Chapter 52

Scourge's Story

Finally, after an admittedly long walk through the forest the path branched out into the deep sand on the edge of the lake and, there, sitting on a log facing the zaffre lake was the silhouette of somebody waiting for him. As Silver drew closer the person spoke and his voice was instantly recognizable.

"Chaos, finally. I was about to give up and leave," Scourge complained as he turned from the log he was sitting on beside the zaffre lake. His piercing blue eyes studied Silver as the hedgehog drew closer under the showering moonlight.

"Scourge? Why did you want to meet me out here so late?" Silver asked.

"I thought about it and you're right. We used to be best friends and I haven't exactly been fair to you since I came back into your life. You deserve some answers."

"Damn right I do."

"Well, take a seat," Scourge patted the space on the log beside him. Silver took a seat and waited for Scourge to speak again but he said nothing. His eyes were distant, unsure and glazed over as they studied the still lake. He leant over to grab the bottle of spiced rum and broke the seal. He took a sizable swig and offered the bottle of brown liquid to Silver. He shook his head.

"Scourge… why did you really call me out here if you didn't want to talk?" Scourge inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.

"Silver. I think it's about time I told you everything. I at least owe you that much. You see, the truth is, everything changed the day we went to that Space Fight convention – the night I showed up at your door…"

I guess I should start at the beginning. Not the night I showed up at Silver's door, but before that. Back to when I was a child. It first started when I was nine years old. Dad had an addictive personality. He'd often go down to the pokies on Thursday nights or go down to bet on the footy games. He'd be furious and drunk whenever his team lost.

I can still recall several nights when he'd bust open the door at two in the morning. I'd tiptoe to my door and peer through the crack to see him hit my mother for trying to calm him down. My heart broke for her. I loved her. She was my world and I was her little space man. She was the single most important thing in my life. We shared everything – I was quite the mummy's boy. That's why it was so painful hearing her take the abuse from my father. I can't even count the amount of nights I cried myself to sleep silently with the fear that he'd hear me and hit me too. I was too scared to stand up to him. I was terrified of him. I'd often hide from my fears in my hobbies. My toys, my school work, my books and cartoons but, most importantly, in the stars.

I loved space from a young age. I always wished I could just fly away from my father and live amongst the stars but every morning I woke up in my bed, on earth, my tears from the night before still staining my eyes. I guess that's why I fell in love with Space Fight. It had everything I loved. Action, adventure in space and, most importantly, a boy who had the same dream as me – to run away to the stars. He achieved his dream and became the most important man in the universe. A hero that saved people like my mother. I never could.

Then, on my tenth birthday things changed. I guess dad thought it was a sign so he went to the races and bet his entire month's salary on horse number ten. It lost. I remember the night so vividly. It was a clear, warm summer night and dad stormed home around eleven at night. The sound of the door slamming closed aroused me and, like usual, I tiptoed to the door and watched in horror.

"Where is he?" my father growled.

"He's asleep in his room," my mother replied. He pushed past her groggily and stomped towards my bedroom. I was about to dive under my bed to hide when my mother jumped between him and my door. "Don't do this."

"Move out of the way!" he hissed.

"Don't take your anger out on the boy."

"It's his fault. He made me bet on number ten. He made me lose a month's wages!"

"It's not his fault!"

"I said move!" The putrid stench of alcohol still wafted on his breath and stung my mother's eyes but she refused to budge. She didn't move a muscle.

"No," she dared. My father raised his hand and slapped her across the face. She still didn't move. He hit her again and again and again. She erupted into tears – so did I – but still she stayed between him and the door. Still, despite the relentless thrashing he gave her, she protected me from him. Eventually he got tired.

"Fine. Protect the maggot for all I care. Don't expect me to buy him any food for the next month, though," my father grumbled as he marched off to bed without another word.

"Mum?" I whispered through the door, tears running down my cheeks. "Is he gone?"

"Scourge… sweetie… go back to bed," my mother choked through raspy breathes as she fought through her own pain and exhaustion.

"Mum. Are you okay?" I asked as I inspected the bruises he had inflicted upon her.

"Scourge… please…" she begged but I wouldn't budge. She couldn't hold her tears in front of me and burst into an uncontrollable mess. I knelt down beside her and hugged her. I didn't want to let go. I wanted to protect her the way she protected me. We stayed like that for what felt like hours. Me and her, together on the floor outside my room. Finally, she gathered herself and pulled something out of her back pocket.

"What's that, mum?" I asked. Her bruised hands shook.

"It's for you," she said as she handed me a black envelope with white speckled dots adorning it. "Open it." Slowly I tore it open to reveal a piece of paper with big font running across the top – Welcome to Space Camp.

"Are… are you serious?"

"I wanted to surprise you in the morning," my mother said. Now that your finally ten you're old enough to attend that space camp you've been talking about for years. It cost me my yearly bonus but I wanted you to be happy.

"But mum… I can't leave you alone with him. Not now."

"Don't worry about me, my little space man. This is a big birthday and I want you to enjoy it. Enjoy a week away and I'll be here when you get back."

"But mum, I–"

"No, I'll be fine. Just have fun at camp and I'll be happy for you. Remember, even when the world seems its darkest and everything has turned against you, smile through it. Stay strong, be brave and never let people see you at your weakest."

"Okay mum, I love you."

"I love you, too, my little space man," she smiled through he broken face. The next week I was off to space camp. That was when I had the best week of my life. That was when I met Silver the Hedgehog; Silvs – my best friend.

"That was when I met you," Scourge said as he turned to look again at Silver after recounting his story through a stagnant stare across the lake.

"I… I never knew," Silver whispered.

"I never told you," Scourge shrugged.

"But how come you always seemed so happy, optimistic and carefree when we hung out?"

"Because mum told me to be. Why did you think we always had sleep overs at your house? Did you ever wonder why we never did at mine?"

"Because of your dad?"

"Bingo."

It was a lazy Sunday morning for the students of Mobius High's Emerald Lake campus. Most snoozed through the morning cocooned in their warm blankets, blinds drawn to block out the dreary atmosphere that had descended with the wind. Dark clouds blanketed the heavens and brought with it buckets of rain that doused the grounds.

"I guess we couldn't expect the good weather to last forever," Julie shrugged as she closed her umbrella, shook of the droplets that clung to the material and deposited it in the umbrella stand beside the door to the common room.

"Yeah, but I still don't understand why we couldn't have just waited until after it let up," Knuckles complained.

"Because you know I get cranky if I don't get my morning coffee," Julie laughed as she blew on the billowing drink and took a greedy sip.

"Hey, did you guys get me my mocha?" Manic asked from his spot on one of the couches that littered the common room.

"We got you, bro," Knuckles said as he handed Manic the coffee and took a seat beside him. Julie decided to pull up a beanbag and drop it on the floor in front of the couch and made herself comfortable. They were the only three lounging in the common room that morning. Everybody else was either at Emerald Café or still in their dorm rooms.

"So, Knux, a little birdie told me that you and Sonia have been getting pretty close," Manic taunted playfully.

"Was that little birdie Sonia?"

"I'll never tell," Manic grinned. Knuckles could feel the blush on his face.

"Was it? Did she say we were getting close? Were those her exact words?" Knuckles fired a bunch of questions without pause. Manic only laughed in response.

