Shadow's Side

I ran out of Sonic's house after I…hurt him. I didn't run in the open street, but back roads. I didn't know where I was going. I needed to be alone. Home would probably work…no. Too many memories. I couldn't go to the hospital, not with all those people there. I got it!

I turned around and slowed down. I remember there being an abandoned building. I didn't know what it used to be. Church, school, hospital, jail, or hell, even a psychiatric ward. I didn't know, but it was abandoned.

Walking, it'd probably take me about a little over an hour. That was fine by me. I was in no hurry. I needed to think.

I remember Sonic telling me he knew what happened, and our makeout session. That put a little smile on my face. But then it quickly faded. He'd probably never want to do that again, not after this. I remember waking up with him on the phone. He said it was Manic, and they'd be home soon. He said he'd never cheat on me…

…then nothing. It was like someone hit me in the back of the head. I blacked out. Although…I remember hearing Eggman's voice. He said that Sonic didn't love me, that he loved Knuckles. Then I…woke up. Sonic was bloody on the floor, well technically inside a wall. I had my fist about 3 inches from his face. Manic was holding Sonia by the opposite wall, at least not in the wall. Manic came over, and I ran out.

So what the hell happened? I apparently beat up sonic, and when Sonia tried to stop me, I hit her too. I continued to beat up Sonic…I remember him telling me that he loved me, not knuckles. That Knuckles hated him too…then I woke up…

Why the hell did I hear Eggman's voice in my head? That doesn't make any sense! Things were not getting any clearer. I didn't know anything I didn't know before.

I passed the cemetery on my way to my abandoned palace…that's it! That's going to be the new name, My Abandoned Palace. I walked through the gates of the cemetery to my mother's grave. Once there, I knelt down and began crying.

"Mother…mom…I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I wasn't the perfect son, that I couldn't protect her…Winter, I mean. I tried…I really did! Is that why Father tortured me, why he made me miserable? Everyday was the same thing mom. He'd beat me, he'd cut me…he'd rape me! You never stopped him!" I broke down then. I let all the fear, sadness, and misery consume me. I lay there, next to my mother's grave, crying, and screaming.

"Shad? Is that you?" I suddenly heard a familiar voice say. I looked up…and saw Rouge leaning over me. She began rubbing my arms, and back. I sat up and pulled her towards me, not for a kiss, but a much needed hug. She didn't try fighting.

I held onto her, whispering her name over and over again. She didn't ask questions, not yet. She just held me close, rubbing my back and head quills. The tears slowed, eventually, while we were sitting here, holding each other. This is when Rouge decided was a good idea to start questions.

"Shad, baby? What happened? Did you do something?" She didn't pull away, but I could imagine the expression on her face from her voice, filled with worry and concern.

"I…I…love Sonic…don't say anything, just let me finish." I took a breath and continued, fighting off the tears. "I was asleep at Sonic's house, after I came and saw you. I woke up, and Sonic and I…admitted we loved each other…passionately. We fell asleep in each other's arms. Sonic woke up to Manic and Sonia calling, don't ask right now." She nodded, and I continued. "I woke up to him talking on the phone. He told me it was Manic, that he loves me, and he'd never cheat on him…then I blacked out. I-"

"What? You blacked out?"

"Yeah, like someone hit me in the back of the head, and I blacked out. I remember hearing Eggman's voice in my head, saying that Sonic loved Knuckles, that he only used me for his own pleasures. I didn't believe him…but why did I hurt Sonic? I remember Sonic saying that he loves me, that Knuckles and him hate each other. That's when I…woke up. I asked him what happened. These were the exact words he said: 'You mean you don't fucking remember? You twisted my arm at the front door, then you threw me into a wall, then you were beating me up, practically everywhere. After that, you said that I loved Knuckles. That I never loved you, and I only used you for my own pleasures. Oh, and you hit my sister in the FUCKING FACE!'" I burst into tears again. How could I do that to him? It was Sonic, the one that I love.

I realized that Rouge was silent. She was also stiff.

"Rouge?" I asked in a strangled voice. I waited a while…no reply. I grabbed her shoulder's and pulled away, so that she was facing me.

I wish I hadn't. Her eyes were wide, full of fear, shock, anger, disbelief…Her mouth was open just the littlest bit.

"Rouge?" I asked again, in a very worried voice. Was she alright? Did I hurt her, mentally? Did I do something wrong…again?

"Shadow? You- you remember hearing Eggman's voice in you head, while you…."

"Yeah. He said Sonic didn't love me and he was only using me for his own pleasures. Why do you ask?"

"Maybe we should give Eggy a visit. What do you think? We need answers, so you don't do this again. To Sonic, or anybody else." She said the last part with fear.

"Yeah. I think that's a really good idea. Thanks Rouge." She smiled the tiniest bit. "Um, Rouge? Are you- are you alright? Did I…did I do something wrong again? Did I hurt you somehow?"

"What? No, I'm fine, just worried and a little…ok, just a little freaked out, but I'm fine. It's alright Shad. We're gonna find out what the hell happened, and why." She stroked my head quills, and pulled me in for a hug.

"Thanks Rouge. I believe in you…how did you get out of the hospital?" I asked her suddenly.

"HA! That's a fun but long story." I could hear the smile in her voice.

"I…we have time" I also smiled. Something to get my mind off things…

This should be interesting…