Hey y'all! Welcome to the second installment of The Color of Crimson! Man, February was all kinds of crazy but I'm back again yayyy :D ! This chapter starts to pick up the pace a little *rubs hands together* :3c I hope you enjoyy, and maybe review if you feel like it~!

*Disclaimer: I don't own the Sonic characters, although if I did, Silver would have his own game at this point

*XxX*- change of setting

Chapter 2: Who...are you?

"Alright, that's all for today; class is dismissed."

Amy grabs her book bag beside her, and makes her way out of the room. Another class is done, and she finally has a little bit of a break before her next class starts. It's right around the time for lunch as well, so she could finally sit down and eat.

She walks outside of the building and onto the campus grounds of the school: Thornvein University, named after the town itself. Amy has been going here for only a little over a year—this being her first semester of her second year and all—and she loved it. The open green fields, the small rustic buildings that houses different classes, and the short smoothly paved pathways in between them and around the school; it kind of reminds her of a park or maybe even an estate. It's a pretty small school too but it was fine, that's the way Amy likes it honestly, less distractions for her to deal with. And this year she was even able to find a small house for sale that's nearby the school; and it was cheap too! She was glad that she didn't have to commute anymore. That made first year a whole lot tougher than it needed to be.

She walks over to the nearest tree in the campus field and sits under it.

She always prefers nature over the metropolitan areas. There is just something so calming about the sounds of leaves crackling and the smell of greenery.

Out of her bookbag, she grabs a small paper bag. She opens it and takes out a plastic wrapped sandwich. She gently unwraps her peanut butter and jelly and bits into her fluffy bread lunch.

Amy enjoys her meal, the wind blowing past her ears on this peaceful day. She watches as other students pass by her and the tree. Most of them are in groups chatting away about their night plans or the crushes they have. She rolls her eyes. I swear people don't even come to college for the classes. All most of them ever care about is dating or partying. She shakes her head. Not her. Amy has no time for all that stuff, she has to study so she can get her degree. If she didn't work hard, how else would she be successful? Parties and people would only distract her; her mind briefly thinking about her earlier encounter. She sighs. Letting go of those thoughts, she takes the final piece of her sandwich and plops it into her mouth.

"Speaking of studying, I better get ready for my next class." Amy says as she stands up and dusts herself off. She crumbles the paper bag and slips it into her bookbag to throw away later. She walks over to the paved path, and makes her way to the building of her next subject.

*XxX*

"And this class, is a nosferatus. These creatures are mainly nocturnal, and stick to the shadows. It has been told that they have been around for many centuries, blending into society in order to discreetly live among others..."

Professor Espio continues to lecture.

Amy jots down all the info into her notebook. Cultural Mythology class is so interesting to her. Lycanthropes, Kappas, Yuki Onnas, to think that these creatures may exist! She pauses and shakes her head lightly. They probably don't; but she would be lying though if she said she doesn't want them to at least a little. They are so fascinating!

"...And they are known to be the most dangerous of mythical creatures. Miss Amy, would you care to explain why?" Mr. Espio asks, knowing that Amy would have the answer.

She straightens up from looking at her notes, and looks a him. "Of course. Nosferatuses are known for feeding off the lives of mortals. They are also much faster and stronger, as well as having heightened senses. And they can adapt well to their surroundings, making them hard to detect."

Prof. Espio smiles a her. "Excellent as always Amy."

She nods her head in gratitude. "Thank you professor."

He turns back to the board and continues his lecture. "Now there is a way you might be able to see them coming," Amy scribbling in her notebook as he's talking, "and that class, is by their eyes. All the irises of nosferatuses usually shine a radiant yellow or golden amber, or in rare cases, a blood crimson red."

Amy freezes. Her mind immediately flashes to the weird black hedgehog, with his shining ruby orbs. There's no way; he couldn't be...

The professor's voice interrupts her. "But as I mentioned, it won't always be true." He gestures to his own face. "As you can see, my own eyes are an amberish coloring so it's more of a precaution type of thing." The professor checks the time on his clock. "And with that, class is over. Don't forget to read up on the next chapter everyone! We'll review it tomorrow in class."

Every student grabs their notebooks and bags and proceeds to make their way to exit. But Amy remains frozen in her seat, her mind going a mile a minute. She knows that Prof. Espio said that it's only a possibility but her mind keeps going back to those eyes and couldn't stop asking what if...