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you've got a little crush on Sonia," Julie joined in with a giggle.

"I do not. We're just friends is all."

"Sure," Julie rolled her eyes.

"Hey, if you need my blessing I'm totally cool with it. Besides, you do always end up dating sisters, don't you?" Julie and Knuckles both scowled at him. "Sorry, that joke was poor taste. My bad."

"Yes. Your bad," Knuckles grumbled.

"Speaking of girls," Julie wanted to turn the conversation around on Manic to get some revenge. "I've heard rumblings of you and Amy."

"Puh-lease, that's long dead."

"Really? What happened? Did you feel guilty because she was technically dating Sonic when you first fucked her?" Knuckles added unhelpfully.

"Dude…"

"That was for that sister joke."

"Fair."

"Wait, what? That's when you and Amy first started seeing each other? I heard about you guys sleeping around at Elias' party but I didn't think it was that serious," Julie gasped.

"Well, whatever it was she screwed up. After Mina I'm done letting girls mess around with my emotions. I don't want to see that girl again," Manic complained.

"I might not be close with Amy or anything," Julie prefaced, "but I think she still likes you."

"Yeah. She knows she messed up, but I think she wants to talk to you about it."

"She already has," Manic said.

"And what did you say?"

"I said I wanted nothing to do with her. Then she asked if we could still be friends or some bullshit so I blocked her number." Knuckles and Julie both scowled at him again.

"You're an idiot," Julie said plainly.

"What?"

"She's right. I know she might have said some dumb stuff at the party but that doesn't mean you should cut her out of her life. I know Amy. She's quite blunt. If she is trying hard to be friends, I think it means she genuinely wants to be friends. Why don't you give her a chance?" Knuckles said.

"Why should I?" Manic continued to dodge the questions.

"Because she's trying to make amends. I think you of all people should be able to give her a second chance," Julie added.

"Why me?"

"Because every time you've given somebody a second chance it's worked out for you. Think about it. If you hadn't accepted Sonic then you and him wouldn't have a good relationship now. Also, you and I had a pretty big fight, twice, but we kept give each other more chances because we're best friends."

"We're best friends?" That took Manic by surprise.

"Yeah, we are. And as your best friend I can tell you that Amy is messing with you. Just hear her out and give her a chance. If she tries anything or proves to you that she isn't worth it then you can cut her out of your life. But you never gave her a chance at friendship when a relationship didn't work."

"Knuckles is right, Manic. It can't hurt," Julie shrugged.

"I guess," Manic sighed as he fished out his phone, took a sip of his mocha and flicked through his contacts until he found her name.

Manic: Hey. Can we meet up? I think we should talk.

The raucous laughter of little Max Flowlight radiated through the room like the sun, excusing its absence. He had just been fed, changed as was crawling around the room giggling at little stuffed animals that Sonia and Sally threw to each other.

"He's so cute," Sonia said adoringly.

"Especially when he isn't crying," Sally pointed out.

"I'm sorry about last night. I don't know what was wrong with him," Lumina apologized for her child's behaviour the night before. Long through the night Max was crying and Lumina had spent tireless hours trying to quiet him down. Around three in the morning Fiona had lost it, shouted profanities and stormed out.

"It's okay. I might not know anything about raising a child but I understand how hard this is and we both want you to know that we are here for you," Sally offered sympathetically.

"Yeah, and besides, it's good practice. Seeing little Maxy just makes me happy that I've been blessed with this bundle of joy," Sonia rubbed her bloated stomach. "For the first time I'm actually happy that I'm pregnant."

"It's hard, and tiring, and it'll make you want to tear your hair out – no pun intended," Lumina smirked as she scratched her bare scalp. "But it's worth it. Just seeing his little face smile up at me… I know it makes all the heartache worth it. When you have your baby, I'll be there to help you if you would like."

"I'd like that, Lumina," Sonia smiled. "I'm glad you ended up in this room. Maybe our children could have a play date some time."

"I'd like that."

"Do you know the gender?" Sally asked.

"She's a girl. I'm still not sure on the name but I have a few ideas," Sonia mused.

"That's so cute. Maybe in fifteen years' time they'll be boarding at this school together," Sally laughed. "They might even be dating."

"Let's not talk about that just yet. She isn't even born."

"I'd support him if he ended up with your daughter, Sonia. Because I'd know that his girlfriend comes from good crop."

"Thanks," Sonia smiled, the two mothers finding new found respect for each other over the recent week.

"Alright, that's it!" Fiona shouted as she slammed open the door with a loud bang. The noise frightened little max and he instantly burst out into tears. Lumina flocked to her child on instinct and glowered at Fiona.

"Put him down. We need to talk."

"You can talk to her right here," Sally stood between the two.

"No, it's okay," Lumina sighed when she noticed the anguish behind Fiona's hollow eyes. She gave Max to Sonia. "Can you look after him for a moment?"

"Of course." Lumina kissed Max on the head and followed Fiona out into the hallway.

"What's this all about, Fiona?"

"I have a P.I. I had to make a few deals with my overbearing demon of a mother to use his services but I've been putting him to good use."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"Well originally I was using him to dig up dirt on Rouge to get back at her and Scourge but I've decided to change his objective. I've hired him to go find that son of a bitch Void," Fiona explained.

"Void? Why?"

"Because you deserve to find him. He has to answer to his life and not just run away from it like a coward." Lumina smiled and flung her arms around Fiona in a surprise hug that took the vixen off guard. Hesitantly she gave a tentative squeeze back before breaking contact.

"Thanks Fiona."

"Don't thank me. I'm not doing this for you, I'm only doing this because I want to be able to sleep at night and I can't do that with all that crying!"

"Alright Fiona, alright," Lumina smiled again before she slipped back into the dorm room to hug her baby. Fiona smiled at her back, her gaze flicking behind Lumina to little Max giggling again in Sonia's arms.

It was the day of the big convention. Silver and I spent the whole laughing, playing and experiencing everything on offer. His dad dropped me home that night and we said our goodbyes, promising that we'd catch up before school started back up on Monday – our first day of our final year at middle school.

I spent hours telling mum about all the exciting things me and Silver did and she was so happy for me. She decided that next year she was going to personally take me and Silver with her.

"You promise?"

"Of course, my little space man," she laughed as she kissed my forehead goodnight. She carefully removed my glasses and placed them on my bedside table. "I love you," she whispered as she left my room and I drifted off to sleep. However, it didn't last long.

To this day I still don't know what had him so mad. Did he lose money? Did he get in a fight? Did somebody do something to him? I don't know, but that night he was different. I still remember the fire he had in his furious eyes. It was hellfire.

I awoke to glass breaking and my mother screaming. I don't know how long they had been arguing but the sound was deafening.

"Be quiet or you'll wake Scourge," my mother said, her voice wavering slightly. I threw on my glasses and ran towards the door but I couldn't see the kitchen from my bedroom.

"You always defend that little faggot, don't you," my father growled.

"Darling, please, put the glass down," my mother begged. That got my attention. I pushed open the door and hastened down the hallway and peered around the corner. They were in the kitchen, standing on our black and white tiles.

"You need to wake up and see what our son is becoming. You're encouraging that nerd shit. He's a loser! A freak! He only has one friend and it's that gay little silver hedgehog from down the street."

"Silver is a lovely boy."

