THE SHADOW AND THE NIGHT

The hidden sun left an amalgam of colours in the sky. The horizon was vast and clean. It brought the always lonely night. The night always marks the end and the greatness of something. The air that Shadow breathed had all these things. He passed through his neighbours like a shadow, like a spectre that does not want to be seen. The night had put him under the dimness again. And so did the animals, the sympathy for Sid and the children.

On a bend where there were trees and no one could see him, he stopped. There was a great work of light in the sky, he saw it leaning against a tree. He was confused as he was at the same height as the common people and not up as he used to be. From above he watched all the other creatures, from the shadows, as this important person had told him, that his name meant the place where he should stay to take care of everyone. But how to endure the influence of darkness day by day? That important person covered his mind with a mantle and did not allow another thought. What was Maria to him? What did she represent in the deepest part of him? Why was there something that Sonic's presence couldn't take away? He remembered the talk he had with the child and realized that for some reason he had called Maria his sister.-Sister.-said Shadow in the middle of the silence.

He continued on his way until, at a rather close distance, he could see Sonic's house. The first thing that came to his mind was how much he loved him, how much he wanted to touch him and how much he let himself be touched. Then in a rush his mind compared Sonic's affection with Maria's and noticed a setback. Now the anxiety could be covered since Sonic was present in body and soul, but... what if the anxiety he felt for Maria was an altered and inflamed feeling in his heart because of the passing of all these years of not having her, of being immersed in loneliness? Suddenly he saw Amy and Sonic leaving the house. They were saying goodbye, smiling at each other, giving each other affectionate looks. With a show of hands they moved away from each other, Sonic watched her leave for a moment and entered the house. The order stored in his memory as a treasure from the past was activated as a command in the spirit of Shadow: "Care from the shadows." Because he saw something good and beautiful between the two of them without considering who they were. Something innocent that should not be destroyed.

Shadow appeared on Sonic's door.-Hello, pup.-he said. He turned off the light in the house with the switch next to the door, it bothered his mood to reveal his entire facade.-Hello.-said Sonic and asked-What's wrong with you now?-Shadow came in-Why aren't you away from me? You're going to ruin your perfect plan.-What plan? What are you talking about?-The closer he got, the faster he went until he took Sonic and forcibly embraced him.-How much I love you.-he said to him-Get out. I'm angry with you.-he ran him off with one stroke-Why don't you want to team up? Why don't you want to live with me even for a few days? You left and I wanted to come with you to introduce you to everyone in the village. Why are you so cold sometimes?-I'm sorry, pup. I'm just thinking about what's best for everyone.-Sonic was going to say something but he lowered his head in resignation and turned to stand in front of his hammock that he used to sleep in.-Okay. That's perfect. We're the heroes after all.-he played with the hammock straps-You are the responsible one, I am the spontaneous one. You plan, I solve under pressure. That's how roles are. Everything is said and fixed. You can go.-Shadow embraced him again with an affection that shook Sonic's anger.-I love you, pup. Feel it in my skin, hear it in my voice. If this isn“t love, then what is?-He squeezed him with greater strength, with a love without reserve or regard, as he was passionate about him.

The two lay down in the hammock and watched the end of the sunset through the windows.