Chapter eight

Movie night horrors

"Its getting last now Shadow and we've done all the testing that we can for today so why don't you go off and find Maria. I remember her saying that she had a surprise for you tonight, I think she's in the observation deck, the one that over looks Earth." Gerald announces as he carefully stores away the test tubes with a concoction of different substances in each.

"Alright Professor I'll see you tomorrow morning then, bye." Shadow replied with a smile then calmly walked out of the lab.

Once Shadow was out and the Professor couldn't see or hear him, he zoomed towards the observation deck to go find his best friend (only friend mind you). Upon arrival the first thing he noticed was how dark it was, the second thing was no Maria and lastly he saw on the floor in the middle of the room, a strange looking computer screen with cushions and blankets in front of it. Wires were trailing from the back across the room rather messy like and connecting to an electrical point on the wall.

"Oh you're here, very good." Maria said as she entered the room with a bag of goodies in one hand and a jug of juice in the other.

"Need a hand?" Shadow asked softly as he walked up to his friend.

"No thanks I've got it, just sit down on the cushions and make yourself comfortable while I'll set everything up ok." Maria answered with a smile as she put everything down.

Shadow thought it wise to just do as Maria had asked him. Watching her every move after getting comfy, he wondered what she had planned at such a late hour. Clearly it involved an old computer screen, all these cushions, a couple of thick blankets, snacks and drinks.

"Right all done, I didn't get you anything too sweet, don't want you going on another mad dash about the ARK in the middle of the night." Maria said as she sat down after sorting out the snacks and putting the movie on for them to watch.

"So if I had to guess, from what is in front of us, we're having some sort of feast and watching, I hope, suitable movies." Shadow said then asked, "So the Professor doesn't know what movies we're about to indulge ourselves in then…didn't think so"

"Don't worry Shadow what he doesn't know wont hurt him." Maria reassured her hedgehog friend with a warm smile.

"Yeah that's what you always say…before we end up getting caught…what are we watching anyway?" Shadow stated with a frown then asked with slight curiosity.

"Glad you asked, I thought we'll start with something mildly jumpy then work our way up to something that apparently is so scary it will keep you up at night…you ever heard of 'Nightmare On Elm Street'…well like I said heard its scary and that's what we're finishing our movie night with." Maria explained with a devious grin. Then added "the one we're about to watch is about vampires, its called, 'Dracula'."

"Vampires, what are those?" Shadow asked as Maria pressed play.

"Their creatures of the night who prey on the living and drink their blood…yeah disgusting I know…its starting." Maria answered then getting excited when the film started.

Halfway through the film shadow yarned a little as he watched the black and white movie. He wasn't at all impressed with the poorly made vampire movie but was a little amused when someone was being 'eaten' by the big bad vamp.

"So do you reckon he will be staked or kill everyone and live?" Shadow asked as he was finally starting to get into the movie.

"Don't know either way this movie is great." Maria answered without diverting her eyes away from the screen.

They continued to watch with great anticipation.

"Woe no way, are they even allowed to do this…that is so unfair what kind of ending was that?" Shadow said as the movie ended with a cliff-hanger.

"I know right, how are we supposed to know what's going to happen to Dracula if the guy who was supposed to kill him was in an intense wrestle with Dracula and they both end up in the coffin together and the door closed down on the both of them." Maria agreed as she sorted out the next movie.

"Well if I were to wrestle the good count I reckon I'll come out bitten, I think I would make an awesome vampire." Shadow said with a smirk as Maria sat back down next to him.

"Yeah I can just see it now, Count Shadow, Ultimate vampire." Maria giggled a little as they waited for the next movie to start.

"Well I think it would be cool, I'm already immortal why not add the fangs and stuff." Shadow said as he looked over at his friend then adds, "But the whole drinking blood thing, still grosses me out."

"Yeah true but there are actual living things that live off on blood." Maria replied with a grin as she saw Shadow's eyes widen a little.

"Vampires are real?" Shadow asked a little uneasy like.

"N-no but there are a type of bat that drinks blood and they're called the vampire bat…you ok?" Maria explained sweet like then asked in concern as she looked over at Shadow who had suddenly went a little pale.

"Y-yeah I'm fine, there's none up here, is there?" Shadow asked with little fear in his tone.

