STH © SEGA/Archie

Sarah, Peter, Samwell, Rosemary & the Wilson Family © Cozy Shadow

Flame, Petunia, Jeffery, and Sunny © Phantomask

Italicized brands or names (like food labels, movies, and songs) belong to their rightful owner.

My poll is still going for those of you who haven't voted yet. The poll will probably be up until TCG is nearly done. I don't know exactly when that'll be right now, but hopefully I'll have this story done by spring sometime. Hopefully sooner. :D Until, then, thanks for the people who have already voted on the poll!

I DID IT! Definitely a WAY shorter chapter than usual, but I have my reasons which will be explained in the author's note at the ending. I'm not too proud of this chapter, considering it's kind of sad. Doesn't go into much detail. I kind of wanted to save that for a morning, breakfast scene next chapter. Or something. Again, this was a very chill chapter. Not much excitement or new information to take in. Just something…Not sure the feeling, but it's certainly a calm one for me.

Enjoy, readers!

Chapter Twenty-Four:

Silence

The ride was quiet, but Amy didn't expect anything different.

There were hardly any sounds besides the vehicle and the radio softly playing. She could barely hear it from the back of Sonic's truck while Manic and Sunny sat beside her. Glancing over, Amy frowned in pity.

Sunny and Manic ignored the seatbelts as they somehow clung onto each other. Manic leaned against the window as Sunny had been squished in the middle. His arms tightly wrapped around his girlfriend as he closed his eyes.

Amy could tell he wasn't asleep.

His expression was full of pain and agony. He was merely closing his eyes to stop the tears that shed anyway.

It broke the pink hedgehog's heart to watch Manic and Sunny both grow silent and solemn. While she hadn't known either of them for very long, Amy knew both were chatterboxes of sorts. She had been quite surprised, but also relieved, when she had gone into the house with Shadow to see Manic with his mouth shut.

Amy had feared that Sonic and Manic would have gotten into an argument by now.

Speaking of which… Tearfully, Amy stared at the blue hedgehog in the passenger seat.

Sonic had his arm propped up against the window. His hand reached the side of his head as he leaned against it and gazed into the darkness. His eyes were glazed over, but anyone could tell there was fright hidden in those green eyes.

Amy slumped in her seat behind Shadow – who was driving – and bit her lip. She looked out the window as she recalled the events following up to them all getting in the truck.

Sarah had looked so scared when she told us something was wrong with Aleena. I've never seen Shadow move so quickly for Sonic's sake in my life.

Sonic… She stared out into the darkness, only seeing her own reflection. By the time we showed up, he was nothing but a mess – crumpled onto the carpet and trembling. He kept mumbling something though.

But now, he's grown quiet. We all have.

Amy sighed as she looked up at the front seat again.

Sarah was placed between Shadow and Sonic. The lime green hedgehog, despite her best attempts, couldn't comfort Sonic. So, she merely held onto his arm for her own comfort. Shadow remained stoic as he drove. He never moved a muscle as far as Amy could tell.

I hope Tails drives safely. Blaze and Silver didn't have to come but…it's nice that they did. Amy leaned her forehead against the window and closed her eyes. I can't believe this is happening…

The shock was still hitting her, but it was a silent attacker. Amy swallowed and opened her eyes. She took a glimpse at the road ahead of them.

We're almost to town. She thought about arriving to the lit town, wondering how Sonia was holding up at the hospital with her mother. A mother on a deathbed.

Amy was about to go back to her position against the window when something caught her eye. As a car passed them, the headlights reflected in the rearview mirror, which in turn reflected against all six passengers. But it made something twinkle for a split second in the corner of Sonic's eye.

Then it was gone.

The car was in front of them, and Amy had to look closely at the hero.

Sympathy had been crashing through Amy like a tsunami. But this time, she felt something crumble within her at the sight of Sonic trying to hold himself together.

No doubt something he's probably learned from Shadow. To be rough on the outside…I've seen Sonic cry easily during the war on Mobius – but this. This is something completely different and more personal, and it tears me apart that he's trying to hold in any emotion.

