43. Nature's Fury
The wind was howling, rain beating harshly against the windowpanes and roof. Its pitter-pattering noise was surprisingly soothing, and Sally felt herself fighting against sleep's comforting embrace. The sky was dark, dreary gray color, flashes of lightning briefly lighting up the darkness before disappearing.
She heaved a sigh, absently playing with a strand of thread on her pajama shirt. She was bored out of her mind, but with the weather being so abysmal, there was no way for her to go outside, which would be dumb as hell on her part anyways. Her house was built to stand all sorts of weather, so she knew she was safe and sound. Her friends, thankfully, were safe within their shelters too, so she didn't have to worry too much about their safety.
"Maybe I should just take a nap," Sally murmured to herself, forcing herself to get up off her comfy sofa. Stretching and fighting off a yawn, she began trudging towards her bedroom. She could already hear her bed calling her name, and she wanted to lose herself into a blissful slumber.
A hard knock on her front door halted her movements. Shoulders tense, she unsheathed the energy blades from her bracelets and slowly made her way to her door. Adrenaline pumping, body alert and more than ready to fight, she eased her door open and swung her blades almost immediately.
"Wow, princess. I'm impressed. You almost got me." Sally halted her attack, her sapphire eyes meeting Shadow's amused gaze. Laughing breathlessly, she re-sheathed her energy blades, her body relaxing now that she realized she was in no danger. She quickly ushered Shadow inside the warmth of her home, closing her door and fastening it behind her.
Sighing softly, a tiny smile dancing on her lips, she focused her attention on her guest. He leaning against her living room's doorway, crimson eyes shining in the candle light. His lips were tugged into a frown, like usual, and a part of her itched to make him laugh and smile and what was she even thinking?!
Shaking her head, Sally willed herself not to go down that particular trail of thoughts. She was hopelessly crushing on one oblivious Shadow the Hedgehog, and she hadn't the faintest idea what to do about it. So, she did nothing, longing for him silently; her heart practically ached for him, much to her chagrin.
"What brings you to this neck of the woods, and in this turbulent kind of weather?" Sally found herself asking, seating herself back on her sofa. While she was happy to see the object of her adoration, she was also about to take the nap of a lifetime, and he unintentionally had interrupted that. On a plus side, though, at least she would have some company. She was lamenting on how bored she was, but she doubted Shadow would indulge her.
"I was just finishing up a mission for G.U.N. and was unaware that the weather would be like this. Your place was the closest, so I decided to stay her until the weather calmed down. If I'm not intruding or anything," he hastily added, gaze finally meeting hers. He looked unsure of himself, which was interesting, because he always carried himself with confidence and ease.
"Of course you can stay here, Shadow. You know my door's always open for you," she assured him, flashing him a sleepy, but genuine smile. When he smiled back at her, her heart threatened to beat right out of her chest. Screw going to sleep. With Shadow here keeping her company, sleep was definitely out of the question. Maybe she could use this opportunity to sweep him off his sweep, show him her good, funny side.
She silently thanked whoever was out there listening for making it storm tonight.