CHAPTER 10

A Troubled Mind

Shadow went limp.

"Answer me!" Sonic ordered pulling hard on Shadow's chest hair. "Who is Maria!"

"I-I can't!" was all the black hedgehog could say.

"Why not?" the blue hedgehog demanded.

"You would never understand."

Sonic was angry now. "I might! I'm not going to let you go until you tell me," he growled, tightening his grip. "Got that?"

Shadow let out a cry of pain but still didn't answer.

"Answer me!" Sonic once again ordered.

"I CANT!" Shadow screamed for the second time. "I just can't!"

Sonic hesitated. Shadow seemed genuinly upset about something. I wonder. Could he actually be worried about Helen? Then again Shadow has no feelings. He couldn't be worried about her. Well something's bothering him none the less.

"What's wrong with you?" the blue hedgehog asked.

"It's Helen," Shadow replied. "Eggman said he would kill her if I didn't do what he told me to do. I can't let him kill her."

"Why are you so concerned about her anyway?"

"I can't tell you?"

"Why not?"

"Because I can't. You wouldn't understand," Shadow answered. "That's all I can tell you."

"Well, you'd better tell me otherwise I'm not letting you go."

"Yes, you are!" Shadow shouted, kicking Sonic in the chest with sudden forse and power.

Sonic was thrown backwards at the force of the blow. As he fell back he ripped some of Shadow's chest hair out causing the black hedgehog to bleed. Shadow ignored the pain and backed away from the blue hedgehog.

"OH NO YOU DON'T!" Sonic came at him.

"Chaos Control!" Shadow shouted.

Just as Sonic reached where the Shadow stood the black hedgehog disappeared and all he hit was air.

The blue hedgehog looked all around himself for the black hedgehog, his whole body tense expecting an attack. None came. Shadow was gone.

That's right. He used Chaos Control, Sonic thought his shoulders slumping slightly. I wonder if he was telling the truth about Helen or was he lying to me?

Shadow came out of Chaos Control and landed on top of a sky scraper. He looked over Station Square, all lit up by streetlights. He glanced into the sky.

He saw the moon had been fixed. I wonder how that happened, he thought as he stared up at it.

The black hedgehog turned his attention away from the rock in the sky and sat down on the roof of the building he stood on. He crossed his legs and rested his hands on them. I never thought I'd ever see this place again, he thought glancing over the edge of the roof. I thought my fall was the end. I thought I was dead. I thought my purpose had ended at that momnet.

He closed his eyes and smiled a small smile. I guess I found a new one...

Shadow looked down at the Chaos Emerald he'd stolen. I just wish I didn't have to do this to keep her from being killed...

The black hedgehog glanced over the edge again at the street below it. It was very tempting.

He turned away and hit himself on the cheek. No! What are you thinking? That's not the way! I can't... No... Won't do that!

He stood. I must live! I cannot die now! I made a promise to that girl and I intend to keep it!

Shadow threw his right arm into the air. "Chaos Control!" he shouted.

With a flash of bight multicolor light he was gone.

Helen sat back in her wheelchair and tilted her head back. She stared at the ceiling wishing she was back home.

I miss you Mom, Dad, she thought, closing her eyes to hold back tears. I wish I could see you again...

She opened her eyes. "But what if I never get out of here?" she asked herself out loud. "The what? Will Eggman kill me? I hope not. I wish I could talk to Shadow about this, but I don't know where he is. Did Eggman do something to him? Is he dead?"

Suddenly she was blinded by a bright flash of light. The girl put up her hand to block it. She heard a thump and a groan.

Dropping her hand and opening her eyes she saw what it was. Shadow was lying across the floor. In his hand he held a blue Chaos Emerald.

"Shadow?" she said unsurly.

The black hedgehog looked up at her. "Helen," he said.

"Where have to been?" she asked, making her chair go up to him.

Shadow stood but didn't reply. He looked away. I can't tell her...