Amy looked in the rearview mirror as she sat up and caught the attention of certain red eyes.

Shadow skimmed back at her through the mirror for a second. A once emotionless gaze had been filled with sorrow.

How well did he know Aleena? Well…If Sarah was so concerned about Sonic, then, I guess Aleena is a very touchy subject around Sonic. Like how he exploded when Manic asked about her. So, if something's happened to her, then Shadow would of course be sad. He's one of Sonic's best friends – they're like brothers.

If anything, Aleena might be like a mother to Shadow. Or at least, Shadow cares enough for Sonic to realize how this will affect him.

The thought made her bottom lip tremble. Mostly it was about the idea of her showing up only to never see Aleena again – or at least talk to her.

I remember her. She was so kind and gentle. Motherly and warm. She helped comfort me when I lost the group of Mobians I was supposed to lead. Amy curled up into a ball against the door. The window was cool to the touch against her forehead again. But after the portal, I remember vaguely something was wrong with her. She was always getting sicker and weaker by the minute until they moved out West – which I'm assuming now, was here.

Amy let the first tear fall, but hoped that she didn't start sniffling. She didn't want to catch attention from anyone and disturb their thoughts.

I'd give anything to just go back in time and never have this happen. Why now? Why her? Just when something was kind of looking up between Shadow and I, something had to come and ruin the moment.

Sure. It was a selfish thought, but Amy truly did feel heartbroken over Aleena. The situation was terrifying to Amy, no doubt. Unfortunately, she still felt somewhat cheated out of a perfectly good moment with Shadow.

Oh, please. You almost said no to him back there. Why didn't you just suck it up then and tell him that you're starting to feel something for him? Because you're scared of rejection? Get a grip, Amy. The worst he's going to say is, "No." Well, that HAD been the worst he could have said. But clearly, he feels SOMETHING for us. He's simply unsure right now – but he wants to go on a date to figure it out.

Amy bit her bottom lip, as she normally did when she also blushed.

But who knows when that's going to be. For a date right now, I'd rather take a birthday party than a funeral. Now, I'm afraid we might have to miss it entirely for a funeral.

A birthday party switched for a funeral…

Amy opened her eyes.

She was unaware of Shadow casually checking up on her every now and then as he drove, looking in the rearview mirror. He was concerned about the blank stare she was giving the window – a blank stare with tear-filled eyes.

It reminded him of the day Sarah had Amy try on bridesmaid dresses. The day after Amy had insulted him. She was so quiet and lifeless, it irked him. Now, it terrified him more than anything.

The rose hedgehog was still in deep thought.

I wonder if that's what the Wilson's feel. They have a birthday party for Jo and Charlotte, one of which is dead. So, wouldn't that be like reliving a funeral as well? Over and over again…I wonder if it feels like that for some of the relatives. Celebrate a birthday party for Jo every year only to mourn the death of Charlotte a few hours later.

I wonder if they've heard about Aleena yet. I wonder if Tails called them. Sarah didn't. Sonic couldn't make any coherent words out. They probably haven't. This only means that we'll be bombarded with condolences if we still go to the birthday party.

Her reflection looked pathetic.

They were getting closer to town.

Closer to the hospital.

Closer to Aleena.

Amy, one last time, looked over at Sonic. His eyes had shifted with emotion and gaze – now he was looking at the town with anxiety. His fingers were twitching, as if he wished he could have just run there instead.

Exhaling heavily, the pink flower threw away her optimism and wore her doleful expression. The shock was settling in at the thought of Aleena dying – the thought gripping at her heart strings. The tears were suddenly running down her cheeks faster as her vision blurred.

If I can't handle this right now, how the hell am I supposed to handle condolences without bursting into tears?

How are any of us going to handle this?

Balancing two children in his lap had never been easy.

Flame Summers watched his son squirm in his sleep. Petunia remained still as Flame's phone rested on her awkwardly. Flame merely had his arms wrapped around the children as he stared at the tile floor.

The hospital was never inviting to him.

There was a movement against him. He glanced over at his sleeping mate. Sonia rested against his shoulder, finally catching some sleep despite the tear stains down her cheeks. She had been waiting for her brothers to show up, and for the doctor to let them into the room. But neither of those things had happened since they had shown up.

