A nurse had just come out, giving the details of the injuries Tails sustained. His arm was fractured, apparently being run over by the tire of the car, his left tail was mildly damaged. He was mostly bruised and had some tiny cuts they were able to patch up.
The family were now crossing through the endless corridor, trying to find 'room 21'. It also came with a small map, that was extremely difficult to navigate. All the sectors looked identical!
"Tom! Are you sure you're looking at the map properly?" Maddie stopped, allowing two anxious alien children to bump into her.
"Watch it, knucklehead!"
"Me? You are the one who stepped on my foot!"
The woman placed her hands on her hips, facing the two teenagers. "Boys, if this leads to another fight so help me."
They gave her wonky grins, and backed away slowly with their hands up in a defensive position. Sonic was more intimidated by the wrath of Maddie.
Tom was glad Maddie was occupied, he didn't want to deal with her when she was pissed. Actually, no body wanted to.
"Where do you think you're going, Thomas?"
The couple for the next several minutes were arguing about which way was north, Knuckles grew tired of the adults' meddling antics. This is not how his tribe elders acted.
"Sonic."
The boy didn't move a feature, he observed his sneakers. "What."
"This is what you would call.. erm.. 'boring'." He stroked his chin, pondering if he had gotten it correct. The echidna didn't want to damage their companionship any further.
"Yah, um I guess."
An idea popped into the warrior's mind, he brightened up, with a determined smile. "Sonic! I have thought of the most brilliant plan!"
"Wha-? Plan? What plan?" Sonic looked unsure but slightly intrigued by the idea, he forced himself to forget all of the brash comments thrown earlier.
"We shall find 'the room of the 21', ourselves!"
The hedgehog zoned in on the words, realising the proposition. He bit the inside of his cheek, Tom and Maddie were already so mad at them for making a fuss in public. Especially, Maddie. He promised he wouldn't cry about it because that'd make him appear like a stupid baby.
He cared for stupid babies, well stupid baby. Wait- Tails isn't stupid!
"UGH! Fine, let's do it!" He submitted to the plan, much to Knuckles' joy. "But if we don't find the room, we're coming back."
The echidna hid a smirk, jabbing the smaller boy in the ribs. "Where is your reckless attitude and thrill for adventure? That terribly prominent cheerful demeanour even in the most dire situations?"
"What- that's different!" Sonic stammered, taken aback by Knuckles' newfound optimism. Seriously did he forget the fact that they were in trou-
"It is too late!" As if reading his thoughts directly, the heels of his shoes rubbed against the bland patterned floor. Sonic was literally being dragged away, corridor after corridor light.
"Uh, Knux! Wait! How are we gonna find it?! " Sonic tried to make it to his feet, slipping unsuccessfully back into Knuckles.
"Do you doubt me so?" They stopped abruptly, Sonic groans, the echidna points his thumb to a peculiar looking metallic door. There are also glowing buttons aligned along the wall nearby.
"Hedgehog! I demand to know what that is!"
Sonic perks up, eyes catching the commotion. "Oh that? It's an elevator." His attempts to break free from the older boy's grip were ineffective.
"An elevator? What is that? A device made by humans to lift them up to a higher location?"
"Uhh..."
"Well answer my query, you have lived on this strange planet much longer than I have!" The mitt around his wrist tighten, Sonic bit his lip.
"Okay dude, chill! It is something humans created, to get 'em to places more easily. But it doesn't just get ya up, it can also go down!"
"What? I do not understand, how can it be called an 'elevator' if it brings you down as well?" Knuckles faced his captive, curious about this strange earth machine.
"I dunno! You can ask Tails, if we ever get to him! Oh, wait! We can use the elevator to go between levels of this hospital quicker, c'mon!"
He tried to run off, plummeting back into Knuckles' chest, still being restrained. Sonic sighed, instead of snapping at the echidna, he would try to negotiate.
He rolled his eyes affectionately. "If you let me go, I can show you how it works!"
His arm was free, in a blink of a eye, Knuckles was at the door, smiling. "Let us go then."
Sonic reciprocated the motion, somewhat making peace with Knuckles, it was for Tails after all. And later when they found the fox, Sonic had a lot of work to do.
--
He breathes, hearing obnoxious beeps and chattering. Huh, this whole situation feels familiar. Everything is different though, was this death?
No, it couldn't be, he can feel the essence of life flowing through. Honestly, he wouldn't mind dying, at least he didn't have to struggle painfully. It's painful, because his lungs are blocked and his limbs ache. Every part of him is dying, physically and mentally.