"No don't you worry no vampire bats up here and their very small and probably wouldn't bother you anyway." Maria reassured with a friendly smile.

"Good anyway I've changed my mind, vampires are so not cool…you sure they don't really exist?" He once again asked

"Positive…the next movie is starting…this one is about the living dead that rise from the grave, yep a zombie movie." Maria said with a grin in Shadow's direction.

"Bring it on, I'm not scared of…whatever a zombie is." Shadow boldly stated then paid full attention to the screen.

"Oh my chaos that is so disturbing…who the hell thought of making a creature that ate peoples brains?" Shadow asked with a smirk as he grabbed a little more popcorn and placing it messily in his mouth, dropping a few in the process.

"Ewe that is nasty…I don't like this film…ah no, turn it off, turn it off." Maria announced with her hands over her face as the zombie attacked a woman and started to tear at her flesh.

"I think I'm going to be sick that looks so realistic." Shadow replied as he got up and turned the movie off then went over to his friend to comfort her.

"Is it off?" Maria asked still having her hands over her face.

"Yes its off…so if you get scared over a flesh eating zombie movie how are you going to sit through this must see horror movie of the century you so brilliantly announced to me earlier?" Shadow asked with a playful smirk in Maria's direction.

"So I found out I don't like zombie films, doesn't mean I was scared, just a little grossed out." Maria defended herself while lightly pushing Shadow.

"Yeah you keep telling your self that." Shadow resorted back playfully.

" Anyway Shadow its just gone 1 o'clock and we still have two more movies to check out…unless you want out because I certainly don't." Maria announced with a playful grin.

"Chaos no, I'm in this until the very end…besides I have a title to live up to I cant just chicken out now." Shadow resorted with his trademark smirk.

"Good the next one is about this hunted asylum." Maria started to explain but stopped as she saw confusion on Shadow's face then asked, "what's up?"

"What is an asylum?" Shadow asked tilting his head slightly.

"Oh it's a place that sick people go to who need mental attention…it a hospital for the mentally ill." Maria explained as best as she could.

"So it's a crazy house…cool." Shadow replied showing that he understood.

"Yeah sort of…ok here we go get ready to be spooked." Maria announced as the movie began.

About 45 minutes into the hour and a half long film, Shadow was practically glued to the screen, unable to tear his eyes away. Maria was also inching closer to the screen as she too found it impossible to look away. The two were so close that when a jumpy bit happened the two screamed and fell back, holding onto each other in slight fear. Their scream echoed down the corridors of the ARK and woke up a snoozing Professor who was at his desk a few doors down from where the two were having their movie marathon.

"What on earth?" Gerald said, jumping up a little then panic rose as he recognised those screams

"Maria, Shadow…" Gerald slightly shouted and tumbled over and landed on a project he was working late on, causing him to be covered in a thick sticky substance.

Gerald ignored the mess on him and once again started to rush to the door when he slipped on the mess he made and tumbles onto the small sofa, bursting a feather pillow as he fell on it. Once again Maria and Shadow's screams could be heard as the professor picked himself up, ignoring the feathers that were stuck on himself and finally managed to run out of his office and towards the two children.

"No run…get out of there…Ahhh…" Maria screamed in fear as a woman was being attacked by a paranormal being.

"Oh chaos no don't go in there…Ahhh run, run for your life…Noooo." Shadow screamed also feeling the same amount of fear as he and Maria hugged each other.

Gerald heard the two as he got closer to where they were, he skidded to a halt and stood at the entrance of the observation deck facing the earth and saw his two children cuddling one another shaking in fear as their eyes were glued to the computer screen in the middle of the room. Shadow saw a figure in the corner of his eyes and he slowly turned his head to look over at the entrance way. His eyes went wide in shock and fear at what he saw.

"Ahhh we're going to die…Maria I thought you said none of this was real." Shadow said in terror, causing Maria to look over at what Shadow was looking at.

"Ahhh Shadow do something, I don't want to die." Maria exclaimed as she held onto the black and red hedgehog for dear life.

"Calm down you two…what in chaos are you two watching?" Gerald announced his identity as he slowly walked over to the two who looked less terrified upon hearing his voice.