It took long enough for Flame to convince his wife to get some sleep.

I can persuade practically anyone – hypnotize them to do my biddings. Yet, not her. He huffed at the memory of her wailing herself to sleep. It did her no good. I told her to go to sleep – that I'd wake her when Sonic arrives, but nooooooo. She just couldn't –

Jeffery wiggled a greater amount than he had been, indicating he might be waking up. Flame sighed and quit complaining about Sonia's stubbornness. Instead, he softly combed through Jeffery's ruffled, no-Mohawk hair.

It's bad enough this is happening; we don't need Sonia more tired than she already is. Or what if she gets sick throughout this? Flame pondered about it. Shit, that can happen, can't it?

Petunia twitched as Sonia gently murmured something in her sleep. Flame leaned against the uncomfortable seat and softly smiled at his family. Despite the situation…at least we're together. At least Sonic isn't halfway across the world and can't be here. Or at least Manic showed up and didn't disappear again.

At least Sonia has some support that can understand her better than I can right now.

Flame tilted his head back.

He hadn't really known Aleena much. He hadn't really spoken with her – she had always been sick and frail. If she wasn't in the hospital for one thing, she was in the hospital for another. Then she began to lose memory, according to Sonia. Manic left around that time. He couldn't handle it. He had broken down. But Sonia and Sonic had stayed around – mostly Sonic. At that time, Sonia had a kid to care for, and eventually another one. Sonic came by so many times that Flame had lost count.

Honestly, how Sarah wasn't annoyed with him always being gone, I'll never know. Sonia hates it when I go down the block to the gas station for a quick energy drink. Then again, Sarah probably enjoyed the peace and quiet.

He glimpsed at his kids, wishing for the same peace and quiet at home. If it wasn't Sonia talking in his ear, it was the kids talking in his ear.

I can't win for losing.

At that moment, the elevator door opened down the hallway.

Flame didn't have to look to know who it was by the footsteps. Still, he greeted Sonic and the group with a small nod. He just prayed they didn't ask him question after question.

Thankfully, Manic and Sonic stopped at their sleeping sister rather than at him directly. The rest of the group either remained standing or sat on the chairs. A purple cat sat beside Flame while a white hedgehog followed.

Silver and Blaze…Tails is here. Shadow, Sarah, and Amy. Manic's girlfriend Sunny. Everyone showed up. Flame was a little surprised. He knew the two sitting beside him didn't know Aleena very well. And he didn't figure they'd help console Sonic or Manic any. They remained quiet as if to prove Flame's thoughts.

"Sonia?" Sonic reached out for his sister's shoulder. He shook her gently until she was awake, staring up at him and then at Manic.

There was a moment of silence, but Flame could feel his mate was about to burst into tears any moment.

Hugging her brothers tightly, Sonia did just that. Tears sped down her cheeks as she cried.

Tails stood further back, but remained standing. Sunny took a spot beside Silver and watched her boyfriend from the distance. Sarah took a seat across the hall and so did Amy. Shadow still stood somewhat near Sonic – in front of Flame.

By the time Manic pulled away from the embrace, Sonia was a mess. "Where is she?" he breathlessly asked, not wanting to know the answer.

"I was waiting for you guys, c'mon," Sonia tugged at their arms. "The doctor will let us see her by now probably – he only told me that…she won't last the night," she quietly answered.

Sonic glanced over at Manic. Both shared a look of remorse. They trudged down the hallway towards Aleena's room, both males asking their sister more questions as they went. The group watched until it became silent, and the three siblings were no longer visible.

Flame was about to sit back and sleep for a few minutes when he felt Shadow's presence still lingering. He frowned as he looked up at the ebony hedgehog, figuring Shadow wanted to make sure the kids were alright. Instead, and to Flame's surprise, Shadow was looking at another thing – Flame's phone.

"You have a text from someone."

The phone had barely lit up. Flame glanced down at the phone resting on Petunia. The unknown number came across the screen with the words that made a shiver run down his spine.

