A much darker chapter this time, but I hope you guys like it!

:) enjoy.

Seventh

Running through the darkness, his strong legs sprung him across the long concrete path. He was holding me in his arms and I felt warm. Not entirely safe, but warm. There were tears pouring from my cheeks, although I wouldn't allow myself to remember why. The figure carrying me was invisible in the night and I could only imagine the one hedgehog I hoped for it to be.

My door swiftly clicked open and the lights flicked on above me. I didn't ever leave my house open, so I was definitely with someone I knew. A small weight lifted from my chest; I was safe for now.

I felt the weight of my body pressing into the couch, lethargy oozing through each muscle. I tried to lift my arm and wrap it around myself. Like a blade across my skin, pain shot through the nerves in my hand. Sensing the pain, a deep, velvet-like voice drifted through the air.

"Don't move," he said. My arm fell back to my side again; glad to be relieved of the effort. The pain had ceased but the voice echoed through my head. Not Sonic. That voice isn't Sonic. As if I had said the words aloud, the deep voice spoke again.

"No, I am not him," he intoned with a hint of loathing and then his voice softened. "Are you alright?"

I nodded and tried to shift upright. It stung but I wanted to see the source of the strong arms that took me to safety. As my eyes slowly opened I saw a dark figure, almost identical to my usual hero. My eyes almost fooled me and I could have sworn it was the same old cobalt hedgehog I knew-the same green eyes filled with concern. But before I could think twice, the red eyes looked towards me, catching my thoughts. It was not my hero, but his rival.

"You're going to have to tell me what happened, Amy." His tone rung through in a way I had never heard before. It was laced with anxiety; an emotion Shadow would never show. His eyes were not glaring, but half closed and almost pained. When I looked down at myself, I saw why. Tiny fresh bruises were forming on my arms, almost in the shape of fingers. There were a few scratches too and maroon blood stained spots on the front of my dress. I immediately understood not only the concern or the pain, but what had happened. I tried to stand but only crumpled to the floor, tears pouring down my face.

*

Jumping upright, I felt tears down my cheeks but my arms were a soft pink, like usual. There was no blood, no bruises, no darkness and no Shadow. I shook my head and went to wash my face.

That dream had come and gone lately. Ever since that night, they would fly back into my mind from time to time, assuring that I never forgot. The only time they kept away seemed to be when Sonic came to stay, which had been greater and greater nights as the month went on. Perhaps he thought I was getting worse… then again, I probably was.

I could never admit it aloud but I needed him around. He would take away the bottles on the table and the sleeping pills on the bench. Sometimes it annoyed me but I didn't stop him; if he stayed it meant I would be able to sleep.

I found myself in the bathroom and instead of simply washing my face I had taken a long, hot shower. It had taken away all the memories of the dream but it was like trying to float a lead balloon; the instant I wasn't busy, the pain would come back all over again.

My arms gripped the sink and I looked into the mirror. Where did this all go so wrong? When did all my plans and dreams become this?

I wasn't sure what to do anymore. All I could see was a stranger in the mirror. The short, bouncing spines turned into long, dull strands, hanging on either side of my face. The playful, red dress turned into whatever I could throw on. And I hardly pulled off the trashy look.

For a moment I mused with myself the idea of changing and almost snorted out loud. The truth was that I could see the world with clearer eyes now. It wasn't a fairytale, where Sonic would rescue me from every danger. I wasn't the heroine with long, beautiful curls, standing in the arm of her prince. Perhaps I'd never seen it before because I was so focused on finding love.

I sighed. I couldn't look into the mirror anymore without letting my negative thoughts run wild. Walking into the kitchen, I heard two quick knocks on the door. My heart jumped. Back already? I couldn't help but run to the door.

I swung the door open, squeaking the rusted, old hinges. I could have sworn Sonic was standing before me had I not known better.

"Hello," I uttered, barely concealing my disappointment. His eyes did not waver, simply staring straight into mine like they could see my soul. I tried to avoid looking back and muttered, "Err… what's up?"

"May I come in?" he asked, a small frown creasing his cheeks. I gestured my head back and lead him into the lounge room, sitting on the couch diagonal from his dark, spine-chilling figure. He looked away for a moment, as if he were choosing his words carefully before he spoke.

"Are you alright?" he began, looking up from the floor, straight into my eyes. There was an immense temptation to stare back but I still managed to stare at my feet. I didn't want him to see the answer before I said it and I didn't want him to see the shock. It was unlike Shadow to even show acknowledgement of those around him, let alone asking how they're 'holding up'.

"I'm okay, why?" I snapped, feeling defensive. Someone must've sent him here.

"I've seen you around Amy. You are not okay. You haven't been since I found you that day and I want to know why."

I couldn't help myself; my jaw dropped. He stared at me more intensely than ever and I tried as hard as possible to avoid looking up. I had to resist demanding he leave then and there for being so blunt. It took a long silence before I sighed and muttered brusquely, "Because life is shit."

The room echoed with the silence; I was back to staring at my shoes and Shadow was looking at my various glass collections in the room. Judging by the slight anger on his face, he didn't seem to like me drinking either.

"He feels guilty," he muttered, glancing over to the second collection of empty bottles beside the TV. I knew who he was talking about instantly, looking up and into his eyes for the first time. He was the one looking away now-staring at the rings around his wrists.

"What?? …What for?" I stuttered. "He has nothing to do with anything-"

He interrupted; wearing an expression as if I had asked him the colour of the sky.

"He let you down," he corrected and stared deep into my eyes. Now I had realised why I couldn't look; I could remember the fierce, ruby eyes staring at me not so long ago…

--

I heard a loud smack and the door I came in through fell to the floor. The two men beside me inched closer, pressing metal against either side of my neck. I didn't need to turn to see what it was; my heart beat thumped hard against my chest and I knew. I could hear the man on my left growl but I couldn't look up to see who had come in.

Before I could blink, the scene had instantly changed. The man on my left had gone, the right man pressing his gun closer and closer to my veins. He had crouched down and his head was now beside mine, looking at the dark form holding a man against the wall. I squinted in the small amount of light but could only distinguish the shape of a hedgehog.

"Let her go," the hedgehog insisted, his voice echoing with rage. I could hear the man choking and spluttering under his grip, trying to escape. It was no use; the man was pushed harder against the wall, being held up now by his neck. I could see him squirming out of the corner of my eye, but my focus was on what held him up. The face was now turned towards me. He was looking down at my arms and at the gun on my throat; his red eyes filled with an indescribable rage.

Suddenly he pushed the man harder against the wall. His arms thrashed futilely against the hedgehogs and soon he was dropped to the floor. He didn't move and his eyes fell closed.

Thanks to the door being kicked down, there was a small light coming from the corner, so I looked around the room. It looked like an old shed; the floor was covered in dirt and grease. It was mostly empty minus a few spanners and metal scrap in the corners. There was a small light bulb above me, dangling from a loose wire, creating a dim light around the darker corners.

I concentrated hard on the hedgehog as he moved around the room. No matter how hard I tried, I could not recognise the hedgehog's face. Not as he approached me and took away the man on my right. Not as he picked me up and carried me outside. Not even as I looked at the dark fur on his arms that held me as we moved through the streets.

All I could see was those big red eyes staring right back into mine.

Note: Yes, I admit it was poorly edited. I just bloody wanted to upload it.