Before the Vision
Chapter 7: Adjustment
Almost a month had past ever since the terrible Christmas accident, and yet Shadow was still inside of the capsule constantly being monitored. He grew accustomed to it eventually and actually remembered the faces and names of the scientists on each shift. He really had nothing else to do as they conducted countless tests on him and Prof. Gerald was rarely seen.
"I guess he's spending more time with Maria." Shadow thought to himself.
Despite the lack of seeing his loved ones, Shadow was reassured that Maria and Gerald were doing well. The only thing left that he could look forward to was returning to his home… if it would ever happen.
In the second week of February the scientists performing tests on Shadow decided to take a week long break. It became quite lonely for the hedgehog since the only faces that ever came into the lab were a few security guards, but like before he adjusted to it. Spending most of his hours sleeping inside the capsule, Shadow finally had some time to himself. Instead of bringing back past memories he decided to focus on other things that joggled his mind. Like the world outside the lab. He'd never seen it before but imagined it to be much better than life underground. To the best of his ability, Shadow used his mind to create an image of what it might look like on the outside. Dazzling colors, a loving sun beaming down on him. Certainly the outside world was worth living in if it was as beautiful as he imagined. But his chances of ever seeing it were darkened by his imprisonment.
Midway through the week unexpected visitors came to see Shadow. He was sleeping silently inside the capsule when the security clearance was heard coming from the other side of the entrance. The small beep awoke the hedgehog but he remained on his back assuming it was just the guards. As the doors hissed open and closed, Shadow's ears twitched at the sound of footsteps approaching the capsule. A light recognizable voice greeted him to his surprise and the black and red hedgehog immediately shot up and turned around. There in front of his eyes were Maria in a wheelchair and Prof. Gerald standing behind her.
"MARIA!" Shadow yelled happily shooting up to his feet.
He pressed his hands against the glass smiling happily at the young girl. Maria returned the smile and waved to him lightly.
"I missed you." she said in her tiny voice.
"I missed you too Maria." Shadow replied.
He could feel himself coming to tears over the reunion with his 'sister'. Although still inside the capsule, Shadow could feel Maria's warm and gentle smile giving him a hug and embraced the feeling with a sigh. Gerald observed the two as they silently exchanged their feelings and felt quite emotional himself.
"It's so wonderful to finally see you two back together again." Gerald said quietly. "Now that Maria is out of the hospital I can try to get you out of the capsule Shadow."
"Really?" Shadow's hopeful eyes looked upon the professor.
"Yes. It may be a bit difficult but perhaps Maria can 'convince' my colleagues that you're not as terrible as they think." Gerald had a light but somehow sly smile on his face.
Shadow immediately caught on to the professor's idea and smirked as well. But he looked back at Maria and then gave a questioning look at the wheelchair she was in.
"Why are you in a wheelchair?" Shadow asked.
"The doctors said that I should stay off of my feet for a while but I feel perfectly fine. Grandfather here wanted me to stay in the chair anyways. You know how protective his is." Maria replied cheerfully.
Shadow chuckled a bit as Gerald proceeded to turn Maria's wheelchair around.
"Don't worry Shadow." Gerald said looking back at the hedgehog. "It'll only be a few more days before you're out of here."
"Ok then professor." Shadow replied.
Maria waved goodbye and Shadow did likewise. The hedgehog watched the two disappear out of sight as the metal doors hissed open and closed again. A long sigh came out of Shadow as he leaned against the glass sliding to the floor. His heart was still racing as if he had just gotten off of an intense roller coaster ride. Just the sight of Maria left Shadow nearly speechless and void of all of his troubles. With the promise the professor gave, Shadow had a future to look forward to; a future with his best friend and 'sister', Maria.
"I can't believe it." The hedgehog thought. "I'm finally going home to Maria."
Just the though of being back home made his heart flutter ever so lightly. All of his troubles with the scientists seemed to have disappeared. Nothing else mattered to the hedgehog anymore besides the comfort of his home. Life suddenly returned to the beautiful state Shadow was so accustomed to… a state of serenity with the family he loved so much.
Professor Gerald had kept his word. In just a matter of a few days Shadow was released from the capsule. A few unpleasant eyes fell upon the hedgehog as he stepped down from the capsule platform and followed Gerald out of the lab, but Shadow hardly even noticed. His thoughts remained on Maria who was waiting for him at home in the underground compound. As Gerald and Shadow descended down the elevator to the underground compound, Shadow couldn't stop fidgeting. The suspense of just getting home was killing him inside and he quickly grew impatient like a small child waiting for his gift.
