Sorry it's been so long since I've updated or written anything. Life's been hectic and unpredictable. Thanks for the reviews! They're appreciated!
39. Holding
Shadow was running, panting heavily. His footsteps echoed through the halls, Maria's hand held tightly in his. The thudding footsteps of the soldiers chasing them were heard easily, and they were steadily growing closer and closer. They duo made a sharp right turn, their steps never faltering. They were in a room that had but one escape pod, and Shadow worriedly wondered which one of them would make it, because not both of them could fit into it.
Maria deserved to live, he decided. She'd always wanted to see Earth, and she was such a kind and gentle soul, innocent and sweet to her very core. He would gladly forfeit his life for hers. Before he could do anything though, he suddenly lurched forward, his hold on her loosening until it was broken. He fell into the escape pod, and it closed almost instantly, effectively holding him hostage, so to speak.
Startled and more than afraid, Shadow turned around, braving the grim scene that was sure to greet him. However, instead of seeing Maria, his first best friend, the older sister he never had, and the only family member he had except for Dr. Gerald Robotnik, looking at him, he saw instead Sally. Her smile was sad, though her sapphire eyes shone with happiness and love. She walked towards him, her auburn hair fanning her face like a burning halo, and her hand was pressing against the glass of the escape pod.
He pressed his hand right above hers, wanting to feel its warmth through the barrier between them. Tears, hot, salty tears, trailed down his face and dripped-dropped to the floor. This was wrong. Sally should be here. She was his princess, the woman who effortlessly held his heart in the palms of her hands.
They both turned around at the sound of guns clicking, and Shadow knew that they had been discovered and that Death was right around the corner, cradling her scythe in her hands as waited to claim their souls. One soldier pointed his gun at Sally, his finger on the trigger. Before either of them could blink, a single gunshot rung out, and Shadow could only watch in horror as his princess, his love, slowly crumbled to the ground, blood quickly pooling around her.
Her shuddering breaths broke the silence. Her hand instinctively touched her wound, her fingers and palm now stained with her blood. Dragging herself across the ground, she made it to the nearby control panel and reached forward and grabbed the lever.
"Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog. I love you." She smiled at him one last time, desperately gasping for air and vainly fighting off Death. Those chilling words lingering in the air, her beautiful sapphire eyes gazing loving into his crimson depths for the last time, Sally pulled the lever, effectively saving his life at the cost of her own.
Shadow immediately woke up, gulping down welcomed breaths of air into his lungs. His heart was beating almost violently in his chest, and he felt chilled and haunted. He was aware of the arms around him, and he heard the soothing voice of the one who he loved so much talking to him, rocking him gently back and forth in an effort to rest his frazzled nerves.
"It's okay, baby. I'm right here. I'm still here; my heart's still beating." She reached for his hand and placed it right over her heart, and he was relieved to feel the steady beats of her heart beneath the palm of his hand. He felt her hand at his face, wiping his tearstained face dry.
"Don't leave me," he whispered hoarsely, holding her tightly, his eyes staring into hers. She smiled kindly at him, hugging him back.
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be than with you." And their lips met in a passionate, loving kiss that chased away his fears and anguish away. She was here. She was alive, and she was his. Her heart was with him, and his was with her. He couldn't, wouldn't lose her. He loved her too much.