'Is she dead yet?'

He gritted his teeth and grabbed it, ignoring the text for now.

"A relative with a new phone," he mumbled. He looked up at Shadow, wishing he could at least stand up and look down at the Ultimate Life Form – the added height he had against Shadow made him feel somewhat superior, "Was close with Sonia."

Shadow raised an eyebrow. The ebony hedgehog's quills lightly ruffled. That's not quite how someone with condolences would probably phrase it…

The dark male's gaze wandered over to Amy, who was curled up in a chair next to Sarah across the hall still. He wondered about the spy theory that Amy had. Turning away from Flame, Shadow took the empty sit on Amy's left.

Staring across the hall at the bright orange hedgehog, Shadow watched him.

Flame seemed to have felt that he had convinced Shadow in a way. He relaxed in the chair, holding Petunia and Jeffery still.

Closing his eyes, Flame became oblivious to the Mobian watching him.

Red eyes lit up with curiosity. This time, he noticed something. Staring at the kids and thinking back to the Valentine's Day "sleepover" they had…and Flame's reasoning on seeing his relatives during the weekend with Sonia –

A thought dawned upon him in the short years of knowing Flame.

We've never actually seen Flame's relatives – not in person or a picture.

"She hasn't spoken much. I warn you, she might not remember where she is."

The three siblings stood in the doorway after the doctor finally let them in. He left to give them some time alone with their mother. But all they could do was stare.

Sonic was the first to make a move.

By the time he reached her bedside, it was evident that Aleena was weak. Her eyes barely opened, but it was the sudden twitch of her mouth trying to form a smile that made Sonic falter. He sat in the chair next to her bed, grabbing her hand. Sonia followed until she was standing beside Sonic.

Aleena softly smiled. It didn't look like a smile, but they knew what it was.

"Hey, Mom," Sonic nervously whispered.

Manic took his time. The room felt…sick. He didn't like it. Every instinct in him told him to bolt. Get out and get away from the emotions. But instead, the young adult went over to the other side of her bed, sitting on the other chair.

Aleena's eyes lit up at the sight of him.

It tugged at his heart. He grabbed her other hand as he sat. Giving her weak smile, Manic remained silent. He wasn't capable of words – it was the first time in months that he had seen her – in years.

God, he felt awful.

He was a terrible child – he just knew it. His mother shouldn't smile at him like that, much less care that he was there.

Still, she managed to surprise him.

"Manny…"

The pause lasted for a split second.

But upon hearing her small whisper and letting the words register in his brain, Manic broke down. A choked sob came out of him as he leaned forward. Her hand managed to rest against his cheek – her only attempt at stopping the tears from falling.

"It's been two years…she remembers me?" his voice cracked and rose unevenly.

Sonia put her hand on Sonic's shoulder. "Even when you left, Sonic wasn't going to give up. Even when I couldn't be here that much because I had kids, Sonic was here."

Manic glanced across at his brother with teary eyes. Sonic was hesitant to meet his eye contact. When he did, a few tears were sliding down his cheek. "I felt like you didn't just give up on her – you gave up on our entire family. I wasn't going to do that. So, I visited more often and helped her remember the littlest, simplest, and most meaningful of things.

"But my bitterness towards you didn't really grow until she asked about you one day – about a year ago. And it tore me apart that...I couldn't answer her because none of us knew where you were and what you were doing. You hadn't done much to stay in contact unless it was once in a while."

Sonic held his mother's hand warmly as he looked at her. The female had shut her eyes, but the EKG was still going although it was growing faint. Manic glanced down as he loosened his grip on Aleena's other hand.

"I don't want to fight…" Sonic continued, much to Manic's disbelief really. He figured his brother would continue to ignore him – not reconcile. The blue blur must have sensed this as he looked at Manic. "We have our differences, but we'll always be family. And I'll be damned if I lose two family members in the same night," Sonic shakily whispered.

The two brothers stared at one another, but Sonia smiled warmly. Manic bowed his head slightly in agreement. He brought his mother's hand to his lips and softly kissed her cold fingers. Closing his eyes, Manic rested for the first time in a long time at Aleena's bedside.

