A Sonic Christmas

Part Eleven

The storm outside had finally died down and the cabin was fairly quiet. Many snowflakes continued their way to the ground. The onyx black sky had, by then, brightened into a deep silver; indicating that the sun was rising. The sun's light shimmered in through the windows of the cabin. Sonic's eyes shot open as he woke up in shock. He sat up and looked out the window to see the sun had risen. A look of relief was on his face as he looked around. Just as he laid down again; he suddenly sat up quickly as horrible thought came to his mind. At that moment, Sonic he felt his blood run cold. Quickly, he rose out of bed, and ran to check the room across the hall. Sonic rushed into the room; stopping in the doorway. Knuckles still laid beneath the thick blankets. He was still a bit pale and had stopped shivering. His breathing was less shallow and not as labored as it had been hours ago. Sonic slowly approached him. "Knuckles?" He said loudly, hoping to wake him. Knuckles didn't move from his current position.

"Knuckles!" He repeated, this time louder and reaching out; but stopped himself as he saw that the young echidna did not seem to be breathing.

Knuckles remained where he was; not seeming to respond to anything. Minutes went by and Knuckles hadn't so much as stirred.

"Knuckles?" Sonic tried again; this time more quiet.

After a few more moments, Sonic hung his head in sadness and grief; closing his eyes. Sonic turned away; pain and sorrow beginning to consume him. 'How am I going to tell the others?' He thought; hopelessness filling his mind. At the thought of the news he would have to give, Sonic closed his eyes as a stray tear soon slipped down his face.

"Knuckles..." He whispered; not turning to face his motionless friend.

The faint light from outside glittered in through the window near the bed; shimmering onto the blankets. Becoming brighter, the glimmer of light bathed Knuckles' fur in a colorless glow. Knuckles soon began to stir; clenching his eyes tightly before opening them slowly. He blinked a few times before turning his head to the side; where he saw a blue figure near the bed; its back facing him.

"Sonic?" He asked; his voice a bit dry.

Sonic's body soon became tense as he heard his name being said. His eyes shot open before turning around; stepping back a bit at the sight before him. Knuckles was staring back at him; a bit confused. The two of them stared for a moment before Knuckles sat up slowly; wincing a bit as he did so.

"What happened?" He questioned. Sonic didn't answer, but after a moment, he smiled as a fresh tear slid down his cheek. Feeling it falling, Sonic turned away quickly as Knuckles watched him in bewilderment.

"Sonic... Are you... Crying?" He asked, quietly; a bit incredulously.

Sonic froze; but soon wiped his eyes before turning around.

"No." He replied, defensively.

"It sure looked like it." Knuckles persuaded; a smug look on his face.

"Can we just drop it?" Sonic asked; becoming embarrassed and annoyed all at once.

"Okay, okay." Knuckles laughed.

He looked down at his gloveless hands before flexing his fingers; which were still a bit sore. He soon began to stretch his legs; wincing as they still felt a bit stiff. Knuckles still felt a bit rigid from what he had gone through the day before and the whole night. After a moment, he got to his feet; his legs buckling slightly as he stood up.

"Can you walk okay?" Sonic asked; a bit concerned as he helped steady his friend.

"Yeah, my legs are still a little sore; but I'll be fine." Knuckles replied, smiling a bit.

With Sonic's help, Knuckles soon left the room.