"Don't you see what's happening? He's pushing all that space shit on our son."

"He's equally excited for a nice hobby that could lead to our son becoming a famous astronaut," my mother defended.

"He's turning our son into a nerd, a loser, a nobody and a fag. Who knows what that freak is doing with our son behind closed doors."

"Listen to yourself. Scourge is not a nerd, he's not a loser and whether he is or isn't gay is none of our concern. We're his parents and we need to support him in all his endeavors."

"He's a little shit that doesn't nothing but use up my money and jinx my bets. You've protected him long enough. It's time I showed him what life's really like," my father threatened as he brandished the jagged, broken half of an empty beer bottle that he'd smashed across the kitchen counter.

"You won't take another step," my mother countered. That's when his eyes flicked beside her and met mine. I saw the fires of hell in his eyes. He snarled and I screamed. "Scourge?" My mother screamed.

"Mum?"

"Come here right now," my father growled as he stumbled towards me, clearly intoxicated. He was frothing at the mouth. He pushed my mother aside and she slammed into the fridge. I yelled and tried to run but he grabbed he wrist forcefully and dragged me back into the kitchen.

"Take your hands off him!" My mother yelled. I struggled against him but he was too strong.

"See how weak he is? See what you've been nurturing?" my father spat on me as I tried desperately and fruitlessly to break free of his grip. "Let's give him a bit of character." With a crazed glint in his eye he reeled back and sliced at me with the jagged glass. He slashed a deep cut across my chest. It ripped my white tee-shirt and took a deep chunk of flesh out of my stomach. I wailed in pain but he wasn't done. He did it again and again, all three to my stomach. I almost passed out from the pain.

"Enough!" My mother screamed as he reeled back to slash me again. She ripped me free of his grasp and pushed me aside, stepping between me and my father. He was too slow to stop and the glass plunged deep into her the left side of her chest – right into her heart.

"I'm sorry, my little space man," she whispered as she looked at me, tears in her eyes. She fell to the floor with a thud and life left her body. Her death was quick.

"M-M-Mum?" I babbled. I fought through the pain that inflicted my body as I crawled over to her body. She was hunched in a pool of blood – both hers and mine.

"Look what you made me do!" My father yelled, freaking out slightly. He trembled but blamed me. "You've ruined everything, like you always do!" He picked me up by the scruff of my neck and sent a barrage of punches into my unprotected face. The first one cracked my glasses and they fell to the floor beside my mother. The next couple bruised my face, broke my nose and my jaw, and blackened my eye.

"Shit!" That's when the realization hit him. He dropped me to the floor and rushed to the door. It slammed with a loud bang and, suddenly, everything went quiet. I couldn't believe what had just happened. I couldn't feel my face or my stomach and I was a mess, stained with blood and tears. I hobbled over and hugged my mum. I didn't know what to do or where to go. That's when I remembered where I felt safe; who I felt safe with.

I limped over to my room and grabbed a garbage bag and stuffed all my clothes into it. I ran out my door and down the street without looking back. I knew I had to get as far away from that house as possible in case he decided to come back and finish me off like he did to her.

"That's when I arrived at your house that night and the rest, as you know, is history," Scourge said.

"I… I never knew," Silver admitted. "I remember you talking to my parents and then I remember police all around our neighborhood. I knew your mum died but dad never told me that it was your father that killed her or did that to you."

"I asked him not to," Scourge answered solemnly. "We came up with a lie."

"You told me you were in a car crash and that's why you were beaten up and had scars."

"I thought you'd treat me differently or be scared of me if you knew the truth," Scourge admitted.

"I would never think differently of you, Scourge. You were my best friend," Silver admitted. "I lost my best friend and my girlfriend in the same year. You were all I had left and you left me, too."

"I'm sorry I left."

"Why did you leave me?" Silver asked, but Scourge simply took another swig of the rum and said nothing more for a long time.

"Absolutely not!" Razor screamed sternly, slamming his fist on his mahogany desk. This sudden outburst took Elias completely off guard. Usually Razor was calm, collected and agreed with anything the rich teenager asked for.

"It's just a little Halloween party," Elias defended his idea.

"Just a little party. Just a little party? Don't you remember what happened last party?" Razor asked rhetorically.

"It was an accident."

"Somebody died, Mr. Acorn. No. Sorry Elias, but I won't allow another party."

"Will I need to tell my parents to donate less money next year?" Elias tried his hand at bribery.

"For the last time my answer is no. I can't believe you are pushing this. I don't care about your parent's money. It's not worth another life on my hands."

"But… but…" Elias sighed. He knew pushing it was a bad idea. He just thought a party might be just the thing to lift the spirits of his fellow classmates, but Razor did have a point. Nothing but trouble had happened at his parties this year. First a girl had gotten pregnant and still has no idea who the father was, then a kid got killed in a hit and run. "I'm sorry, you're right."

"Thank you, Elias," Razor nodded. "Dismissed." Elias left with his head low. He just wanted to make people happy. It seemed nothing would lift everybody's dour spirits.

"Knock, knock," Spike sung out as he wracked his knuckles on the wooden door. A few moments past before a tired girl dressed in white and purple striped silk pajamas answered the door with a yawn.

"Oh, hey Spike, what are you doing here?" Breezie asked as she stretched her tired muscles. She combed her long nails through her messy, unkempt bed hair as she stepped aside to let him enter.

"Did you just wake up? It's, like, midday," Spike pointed out.

"Yeah, on a Sunday. Some of us need our beauty sleep, not that you'd know anything about that," Breezie jested playfully.

"True. I always just wake up this pretty."

"So, you never answered why you were here."

"Oh, well, about that," Spike began awkwardly, shuffling his feet on the ground.

"C'mon, spit it out, it's only me," Breezie laughed as she pushed him lightly on his chest. He stumbled backwards and fell backwards onto her bed. Breezie jumped down next to him and threw the blanket back over her legs.

"I finally got around to reading your history report. Y'know, the one you tried to trick me into writing for you…"

"Right… Again I'm super sorry about that. I was just stressed and dumb and I shouldn't have taken advantage of you like that and–"

"Breezie," Spike interrupted her. "This isn't about that whole situation. I've forgiven you for it, remember? Besides, it was partially my fault anyway. I should have been a better tutor and made sure you were learning and doing work too."

"So, if it's not about that then why did you bring it up?"

"I said I finally read it. And… it's really good. Like, really good. You even changed the parts that I wrote for you and everything."

"I felt guilty for copying your work. I wanted to show you that I did appreciate you helping me and actually did learn some of the things you taut me. I wanted to show you that I could do it myself and appreciated everything you did for me," Breezie said in earnest.

"I also saw the note you left for me after the conclusion." Breezie blushed. She'd completely forgotten about the sticky note she'd given him when she was at her lowest and he still detested her. "I thought it was really sweet and, well, you know I already forgive you, but I wanted to say it again. I forgive you, Breezie."

"Thanks, Spike. You don't realize how much that really means to me," Breezie smiled.

"I also…" Spike swallowed, suddenly nervous and slightly sweaty.

"Spike, you alright? You've gone pale." Spike whet his lips and spoke slowly.

"I also wanted to ask you if… well… maybe… if you wanted…"

"To go out with you?" Breezie finished his sentence for him when he lost his words. Spike stared at her and slowly nodded.

