Author's Note: Hello there, it's me again! It's been quite some time since our last update again, but here I am ... again. I finally bought a new laptop so it's not so laggy to upload anymore. I haven't been in touch with my writing in a while, but I now have a surge of energy to do so now, so I present to you, a short but new installment of 'Reflecting Light'.

Chapter 3: Homecoming

Shadow had finished packing the remainder of his things.

After receiving news upon Maria's passing, it had taken him a while to remove himself from the bar, but even when he did, he remained out. It was 6 AM when he arrived back to his dimly lit apartment, and all he was able to do was shuffle towards his office and collapse into his desk chair. His tastes were reflected within his home, from his diplomas to satellite and space exploration maps that decorated the walls. His large office where he resided in for most of his time were encased between four bookshelves filled with further information regarding cosmology and classic literature that served as his leisure when he wasn't in his office, but in this scenario, they were just mere things to him. Matter that only existed, and gave no further purpose besides providing an aesthetic.

He ran his fingers through his desk drawer's handle, and in an instinctive motion, he pulled out one of his prized possessions: his 1930s gilded art deco lighter. A gift. He gazed at it for a moment, breathing in his metallic aroma and breathed in a sigh before lighting his cigarette before inhaling. It was a classic in his collection, and the only reason it was even in his collection was because of Maria. It was a gift upon his arrival to the university; Maria had apparently pulled strings with a collector to part with it, and ever since, he never made it known but… it was an absolute beauty. But even without saying anything, Maria knew. She knew that what he liked, what he disliked… how hard he had worked for his position. She, out of anyone he knew, understood him in a way no one else could, and now that she was gone… what could be done? Was there anything he could he had done? Should he have visited her more? He should have visited her more—

'Shit. Here comes the regret.'

Hours had begun to make its rounds, as he continued to sit there in the same stance, only to light up another cigarette once he had finished the last. He inhaled, squeezing his eyes tightly shut as though to hold back any residual tears that might be left over from his walk back home. He breathed out another puff of smoke before his phone began to ring once more. It had already rung more than once before; concerned colleagues and his assistants wishing him obligatory condolences, but he did not care about any of that. He just wanted to be left alone within the confines of his office, only allowing small traces of light to beam through his long dark curtains that sit against his wall. Even though he knew it was probably best to ignore the call, he turned his screen over and to his surprise, it was not anyone insufferable.

Amy Rose.

That name was enough to give him a combination of goosebumps and a headache.

He released a deepened sigh before releasing a chuckle, "… She sure has impeccable timing."

Shadow placed his cigarette on the ashtray next to him, combed some stray long black quills back away from his eyes, and slid open his phone to answer.

"Hello?"

"… Hey, Shadow. It's me."

'There it is. That small voice.'

"… It's been a while, Amy. How are you?"

'And in comes the awkward small talk.'

"I-I've been okay… Just been working… No big deal, really… What have you been up to?"

'It certainly has been a while, has it?'

"I work as a professor here in Metropolis."

"… That's right… You finally did it, huh?"

Shadow leaned back in his chair while fiddling with one of his pens, "… What do you want, Amy?"

He heard a soft grunt on the other line, then silence. It was mind-numbingly awkward.

'Better to be upfront about it now.'

"… I… heard about what happened with Maria. How are you?"

Shadow felt the heat rise in his cheeks, not out of anger, but out of some form of strange relief. He had not spoken to Amy in almost three years now, and the distance was a bit taxing. Reaching out would've only been inappropriate considering the circumstances between everyone, but he didn't want anyone to know that he had noticed. He just wanted to exit quietly and allow the world to continue turning without having to deal with any more of what had already been done.

"Yes. She passed peacefully in her sleep just the other night."

"I'm… so sorry to hear that. I know how much she… meant to you."

'Saying that must've killed her.'

"Yeah, well… what can you do. It was only a matter of time, right?"

He heard Amy let out a gasp, "Don't say things like that! She's done so much for us… for all of us. We're here for you, Shadow. For whatever you need."

' "We"? … Ah. That damn bat.'

"Rouge sure knows how to spread the word, doesn't she?"

"She's just worried about you. Look… I know we had a situation in the past, but… I just want you to know that Sonic and I are sincere about our condolences."

'Are they, now?'

"Well, you two needn't worry so much, anyway. I'm heading back to Central City for the funeral for a week, then after that… I'll be gone."

'Can I sound any more melodramatic?'

"Shadow, please. We care about you. We're being serious here—we want to be there for you, so we will. Please don't turn us away."

Shadow sighed once more. He knew it was nothing more but an obligatory statement. He just wanted it to be over with. "Okay. Thank you."

Amy sighed in relief over the line, "… That's great. When will you be coming, if I may ask?"

He quietly sat his pen down before releasing a small chuckle.

'So formal.'

He found the energy to rise from his seat. He grabbed his keys and a few of his bags in which he packed his things, then started making his way towards the door. "I'm already out the door now. I'll be there in a few hours."