Chapter 7: That's Not My Hedgehog, it's Too Deranged
"Whaddaya mean arrested?! What for?!" Tails practically shrieked at the police officer sitting behind the reception desk of Fernstone police station.
His white furred muzzle barely reached the top of the desk but his voice was loud enough to make everyone else in the area stop what they were doing for a moment and give him their full attention. The police officer Tails was addressing, however, merely narrowed his eyes at the little fox in irritation.
"I take it you haven't seen the newspapers?" The young and prim looking officer scoffed, handing the golden-furred fox a copy of the Fernstone times.
The headline in bold black print read MOORS MONSTER STRIKES AGAIN. Underneath was a dark blurry photograph of something that vaguely resembled the figure of Sonic the werehog, except it had a crazed look in its eyes.
"No way!" Tails couldn't believe it, "You don't think this is Sonic?!"
"We know this is Sonic." The officer slapped both hands down on the desk and leaned over at Tails, trying to display some authority and righteousness
Tails stepped backwards. "Oh this is bad," he muttered looking over the headline again dismally. He quickly left the police station, taking the newspaper with him.
"Hey!" The officer called out after the twin tailed fox in annoyance, "I was still doing the crossword!"
While Chip was waiting at the Frog and Whistle, Tails had visited the museum without success. Apparently somebody with a similar name, Landron, worked there but was currently taking a four week vacation visiting family. That had just added to Tails' confusion so he had gone to the police to check of any missing persons report, just in case, when he had managed to find out about Sonic being arrested.
The sun was sinking into the horizon when the young fox arrived back in the pub garden. He was greeted by a rather bloated looking Chip who sat fidgeting at the same wooden table the three friends had been sat at for most of the afternoon, surrounded by about a dozen empty drinking glasses. The little winged creature let out the most impressive burp the fox had ever heard (not counting the ones Sonic could perform after a couple of chilli dogs and several cans of something fizzy).
Tails waved the newspaper at Chip who shot up into the air and proceeded to dance a little jig on the table.
"Oh Tails thank goodness you're back! Wheres the bathroom?"
"So Dr Lantroe never showed up?' Tails lamented, ignoring Chip's urgent call of nature.
"No and I didn't move from this spot," Chip said quite proudly. "I had to keep ordering drinks otherwise the landlord was going to kick me out." He saw Tails' gloomy expression and asked what was wrong.
"Sonic's been arrested, look at this!"
Chip looked at the picture for less than a second before declaring, "that's not Sonic!"
"I know but it sure looks like him. Nigh-time Sonic that is. I can't help but think I made his situation worse by answering those questions the Sergeant asked us. I should've kept my mouth shut."
"What are we going to do?!" Chip's dancing was even more erratic now.
"I don't know," Tails replied grimly, "but something's going on. We need to get Sonic and get off this island as soon as possible."