Just under 30 days have passed since 15 year old Starr was sent to a detention centre for youth. Throughout the past month she's been in and out of court, having a lawyer do most of the talking for her.

Turns out someone paid for the best defence lawyer in Vace Beach to help the teenager out of jail.

A jury reviewed the evidence against her, along with the testimony of Knuckles the Echidna, and subsequently found Starr not criminally responsible for the events that took place in the Neon City.

She was released later that same afternoon.

"Thank you for everything" Starr says to her Lawyer

"Just try to stay outta trouble, kid. I don't think I can work my magic like that again" He says

The Magenta hedgehog picks up her backpack but is stopped by the lawyer at the door

"Ms. Rochev wanted me to give you this on her behalf. She called it a parting gift"

Starr takes an envolope and small brief case.

"..she said she will most likely never see you again, Starr, and that she was sorry about what happened to your friends. She made the arrangements for them, and left a fair amount of money inside, to get you back on your feet"

The teenager smiles, then nods at the lawyer as she exits the courthouse.

Sonia may have left Knuckles in the past, but she hadn't forgotten about Starr.

She arrives at the southeast graveyard 35 minutes later, the funeral service for AJ and Duncan was about to begin. Starr thought it was nice of Sonia to pay for the service, even though nobody came to pay their respects.

Only she and a priest from the local church watched over the caskets as they lowered into two separate graves. It was clear no one in this town had cared about Starr or her two best friends, and the empty feeling in her stomach got worse as the sun set over the city once more.

"...that was a good eulogy, father. My friends were-"

The priest interrupts her "You and your friends sent a lot of innocent souls to heavens gate, little girl. I did not want to be here to send them out, but Ms. Rochev was adamant that I did. She paid a lot of money for this, you know. You're lucky to have a friend like her...to have someone who cares"

Starr didn't know what to say so she said nothing as the priest made his way out of the graveyard.

You know it's bad when even the priest wants nothing to do with you.

Starr stands over AJ and Duncan's graves, recites a prayer quietly and leaves some flowers on the dirt.

It seems she's going to be the only one who gives a shit about these two now that they're gone.

I'm sorry, guys. I couldn't save you. I really wish you guys were here right now because I don't know what to do... I'll try to keep moving, though. I love you guys, and I'll see you again someday.

She makes her way back into town, hoping maybe someone is still around. Starr gets to Sonia's mansion and buzzes in, but a recorded message informs her that Sonia moved out almost 4 weeks ago, and the building is private property.

Starr heads out west, she knows it's a long shot but maybe Knuckles is already out.

She reaches the safe house they all met at and goes to open the door but it's locked. The windows are still smashed and she barely hears the silent alarm go off, so she leaves as quickly as possible.

Is anybody even still here?

The teenager walks through downtown, looking for a place to eat but every shop owner refuses to serve her. It seems she's not too popular and certainly not welcome.

"We don't serve your kind"

"And what would that be?" Starr asks

"Garbage"

The teenagers' face turns red from embarrassment as more and more onlookers stop and surround her. The locals give her dirty looks and whisper unpleasant things to each other.

"Freak.."

"There's that murderer right there"

"Get lost, you bitch!"

Starr hears everything and everyone around her, trying her best to stay calm but everything is too much for her.

She screams out in anger and races out of the area, shoving many civilians to the ground.

They hate me

Starr breaks into an office building, takes the elevator up and ignores the blaring alarms.

Fine. You assholes win. If this is what you want. I'll end it.

The Magenta hedgehog breaks through the rooftop access door, walks to the ledge and looks over the city one last time.

This is it. Fuck everything.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you"

Starr turns around and looks Shadow in the eyes. She races off the ledge and wraps her arms around him.

The only one who cared enough to stop her from jumping, and it's an android.

The Black Hedgehog takes her back to a hideout just outside the city and they talk.

"So, kid... you know how long they gave him, right?"

Starr looks up "Gave who, what?"

"Knuckles. He's inside for 10 years. Judge gave him extra time because of what he did to his cell mates... and they think he had something to do with M's murder"

"You killed him, didn't you"

The Android opens a file folder and pushes a set of photos across the table.

"Turns out he was working with Angel from the beginning. All that tough guy shit? It was an act to get attention and suspicion off himself... and guess who would've taken the fall for Angel's murder"

Starr looks at the photos "Us"

Shadow nods and unzips his jacket

"...so, Knuckles is taking the blame? If they charge him for that, he'll never get out of prison!" Starr exclaims

"Exactly"

"Well, you gotta go in there and tell the truth!"

"We'll get to that, but right now-"

Starr stands up "You have to go NOW!"

Shadow smirks "...actually, I was thinkin' of busting him outta prison. It's much faster, and a lot less paperwork"

She looks at him "...are you serious?"

"As serious as I could be"

Starr takes a seat and calms down, while Shadow takes off his Trench coat.

"...I have a slight problem. Bastards blew off one of my arms, so I'd be next-to useless out there. But you, Starr, you could help me"

"How?"

"You help me find the Original Shadow, and I promise to break him out right after. But this might take some time, kid"

Starr looks at the Android "Well, then we'd better get off our asses and go"

TO BE CONCLUDED.