"I was going to say give us a try but, yeah," he whispered. Breezie smiled.

"Yes, I do," she said as she closed her eyes, tilted her head and leant in. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Breezie's lips touched Spike's like they'd done so many times in his dreams. They were just like he'd always imagined they'd taste like. Sweet, soft, perfect. "So, how was that?" Breezie asked when she pulled away and smiled at him. It melted his heart.

"Perfect," Spike breathed.

"You know, it's funny, really," Breezie said.

"Funny?"

"Oh, not the kiss, I'm just thinking. Last time a boy asked me out like that and we had a spontaneous kiss was right before I met you… with Silver."

"Silver…" The name rolled uncomfortably off Spike's tongue.

"It was the night my parents fled the city. I couldn't tell him. I couldn't tell anybody. It was after that night they transferred me here for my safety. It was after that night I met you," Breezie smiled.

"Your parents had to run? How come you never told me that?" Spike asked in surprise.

"It never really came up. Parents were never really something you and I talked about. You always avoided talking about your father and I never brought up my parents. My mother has been dead for a while now and my dad…" Breezie blinked back tears. "I got the call that he died the other day, too."

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that," Spike said sympathetically. "My mother died recently too." The new couple sat in silence for a while until Breezie took a deep breath and forced a smile on her face.

"Hey, at least we have each other now, right?" Breezie said as she pressed her lips against Spike's. He pushed back roughly and grinded his pelvis into hers, rubbing his hands over her back.

"And it's about time, too," Spike said.

"Spike, as much as I'd love to stay here all day in bed with you, I do have to get ready. I have a shift at the café in twenty minutes."

"But you only just woke up."

"I know. I always cut it close on my Sunday shifts," Breezie laughed. "You could always walk me to work, though, boyfriend," she winked. Spike felt a tingle through his body. He liked the sound of that.

"Alright, girlfriend, I will," the two laughed.

"You have to turn around, though. We aren't quite at the stage where you can see me naked… yet." Spike blushed and turned to give her privacy. As she changed, he spoke up. There was something still nagging him, itching the back of his brain. He knew he should have just ignored it but curiosity got the better of him.

"Breezie. You said that you came here because your parents had to flee and they didn't take you with them to keep you safe. Why did you have to flee? Why did they have to keep you safe?" Spike asked.

"Well… the truth is that dad made some bad investments and needed some money pretty bad. He borrowed a lot of money from the mafia and he couldn't pay them back. Their boss threatened them and so they had to flee the country but were scared they'd track them down, so they put me into boarding school far away," Breezie explained. Spike stood still, rigid. The colour drained from his face.

"The… the mafia? It can't be."

Sonic was struggling. He was fidgety, distracted and a cold sweat wracked his body. His eyes shifted and his body ached. He felt dizzy. He needed a fix. He didn't remember it being this hard to quit last time, although he didn't inject as much last time. His eyes kept flicking to the window – to the forest where he hid his final supply.

"It couldn't hurt to have just one more fix before I quit for good," Sonic told himself as he laced on his shoes and rushed to the door. However, when he wrenched it open he came face to face with Blaze, almost knocking her to the floor in his haste.

"Oh, hey Sonic. Glad to see you're here," Blaze answered with her fist still raised. She was about to knock when he opened the door. Sonic froze. He couldn't let her know he was struggling. He closed his eyes tight for a moment, willed his body to cooperate and put on his charming smile.

"Hey, I was just about to go get some food," Sonic lied.

"Oh, really? Mind if I come with you? I need to talk to you about something," Blaze asked. Sonic bit his lip. He wanted to make an excuse. He wanted to go to his supply, but he couldn't so no to Blaze.

"Of course," Sonic faked a smile as he closed the door behind him. "So, what did you need to talk to me about?" Sonic asked as they walked down the hallway. Sonic needed something to distract him. Anything.

"I didn't really want you to know but, well, I'd rather this come from Sally than you and I know she'll tell you sooner or later. The truth is… Fiona and I worked together to sabotage her energizer bars and fatten her up back when she was scared about losing weight," Blaze admitted. Sonic's jaw dropped.

"You what? How… how could you do a thing like that?"

"I wanted revenge. Silver, of all people, tried to tell me this wasn't the way but I was still so mad at him for cheating on me that it only pushed me towards the idea."

"As much as I hate to say it, Silver's right. Revenge is never the answer. There's always another way."

"But she put me in a coma, Sonic!" Blaze almost screamed as they descended the dormitory steps. "She burnt down our school and made us all come out here."

"It was an accident," Sonic defended.

"Still…"

"You can't keep doing bad things to people, deserved or otherwise," Sonic advised. "I know it can be tough, but you need to forgive her. Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do, but only then can we be free of our own demons."

"Forgiveness won't save me from my demons," Blaze sighed. "I don't know what's come over me, Sonic. It's like I've got this darkness growing inside of me. It's come out a lot more recently and… I'm scared." Sonic reached out and his fingers grazed Blaze's hand. She accepted the gesture and closed her hand in his as they walked.

"There's no darkness, Blaze," Sonic assured her. "You're one of the nicest people I know."

"But you don't know the real me lurking underneath. I'm afraid it might consume me and I might do something horrible." Sonic stopped in his tracks and turned to her.

"I won't let it," Sonic said as he placed his hands on her shoulders and stared deep into her pupils.

"But you don't know what it's capable of."

"But I know you."

"But Sonic, I–" Blaze was interrupted when Sonic let his instincts take over. He quickly closed the gap between their lips. Blaze was surprised for a second before she gave into the kiss, pushing back passionately against Sonic.

"I… I'm sorry," Sonic whispered when he pulled back.

"No, it's fine," Blaze said breathlessly. "I… I liked it."

The next few weeks I lived with Silver and his family. It was strange, having a family that seemed to love each other so much. His father worked a nine-to-five job and his mother worked weekends, but they both loved Silver and did anything for him. It was strange. I felt like an outsider.

After I recovered, went through some therapy and accepted the reality of my situation, I finally started going back to school with Silver. I got some looks, but nothing too bad. I slept in his room, played games with him and ate dinner each night with his family. To my surprise, life almost began to be… pleasant. I was quieter, I didn't smile as much and had completely lost my appetite but life became livable.

That was until one night during dinner when Silver began talking about a camping trip he wanted to go on with me to see the meteor shower that was set to dazzle our heavens in a week's time. His mother was enthusiastic and his father thought it was a wonderful idea. I didn't agree.

"Aren't you excited, Scourge?" Silver had asked me. I hid my face. "Scourge?"

"I don't know if I really want to go," I mumbled.

"Scourge, sweetie, is something wrong?" Silver's mother cooed.

"No. Nothing's wrong. I…" I trailed off. Silver's father noticed my behaviour.

"Darling, why don't you and Silver go take the dog for a walk?" his father said. His mother nodded and stood up.

"But I want to know why Scourge doesn't want to come," Silver whined, but his mother seized him, grabbed the dog's lead and marched out of the room.

"Scourge, is it your father? Has something happened recently? Your psychiatrist has told me you were making such good strides forward."

"I… I just. I haven't really thought about space fight or astrophysics or our love of the stars of anything like that until now," I admitted.

"And why is thinking about those things troubling you, son?" He asked. I felt a shiver run down my spine at the word. Son. It felt evil, somehow.

