"Sonic?" A hand touched his shoulder softly and gently shook him awake. Sonic opened his heavy eyelids to see one of the care home nurses standing in front of him. "You have a visitor" she told him, a bright beaming smile on her face.
She stepped aside, and Sonic, who was still not quite fully awake, looked up to see Shadow standing in the doorway. "Shadow...? I don't believe it..."
"Hey old timer" Shadow greeted, approaching Sonic.
Sonic smiled weakly "It's great to see you" he said.
"Same to you" Shadow replied simply.
"I'll leave you two to it" the nurse stated, walking out of the room and out of sight. Shadow took a seat in the armchair next to Sonic's bed. Sonic turned his head to face him.
"Sorry I didn't visit sooner" Shadow apologised.
"Don't worry about it, you're here now, that's all that matters" Sonic replied. He reached out with a frail hand and touched Shadow's face. "Look at you, you don't look a day older than when I last saw you" he commented.
Shadow lifted his own hand and moved Sonic's away from his face. "I can't say the same about you" Shadow admitted, staring at Sonic and the wrinkles under his eyes and at the corners of his mouth.
Sonic chuckled, which then turned into a cough "That's true... I've seen better days" he agreed. He glanced over at the window for a brief moment before looking back at Shadow "Maybe we could take a walk outside, I'm tired of sitting in bed"
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Shadow asked concernedly.
"It's fine, I can manage" Sonic assured him, gripping the white bed sheets and pulling them back. Slowly but surely, he swung his legs round and climbed out. Shadow stood up and offered some assistance with a simple gesture of his hand. Sonic linked arms with Shadow and together they walked out of the room.
It took longer to reach the garden than they thought. Getting Sonic down the stairs was an ordeal but once they finally made it, it was like a breath of fresh air. It was autumn, there was a light, cool breeze and hazel brown leaves were being scattered along the grass and concrete path.
"Maybe you should've wrapped up in something warm" Shadow commented.
"I feel fine" Sonic replied simply. "No need to make a fuss" he added.
Since Sonic insisted that he was all well and good, they carried on walking along the path. "So..." Sonic began, striking up a conversation "How have things been at GUN?" He asked.
"Well, it's quiet. Haven't really had to deal with anything major recently." Shadow explained "I've been working with some new recruits and-" he paused "And I've been promoted. I'm a chief now. Keeps me busy"
"That's great" Sonic replied enthusiastically. "I'm happy for you"
"What about you?" Shadow asked.
"Nothing special. I mostly just sit in my bed all day, eating and sleeping. If I'm feeling really adventurous I'll go downstairs and play checkers with some of the other folks here. You're one of the first visitors I've had in a long time"
"Must get rather lonely" Shadow commented.
"I'm not going to lie, it really is"
Shadow looked down guilty "I knew I should've visited sooner" he murmured.
"Don't beat yourself up about it" Sonic said, patting Shadow's arm "It's really not that big of a deal"
The two approached a bench that was placed underneath a large oak tree. The tree still had some of it's leaves remaining, but the wind was blowing the branches and causing what was left to fly away.
"Could we sit down for a little while, my legs are starting to hurt"
"Sure" Shadow responded simply, allowing Sonic to take a seat on the bench before he swiftly followed after and sat next to him.
Sonic placed his hand on Shadow's and squeezed it tightly. Shadow looked down and allowed his hand to intertwine with his. He then looked up at Sonic's face, his wrinkles being expressed even more by the smile on his face.
"I'm really glad you're here" Sonic told him.
"I'm glad too"
"I missed you... Like, a lot" He paused "I thought... I thought you'd never come see me" he admitted.
"I'm sorry I made you feel like that, I just-" Shadow sighed "I wasn't really wrapped up with anything at GUN, I just didn't know if I'd be able to face you, if I'd be able to handle it knowing that one day you'll-" he stopped himself "I've just been putting it off for so long, but I knew I'd have to come sooner or later, or else I would regret it, if something happened"
"It can't be easy, everyone else ages around you while you stay the same. I don't know what I'd do in your shoes" Sonic replied.
"It never gets any easier." Shadow told him. "I came to terms with it a long time ago, but that doesn't change much. It still hurts every time I lose one of my friends... Our friends"
"I know it must have been hard to come here, but I'm thankful that you do. I don't care if it took you this long, all I care about is that you're here... That I got to see you again"
"Well, you're going to see me a lot more" Shadow stated strongly. Sonic looked surprised. "I'll visit whenever I can, and that's a promise"
Sonic smiled "Thank you, Shadow" he said gratefully.
