CHAPTER SONG: N/A

AUTHOR: Most chapters will be this length so I hope you enjoy :)

ONE

Kairos by Sonic T. Hedgehog

Book signing at Station Square College Library

December 21, 2016 at 10:00 A.M.

Amy Rose, junior in college, read the words plastered on the literature building board in wonderment as students flocked past her indifferently. Her eyes continuously re-reading the words before her. She couldn't believe her eyes.

She wasn't sure if her eyes were seeing correctly as she felt her heart began to quicken in a strange type of excitement. Her idol, the person she completely admired, was coming to her college and doing a book signing?

She had always wanted to go to one but it had been so long since one had been arranged and she was never able to go. This had to be some type of fate, right? He was signing books in her school of all places for crying out loud!

A smile erupted among her plum lips and she bit the tip of her thumb. Whatever it was, was bringing a funny tickle in her stomach that she hadn't felt before in a very long time.

"Rose?" A deep, raspy voice asked from within her cell phone that hangs loosely in her right hand. "Rose, you there?"

"Yeah," she answered breathlessly, pulling it back to her ear. "I'll call you later…"

"What do—…" The dial ended as the pink hedgehog shoved it into her pocket without a care in the world. She hastily ripped the flyer off the board, shoving it into her faux leather backpack.

It was time for her to head to the library.

Sonic felt overdressed the second he entered the library. His simple white dress shirt, teamed with his tailored pale gray suit jacket, and its matching pale gray dress pants, had seemed wholly appropriate when he'd gotten dressed in the morning. But one second of entering the complex his casual greeting, and his outfit was all wrong. This was a book signing, so he hadn't even considered that it would be quite simple. He was clearly over dressed. The thought was demoralizing.

He had resolved to get to signing as soon as he arrived here, and so had dressed accordingly, but his resolve blew away with the partial vacant building. He took deep breaths, feeling slightly embarrassed, which was practical, even though he shouldn't have expected anying, the librarian was already waiting for him at the table, and she hustled to prepare his table. She towered over him in her black heels. At his height he would have towered over her even if she weren't wearing heels but that didn't apply anymore. "Ms. Vanilla, how are you this morning?" he asked.

The older rabbit smiled at the familiar hedgehog. She had often worked with him in the past when he would do book signings. She quickly recalled his name. "I'm doing well, Mr. Hedgehog. And yourself?" She asked.

"I'm no longer the same writer that I used to be," Sonic said with an uneasy smile as he pushed his glasses over his eyes. "I was surprised that I was even invited to do a book signing at this place… I haven't even written a book in years."

"You shouldn't think of yourself so lowly!" The older female rabbit said as she setup Sonic's books onto his table with a huff. "I'm sure you can write a new masterpiece easily!" She said wiping a sweat off her forehead and offering him a kind smile.

"I have no inspiration lately…" Sonic admitted, motioning down at his legs with a hesitant false smile. "You know, after the accident."

Vanilla formed a tight frown. "Oh, Sonic dear, I am so very sorry about that. That shouldn't be a barrier for you though. You really need to open up and see the better things in life."

Sonic smiled, but it wasn't a real smile. Over the years he had mastered the art of fabricating happiness. It was his way of avoiding false truths and pointless advice that was thrown to him.

It was bothersome.

"Do you think anyone will even show up?" He made his way to his table and flocks of books, hands sweaty and his nervous fingers tapping the wood.

"I see why not," Vanilla winked. "I remember years ago we couldn't keep people out!"

"I even brought three sharpies," Sonic said with a tiny smile, pulling them out of his pocket with an uneasy chuckle. "you know, just incase…"

Again the rabbit was fooled as her smile grew.

"That's the spirit, Mr. Hedgehog!" She complimented, clasping her hands together. "Positive attitudes all around!"

Sonic chuckled for her amusement, making his way behind the table and looking over the stacks of books in sadness. His hand clenched one. To be honest, he hadn't read them since that day.

His stomach twisted at the recollection.

He shut his eyes in an attempt to push those memories away.

"Excuse, Missus Vanilla," some student interrupted, tapping her shoulder and holding out their phone. "Do you happen to know if this book is here?"

