New chapter now. Not really sure how to think of this one, somewhat alright. Still trying to fix it up from how it originally was (which was completely horrible, you'd laugh if you saw it.) Review please, cause I like! And advice is good too, because I need. :) And I imagine all the characters to be a little older now, perhaps by three years. Thought it should be clarified.
Also, I may not update any stories until near the end of June. Schoolwork, you know. (sighs and goes to read Chemistry).
Chapter 3- Haunt
"Amy, why are you shivering?"
The pink hedgehog could not control her movements. Her purse lay on the floor, forgotten. Her emerald eyes locked onto the pale chameleon before her that was smiling most disturbingly.
But his hands…
His hands were of an odd design. From his wrist it was like a club, made of dark blue metal about seven inches long. His fingers were saber-like claws, sharp curved metal that could tear through the flesh easily. Three of them topped both metal clubs of hands. He moved the claws gently, his smile stretching into a grin.
"It's been such a long time," he whispered.
"No," Amy breathed, green eyes wide. The chameleon moved towards her, reaching out his cold, metal hands to her.
"No! Stay away!"
He halted in mid-stride, eyes wide and confused as a lost child. "Why?" His voice was of deep hurt.
Amy winced at the strain in his words, but tried to control her shivering. Step by step, she backed away. "No, Sen. Not after that, I can't."
"Amy," his voice yearning. "I-"
"No! I told you! I can't take it!" Immediately, the girl ran from him, escaping through the stairwell built beside the elevator. So frantic, she had left her cherry purse lying dejected on the floor.
Sen continued to stare at the spot where Amy had been. His violet eyes hardened to purple steel, the claws turned towards one another, beginning to resemble a repellent fist. He stared at the purse she left, white teeth flashing in a livid snarl.
"You're not leaving me Amy… no, you're not. Coming all this way for you, all this way. You promised me, Amy. Never break a promise. You belong to me, Amy."
His claws relaxed, his arms limp by his sides. The eyes glinting a strange light.
"I'm taking you home…"
"Back so soon, Miss Amy? Miss Amy?"
The hedgehog rushed past the doorman who blinked in confusion. Muttering a soft apology, she ran out through the open door, quills in disarray. Her eyes were blurry, shedding the unwanted tears that formed at the edges of her eyes. The sidewalk rushed her forward, there was no substance in anything she ran past. All were a surreal dream that she had not fully awaken from yet.
Because here, right now. He was here.
Memories resurfaced, stabbing her brain. She forcefully pushed them back down, stomped them into the dirt, covering it with the hopes of her future. But he had just taken them all away when he said her name.
At a street corner she stopped to wipe away her tears. No one was near, the pink hedgehog was alone. Taking deep breaths, she tried to sort out her thoughts.
"What am I going to do? He's here. I can't take this again. Why do I have to see this-this…I need help. Maybe Sonic can-"
"…Why?"
She gasped at the sound and turned around, searching. The wind whispered through her quills, chilling.
"Wh-where are you?" she asked the empty air.
"Why do you need…Sonic?"
Amy looked up and saw the white chameleon sitting with bent knees on a lamppost, looking down at her with those violet eyes.
"Sen…"
"Why do you need Sonic?" he asked with more insistence. "Answer me, Amy."
"It's…different now." She backed away slowly.
Sen jumped off, landing right behind the girl who immediately turned around to face him.
"Why are you afraid of me? I'm not going to hurt you."
"But-"
"I will never hurt you."
He reached out one 'hand' to caress her face, the claw just barely touching her quills.
"Sen, please don't!"
Confusion, mixed with anger, dawned in the chameleon's eyes once more. "You're afraid…"
Amy could not move, mesmerized by his eyes. His face moved closer to her own.
He touched her cheek with one claw.
As soon she felt the cold metal against her flesh, she was able to break the spell. The hedgehog pushed away the 'hand,' screaming in protest.
"Amy…"
"Sen! It's done, over!"
"No, Amy. No." The eyes pierced through her, devouring. He grabbed her roughly, claws against her arm, the sharp tips just touching with a hint of danger. "Don't leave me."
Her mind screamed in pure horror, until her mouth finally voiced it.
"No! No!"
Sonic stopped in his light jog as soon as he heard the scream. Emerald eyes widened in worry and concern as recognition set in.
"Amy!"