"I guess I just didn't want to think about that nerdy stuff anymore."

"It's not nerdy. I think it's pretty cool."

"My dad didn't think so. He used to call me a fag for liking it. He used to beat my mother because she encouraged my love of the universe and the stars." Silver's father seemed noticeably shaken but he gathered enough composure to pretend the news of his mother's beatings wasn't news to him.

"Well, your dad isn't here anymore. You're safe from him and in this house, you'll always be accepted no matter what interests you have," Silver's dad smiled.

That night I ran away. That night I took the few things I still owned and fled into the streets, where I spent the next few years. It finally made sense. I couldn't live in a place that let my nerdy side flourish. If I wasn't such a nerd then maybe I would have been able to stand up to dad that night. Maybe I'd have been stronger and been able to defend mum. Maybe she'd still be alive if I wasn't such a loser back then.

"But why did that make you run away that night?" Silver asked, still completely confused.

"I thought my nerdy side was being accepted," Scourge admitted.

"Of course it was," Silver smiled solemnly.

"I couldn't let myself continue to live like that. I needed to toughen up. I needed to leave my old life behind."

"Why?"

"Because of you."

"Me?"

"I loved you, Silver. You were my best friend. The best friend I'd ever had," Scourge said sadly. "After mum died you became the most important thing in my life and I was scared that dad would come back to find me and kill you, too. He was still out there, somewhere. I needed to get as far away from you as possible so you'd stay safe. I needed to get tougher and learn how to fight for myself."

"Scourge…" Silver sighed. "But… if you left back then, that leaves years between when you ran away and when I saw you back at the school at the start of the year. What did you do?"

"I lived on the streets," Scourge said surprisingly nonchalantly.

"How did you survive on the streets?" Silver asked, but as he did a small clash of thunder roared in the sky above.

"C'mon, it looks like it's about rain. We should call it a night," Scourge said as he held out his hand and felt the first drop of rain.

"But Scourge, I want to know why," Silver protested. "I need to know. I need to understand you."

"Let's head back. I'll tell you later."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

The small café tucked between two towering skyscrapers on a corner in the heart of Central City was buzzing. It was the colour of ripe supermarket lemons and had a shiny look. Sweet, soothing jazz poured out its open windows along with the aroma of freshly baked scones and roasted coffee beans.

If viewed in isolation, the patio which stretched outwards could be anywhere with its mahogany sheened hardwood floors, black wired chairs and tables each coupled with a verdant umbrella. It was on one of these circular tables that Cream sat at, hunched nervously as she sipped her coffee and kept her head on a constant swivel.

"Cream, nice to see you again," a stern, harsh voice pierced through the serenity of the café, coupled by the loud clicking of high-heels on the floorboards. Cream turned to the source of the noise.

"Hello, mother," Cream sighed.

"You could have chosen a closer place," Vanilla huffed as she shoved her rotund figure into one of the tiny chairs. "I haven't much time, dear. Tell me why you came back to the city to talk to me?"

"I don't either," Cream responded properly, pushing her shoulders back and sticking out her chin. Her mother always pressured on posture and she wanted to impress the judgmental, opiniated woman. "I have to get back to the bus before five."

"Then make it quick."

"I want to talk about Soleanna."

"Cream, we've been over this," Vanilla hummed in annoyance.

"I don't want to go back, mother. I don't want to leave my friends," Cream argued.

"I don't care. All year your grades have been slipping ever since you began boarding at that school. You've been boy crazy, and you've been affected deeply by the passing of that poor boy who died."

"My grades have been improving these past couple of weeks, I've finally moved forward after Tails' death and I'm on the right track to ace my final exams."

"Regardless, we are still moving. I have work in Soleanna and there are many of the world's top universities that you can apply for over there."

"I don't want to go to uni in Soleanna. I want to go to university here. I want to go to Diamond."

"But you didn't get in," Vanilla pointed out. Cream's face fell.

"If you're so concerned about my grades slipping then it won't matter if I get rejected from a Central City university or a Soleanna university."

"In Soleanna my reputation proceeds me. I can pull some strings for my own daughter," Vanilla scoffed.

"But mother…"

"My decision is final, Cream," Vanilla interrupted.

"Alright, there might be one more reason I asked to see you today," Cream admitted. This piqued her mother's interest. "I met this boy and I think I–"

"Really, Cream? I told you to forget about boys," Vanilla scolded. "Ever since you started dating your grades have slipped. First it was that Prower boy, then the boy you saved in the hospital who cheated on you. Every boy you've seen has broken your heart. I'm doing this for your own good, Cream. I'm just trying to protect you!"

"I don't need protection."

"Until you turn eighteen, you do."

"But I won't be eighteen until March next year," Olivia complained.

"Exactly. And you will celebrate your birthday in Soleanna. Do I make myself clear?"

"But mother…"

"Do I make myself clear?" Vanilla repeated forcefully.

"…Crystal."

Rouge wanted to be mad. She should have. She was used and she knew it, but she had to admit that Lien-Da had been clever. Rouge sauntered down the hallway and banged on Lien's door. She didn't have to wait more than a moment before the echidna opened it.

"Rouge, what a nice surprise. Please, come in," Lien-Da cooed, but Rouge held her ground.

"You can cut the act, Lien," Rouge hissed.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what's with all the animosity? I really thought we were becoming friends," Lien-Da pouted.

"I thought so too. But then I took a stroll late last night."

"And?"

"And I walked by a strange sight. I saw Cosmo hiding a small bag of cocaine in her pocket. She was rubbing her nose," Rouge scowled.

"Oh? Cosmo? What a sweet girl," Lien smiled.

"I thought I cut her off. I thought I'd ended her drug abuse. I wasn't sure how she could have gotten her hands on anything, let alone cocaine."

"It's a mystery to us all," Lien shrugged.

"Then I remembered a conversation you and I had," Rouge said in an accusatory tone. "I remembered telling you about Cosmo's addictive personality and I remember telling you about I had to cut her off. Only you knew about her predicament."

"What are you trying to say, Rouge?"

"I'm saying I know you gave her the cocaine."

"What proof do you have?"

"I should let you know who my roommate is."

"Why does that matter?"

"I share a room with Wave." Lien flinched. Rouge noticed. "I see you know her."

"We used to be old friends," Lien lied.

"That's not what I heard. She told me what you're capable of and she told me that you'd definitely use Cosmo's shortcomings to get yourself another druggie and a source of income. Just admit it."

"Alright, fine, I hooked her up. But what Cosmo puts in her body is none of your business."

"That's true. I can't get her to stop, and all I can do is ask you to stop being her supplier."

"I can't do that."

"I didn't think you could," Rouge sighed. "So I just came to say that I know, and that I'm impressed you managed to use me so quickly to find a new client. But, I won't be made a fool of again. Consider this friendship over."

"Rouge, c'mon, you're overreacting. I've heard some people talk about you, and I've had a run-in with your boyfriend already. You aren't the saint you're pretending to be," Lien accused.

"I might not be a saint, but I don't make people suffer for my own gain… anymore. Goodbye, Lien-Da," Rouge concluded before she walked away without another word.

"Whatever," Lien called after her. "Do what you want, see if I care!" Lien-Da slammed the door closed behind her and screamed.