"Oh, let me see…" Vanilla said as she grasped the phone and pulled it away from her face, as if that was going to help her read the screen better, and frowned. "You know what, I can't see. I need my glasses." She turned to Sonic with a smile. "If you'll excuse me for a moment."

"Yes, of course," Sonic nodded. "Go right ahead."

"Remember positive attitude!" She winked, walking away with a thumbs up with the student following right behind her. Sonic nodded, giving her a thumbs up back.

Once out of view, Sonic let out a sigh, relaxing his hands around a sharpie. He felt odd giving thumbs up which was ironic since that was something he was known for. But the rabbit was right, he had to be a little optimistic, but considering that he didn't even have anyone waiting in a line like he used to, that was proving to be quite hard.

Sonic scanned the room, searching for familiar faces—anyone he might have known well enough from previous book signings. As he perform his visual sweep, he noted a small clusters of students. The cluster effect isn't unusual. This entire library is made up of human semicircles, half of them wearing fake smiles, feigning interest in conversations, and the other half using it as a means to get homework but what struck him was the outcast. His gaze had caught on one woman in particular. She's not engaged in any semicircle discussion. He knows this, because she's looking at him. Or at least she's looking in his direction. She's dressed like every other girl in this room—jacket and jeans—but her face, Chaos sake, is stunning. High cheekbones that belong to a model, strong jaw, plumb lips, perfect nose, eyes framed with thick lashes. Her long rosy quills are cut in layers. Clean cut, refined, exactly the opposite of what you would typically see.

He kept his hands cupped around his unused sharpie rather than giving in to the urge to what feels like far too many seconds of prolonged eye contact, the same heat that caused his cheeks to flush moves through his body, making my scalp, among other places, tingle. He looked over his shoulder, just to make sure it's really him she's staring at so intently. Behind him is a group of men in their fifties, so unless she's into old timers, he's the focus of her attention.

A smile pulls the corners of her mouth up, flashing white teeth and popping a dimple. She absently moved past the groups and then she's moving in his direction. Sonic didn't think he knew her. He'd remember a face that gorgeous. As she closes in on him he notes how arresting her eyes are. A shocking shade of green, made more vibrant against the pink quills. Her summer dress matches her eyes. Sonic was sure it was purposeful.

She stops when she meets the table, a breathless sigh escaping her lips. Her smile grows, her dimples deepening, eyes searching his face with an expression Sonic couldn't quite read but made him feel fridgety.

"Hi." Her voice is a gentle caress that begins at the column of her throat and travels down her body, all the way to the sensitive place at her belly.

"Hello," Sonic greets with a kind smile that speaks warm undertones. "To whom may I make this to?"

"Amy," The young beauty said, letting out a steady breath and smiling kindly. "Amy Rose."

"Alright, lets see..." Sonic drifted off as he reached out to grab a book when Amy stopped him. He looked at her expectantly.

Her eyes seemed bashful for a moment as she bit her lip. "Actually, I already have a book." she explained, reaching out to her backpack and pulling out one of his most early books. "Can you sign this one instead?"

Sonic blinked, taken aback by the old book but a hint of a smile formed on his lips. "Sure thing." he said, writing a special comment just for that.

"You're a real inspiration, Mister Hedgehog."

Sonic tore his attention from the page after writing his signature to find a tender green gaze staring back at him. Something about that made him nervous. He felt almost naked. It felt like she could read him like an open book. He could tell by her puerile tone she might have been a new fan who didn't know about his accident, so he looked around for Vanilla, who seemed to have disappeared, before answering.

"Thank you for that." Sonic chuckles uncomfortably. He didn't want to be the one to put her hopes down, but he also didn't want to hear those words. He wasn't the man he used to be. That meant he wasn't an inspiration anymore.

"I've read all your books. Ever since the first one, I've been hooked. The way you live life is truly amazing. Breathtaking and exhilarating. I can't believe you went on so many adventures…" Amy continued to ramble on excitedly. "You convey the emotions you felt in that moment so good that that it made me feel like I was almost there with you."

Something about those words made his heart warm but also wince in paint. Had he heard these words some years ago, he would of been ecstatic. Probably grinning happily like she was and full of blissful happiness and youth.

Now he was nothing but a mere bug in this cruel world.

"I can't wait until you write more." She added with a hopeful smile, snapping his dark thoughts away.