Sonic turned his attention to his mother before the door opened. They turned to see the doctor approaching them.

"Is there anyone else wanting in the room?"

"Yes. We have family and close friends," Sonia responded. "May they come in before she…" Sonia trailed off as it felt like a rock got stuck in her throat.

"Yes – you can let them in now," the doctor nodded his head and left the room once again.

Sonia turned to her brothers. "I guess that was all he had to say." She watched as Sonic stood. He motioned towards his spot and lightly pushed her towards the chair.

"I'll go get the others," he volunteered and left the room before Sonia could sit down.

It was silent yet again in the room, all except for the heart machine. The remaining siblings sat in the room that felt eerily cold, letting the tears continue to fall.

~.~

It had felt like an eternity for Shadow.

He passed the time by watching the male across the hall – the bright orange hedgehog he thought he had once known inside and out.

"Where's Momma?" Petunia pouted as she clung to her father.

Flame purely shushed her and kissed her on the forehead. He was ignorant to the ebony Mobian staring at him.

The Mobian that was slowly becoming suspicious.

No one receives a text like that and waves it off. The more I think about it – about Amy's crazy theory of spies and how Flame just…appeared – it all looks suspicious. How did Sonia meet him? Sonic said school, but Flame's let it slip that he never went to college. He didn't have the money.

Perhaps Amy's assumption wasn't too farfetched as I originally thought. But where did Flame come into the picture? I could be far off in this guess, but still…

The text chilled Shadow.

He didn't regularly "text" anyone. But he knew from texts with Sonic that someone wouldn't ask, 'Is she dead yet?' over text if they really cared for Aleena. It felt a little…off.

Something about the way Flame had waved it off brought more doubts to Shadow's head. The male had seemed like he didn't want to talk about the text at all.

And an unknown number. He just said it was a relative with a new phone. But…phone numbers don't always change, do they? Shadow pondered on it.

He wasn't as tech savvy as some – as Peter Worthington for example – and he wasn't very sure on how everything work nowadays. But he vaguely remembered Sarah getting a new phone a year ago. Making sure she had his number, Shadow had asked if hers was any different. He had thought about her odd look for a few days, a little embarrassed and confused at the same time. It had merely been a question and she had looked at him as if he were the world's biggest fool.

And if the relative was good friends with Sonia and knew about Aleena's failing health, then wouldn't they have communicated with Flame over text earlier? Perhaps they did have a different number, and Flame was slow to put them in their contacts. That was a possibility, he figured.

Still, there was something that had him unsettled. Flame wasn't telling the truth – that much he knew.

There must be a way we can figure out who these spies could be…If they have Peter on their side, then that gives them an advantage in this modern day and age. Which means we need someone with contacts that could do what Peter could.

His gaze went to Silver. The white hedgehog slept against Blaze. He had said he could find out where Rosy was by making a few calls. Whatever he does for work must be something important, considering he didn't explain it in full detail. But if he has contacts that could find out that type of information, then we can use that to our advantage. Find out where Rosy has been – where Scourge has been. And why they're here now.

I wonder if his contacts would find it odd if I add Peter Worthington and Flame Summers to the list…

Shadow narrowed his eyes in thought. There was an added weight to his right side, which he knew was Amy, but he paid no mind to it.

Who else could possibly help us get that sort of information? Tails…No. He's had ties with the government before – they're watching him closely, due to his ability in making dangerous weapons out of paperclips and shaving cream.

Besides, we need someone with contacts, as they call it. Someone who's good with persuading others and holds authority over them. Someone like –

Rouge.

The name hit him, and he was reluctant to think if she could actually do anything about it.

She probably could. The bat's resourceful and has so many contacts, I lost count. She might still have some that are either criminals on the most wanted list or the highest paid government officials that could easily get their hands on such files.

But would she do it?

Well, if I told her the crazy theory Amy had – she probably would in order to join us in eliminating Samwell Turner. As long as she didn't tell Amy.

Just the thought of trying to keep the rose hedgehog out of trouble brought a great deal of stress on the Ultimate Life Form. He wasn't sure how long he could keep up lying, and it hadn't even been twenty-four hours.