I remember that day so vividly. I was only eight years old and my dad took me out to the movies and to go to the mall. I loved my dad. He was the perfect father. He had a great six-figure job, always made it home to have dinner and loved his family. He and mum always seemed very happy. I guess they weren't…

The movie was cancelled, something went wrong with the projector, and dad decided that we should just go home and we can watch something together on the T.V. We arrived home two hours earlier than expected but when we pulled in the driveway there was a strange car. We walked inside and we heard something upstairs. Dad told me to wait at the door while he went to investigate but when I heard angered shouts my curiosity got the better of me and I ventured up.

What awaited me in my parent's bedroom I couldn't have been prepared for. Dad was shouting furiously while my mother was in bed with another man, my current step father, Arthur.

"Shellbreaker, this isn't what it looks like," Isabella said.

"The hell it isn't," Shellbreaker exploded. "How dare you. And with him!"

"At least he loves me!"

"And I don't?" Shellbreaker barked as he took a step forward. Arthur jumped out of the bed with nothing but boxers on and stood up to the towering, furious man.

"No. You don't. She's done being your punching bag," Arthur went toe to toe with Shellbreaker. I peered around the doorway and locked eyes with my mother. She was topless, and I could see the countless bruises running down her arm. I'd never noticed them before.

"Mina," Isabella gasped. Both Shellbreaker and Arthur turned to me.

"Sweetie, I said to wait downstairs," dad screamed at me, my presence doing little to diffuse his anger.

"Don't yell at her like that," Isabella shrieked.

"I'll talk to my daughter how ever I damn well please. Come on, Mina. I'm taking you away from here," Shellbreaker said as he sized my arm tightly and dragged me out of the room.

"Shellbreaker, come back here! Shellbreaker!" Isabella called after me but dad kept marching away. At the time I was scared, confused and angry. I was angry at mum. I didn't understand why she was naked in her bed with another man. If only I knew what my father was really like back then. If only I'd fought to stay with mum before she came to my rescue years later. If only I knew what was really going on between the two behind closed doors. Then maybe the rest of primary school wouldn't have been so miserable.

Mephiles studied Mina from afar that weekend. He knew something was up and he was certain that he'd heard her crying alone in her room when he went to investigate. Mephiles knew the signs of somebody who was struggling but he didn't know what to do. They'd never been friends. They'd never really interacted. Mina and Mephiles lived two very different lives at school, and their friendship groups never really overlapped. But he knew he needed to help. He had to at least try.

"Mina?" Mephiles asked in his usually stoic voice as he approached her when she was walking down the hallway that Sunday afternoon.

"Oh, hey Mephiles," Mina replied. "Sorry, I really can't stay and chat. I have to be somewhere."

"Please, this will only take a moment. I just need to make sure you're alright," Mephiles remained calm and friendly, which surprised Mina.

"Am I alright?" Mina asked. She was confused.

"Yes. I've noticed you've been different the past couple weeks and I wanted to make sure you were okay. I went to talk to you in your room the other day and I could have sworn I heard crying."

"Oh, that… that was nothing, really," Mina lied. "And I've just been a bit stressed because of exams. They are super important and I need to get a good score to get into the university I want to go to so I need to make sure I do well. I promise it's nothing else, but thanks for looking out for me. It means a lot," Mina smiled falsely through a brave façade. Mephiles didn't seem convinced but he didn't know what else he could say.

"Alright. Remember, if anything is troubling you, you should talk to somebody about it. It doesn't have to be me, but if you're struggling you shouldn't continue to try and go it alone. Okay?" Mephiles urged.

"Okay. Thanks Mephiles, I'll see you in class tomorrow," Mina dodged around him and sauntered down the hallway until she made a sharp left into the girl's toilet. She dropped her bag to the ground and rushed over to the sink. She turned on the faucet, waiting until the cold water spurted out, and splashed some on her face.

Instantly her façade faded and she burst into tears. She was inflicted with surge of shallow breaths. She tried to steady herself but she couldn't. It took all her strength to stay stone-faced in front of Mephiles as he approached her.

The truth was she wasn't okay. She hadn't been okay since she'd received the message that Shellbreaker was coming back to collect her. She couldn't face him again, but she couldn't talk to anybody about the things that happened those years she'd been living with him away from her mother. It was too painful. All she could do was stare into her reflection and study her mascara blemished, tear stained face and cry her heart out.

Breezie was lying on her bed with her laptop over her knees, typing away as she worked on her practice essay for history class that she wanted Ash to look over. She wanted to prove to Ash, to Spike and, most importantly, to herself that she could get a good mark and pass history despite the bumpy road. She was determined. It wasn't until a knock at the door took her out of her zone that she stopped typing feverishly.

Breezie saved her work, closed the laptop and slipped over to the door in her socks. However, when she opened the door her good mood was sucked from her like a vacuum and she was left rooted to the spot.

"I take it you haven't forgotten me, then," Nack the weasel smiled as he stood confidently at her door, silver rings tightened around his spindly fingers. He smiled eerily at her, showing his crooked, yet still pearly white, teeth.

"N-Nack…" Breezie wheezed.

"It's been a while, hasn't it Breezie? I was pretty sure that was you I saw in the audience at the assembly. It took me longer than I thought to find your room," Nack grinned as he pushed Breezie backwards and forced himself into her room. Breezie was helpless to do anything against him.

"Wh-what are you d-doing here?" Breezie croaked.

"I think you know. I learnt how to be a business man from my father. One of the first things he taught me was to never go back on a deal."

"That's a good lesson," Breezie found her voice and tried to placate Nack.

"It is, isn't it?" Nack paced back and forth. "And yet you went back on our deal. You ran away and hid from me, here of all places. I know it's been years but our deal still stands and I'm here to make sure you uphold your end of the bargain."

"You mean the only reason you enrolled into this school was because of the money I owe you?" Breezie said in surprise.

"Not exactly. Why I'm here is none of your business, but I think this is just Chaos' way of making sure you repay me. Why else would we run into each other years later?"

"What happened to you, Nack? We used to be friends."

"We still are," Nack assured. "But friends repay friends. You borrowed a lot of money from me to help out your father and I'm here to collect. Or else," Nack threatened.

"I don't have much money. I've barely been able to get by on the money I make being a barista," Breezie confessed.

"That's a shame, but it doesn't change the fact that you owe me. You have a week to get me the money. This is your last chance. We wouldn't want anything to happen to you or… what was that orange porcupine's name again?"

"You stay away from Spike!"

"Spike, that was it. I might pay him a visit too."

"Alright, I'll get you the money, just leave him alone. Please," Breezie begged.

"One week, Breezie. You've got one week," Nack repeated before he slipped out of the room to leave Breezie alone to wallow in her thoughts.

The day grew long and the sun had succumbed to the moon's glow as it hid itself for the night behind the tree-ladened horizon. The cafeteria began to grow quiet as the students finished their meals and retired to the dormitory. Mighty and Shadow were some of the last seniors to stay behind as they slowly ate their chocolate mousses.

"And I just don't know. I sacrificed everything for him and I love him with all my being but I don't think he trusts Maria," Shadow admitted.

"I think he might just be scared that you're still in love with her and that she might steal you from him," Mighty offered helpfully.

"But he knows I don't swing that way."

