Sonic was now in a different waiting room still impatiently staring at the clock, watching the minute hand move. By now he just didn't have the energy to worry. He struggled to keep his eyes awake. It was over an hour later when Dr. Heinrich came back out. His face was serious, but in a way that you couldn't tell if the news would be good or bad. Sonic tried to look as attentive as possible. "Well, she seems stable but we're keeping a close eye on her." Sonic released a deep relieved sigh. "Right now we're going to place Amy in an oxygen chamber to rid her of any carbon monoxide that might still be in her body." Sonic nodded. He was a little disappointed that it was still going to be a while before he could go in to see Amy. Sonic sat back in the plastic chair once more. This time his weariness would overcome him.
When Sonic opened his eyes again the hour hand was on the one, the minute hand just before the five. He yawned and stood up to stretch. He began to walk towards the room Amy was supposed to be in. Room 211. Peering through the window he could see Amy sleeping in a huge glass cylinder. She looked like Snow White except for the fact thatAmy wasn't surrounded by seven tiny men. Sonic glanced at the clock again. Ten minutes after one. Sonic's patience had completely faded now. He looked around to make sure the coast was clear.
He opened the door cautiously, careful not to allow a squeak. When the door was open wide enough he dashed inside. He walked up toward Amy and pushed his nose against the glass. She appeared so peaceful and serene. It pleased Sonic to finally see her rest without any pain. His smile grew and he was so caught up in his thoughts he didn't notice someone walk up behind him.
"She was lucky," said Dr. Heinrich. Sonic was so startled he was speechless for a few minutes. The doctor spoke again, "She's lucky to have you or she probably wouldn't be alive right now." Sonic looked back towards Amy, he didn't feel the exact same way. "Amy's lucky? It was my fault in the first place. I shouldn't have let her go alone." Dr. Heinrich pushed up his glasses again and said, "She's tough. We almost lost her during surgery…she nearly went into respiratory arrest." Sonic juststared at Dr. Heinrich. He didn't know what to say. Then he smiled and said, "Yeah, she is tough."
It was at that moment that Dr. Heinrich's smile widened (I don't know if penguins can actually smile but oh well). Sonic was confused by this. Was something funny? Dr. Heinrich gestured toward Amy whose eyes were beginning to open. Sonic leaned on the glass chamber and tried waving and knocking to get Amy's attention. She looked over to him and smiled. She lifted her hand weaklyand returned Sonic's wave. Sonic's own smile spread then. "She's okay!" A little later Amy was moved to a more comfortable room. Now Sonic was actually allowed to go see her and so he no longer had to hide. Sonic lifted Amy's hand and caressed it with his thumb, "So, how's it feel to have one lung?" Amy thought to herself for a moment then said, "Hmm, not too different I guess. It's just the thought of only having one that's kind of weird."
Amy would have to spend the night in the hospital to be monitored. Just in case. Sonic stayed with her all night never leaving her side despite the symphony of rumbling in his stomach. Chris, Tails and Knuckles came in occasionally exchanging greetings. Tomorrow she'd be released from the hospital like a bird into the wild. Tomorrow she'd leave with no doubt remaining in her mind that Sonic loved her.
It's funny how in times of great desperation and panic that we reveal certain qualities never apparent before. Love must be one of those qualities. It can remain hidden within us, hidden behind fear or pain. Only when we learn to accept love and embrace the emotion can we discover what truly lies underneath the surface.
Yay! No more cliffhangers! Hope you enjoyed it. Personally, I thought the ending was awesome. I actaully got the idea for this story from the West Virginia mining accident. My prayers to any of you who know of someone affected by the disaster.