But she'd find out sooner or later.

I've already brought Silver into this – her best friend. Sonic's hopefully in, if Silver's told him. That's her old role model – the person she looked up to. If I bring Rouge into it…God, I don't know if Amy will ever forgive me.

The idea pained him, to say the least.

He was barely beginning to figure out what he felt for Amy Rose. The last thing Shadow wanted was to fall for her hard, only to see her walk away with nothing but hatred towards him. He wasn't sure how to handle that type of situation, and he didn't want to.

Still. She's a magnet for trouble, and we can't save the weak of our own while trying to fight the enemy. She's not necessarily…weak, but she's in the way. She's more of a burden then she is help in situations like these. I remember Mobius and its destruction – and Amy being in the way more than helping. I doubt she's changed in that perspective after ten years. After all, she hasn't fought since then, either.

Shadow sat still.

Tails was dazed, staring blankly at the floor. Silver and Blaze were still asleep. Flame was constantly shushing Petunia and her many questions since she had woken up. Jeffery was peaceful as ever. Then there were the sounds of sniffles next to Shadow, and he was reminded that Amy was beside him. That the weight against him wasn't his lungs giving up on him or his side aching.

Amy wiped her nose with her sleeve as she kept her head down, leaning against Shadow. Red eyes softened at the rose flower.

Hesitantly, he reached out to her.

He wanted to touch her – to comfort her. He just wasn't sure how to go about that. Shadow figured holding her was a good start.

Amy was surprised when she felt an arm wrap around her, bringing her closer to the body she was leaning against. Instead of pulling away from the ebony male, she only burrowed closer to his chest. The tears wordlessly continued to fall as she grasped his jacket.

Although it felt like an awkward position, Shadow remained half-embracing her. Tightening his grip ever so slightly, he rested his chin on her head. It made the position less uncomfortable.

He looked down the hallway, wondering how Sonic and his siblings were doing. He was itching to know how Aleena was doing. How sick she had become – Shadow could have sworn Aleena was perfectly fine last time he saw her. Sure, it was several months ago, but he knew when a person was sick or not. He could just feel it – being the Ultimate Life Form and whatnot.

So, it irked him that he had been wrong. It's clearly something that came out of the blue…I didn't detect it. Sonic didn't talk about anything wrong with her for the last few months, either. Since I visited, in fact. She had been perfectly healthy when I saw her. Sonic said she was getting better every time he visited her.

What's wrong with her?

She's had difficulties in the past. All around adjusting to this planet, except her memory loss. Tails believed she couldn't survive on this planet – but he didn't tell Sonic that. Still, I wonder if the fox is right. Perhaps her heart was too weak. Her bones too brittle. Something.

Shadow closed his eyes, trying to forget where he was at the moment.

He had just been invited a birthday party. He had just gotten to talk to Amy – ask her on a date. Hell, he somewhat even confessed that he was beginning to feel something for the female. Shadow didn't want the responsibility to make sure Sonic didn't lose it. Not because the responsibility annoyed him, but because it intimidated Shadow.

While he would never admit it aloud, Shadow was fond of the blue nuisance. And he feared for the day when Aleena would pass.

I just didn't think it would be today…

By the time he felt sleep capture him, Shadow was being prodded awake. It had felt like a few seconds, when in reality it was just a few minutes. Either way, he was disturbed from his slumber.

Glaring at the intruder to his sleep, Shadow stopped. His face relaxed as he saw Sonic standing before him with a soft look – a look that said what would happen, would happen.

Perhaps he can handle this better than I thought… Shadow still had his doubts though.

"The doctor will give you guys a few minutes…He doesn't think she'll pull through," Sonic whispered with a pained tone.

"What's wrong, Daddy?"

Shadow could barely hear Petunia's tiny whisper towards Flame. She sounded so scared at the tone her uncle used. The child was beginning to realize something was right. That something was terribly wrong.

Flame sighed and set his daughter down, still holding Jeffery. "Look, sweetie. Grandma is…well, she's had issues. You remember your fish, Blub?"