"I've known Meph for almost four years now and I know that he keeps his feelings hidden and buried deep down within him."

"I know, but we've got to the point where he tells me everything. We hide how we feel from the world, but we've found each other to pour our feelings into," Shadow explained. "At least, I thought we did…"

"Maybe just try and talk to him? It can't hurt."

"Did that help you and Ray?"

"Well, that was a completely different situation."

"How so? You loved Clove but left her to be with him because you loved him more and then he dumped you to be with her. I used to love Maria but am now with Mephiles and he's scared I'll leave him to be with her. Same difference," Shadow said.

"I didn't leave Clove to be with Ray. And he didn't dump me for her. Where did you get this from?" Mighty asked.

"That's what the rumours around are saying," Shadow shrugged.

"You know I'm not gay, right?"

"Bi?"

"Straight, actually. Either way, that's besides the point," Mighty shook his head. "The point is this is a different situation and I'm trying to help you so don't be such a dick."

"Wow, really helpful," Shadow said sarcastically with a roll of his eyes.

"Sorry, sorry."

"Fine, enough about my love life, what about yours? If you don't love Ray then are you into anybody?"

"Well… there is this one girl I've been growing pretty close with. I think I might like her," Mighty admitted.

"C'mon, who is it? I don't want to be the stereotypical gay guy that loves drama but I do need to think of something else besides Maria and Mephiles right now."

"It's Cream."

"Cream? As in Cream the Rabbit?" Shadow asked in astonishment.

"Don't sound so surprised," Mighty sounded annoyed.

"I just didn't think you and her even knew each other," Shadow corrected himself. "That's awesome."

"Yeah, she's really kind and funny and we do these cute little things together and I don't know. I want to ask her out but I also think I might be rushing into things because of the whole Clove and Ray situation."

"Hmm, that is tough," Shadow pondered. "I can see that you might just need something now because of that and then when you finally move on you might realize that you never really liked Cream. That could end badly."

"Exactly."

"On the other hand," Shadow said louder. "You could also really like her and could just be acting like an idiot by letting her slip through your fingers. Chaos knows I was when I first met Mephiles and didn't even try because I was scared."

"Wow… that actually really helps," Mighty admitted. "Thanks, Shadow. And to think, I spent most of the semester hating you."

"Same here. I hate to admit it… but I'm glad that we're friends now. But if you tell anyone I'll deny it."

"I won't say anything," Mighty laughed. "But I think you should lower your guard around other people apart from just me and Mephiles."

"I have. It didn't end well," Shadow thought back to his confusing time with both Tails and Sonic.

"Should I even ask?"

"I'd rather you didn't."

"Cool."

"Cool…" Shadow and Mighty both descended into silence as they finished their desserts.

Scourge awoke by the sound of banging on his dorm room door. Jet complained and rolled over. Scourge swore under his breath and stormed to the door. He planned to yell at the person to go away but as he threw open the door he saw Silver shuffling from foot to foot.

"Silver?" Scourge whispered harshly. "What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep," Silver answered.

"So? Why did you come here?"

"I need to know what happened to you on the street."

"Silver, I told you I'd tell you later."

"I can't wait until later. You were my best friend, Scourge. Then you just disappeared from my life and now you show up almost four years later a completely different person. Something happened when you were on the street. Something changed you and I think I deserve to know why," Silver demanded. Scourge sighed.

"Alright, fair enough," Scourge slipped out of his room and shut the door quietly. "Let's go to the common room and I'll tell you what happened, but only if you let me get back to sleep."

"Isn't the common room closed after eleven?"

"Do you want to know or not?" Scourge growled. Silver nodded.

I spent years on the streets. I was all alone. I had to fend for myself. Several times throughout my desolate, starving days in those cold, damp alleyways my wounds festered. I was afflicted by many diseases, my marks got infected and I almost died more than a couple times. However, I learnt to grow strong, grow tough, and my scars faded to the ugly stomach blemishes they are now. However, every time I look in the mirror and see my stomach I'm reminded of what I had to go through to be here. I'm reminded of what I had to do to survive.

In my time on the streets I was mugged by other homeless people, I was ignored by civilians, I was stepped on by the elite and I was starved. After the first year I managed to find an abandoned, dilapidated house with broken windows, steps with rusty nails and a hollow roof that had been forgotten by the government. I hole up in there, made a home for myself and learnt to appreciate what I'd stumbled upon.

I threw my glasses away, too. Whenever I looked at my reflection in a store window, or saw the timid, skinny kid staring back up at me from a puddle of water in the cobblestone streets I was reminded of my father. I was reminded of what he did to my mother. I was reminded of what he tried to do to me. But, most importantly, I was reminded about how it was all my fault and how I was too weak to do anything. I discarded my glasses away and shed my old life. I was determined to change.

Those three years taught me some crucial skills. I learnt to be tough. I learnt to survive. I worked out, I stole and I avoided the police. I learnt how to take what I wanted. I learnt how to become the strongest version of myself. Then one day everything changed.

I was seventeen and I wanted a new pair of sunglasses. I stole them from a big department store and stumbled away through the streets when I noticed him. I froze. My blood ran cold and my feet became bolted to the cement. It was my father – out and about and living his life happily.

I steeled my nerves and followed him. I trailed him all the way to a small apartment complex. I wanted to approach him. I wanted to show him I was still alive. I wanted to show him that I hadn't forgotten about him. I wanted to show him he couldn't get away with what he did. Ultimately, I wanted to kill him and get vengeance for my mother.

For weeks I studied his movements. I mapped out the exact route he took to work every day, noting which times he was home and figured out the best point to ambush him. Then I bought a gun. On Thursdays my father would travel to get groceries and would take a shortcut down a dark alleyway at the twilight hour. That was where I laid in wait.

That fateful Thursday, just like I'd predicted, he strolled down whistling a tune. That's when I jumped out and surprised him, brandishing the gun.

"Dad," I yelled. He stopped, turned around and stared at me. I expected him to be surprised. I expected him to be scared. He wasn't. Instead, he smiled a nightmarish smile and spoke as calmly as anybody ever had to me.

"Hello Scourge. I was wondering when you'd finally track me down. Honestly, I didn't think you'd have the guts."

"I wouldn't be so confident if I were you," I shouted, aiming the gun at him. I wanted to be brave. I wanted to show him I didn't fear him anymore but I couldn't. I was shaking like a leaf and my heart beat a thousand miles a minute.

"You're not going to shoot me. You're still a weak, little nerd," my father spat.

"Why do you hate me?"

"You ruined my life."

"What did I ever do to you?" I asked.

"You were born."

"Don't take another step closer," I warned as he stepped closer to me. The crooked smile never left his face as he continued to close the gap between us.

"Not one step closer!"

"I'm going to finish what I should have done years ago," my father grumbled as he came closer and closer. I could hold my arms still. I couldn't do it. He was right, I didn't have the guts. Despite everything, I was still that anxious, nerdy little boy that was too scared to save his mother that critical night.

That's when her image flashed through my brain. That's when I knew I had to stand up to him. I'd spent years preparing myself for this moment. I'd transformed, but was it for myself or was it for him? It didn't matter. I knew one thing – this was my chance. I closed my eyes, steeled my nerves and flexed my finger ready to squeeze the trigger.