Taking up his speed, the blue hedgehog ran to her voice, dust kicked up by his fast feet.
Rouge flapped her wings unconsciously as her mind turned over her assignment. The green trees of the park gave way to the gray buildings of civilization, the black streets stretched out to the many different sections of the diverse city. People traveled about the cement and gravel, thoughts of their own cares propelling them forward to their chosen destinations.
The bat paid little attention to the mass below, her eyes distant as she considered her next move. Gloved fingers wrapped tight around the rolled up photograph as the wind caressed her white fur. There were many criminals out there; terrorists, rapists, and murderers all the way down to the most sadistic. This Sen character had an odd looking face to her, something strange. She did not get to check the rest of the remaining files that still lay inside her bag; social background, history, past crimes.
Only that he was a murderer and that she was sent to take him down.
Rouge guessed he must be a bit intelligent if he escaped from the cops for such a long period of time. But she hadn't a moments doubt that she was far more superior in intellect. She had only one problem. If she was a convicted murderous psychopath, where would she go?
The bat brooded on this subject and realized she would have to examine the information she had currently. Deciding on that, Rouge began to fly into the direction of her home until she heard an odd cry. Her ears perked.
"Amy?"
She could not breathe. Her body froze involuntarily from the coldness of the metal gripping her. She was afraid, fearing for her life and what Sen might do to her. There was no longer an eerie calmness in his face. The pale skin changed to a different shade of white as he pulled her nearer. The claws nudged on her flesh, but restricting just enough force to actually break the barrier.
Any more closer to him, and Amy would have felt his breath on her face.
"You…cannot…break a promise."
"P-please…"
Suddenly, the albino chameleon fell backward and hit the cement brutally. His claws left her arm, letting the sun melt away the stillness that had invaded her body. Amy looked up, and saw what had caused the lizard to collapse.
"Sonic!" Grateful tears sprang from her eyes like fountains.
The blue hedgehog stood next to Amy, blocking the distance between her and the white other. "Amy, are you okay?" he asked.
Sen rose back up, pupils dilated at the intrusion.
"Sonic, be careful!" the girl warned.
"Don't worry, I can handle him," the hero reassured with his confident grin. He then looked at the chameleon closely, recapping the face from before. "Wait, you're that guy from the news."
In response, the lizard leaped toward him, landing a strong front kick to the hedgehog's chest that sent him flying backward.
"No one will take her away from me," he whispered, face cold.
Getting back up, Sonic delivered a homing attack to the chameleon in great force. The battle continued on as both animals fought each other out while Amy watched helplessly. Sonic was holding his own well while his opponent lashed out almost wildly. Dodging the sharp claws, he later realized how the hands looked like. The hedgehog almost stopped in amazement at how the lizard had these unnatural looking appendages. They reminded him of Eggman's robots, and thought that perhaps this creature was a machine.
Before a claw nearly raked his skin, Sonic gave a roundhouse kick to the side, making the other stagger back.
"What do you want with Amy?" Sonic yelled out in demand, body tense.
Sen gazed at him with unconcealed rage. The blue tail flicked around dangerously, the scythe-like end scratching the ground.
"She…is mine."
Then Sonic was heaved to a building's wall, a result from the strike of the metal clubs connected to the lizard's arm.
Seeing the blue creature out of his way, Sen quickly moved towards the pink hedgehog. "Amy…Amy…"
She backed away but could not run, pulled back by his voice and eyes that pleaded for her to come into his arms.
His head shot up, tilting to the side, hearing something.
He was not able to touch her, having to leap sideways from the pair of flapping wings that nearly struck him. Landing next to a frightened Amy, her iron heels making a click against the cement, Rouge turned to face the lizard, wings still unfurled.
The bat had been flying that particular spot on Station Square when she heard the scream. She had seen Sonic fighting against another. Watching from the skies, she identified the face of the opponent. It had seemed that luck was on her side for on the same day she was sent to find him, she actually finds him! She felt her money troubles fade away at the sight of the terribly pale skin. Being a cunning treasure huntress, she did not make herself known yet and continued to watch the battle from above, wanting to determine her prey's strengths and weaknesses first. Only when Sen walked toward Amy did she feel the need to make herself known.
Rouge braced herself as the chameleon advanced.
"Stay where you are!" she shouted.