Seeing that smile ate him inside out. He let out a sigh of anguish as he found himself hating himself for being such a failure. A total disappointment.

"You must be a new fan, right?" Sonic lowered his eyes, not being able to meet her gaze. Afraid to see the disappointment in her eyes. He knew coming was a bad idea to begin with.

"What makes you think that?"

"I'm sure you probably haven't heard but I had an accident a few years back…" his hand drifted to his right thigh. "I'm not the same man I used to be and I don't think I will be writing any new books… sorry to disappoint you." He admitted with a weak, uneasy smile while he felt air freeze in his throat.

Her smile never faltered. "I'm a Nursing Major," Amy said as she leaned forward on the table. A bit too close to comfort as the top three unbuttoned buttons exposed the ruffles of her bra and cleavage. Sonic blushed, looking away as she continued obliviously. "I want to be a travel nurse and help people around the world in anyway I can. You helped me discover that part of me." Sonic blinked at her words and turned to see her eyes glowing brightly with emotions he couldn't phantom. "Accident or not, you are what I strive to be." She added, making him freeze at the confession.

So she knew about the accident and still saw him as an inspiration?

That couldn't be possible… right?

He swallowed, chuckling nervously as he grabbed his signed book, holding it out to her in an attempt to push her away. "That makes me really…" He paused, letting out a breath and offering her a genuine smile. "It makes me really happy to hear I was able to help you in that way."

Her eyes seemed to shine brighter (if that was even possible) as she accepted the book in her hands, brushing his fingertips in the process, simple but making him become more aware of her and he could of sworn he saw her smirk. "Would you mind if I got a picture with you?" She asked, her voice seeming to smoothen.

That question sure surprised him but as much as he wanted to say "no" he just couldn't when she looked so happy to meet him. So he forced a smile on his face and said a simple, "sure."

"Thank you so much!" She squealed, making Sonic surprisingly chuckle in process as she did a little jump and ran around the table.

A part of Sonic wished she hadn't so she wouldn't see him so vulnerable looking but she seemed full of life and without a care. He felt taken aback by this too. He remembered when he was once like that.

"Excuse me, can you take our picture?" She asked a nearby individual who cheerfully agreed.

The pink hedgehog lowered to his chair and grabbed Sonic's arm, hugged it, pressing her chest against it accidentally and the male tried his best to ignore the sensation. He turned to the camera with an uneasy smile.

"From the waist up, please." Sonic ordered quickly.

"Oh, uh, sure thing!" Replied the student with a chuckle. "Say cheese!"

"Cheese!" Amy said happily as Sonic grinned and the flash went off.

"Thank you so much for this..." Amy said with a smile as she retrieved her cell phone but her eyes seemed to hold some sadness as she turned to him. "It means a lot."

"You're welcome," Sonic replied with a nod. "also good luck with nursing!"

"Thanks," Amy replied as she began walking backwards almost like she didn't want to leave. "Also, you should smile more." She added, making Sonic laugh nervously.

He forced a smile. "I am smiling." He said.

She stopped, looking him in the eye with those same tender eyes. "I mean a real smile." She said, making Sonic's eyes widen in surprise. "Have a nice day, Mister Hedgehog!"

Sonic swallowed hard as he watched her leave with an almost bittersweet smile and a part of him didn't want her too. Talking with her made him remember about the old days but it also terrified him. He raised his hand to his chest realizing his heart was beating fast.

She had read him like an open book.

He had been too optimistic by bringing more sharpies.

"See, I told you being optimistic brought good fortune!" Vanilla said with a big grin as she began closing down the library. It was a Monday so it closed fairly early. "You signed so many books today." She continued.

He chuckled bitterly but she thought it was pleasantly. He had only signed six which was nothing compared to what he used to sign when he was still functional. His books would always sell out. He knew finally coming out of his house was a bad idea but again he forced a smile to hide his pain.

He shouldn't have let his wife convince him.

"It's great to see a former student return to this school," A deep voice boomed, making the pair look over to see a large crocodile walking over with a smirk."It's been ten long years since I last saw you!"

"Oh! Superintendent," Vanilla gasped with a bashful smile. "I didn't know you'd come visit."