"Amy?" The professor asks, "Are you alright? Do you have a question about today's class?" He continues, curious as to what could be bothering her so much.

Amy looks towards him. Should she tell him? He might think she's crazy. But then again, he is the mythology teacher so he would be the best person to talk about it with. And honestly, she needs to tell somebody, or else she felt like she might go a little insane left with her own rapid thoughts. "Um wellll," she starts, "can I ask you something?"

Espio smiles a his young student. "Of course you can, ask away."

Amy fiddles with her fingers. "Sayy you were walking in the morning and you met someone with crimson red eyes, do you think...they could be a nosferatus?" She nervously questions.

Prof. Espio gives a thoughtful look, and shakes his head. "Very unlikely seeing as nosferatuses don't come out during the day. Sunlight weakens and hurts them, it could even kill them if they're out long enough, so they tend to keep to the shadows. Is that all?"

A breath of relief takes over Amy and she could feel her tensed up muscles relax all at once. Her mind finally slows down a little. "Nope, that was it! Thank you professor!" She smiles as she grabs all her stuff and leaves.

Espio smiles. "Glad I could help!" He yells out to her.

Walking out of the building, she lets the words of her professor sink in. So I just made a big deal out of nothing. Thank goodness. She had almost convinced herself that she met a real nosferatus. Amy shakes her head. She's glad that crazy thought can be laid to rest. Although, remembering the strong ruby coloring of his eyes, in the back of her mind, she couldn't shake the feeling that there's something off with that hedgehog...but what is it?

*XxX*

And her final class of the day is officially over. She stands up and stretches her back, ready to get back home after a long day. Amy is in need of a shower and her pajamas. She grabs her bookbag, slips her notebook into said bag, and makes her way out of the classroom, saying bye to her professor.

Amy goes down the corridor and exits out the main door. She looks up at the dark sky, the stars dazzling above her and the moon lighting up the campus. This is one of the only reasons she is glad to have a late class. She's always loved the atmosphere of the night; it's so beautiful and calm, nothing but the chirps of crickets and the occasional car driving past. It makes it extra relaxing when Amy has to cut through the forest to get home. She strolls down the campus path, starting her trip back.

Amy breathes in that fresh woods air. Man she loves it here, she is glad that she has to go through this park. Surrounded by nothing but trees, she ambles on the trail she's on, taking her sweet time and relishing in the tranquil environment.

And instantly, as if to contradict the quietness, a large thud noise resounds to her right, along with the rustle of leaves from the bushes and trees. Amy freezes stiff. What was that? Did something just fall? She's not sure she wants to check. But what if...Her mind keeps thinking. She shakes her head, letting her overthinking brain win out on this one once again. I'm most likely gonna regret this. Amy creeps over to the spot in the bushes, and separates them to clear the way and see the culprit.

Amy's blood goes ice cold. There is no way. What are even the chances? Though his eyes are closed, she could already imagine the crimson reds of them. On the ground, is the mysterious black hedgehog from earlier.

What is he doing on the floor like this? And is he alright? Amy's mind is going into high gear. She looks at him from head to toe; there was a large diagonal gash on his back and blood dripping from the injury. Amy internally panics. She has to do something. She can't just leave him here, she's... she's gotta take him to her house to treat the wounds.

She reaches for his arm in order to carry him. But the minute her hand touches him, his eyes snap open, gleaming a bright red to her shock. He opens his mouth and hisses at her, and Amy could see...incisors...sharper than sewing needles. Just what the heck is going on with this guy?! Amy questions. Before she can even think about it further, his eyes roll back into his head and he falls back into unconsciousness.

Amy hesitates a little. Should she even help this hedgehog? He doesn't seem...normal. But then she looks over at the slice on his back, and the steady leaking of blood from it, and her mind was made up. She sighs and cautiously reaches out for his arm. He didn't wake up this time when she touched him, so she wraps his arm over her shoulder. Woah, he's heavier than I thought she remarks to herself. And she graduallyーtrying to not to upset his woundーmakes her way through the rest of the woods carrying the hedgeboy, in order to get the both of them to her home.

And that's it! Chapter 2 is complete! *proceeds to celebrate* XD

A big thank you for those who read it! So who attacked the 'mysterious hedgehog'? And will Amy find out more about him?

Tune in for the next chapter~! ;3