Sonic had now gotten back up and stood in front of Amy in protection, his emerald eyes blazing.
Sen fixed his eyes on the two living barriers before him, keeping him away from Amy. His Amy. They did not have the right to keep her from him. They had no idea what she meant to him.
His claws flicked slightly.
He would take her back home. He would take her, even if he had to break those barriers to tiny pieces, leaving for the rats to feast on…
"It's him! It's him!"
"Somebody call the cops now!"
"Crap, I need a cell phone!"
People were now gathering around, their affairs forgotten as they gawked at the spectacle on the streets. Whispering, the citizens pointed frantically at the chameleon with accusing fingers.
Sen slowly revolved his head around at the growing crowd. Too many. Too many here.
Gazing straight at Amy, he locked their eyes together.
I am not done.
Sen looked away, breaking the connection that left Amy trembling. He leaped toward the side of the building, grabbing onto tiny crevices as footholds as he climbed towards the top in quick movement. Eventually, he disappeared from view, leaving all the onlookers speechless at the sudden departure that no one even had time to think.
Amy's eyes were downcast at her feet.
"No, can't…no, no, no," she repeated over and over. She had seen his thoughts in violet irises, shining brightly. He was right, it would never be over. She was foolish enough to think she could outrun it. But it would not be over. She understood now.
Forever, with me.
Mine.
The police arrived at the scene with flashing red and blue lights. Interviewing any witnesses they could snare, they heard of the criminal's escape, climbing up the side of the building with dexterous skill, his claws wedging right into the bricks. The authority had also asked Sonic and Rouge about the lizard. Sonic had naturally explained how he had pummeled the so-called criminal with his expertise, while Rouge clarified how she saved his sorry butt when the hedgehog let down his guard.
"What do ya mean by that? I was totally in control," Sonic combated, defending his heroic status.
"Oh, so you wanted that thing to smack you across the face into the wall." Rouge stated, a sly smile spreading across her face.
"It was all part of my plan! Honestly, don't you know a good strategy when you see one?"
"Riiight. Strategy. Sure." Her eyelids lowered, amused.
"Oh, well thanks a lot," Sonic mumbled in irritation.
The two police officers conferring with them gave side stares to one another from the animals' dialogue. "Um, I think that's all we need for now. Thanks for the information."
Done with the meeting, both hedgehog and bat went to the street corner where they had let Amy stay near.
Sonic moved his cobalt head around. "Huh? Where is she? We only left for a second." His eyes could pick up no trace of the pink girl.
Rouge put her hands on her hips, annoyed at this new little mystery. "Well, she couldn't have gone far. We can look…Sonic, wait!"
Too late, the hedgehog moved his legs forward, his head occasionally moving from left to right.
Eyes twitching from the hero's instability to ever stand still, the bat spread her black wings, joining the search.
He will never leave me. He will never leave me.
Amy walked aimlessly on the rocky pavement, eyes examining the red and white on her shoes. To an observer's eyes, it would seem that her quills seemed lacking in brightness, and just laid on her head as if it were fatigued.
He will never leave me. He will never leave me.
Watching the jabbering movement of the people's mouths open and close as sounds dropped from their throats as they strolled, the girl just turned away and began to walk forward. The sun was near the horizon, twilight washing the dirty streets.
He will never leave me. He will never…leave…
Images forced their way to her mind, screaming for someone to look at them. To acknowledge them. To hear them. Amy did not try to push them back this time, but let it gush over her.
Years back she could recall. Promises made to one another. A white hand cupping her face.
He just tried to do that. But with new hands this time. That's what he called them. New. See, aren't they beautiful? Look, aren't they? Don't they seem so much better now?
"No, they're not. They're horrible, ugly, wrong, wrong, wrong…"
Her mouth moved on it's own as she stared at the orange sun.
But look, they're so beautiful. Like you. Like you…
Wrenching her green eyes away from the bright sphere, Amy cast them downward, gazing at a small puddle on the streets, an offspring from the storm last night. A pink, tear stained face looked back at her. Ripples moved across the surface and someone else was staring at her. It was undefined in features, changing from blue to white, blue to white. Then just white, then just blue. Then together, tearing her mind to try to find the difference. The blue was fading, and it frightened her.
"No, don't take him." she whispered.
I will never leave you.
"No…" she closed her eyes.
I will never leave you.
"No!"