After sitting on the bench for a little while longer and reminiscing about old times, they decided it was time part ways. One of the nurses was waiting for Sonic by the entrance as they said their goodbyes. "I'll come visit you on Monday" Shadow told him.
"I look forward to it" Sonic replied, before turning to walk away. He paused for a moment, and then turned back around. He walked up to Shadow and touched his arm. He then put his other hand on Shadow's back and pulled him in for a hug. Shadow embraced him, wrapping his arms around Sonic and rubbing his back.
"Don't forget about me" Sonic whispered softly.
"I won't, I swear" Shadow responded.
Sonic pulled away and walked over to the nurse, who took him by the arm and led him back inside. Sonic paused once again and waved goodbye to Shadow. Shadow waved back, watching as Sonic disappeared back into the nursing home.
It was Monday, and Shadow was getting ready to go to the nursing home. He was wrapping himself up warm in a green scarf when he heard the phone ringing. He quickly picked up so that he could get the call out of the way and then get going. "Hello?"
"Hello. Can I speak to Shadow. Shadow the Hedgehog?" The voice on the other end asked. It sounded like one of the nurses from the old people's home.
"Speaking" Shadow replied simply.
"Hello Shadow, I'm Sonic's nurse and-"
His suspicions were correct "Oh, hello. I was just on my way to visit" he cut her off.
"Shadow, I'm afraid there's no easy way to say this but-" she paused, and let out a long sigh "Sonic passed away in his sleep last night"
In that moment, it felt like Shadow's world was crashing down around him. He clenched his fist and blinked hard "No..." He muttered.
"I'm very sorry." She apologised "I thought you should be one of the first to know... He talked about you a lot in his last few hours. You two must have been very close"
"We were" Shadow replied, trying his best to not choke on his words.
"There are some of his belongings here... I think he'd want you to have them. You don't have to come right away, I know this is a difficult time"
"No, I'll be there, just give me a little bit of time" he responded.
"Of course, as much as you need."
"He's not still there, is he?" He asked.
"No, he was moved." The nurse told him. "Funeral arrangements will be made soon" she added.
"I um... I have to go, I'll see you in an hour or two" Shadow told her.
"Alright, Shadow. If you need anything, just give us a call"
"I will" he replied simply. He then hung up. He lowered the phone and stared blankly at the ground. In an act of anger, he threw the phone with all his might at the wall. It smashed on impact.
Shadow slumped down into a sitting position on the floor. He closed his eyes and placed his head in his hands.
He didn't want to go, but he knew he had to. He arrived at the care home and the nurse took him to Sonic's room. It was empty and quiet, the bed sheets were neat and tidy. It felt too clean, as if they were trying to cover up his existence.
The nurse handed him a shoebox. It seemed odd, but Shadow didn't question it. She then touched his arm to show her support and the left him alone so that he could have his space.
Shadow placed the box on the bed and gently removed the lid. The first thing he saw was a picture of him and all of his friends. He and Sonic were standing next to each other, and Sonic had his arm around Shadow's shoulder. Sonic looked so young, so happy... It made him feel sick.
He glanced down at the shoebox, noticing that there was a letter that had been hidden under the picture. It had his name on it.
Shadow picked up the letter. He stared at it for a short while, wondering if he should open it, if it was what Sonic wanted. He finally decided that he should, and sat down in the armchair.
As he opened the envelop, he glanced over at the bed, almost as if he was expecting Sonic to be there.
He wasn't.
Shadow looked back down at the envelop and pulled the letter out. He began to read it.
"To Shadow,
I don't know if you'll ever get to read this, if I'll ever get to send this to you. If you are reading this, then it's safe to assume that I'm gone now.
I just want you to know that I'm sorry. I'm dying, but I didn't tell you. I should have told you. I haven't got that long left. But I don't mind. You know why? Because I got to spend the day with you. I wouldn't have that any other way. I'll die happy knowing that.
I'm sorry that I have to leave you. I'm sorry that I'll leave you alone. I wish I didn't have to, but I don't really have much choice. Just know that I love you. I'll always love you, even after I'm gone.
Don't be sad. Don't feel like you didn't do enough, because you did. You made me feel like it was like old times, that I was young and free, and that everything was possible. You made me feel like that today, Shadow. So when you think of me, don't be sad that I'm gone, just smile and remember the good times that we had.
Don't forget about me. And keep kicking butt for me, won't you?
Forever yours,
Sonic"
A single tear ran down Shadow's cheek. He clutched the letter tightly and pulled it close to his chest. "I will. I promise" he whispered softly.
A/N: Another chapter, just like I promised. I know I said I would stock pile a load... But I got kind of bored. So here's two chapters to make up for it.
Anyway's, my friend cried at this one so uh... Sorry about that.