"Shadow?" she said again, looking concerned and uncertain.

The black hedgehog looked at her. Her face was so sweet, so innocent. The very sight made his heart hurt. He knew he couldn't hide from her. He had to tell her.

"I-I stole a Chaos Emerald," he blurted out.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because Eggman said if I didn't do what he wanted he was going to kill you."

His eyes filled with tears as he looked at her sadly. "I couldn't let him do that... I couldn't let him hurt you. I don't want to lose you like I lost her..."

"Shadow..." she said.

He took her hands and looked into her eyes. "Helen," he began. "I made a promise to you. I can't break it. You're the only reason I'm still around. I don't want to lose my purpose by losing you. I never felt this way to anyone but one person. That was Maria."

"Shadow... I..."

He let go of her hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

"It's okay," she said a bit nervously. "I understand what you mean."

He looked at her again. "You do?"

She nodded. "I do."

The girl leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "You are special."

Shadow gave her a small smile.

Eggman, who'd been watching them by way of hidden cameras, was laughing. "It seems Shadow is in love," he snorted. "With a little girl. HAAHAHAAH!"

The scientist leaned back in his chair. I hope they're not planning on trying to escape with those Chaos Emeralds. If they do they won't get far.

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"Helen," Shadow said after awhile.

"Yes?"

"I'm not trying to be nosy or anything, but I think you should tell me what you overheard Eggman planning the other day."

The girl hesitated for a moment then sighed. "Okay. What do you want to know."

"Only what you do."

"All right."

Shadow listened carefully as she began to tell him what she'd found out by accident. "I heard him say something about something call the Egg Destruction Switch," she explained. "I still haven't figured out what it is or what it does."

Shadow listened thoughtfully. So, he still hasn't given up yet. Just as I thought. I wonder what that thing is and what it does? Where is it for that matter? I bet he has it hidden around the base somewhere. It might even be in the control room. When I bring him this Emerald I'll look for it.

"Did you hear anymore?" he asked. "Did he mention where it was or anything like that?"

Helen shook her head. Her blond locks swung from side to side. "No, he didn't."

"Oh."

"Why?"

"Nevermind. I don't have time to explain why I want to know."

"Okay."

Shadow turned away from her. He knew he had to find that switch. If he did, maybe he and Helen would be able to escape somehow.

But how? he wondered. How will we be able to? Eggman's smarted than he looks. I bet he'd somehow figure out what we're up to.

He glanced at Helen. The girl was staring out the bars of the cell door. She seemed thoughtful. I don't think I should tell her my plan until I have it figured out.

Shadow walked up to the cell door. "Hey!" he called to Decoe who was standing guard.

The robot looked at him.

"I have something for the doctor," the black hedgehog said, waving the Chaos Emerald for him to see.

Decoe opened the door immediatly. Shadow could have escaped right then. The robot was mearly nothing anyway. He held himself back. He had other plans. He let Decoe lead him to the control room where Eggman waited.

When they arrived Eggman instantly turned around in his chair. "So, Shadow, I heard you have something that will make me very happy," the scientist said getting out of his chair and walking up to the black hedgehog.

Shadow pulled out the Emerald and extended it toward the doctor. He didn't want him to get too close. As he did so his eyes scanned the room for the switch. It has to be here...

He spotted it easily enough. It was against the wall by what looked like a pay phone. The reason it had been so easy to spot was because it said in bold letters above it: EGG DESTRUCTION SWITCH.

Ah hah! the black hedgehog thought in triumph. Now that I know where it is I will be able to deactive it when the time comes. I bet Eggman needs the Chaos Emeralds for that too. Maybe I can get him to do me a favor without knowing it. But how? I will have to discuse that with Helen when I get back to her.

By then Eggman had taken the Emerald. "Thank you," he said grinning. The scientist glanced at Decoe who was still in the room. "You can take him back to his friend now."