"P-Professor is that you?" Shadow asked a little shaky.

"Yes, yes its me, now what are you both screaming about?" Gerald asked then looked down at the film cases on the floor then shouted, "HORROR MOVIES"

"G-grandpa…" Maria called as she put her hands over her ears.

"What in chaos name are you both doing watching horror films at your ages?" Gerald said a little angry like with arms crossed.

"Erm…" Maria said first, not really having an answer.

"Well?" Gerald again asked for an answer.

"You look funny what happened to you professor?" Shadow asked in hopes it will distracted him…which it did.

"Well upon hearing your screams of terror I rushed to see what was going on and tripped and fell onto a little project I was working on and the results were me covered in a thick blue glue like substance. I then got up and slipped on the substances and fell hard onto a feather pillow again resulting in me covered in cream coloured feathers…only to find the two of you watching horror films late in the night. Again I'll ask one last time, what are the two of you doing watching inappropriate movies?" Gerald explained but was soon back to the unanswered question.

"Its my fault Professor I didn't want to watch anything to mushy so I persuaded Maria to go along with something more interesting…I'm sorry." Shadow said taking the blame, he drooped his ears down and looked to the floor in an apologetic way.

"Right, Maria could you please go to bed while I have a little talk with Shadow and no buts young lady. "Gerald said with a firm tone then watched Maria walk away slowly, glancing back at Shadow with sad eyes.

Once Maria was gone and out of earshot Gerald looked down at his creation and smiled warmly at him.

"Now Shadow we both know this was Maria's idea and not yours." Gerald calmly said then receiving a shocked look from Shadow as he moved his head up to face him.

"N-no it was my idea…" Shadow shot back with a surprised tone.

"You are a terrible liar Shadow, Maria wont get into trouble but if you don't start telling me the truth you will for lying to me…now just think hard about what you want to admit to me." Gerald said in a somewhat firm and serious tone.

"…It was my fault I'm to blame." Shadow said crossing his arms over his chest, sticking to his guns.

"If that is what you wish Shadow, go to your room and report to me first thing in the morning for your punishment…GO NOW!" Gerald said frowning at Shadow's lies then shouted in anger for him to leave.

Shadow uncrossed his arms and marched off unhappily to his room, still with a frown on his face. Gerald watched him leave and sighed. He admired Shadow for sticking up for his granddaughter but hated being lied to. Gerald also left to go clean himself up and to think of a punishment for Shadow. Shadow entered his room with a grumpy look but that was soon changed into a surprised one as he saw Maria sitting on his bed.

"M-Maria what are you doing I here, if the professor sees you…" Shadow asked in a slightly high pitched voice.

"Why did you tell grandpa it was your fault?" Maria asked feeling a little sad

"If you want my honest answer, I don't really know. He knew it was you by the way but I insisted it wasn't." Shadow said solemnly with a warm smile at his friend.

"Are you going to be punished?" Maria asked in a whisper.

"Yes but not for the movies ill be punished for lying…and I don't care, I would stick up for you in a heart beat." Shadow said with a determined look at the end of his sentence.

"Thank you Shadow." Maria said getting up from his bed and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Ewe gross girly kisses, yuck." Shadow playfully announced as he wiped the kiss off his check.

Maria found the display a little funny, she giggles at his reaction then lightly pushed him.

"Hay anyone would think you were gay." Maria said with a grin then left his room and walked into hers.

"Wait Maria…what is gay?" Shadow asked in confusion but didn't get an answer, for Maria wasn't there to do so.

Shadow made a mental note to ask her at some point tomorrow or he could ask the Professor in hopes that that subject would maybe make him forget about his punishment later on. Shadow rubbed his eyes as he felt a sudden tiredness wash over him, he kicked off his skates and pealed away his gloves before getting into his bed. Shadow closed his eyes and it didn't take long before he was under a deep sleep.

"Please to chaos don't let him ask me what gay means." Gerald whispered as he peeped inside Shadow's room, obviously heard the question that was called out.

Gerald silently walked over to Shadow and placed a small note on the bedside table then creped back out to retire to his own bed. The note on the table said;

Shadow,

Please see me in the training room for you punishment. I will tell you what it is when you arrive. I do hope in the future you will think twice upon lying to me.

Dad…