-Tails-
I sit in a stiff chair that's too high up for me - I can't touch the floor. But most chairs are too high up for me, and I don't care if this one's uncomfortable. It's right next to Sonic, which is all that counts. He's in a bed next to me, wired up to some kind of machine. He looks strange, different somehow. I know it's crazy, but he somehow seems smaller. I guess it's because he's out cold. Sonic's got enough personality to make him seem taller than he really is. I don't think I've ever seen him look like this, helpless. He's never helpless. But right now anyone could do anything to him and he wouldn't even notice. It's scary.
I can hear a couple of doctors talking quietly. They may think I can't make out what they're saying, but they forget I have more acute hearing than they do.
"…unresponsive… totally."
"Patients… come round… time…"
"…or not."
I jump out of the chair and almost fall, I'm moving so fast and suddenly. I want to run over there, shout at them. He's my friend! He's Sonic, not just some other patient! But I know it's useless for me to interfere. They know what they're talking about a lot better than I do. Still, it takes a great effort of will to sit back down in my chair.
Time passes. Hours, days. I shout at the doctors at one point and almost get thrown out. Shadow comes by at one point, but he goes again, seeming more than a little ill-at-ease. I can't say I blame him. Amy turns up too - I'd expected that. She starts crying, and has to leave, she says, but makes me promise to let her know if anything happens. She says she'll drop in every week. So far she's come twice. I don't think she can stand looking at Sonic like this for long. And me? I stay here, keeping watch by my friend's side, except when they make me leave. I don't stay away for long. I owe so much to Sonic, and he means so much to me.
I've been here for five weeks now. I don't think Amy wants me to. The doctors don't either. They think it's bad for me. I don't care. Sonic needs me, and there's nothing I can do but be here for him. Amy comes here regularly, every Monday or Wednesday - or both, sometimes. She is worried too, but it still sometimes feels like I'm the only one who cares. I haven't seen Shadow since that one time the first week; goodness knows where he's gone. Off roaming around, forgotten about Sonic already, probably. I know I'm probably being unfair to him, but I don't care anymore. Knuckles doesn't even know anything's happened - how could he, up on that island - but somehow it seems like he ought to know. Like he ought to be here, and he's letting Sonic down by not coming. Ah, I know I'm sounding strange. Amy says I look awful. Maybe I do; I haven't looked, and I don't care either. Sonic… Sonic, come back for us… for me… Sonic…