eat?" I asked pulling a hoodie over me to hide my arms. He simply opened the door and lead the way to the kitchen where we grabbed some food. Sitting in the sitting room we were joined by Tails and Knuckles who started to play on the game console. We each took turns, no one questioning where I had disappeared to which by the look on their faces I'm sure they wanted to know but wouldn't ask. For that I was thankful.
As the night flew by my eyes became heavy and I fell asleep on the couch. I woke vaguely to see red and black stripes disappear through my bedroom door, closing it silently after them as I snuggled into my bed and fell sound asleep.