Amy…
"Leave me alone!"
Amy…don't…
"Leave me alone!"
"Amy! Stop!"
She opened her eyes tentatively, spotting blue quills next to her.
"Amy, what's wrong?"
Sonic and Rouge both gazed at the young girl who kneeled down on the cement, gloved hands wet from beating the small pool of water over and over with full force. A few rips and tears were on her white gloves from connecting with the jagged ground. It did not reach her flesh, yet her hands hurt like hell. As if she had just put them in an open fire, letting the skin melt and broil.
"Amy…" Sonic put one comforting hand on her shoulder.
Trembling, she embraced the blue hero, her body convulsing with sobs. "S-Sonic! I-I can't take it! I don't want to go through that again! Not again!"
"W-what do you mean?" Sonic said in a baffled voice, taken aback by such display of emotion.
"He…won't leave me."
"Leave you? Do you mean that guy?" Rouge knelt down to her, ears ready for any information to slip by. "Do you know him?"
Amy remained silent, face pressed against Sonic's chest.
"Amy?" Rouge prodded once more.
The girl shook her head, signifying the end of the conversation.
"Don't worry, Ames," Sonic reassured with confident air. "If this guy's after you, I won't let him anywhere near you."
The pink hedgehog let out a shuddering sigh. "Sonic…" Her eyes faded.
I will never leave you.
It was raining again. The pellets of water bruising the leaves, plummeting into the soil with no sign of resistance. The clouds lumbered through the sky like giants, spreading their contents over the pitiful weak below, blocking the white moon from viewing their performance.
Sen looked up at the black clouds, body perfectly still while the tail swished in playful rhythm. Letting the water bathe him with the brutal droplets, sliding down his skin. He did not give a glance to the tombstones around him, watching the loner in eerie silence.
He tried to recall back to her face, her beautiful face. She had not even aged a day since last he saw her. Just to touch it once more would give him more joy than anything. And her voice, ringing like crystal bells. What a truly angelic creature.
She had pushed him away when he tried to touch her. It hurt him so much that she would do that. Why would she do that? Didn't she know that he would do anything for her? That he would die for her? That he would fight Death himself for her?
The lizard's mouth curved upwards. Yes, fight Death himself…
He always saw her in his dreams, that face so radiant. Those green eyes he wished he could stare into forever. She was perfect in every way. No flaws stained her. She was perfect. He could not let go of someone who was like that. That would be crazy of him. Insane.
Claws clenched grotesquely. He had come too far to lose her now, searching everywhere for the green light of her eyes. Leaving corpses on the ground, blood staining his arms, crawling in the dark when his legs felt too tired to move, all he had done for her. All for her. And now finding her perfect body move in the plaza, with perfect steps, and perfect eyes as green as supple leaves. And she rejected him?
And she called for someone's name. Some random name that she said as if it was the holy grail. That other that stood between them. Who was he? Did he know Amy? Did he hold her like he once did? Did she actually chose that thing, that Sonic, over him?
Clashes echoed above him as violet eyes glared violently, claws snatching the air for something to grab, something to tear.
Did she love him? That Sonic?
The metal hands went limp.
No, that was not right.
She would stay with him, only him, and this time she would not leave. He would make sure of that. Then they will be happy. Happy…
The rain showed no signs of halting, pouring on him with no end. Sen stretched out his arms, feeling it gentle lap against his skin. The red on his hands trickled off, rinsed by the purifying water. Putting his arms down, he stared at the body lying dead at his feet. Cuts decorating the flesh, mouth opened in a silent scream. The chest was gaping open, revealing all of the vital organs. Except the heart was missing.
That was in Sen's hands.
He gave a low chuckle, finding the victim's pose quite comical.
The lizard knelt down in a panther crouch, eyes landing on the gravestones erected on the earth. He needed somewhere peaceful to feast on, no crowds, no eyes. Just the rain that washed away everything. Dragging the body from the streets to the cemetery had been a simple task.
As the red rivers flowed down ivory white, he brought the heart to his mouth, taking small nibbles at first, then gorging bites, sinking his teeth into the soft meat. As the blood warming his mouth, he felt his limbs rejuvenate the more he ate until all that was left was the liquid on his claws that he licked off. Rising, he stretched, energy building up inside him. His eyes glazed with ecstasy.
"Amy, my Amy. I will take you home."