"Yes," Petunia frowned. "You said he had to go somewhere forever."

"Yeah," Flame did his best at the parenting thing without Sonia there. He didn't like the topic of death around his children, especially Petunia. She was starting to grasp the idea a little too quickly, and it frightened both father and daughter. "That he was going to an endless ocean where he could swim forever and be happy. Remember?"

"Hmhm…"

"Well, Grandma's gotta go now. Okay?"

"Why?" Petunia pinned her ears back. Shadow glanced away to avoid seeing the tears trickling in the corner of her eyes. It was hard enough to see Amy cry. He couldn't handle the child he stubbornly loved. "We barely got to see her…"

"She's sick, Petunia," Sonic calmly told the little girl. Petunia turned to gaze up at her uncle. "Her heart can't handle it anymore."

He kneeled as his niece approached him. She trembled a little, but the tears were still threatening to spill. "She's going to be in an endless ocean so she can swim forever?" she whispered so quietly that Shadow barely heard her.

Sonic lightly smiled as he glanced at the ground. "No. But she's going somewhere better." He looked back up at her, "A place where she can be free from all the sicknesses."

"We'll visit her then, right?"

Sonic opened his mouth to say something, but he only exhaled heavily. Shadow cleared his throat and motioned for Petunia to come to him. Amy moved aside and watched with tear-stained cheeks.

"Petunia, listen to me. Your grandmother is going through what we will all eventually go through," Shadow softly spoke to her. Petunia came closer as he leaned forward, an arm slightly holding her. "Until then, we won't be able to visit her anymore."

"But-"

"She'll always be with you," Amy joined, and Shadow was glad she did. She was more nurturing than him.

Flame suddenly scooped his daughter up, still somehow managing to hold onto a sleeping Jeffery, and turned to Sonic. "C'mon. It'd be best if she just saw her and said goodbye."

Petunia looked over her shoulder at Shadow and Amy. She turned to her father with her ears still pinned against the back of head. "I don't like saying goodbye…"

"I know, sweetie." Flame kissed his daughter on her forehead once more and began walking down the hall.

Sunny, Silver, and Blaze stood simultaneously. "Sonic?"

The blue hero glanced over at Shadow and Amy as they stood. Tails was the last one to stand. Shadow swallowed and motioned for Sonic to lead.

"This way."

Once the group started moving a bit faster down the hallway, Shadow noticed Amy beginning to tremble and lose her pace with the rest.

A single tear slid down her cheek.

Shadow stopped along with her and grabbed her arm gently. "Amy?"

"I feel like I'm going to be sick."

"Amy –"

"Shadow, I can't do this. Aleena, she's –" Amy turned her head and winced as if she were in pain. She thought her tear ducts had all been dried out, but the waterworks still flowed to tell her otherwise. "I can't believe visiting her wasn't on the top of my list when I came here."

"Amy, don't start this. You'll feel guilty, but nothing is your fault," Shadow whispered as to not catch attention from their friends walking away. He stood close enough to her that she could feel his breath on her cheek. "Now, c'mon. You'll regret it if you don't go in."

He held out his arm and supported her. Her body trembled even more so, which worried him. With his lips grazing her ear, Shadow led the way to catch up with their friends.

Amy put her nose in Shadow's chest fur that stuck out of his clothing. She buried against the fur and his jacket still. Closing her eyes tightly, Amy let out a sniffle. "I don't like saying goodbyes, either."

Glancing down at her, his eyes turned soft and gentle. He tensed his grip on her as he felt her knees beginning to buckle.

"No one does."

Amy sat on the edge of Shadow's bed, frozen in place.

The house had fallen quiet an hour ago. It was around two in the morning, and her eyes were tired from crying. Her body begged for sleep, but her mind was too busy thinking about the hospital.

She couldn't make any coherent words.

Shadow had left her there on the bed as he went to take a shower. By the time he got out, he was surprised to see that she hadn't moved.

At all.

The ebony hedgehog walked out of his bathroom with a damp towel around his neck. He only wore long pajama pants that dragged on the floor as he trudged across the room. He threw the towel in the hamper against his door.

