Part 9

Life Everlasting

"It's unexpected…what one kiss

Can do to you…it can change

Your entire life or make it better…

I never felt love, I never felt warmth…

I was left in the cold to die in a pool…

A pool of torture and death…but…

A light came…"

Author's Notes: Sorry! This took a lot longer then I expected! Sorry for the massive delay, but I was pressed for time, what with school and art requests I had to fill…that's why today's chapter is short. There will be no profiles in this story, but next story, I'll hope to have one. Until then, please bare with me. Here's chapter 9...have fun and enjoy for now and sorry once again.

-Neo

*Remington's POV*

I was shocked…I mean, one minute, I'm just talking with Amy, next thing you know, she's kissing me! I was shocked and surprised….believe me, I'm not easily surprised. Amy wouldn't let me go, but I did and when I did, I gasp for air. Amy stared at me like she just kissed her own brother.

"….I'm…I'm so sorry." She gasped, "I didn't mean to…I mean…"

I couldn't say anything. To me, I felt violated. My eyes were wide eyed. I took a couple of deep breathes

and started to leave.

"WAIT, Remington!" I heard her cry. I just kept running. I was in mixed feelings. Was I mad because she kissed me? Embarrassed? I don't know. I just ran.

Nighttime came when I went home…my other home. I don't usually live with my family…I don't know why, perhaps I'm not comfortable enough with my family…I mean, I haven't seen them for 10 years. I live with Sheriff Holmes in an oriental home, complete with the sliding paper doors and such. There's a beautiful garden in the backyard, complete with Cherry Blossoms, a mini-lake, and a mini-waterfall. I go there a lot for meditating and to think…when I'm not allowed to leave the house, as told by Holmes. I sighed and entered the house where Holmes was busy cleaning up some mugs (There's a small bar located here where he works when he isn't sheriff, kinda like my job as bouncer…except he doesn't know I'm a bouncer).

"You're late….again." Holmes mumbled.

"Well, something came up." I shrugged.

"Do you realize what time it is!?" Holmes raised his voice, "It's over 9!"

"I'm 17, I can stay up later then nine!" I shrugged.

"You need to be a good role model." Holmes glutted, "What kind of constable stays up late? Especially one your age…we never, in EST history, ever had a teenage constable."

"Then why don't you replace me, you old bag?" I grew annoyed at his criticism

"Damn it, boy, don't talk back t me!" Holmes pointed to me, "I raised you and took you in when no one else did…without me, you'd have been a street kid forever!"

"You took me in, you didn't adopt me." I corrected.

"That's because you told me not to…not that I want to anyways, you bloody annoying child!" Holmes scoffed at me. I glared at him with a burning feel in my heart. He's such an old bastard.

"Don't give me that evil look!" Holmes grunted, "I may be 51, but I'm still a strong echidna…"

I sighed.

"Now go to your room." Holmes pointed, "And stay there for the rest of the night!"

Sighed again and did as I was told. I had to do something…tonight was my night as bouncer, luckily, I have a plan…I always do in situations like this.

It was 10 at night. Holmes usually has his English tea before going to bed at this time and I'm usually the one making it.

"Remington, get your ass down here and make me some tea!" I heard him shout. I sighed as I lifted apart a piece of the floorboard in my room. Inside were a couple of jars. I dug around until I found one that I needed, " Silent Roses". This should put him to sleep until next morning without any distractions. I pour a few of the dark flakes in my hand and went downstairs where I started tea. Once it was almost ready, I poured the flakes and stirred it in until none was left to see.

"Is that tea ready?!" Holmes shouted.

"Yea, yea." I sighed as I brought the tea kettle in. I poured a cup and waited. Holmes was about to take a drink, but he stopped.

"What?" I asked as he glared at me.

"Hmm…how do I know you didn't put in any of your potions and crap?" Holmes stared.

"It's just English Tea!" I gasped, "Drink it before it gets cold."

"Not until YOU taste it first!" Holmes slid the cup towards me. I sighed. Stupid Holmes…I'm too clever for that.

"Fine." I took the cup and pretended that I drank it, then I sat it down.

"There, it's fine, now go ahead and drink."