Especially his arm, it's bent. Never mind that, he ought to be used to horrible conditions anyway.
The real issue is that his body is in something, a gown of some sort. It's real itchy, irritating his fur. Not only the gown, but his entire mass is strapped to a seemingly comfortable bed. Wires and pads badgering his features, why- what is this?
He tries to lift his twin-tails, his most reliable attribute, not matter how much he hates them. It's been the source of survival this long, hasn't it?
The tails are there, but still, strapped down like the rest of his wake. He grumbles, he can't move a thing, he's stuck. His socks and gloves have been removed, practically naked.
What is this horrid place? Where's Sonic? Everyone? He recalls his recent memories, he did something. Bad. Right, he was like this, Mrs. Wachowski looking over him, he bit her. There was blood and yelling. Then it was black.
This is his own fault, somehow. The tiny fox knew rash actions got you trouble, he knew, he experienced the aftermath. And yet he still did it!
He hurt Mrs. Wachowski, the outmost caring woman, who just wanted to ensure his well-being! What did he give her in return? A reason to worry over him, become a menace, then he-
He winced, still tasting a bit of blood in his gums.
So, this was his punishment, a tad weird but understandable. He deserved this, every square meter of his body throbbed, but he rightfully earned this reaction.
The kit remained grateful, it could've been something much worse. But these people were a bit nicer than his village, at least they tried to appear loving towards him.
In the end, it was unreal, an illusion he was creating in his mind. He couldn't really, he wasn't allowed to have this sort of feeling, he was expecting rejection. It was a common thought in his brain, well the logical side.
The emotional part however, longed to have a feeling of sincerity, security, happiness. He wanted to be loved, held tight, be told that it was gonna be alright!
Sonic did that perfectly. Well in the past, surely the hedgehog was now mad at him for hurting his mother- figure so cruelly. No one would forgive him, after his stupid outburst.
The fox is a inconvenience where ever he goes, he'll never truly fit in with the norm.
His ears flicked, chattering above him. What were they discussing? How to deal with him or how to get rid of him?
The child stopped himself from crying, no. No more sympathy or self-pity. Time to accept fate.
Then he heard it, a loud thud, coming from the door of the room. The continuously moving figures gasped, some dropping their supplies.
He squints, oddly recognising the calamity.
Two brightly coloured Mobians, standing in the doorway staring directly into the fox's soul. What? Sonic and Knuckles?
To be completely honest, he was more excited at Sonic's presence but still appreciated Knuckles being there. He put an end to his sudden pleasure of being remembered.
He scanned their expressions, vision still rather busted, they appeared serious. Oh no, what- what were their true intentions?
"Tails! Tails, buddy! Can you hear us, oh my gosh! You're hurt, bad!" What he assumed to be Sonic, dashed to him, wrapping his furry blue arms around the fox.
Knuckles' approach was much more refined, standing at the edge of the bed, eyeing any nurses who dared to come closer.
Tails melted, dissolving into a mixture of sadness and happiness. What was going on? His childish sobs were perhaps heard by the entirety of the room.
"Sonic! I'm sorry! I'm so so sorry!" His pleas were muffled, by the way the hedgehog cradled him closely.
The fox couldn't move to hug Sonic back, he wished he could, he didn't care how much he didn't deserve this. He mumbled, voice hoarse.
"Don't you dare apologise, Tails. It's not your fault, alright. It's not your fault." Sonic ignored the kit's whimpers, ruffling his bangs, at this rate the hero could collapse into tears as well.
Knuckles watched from the sidelines, arms crossed, he felt immensely for the fox. How could the genius blame himself, clearly he was under pressure. It is a justified mistake, the echidna thinks.
He feels his lips curve upwards, as the kit's sobs soften and trembling ceases. Neutral, not happy or sad. Just in between. Whatever problem Tails had, Knuckles would make sure to fix it. He too wished to create an unbreakable bond with the fox, just like Sonic had.
It wouldn't be easy, but then again, no body obtained anything throughout life without suffering hardships.
--
AAH! YES! I'm gonna be updating this a lot more often because my exams are outta the way! Can't wait!
Also--
Puppies and Nightlock- Omg, thanks?? Your words are very kind and have given the tenacity to continue this fic!! Sorry, I didn't mention this earlier, the previous chapters were already written. Also don't worry, Tails' status throughout this will improve, hopefully... :)