Turning to face Amy, he clasped his hands together and sighed. Contemplating on what to do, Shadow finally made a move after several minutes of utter silence. Turning off the light, he walked towards Amy in total darkness.

He felt her flinch under his touch at first.

She's cold as ice…And silent.

It bugged Shadow. She could be silent, but she couldn't be a zombie. He wouldn't allow for it – it didn't suit her.

Amy closed her eyes as she let out a breath through her mouth. She shivered under his delicate touch. Despite her body motionless, her mind selfishly thought of more intimate situations with Shadow. Finally, he grabbed the bottom of her shirt.

She flinched again as his knuckles ran against her thin tank top. He raised the fabric slowly, allowing time for her to get what he was doing. Automatically putting her arms up, she let him slip it up and off of her.

Shadow was relieved she had a tank top on, as he tossed her shirt to the floor.

Swallowing, Shadow approached her again. His hands danced along each of her arms as his lips grazed her forehead. Planting a soft kiss to her forehead, Shadow lifted her up in his arms. She was so light; he almost went and got food instead of putting her under the sheets.

But her greater desire for sleep was evident.

The dark male slid in behind her. He felt her body temperature rise as he reached around and unbuttoned her jeans. Amy blushed, but was too cold to care. She would have curled up if it hadn't been for Shadow skillfully taking off her jeans. They hit the floor, and Amy had her chance.

Twisting around, she quickly cuddled up into his warm body. Shadow swallowed again, heavier this time.

His hands reluctantly wrapped around her small frame – his ears listening to her fast heartbeat. But he was relieved to feel his instinctive side had passed for now – perhaps due to the talk about going on a date.

Shadow became aware at that moment on how tightly Amy was grasping his chest fur. If he had worn a shirt, she had been holding onto that for dear life as well. Despite her bare legs resting dangerously close to him, reminding him how easily it would be to place them in a position their primal sides would enjoy, Shadow didn't push her away.

Instead, he merely held her.

Combed through her quills. Kept her warm. Comforted her by embracing her.

He remained this way for an hour or two, unable to fall asleep.

Shadow wondered how Sonic was doing. Or Manic even. But mostly, he thought of Amy's wellbeing. Even in the hospital room, Sonic and Manic were able to hold their own. Shadow hadn't needed to comfort them at all.

It was Amy that he had to continue to support. She had been a blubbering mess, compared to everyone else.

Well, Sonia was probably worse. Still, I didn't think Amy would care this much…She's so selfless, even for strangers or people she hasn't seen in a long time. I almost had to carry her out of there.

But at least Aleena is at peace now…

He stared at the clock on his nightstand.

Now, we just have to wait for everyone else to be at peace.

Grieving.

He wasn't sure if anyone in the house had gone through it like he had. But he knew with the people under his roof, and who they were, that it wouldn't be a simple task.

And it wasn't just them grieving.

The dogs had gone quiet, as if sensing something wasn't right. There was a gloomy aura around the house, as well. The moment they had walked in, Shadow had wanted to walk out. The house had never been so noiseless. He couldn't even hear the clocks ticking.

It was as if everything, living or not, could tell something tragic had happened. And the worst part for those still living was yet to come.

For the silence that hit the entire house, was a silence filled with grief.

I do not know anything about hospitals or how that stuff works...I just know about EKG's.

I would make this chapter longer, but I think with everything that I want to go down following Aleena's death; it would fit better in its own chapter. So it's going to be like how chapters 20, 21, and 22 were one long ass chapter split into three parts. More details about Aleena are planned for next chapter. It's just how I do things for some reason. *shrugs* Think of this chapter like a teaser, but I love to play with ya'll until you're infuriated with me. :D

I don't know if this 'Aleena' phase will be three parts or only two. I'm going to say three right now. There's going to be conflicts next chapter, a time skip of a few days to the birthday party and then funeral in the third one. So, the third will probably be the longest. All I know is that this part will be the most chill. The next part, or chapter, will be more tension and arguing most definitely. And the last part…well, we'll see. ;)

I hope everyone's had an awesome week! Keep spreading those positive vibes!

Arrivederci!