Holmes sighed as he took a sip. He later drank the whole thing and in mere seconds…he was asleep.

I grinned in triumph and took my backpack and left the house.

It was so dark, only the headlights lighting my way. The bar wasn't so far off, so I walked there. By then, it was about 10:30. I got inside and one of my bar buddies greeted me.

"What the hell took you so damn long!!?! It was Cosmic Stardust.

" Holmes." I responded.

"Man, you need to ditch that loser." Cosmic came in, "Leave him and live with us."

"If I leave, I can't be constable…the one thing that keeps me going through life." I forced a grin.

"Well, you better start bouncing, kid." Cosmic sighed, "This bar ain't gonna protect itself."

"Right." I went back outside where I stayed and guarded. Cosmic…what a character.

As I guarded, I thought of the kiss. Damn it! I didn't let it enter my head until now! But I couldn't help but think about it. I was never kissed by a girl on the lips before, let alone anything romantic, so that came as a surprised. If I also didn't know better, I swear I saw Knuckles for a moment during that time. I didn't know because I didn't get a glimpse. It surprises me even more that I didn't struggle or anything for a long time. It's like enjoyed the kiss. Dear God, am I turning soft!? I cannot afford that! I sighed as I pondered all these thoughts. It never left my head for the rest of the night…

*Eggman's POV*

"Knuckles?" I knocked on the door, "Do you want to come out?"

"No." he cried out.

"Are you sure?" I asked again, "You rarely come out, it's not good for you to be cooped up inside all-"

"Leave me alone!" he shouted, louder, this time.

I sighed.

Poor Knuckles. Ever since the end of April, Knuckles stayed in his room all day, coming only to use the bathroom and eat, which he does very little off…I swear, he'll starve himself to death! It's the middle of June now and poor Knuckles refuses to get out. Sonic and his buddies kept asking how he was doing and if he'll ever come out…Knuckles never did.

I went to the living room where I pondered. What could have caused Knuckles to act this way? I've been pondering for the last couple of months now. I was also pondering on what to get for Sonic's birthday which was in a few days. He was going to turn 18 and he would like it if Knuckles was there. I wouldn't want Knuckles to miss Sonic's 18th birthday. After all, Sonic was there for his. My head was severely hurting, so I went into the kitchen and ate an aspirin. Just after I was done, I got a door knock. I sighed and asked who it was.

"It's Rouge."

I sighed again, the headache kicking in. For the months now, Rouge has been trying to get Knuckles out of his room and into her arms…no luck yet…but if she can somehow manage to get him out, that'll be great. I opened the door and let her go about her business. I always watched closely incase anything drastic happened.

"Still in that room?" Rouge shouted.

"Go away." I heard Knuckles mumble.

"Hey, I'm just trying to help you." Rouge sighed, hands in hips.

"Well, you're not doing a good job, now go away!" Knuckles shouted.

"You can't stay there forever!" Rouge shouted, "Get over it! Whatever happen with you and Amy are over! GET OVER IT!"

I gasped at the sound of Rouge's tone. Usually she's patient with Knuckles, but I guess she crossed the limit now. Her patience has ended.

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose!" She continued shouting, Ger over it and get out of the damn room!"

"You just don't get it, do you!?" He shouted, "Leave me alone!"

"You stupid bastard!" She was screaming at the top of her lungs, "IF YOU DON'T GET OUT, I'LL MAKE YOU!!!"

"FINE!" I heard Knuckles shout.

Then I saw Rouge trying desperately to open the door. I ran upstairs and grabbed Rouge who was kicking and screaming.

"Calm down, Rouge, calm down!" I tried to restrain her, but she was one stubborn bat, "Getting Knuckles out by shouting won't do any good."

"Well, what do you suggest we do!?" she yelled directly at me.

"Easy, easy, Rouge, I'm right next to you." I sighed, "Look, perhaps we need to find out the whole problem behind all this."

"Oh, I know the problem!" Rouge crossed her arms, "Amy isn't with him, period!"

"Perhaps there's more to it then that, my dear." I sighed, "We should go see Amy."

"We?" Rouge popped in.

"Do you wanna find out the problem with Knuckles?" I asked. That got Rouge, "Then let's go."

To Be Continued…