Finally the elevator doors opened and before Gerald had even stepped out, Shadow darted past the professor taking off down the hallway.
"I'm coming Maria…" was all that Shadow could think.
He flew past other residents who stepped aside watching the hedgehog blaze past him. The jets on his shoes had turned on automatically allowing him to glide down the halls smoothly. Shadow made the final turn down the hallway where home was and skidded to a stop in front of the door. He quickly entered the code and the metal door hissed open. Shadow flew in heading towards Maria who was sitting on the couch with a book in hand. He dove into Maria's lap pushing her against the back of the couch and wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"Oh Maria!" Shadow said almost crying.
"Shadow!" Maria said with a light giggle. "I see you're glad to be home."
The hedgehog gave no reply but held onto Maria longer as the teenager caressed him softly. A few seconds later Gerald entered into home letting out a tired breath and placing his hand over his chest.
"My," he exhaled. "I've never seen Shadow move so quickly."
The old professor slumped into his armchair still catching his breath. Maria laughed lightly as she pulled Shadow onto her lap.
"I guess coming home was all that Shadow could think about." Maria said looking down at the hedgehog.
"Yes it most certainly was." Gerald took off his glasses wiping them with a handkerchief. "I have a feeling he'll be spending more time with you from now on. Every time he ventures out, Shadow seems to get into more trouble with the others."
Maria agreed with a simple nod and continued to caress Shadow's head as he laid silently in her lap. She couldn't help but wonder why he was so silent at the moment. Perhaps after the past harsh month the hedgehog did not want to ruin this sweet reunion with words.
As the days past life slowly returned to normalcy for Shadow and his small family. He and Maria exchanged gifts on Valentine's Day and Shadow even recited a poem he wrote to Gerald and Maria. Gerald was certainly right on one point. Shadow did spend more time with Maria and never left the home. The two played games together and discussed books they had both read. Maria even explained to Shadow what it was like in the outside world.
Vivid images of a brilliant yellow sun and crystal blue sky swirled in the hedgehog's head. He imagined the air being crisp and clean and feeling of the soft grass on his hands. But what reeled him in was Maria's description of the sunsets. A soft water colored sky of orange, red, pink, and indigo was painted onto the canvas of Shadow's mind. The half-sun sitting on the horizon preparing for a goodnight's rest satiated the hedgehog's imagination. A cool breeze coming in, stars dotting the sky, the crickets crying their soft melodies of sorrow… It was definitely a whole new world for Shadow as he disappeared into depths of his mind.
"I want to see this outside world." he said, his eyes closed and his body lounged back on the couch.
"See it?" Maria asked. "Well I'm not sure. It all depends on if grandfather says that it's ok."
Just then Gerald stepped out of his room joining the two in the living room.
"So what's the discussion about today?" he asked.
"Shadow wants to go outside." Maria informed her grandfather.
"Outside?" Gerald scratched his bald head pondering for a second. "Well I'm not exactly sure about that. I am going to be quite busy the next few days…"
"I can take him."
Gerald looked at Maria surprised a bit.
"I honestly think that you're still not well enough to leave Maria. Perhaps much later--"
"She'll be ok professor. I'll be with her." Shadow interrupted Gerald.
The old man looked over at the hedgehog still having doubts in his mind. Shadow sat up and looked into Gerald's eyes sternly, hopefully to show his determination. Seconds went by before Gerald exhaled placing his hands on his hips.
"I guess there's no holding you back Shadow." Gerald said. "Tomorrow you and Maria can go outside and take a look around town. But don't stray too far from the institute ok you two?"
"We promise." Shadow and Maria replied in unison.
Gerald left the home to go and finish some work in his office. As soon as the door closed Maria and Shadow looked at each other with smiles.
"Getting excited?" Maria asked.
"Of course!" Shadow exclaimed.
Once again a rush of anticipation filled the hedgehog as he laid back across the couch. After so much misfortune things were finally looking up for the hedgehog. He would finally get to see the outside world and be able to taste the crisp air in his lungs. He could just feel the sun's beams already warming him up and the sounds of chirping birds filling his ears with joy. As Maria went back to sewing a small mitten she was making, Shadow decided to take a short nap and hopefully dream about the new world he would see very soon.