CHAPTER 5

POSSIBLE ANSWERS

Shadow stood in a fighting stance, "What do you want with me?"

The stranger faced him, "I know what's happening to you?"

"What?"

"Yesterday you killed someone, right?"

Shadow looked back at Vector then back at the stranger. He nodded, "Yes."

"It's no ones fault except your own. Even if you wanted to kill this Lance, you would take down anyone who crossed your path."

Shadow had no idea what he was talking about. Everything was so confusing to him, "What are you talking about?"

"You've been vomiting blood."

Shadow couldn't believe it. How could he have known? "How do you..."

"I know everything about you, Shadow. I know why you were biting at that chipmunk's flesh. I know why you're having these weird cravings for blood."

Rouge walked over to Shadow, "You've been throwing up blood?"

Shadow faced her, "I didn't want anyone to know."

Rouge glared at him, "What the hell were you thinking? You should've said something earlier!"

"Don't you yell at me, Rouge!" Shadow shouted.

As Shadow yelled, Rouge was startled, "Shadow...what's wrong with you lately?"

Shadow held his head with his hand, "I...don't know..."

The stranger spoke, "You can't figure this out for yourself this time, but I know someone who can help you if you come with me that is."

Shadow had to think about this. Should he go with the stranger or should he ignore the only answers about what's going on with him? He looked back at the stranger, "I'm going."

Rouge gasped, "What? You don't even know this guy! You can't trust him! I don't like the looks of him."

Shadow put his hand on her cheek, "I'll be okay."

Rouge looked into his eyes with tears, "Shadow..."

"Hey you can't come here and kidnap Shadow like that!" Vector said with anger.

Shadow looked back at Vector, "It's okay Vector, you don't have to do anything about this. Besides maybe I can get my job back when I find out what's wrong with me." He began to walk towards the stranger. When he approached the stranger, the stranger grabbed his arm and soon enough Shadow fainted into his arms.

"What did you do to him?" Tonya asked with a furious tone.

"I made sure he wouldn't back down on his word", the stranger said calmly. He began to walk out the door with Shadow in his possession.

"Hold it!" Espio shouted.

The stranger looked back at him.

"Don't you harm him." Espio then noticed a necklace with a yellow jewel in it around his neck, but he didn't bother to ask him about it.

"I won't." He was lying. He began to walk out again but once again interrupted by Espio.

"What's your name?"

"Karu..." He finally walked out the door.