"Stop!" A third voice called out from behind me. I whipped my head around and noticed a policeman rushing into the alleyway with his weapon raised. What I hadn't realized until much later was that a neighbor had seen my laying my trap in the alleyway and alerted the police. I'd lost my chance.

"Don't come any closer or I'll shoot him," I warned. That stopped the policeman.

"Don't believe him. He's just a coward!"

"I swear to chaos, dad, I'll shoot your fucking brains out," I shouted as I let my emotions get the better of me.

"Do it. Kill me like you killed your mother."

"You killed her!" I screamed as misty tears clouded my eyes. "You ruined my life."

"Son," the policeman tried to grab my attention. "Whatever this man did to you, it isn't worth going down this path. I've seen kids your age pull the trigger because they thought they needed to. Please, kid, put the gun down."

"You don't know what he did," I said. "He killed my mother. He tried to kill me."

"We'll take him into custody and get this all sorted out, I promise," he tried to calm me down. "Just please, put the gun down."

I hesitated. My gaze flicked from my father, only a few meters away from my face, and the police officer that had begun creeping closer towards us. I wanted to kill him. I needed to, but I knew this wasn't the way. Despite everything I couldn't take a life. Not even his. Mum wouldn't have wanted me to grow up that way.

"Okay," I sighed as I tossed the gun to the side. "Okay…" For the first time that entire encounter, my father frowned.

"I'm disappointed," he shook his head. "But I knew you weren't man enough to do it. You're just as pitiful as your mother." With those last words my father made a mad dash for the gun I'd tossed aside. In pure instinct I shut my eyes and ducked to the ground, fearing the worst. I was still just a coward.

"No!" The policeman shouted and reacted without thinking, shooting my father in the chest as he raised the weapon at me. His eyes bulged, went cold and rolled back in his head before he collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

I don't remember much of the specifics after that. He took me into custody and they found out who I was and who he was. They brought up all the old records and learnt everything. They knew they couldn't leave me on the street but I had no family to speak of. The only people I'd known were Silver and his family, but I couldn't go back there. Not after everything.

They got in contact with Razor at Mobius High and scheduled for me to go back to high school and board with them, but to get accustomed back to school they wanted me to attend the first week of their brother campus in the heart of Central City. They thought that the boarding school wouldn't be as much of a shock to the system.

In the end, after everything, it wasn't my father that I was scared of; rather, I was most scared of becoming him.

"That's where I saw you again and, I guess, you know the rest," Scourge breathed as he finally admitted what had happened to him. Silver was speechless. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know how to comfort his friend. "Are you happy now?" Scourge concluded bitterly.

"Scourge I…" Silver tried to find the right words but he couldn't. Nothing he could say would heal the deep wounds that Scourge had been inflicted in his life, both mentally and physically. Silver did the only thing he could think of. He wrapped his arms around his former best friend and pulled him in for a long, deep hug. And, surprisingly, Scourge hugged back.

"Thanks…"

"I know you might be scared of your weaker side, but no matter who you are or what you became, you know I'll always be there for you no matter what," Silver smiled. When Scourge didn't respond, Silver tried to probe further. "You said you weren't scared of him, but scared of becoming him?"

"Yes," Scourge nodded.

"Well, turning your back on who you really are and treating people they way you've been treating them so far this year… that's exactly what he would do. Don't you think in trying to hide from your past and him, you're becoming the thing you fear most?"

"You just might be right," Scourge said after moments of silence. Then, he stood and walked out of the room saying one last thing before he disappeared up the stairs. "You just might be right…"

It was almost dark by the time Zonic arrived at the building – number two-oh-three. Zonic walked up the steps of the cramped house that shared its outer walls with the two adjacent, similar houses and inhaled deeply. This was it. This was his time. He'd finally stopped running away from life. He'd finally stopped being a coward. He wasn't going to run away anymore.

Zonic took a final determined step forward and knocked on the wooden door. Again, the horrible feeling of fear and regret washed over him almost instantaneously. However, this time he wasn't going to run away. This time he was going to stand strong. He had to do it for Gold, for Zally, for Zector and Zespio but, most importantly, he had to do it for himself. No more running away.

"Hello? Can I help you?" An elderly hedgehog answered the door clutching a walker. A wide, toothless smile adorned her face.

"Oh, sorry, I might have the wrong place. Is this two-oh-three?"

"Yes, how can I help you?" the nice woman answered.

"Sorry, there must be a mistake. Doesn't Gold the Tenrec live here?" Zonic asked as politely as he could. "About this high, twenty-three years old, golden ears?"

"Oh, you must be talking about the woman that used to live here. She moved out last week." Zonic's heart instantly fell in his chest.

"Do you know where she moved to?"

"Sorry, I've no idea. Are you a friend of hers?"

"Something like that," Zonic replied dejectedly. "I'm sorry to bother you."

"It's no trouble at all. I hope you find her soon."

"Me too," Zonic sighed as he slumped down the steps. After everything, she was still out of his grasp. Finally he'd stopped being a coward and stood up to his own insecurities, but he'd missed her again. Zonic had finally tried to take a step forward in his life… but it was too little, too late.


A/N: And there you have it. Scourge's story is finally revealed. There were many theories but nobody quite managed to guess it. No, he wasn't secretly gay with Silver. No, he wasn't also secretly a member of G.U.N. He was just a nerdy kid that had an alcoholic, abusive father that blamed his child for his life falling apart and lashed out in a drunken rage. Scourge didn't hate Silver, quite the contrary. He ran away all those years ago to protect his best friend. His past and his time on the streets explained how Scourge went from space loving, glasses wearing nerdy hedgehog to the delinquent we know today.

We also had the first of a new set of flashbacks for Mina. Shellbreaker is coming to collect her and she is noticeably shaken. What happened to her? We know Isabella was cheating on him with her current step father, Arthur, but what happened after Shellbreaker took her away that has her so scarred?

Brike is finally official. After teasing and tearing apart Spike and Breezie for the better part of the entire story they've finally become a couple. However, their happiness only lasted mere moments before Breezie's revelation of the fate of her parent's clued Spike in on the truth. Somehow, some way, his father was responsible for her parent's deaths. How can he start a relationship with her after he knows this deep secret. But it looks like Breezie has a secret of her own. Nack is after her. With both Trevor and Nack already pulling apart their relationship, can the best friend's turned couple last or will they crumble like so many others at this school?

Manic confides in Knuckles and Julie about Amy and Blaze confides in Sonic about his dark side, but how will these character realizations fuel future plots? Will Manic give Amy another chance and will Blaze's darkness consume her and make her hurt somebody close?

Meanwhile, Mighty confesses to Shadow that he thinks he's falling for Cream while she has to find a way to tell him that she's moving to Soleanna after graduation. Also, Fiona has dropped her grudge on Rouge to focus on finding Void for Lumina and baby Max. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and don't forget to review and let me know what you think, it always means a lot to hear from you.

QotD: Now that Silver knows Scourge's past, what should he do to help his former best friend?

Next Time on SH:EL

Spike tries to gather more information about Breezie's parents' deaths

Nack tries to tempt his former gambling buddy, Cosmo

The first flashback reveals some of Lien-Da and Wave's past

Mina breaks down in front of Mephiles

...And something bad is happening to Eclipse!

All this and so much more, next time on Chapter 53: A Diamond in the Rough