"Vanilla, you look as lovely as ever." The crocodile crocodile complemented with a glazed look in his eyes. "It's great to see you before classes start in a few weeks time."

The rabbit blushed and Sonic rolled his eyes. Some things never changed. As far as he could remember, these two were always flirting but never acting on it. He'd assumed they were a thing by now but clearly not.

Though, as happy as he should be to see an old friend, Sonic felt his nerves start. He hated being seen this way by others he used to talk to before. It had already been years so he should of came to terms but he just couldn't.

"Superintendent Vector," Sonic greeted sadly as subconsciously put his hand on his own left knee. "It's great to see you again."

"It's an honor to be in the presence of the famous adventurous Sonic." Dean Vector said happily as he went to the front of the table and saluted him.

Sonic saluted back with his fake smile."Adventures have been far from my mind ever since… well… you know." He chuckled a condescending laugh.

"Oh, yes. I heard." Vector's eyes showed remorse that only seemed to fuel his insecurities. "I'm so sorry that had to happen to you."

"Don't be. It was a surprise to all of us." Sonic said absentmindedly as he gripped his own thigh.

"It must of been horrible."

Sonic gave a hopeless shrug. "Yeah, but I'm learning to cope with it." He assured.

Vector crossed his arms, asking,"So what are you doing in life now?" Eyes fully interested.

"I uh mainly spend my days writing at home." Sonic did with a forced smile. He couldn't say that he mainly stayed hidden in his room from the world watching movies all day. What would the crocodile think?

His life was totally pathetic.

"Oh, I didn't know you were still writing!" Vector said with eyes of interest. "That's great!"

"Yeah, it's going to be great." Sonic said through gritted teeth, stretching out his lie. "But I'm taking a break from writing for now."

"Does that mean you have a lot of time on your hands?" Vector continued with a wicked smile.

"Some yes…" Sonic answered almost unsurely.

"Have you ever thought about teaching?"

Sonic tilted his head in confusion. "Teaching?"

"Yes, of course!" Vector said, snapping his fingers. "You were an English Major here before and you have all the qualifications along with all the most interesting stories to go with it. How about you become an English teacher? I have an opening starting in four weeks."

Sonic wasn't sure what to say. This was shocking to say the least. He hadn't expected to be offered a job which was actually pretty great considering ever since he stopped traveling and writing he hadn't been able to contribute as much as before and now he might be able to experience that again.

However, the thought also terrified him considering that being a teacher meant he had to stand in front of a crowed. If coming to the library today was hard he could only imagine how difficult teaching would be. Then again, this would probably make Sally really happy...

"I'll have to talk about with my wife." Sonic smiled.

"Oh, that's right!" Vector slapped his forehead. "I forgot to ask! How is the Missus?"

"She's…" Sonic paused. He forced a smile. "We're fantastic."

"That's wonderful!" Vector let out a content sigh. "It's great to see that you both still support each other so much. You two were quite the lovebirds. I knew it was real since the moment I saw you two."

Sonic felt like cringing but grinned instead. "Thanks, Dean Victor." There was much irony in those words of his.

As pink dusk erupted throughout the dark sky, Sonic found himself entering his condo with much dread. It had been a hectic, strange day for him considering it was the first time he had left his home in a long time. He had to admit that it was not as bad as he had thought it would of been but even so it did bring out some benefit.

He had been offered a job.

A particular excitement rose in him. He was happy to say the least but he was scared that once he entered it would all disperse but he took a dare and pushed the door open.

As the bright lights of his complex made him squint, his eyes soon adjusted on his wife sitting in the living room, overlooking her work matters. He was sure she had heard him come in. Even so, he let out a cough just to be certain.

No reaction.

Sally didn't say anything, just continued to read over files. He waited for her to betray some sort of recognition, but her movements were easy, surprisingly sure—especially considering how they had argued that morning. Clearly, she was going to give him the silent treatment like expression was utterly impersonal. He should have been happy that she wasn't showing emotions.. But he wasn't. Because the husband inside him wanted to be sad it was to be so easily forgotten.

And how pathetic he was for caring.

Again, he snapped himself out of it. He supposed there was a time and place for mulling over her. But not here. Not while having been given such good news.

Clearing away his stray thoughts, he said,"I got offered a job."

"That's nice," she answered with a blank stare."Maybe now you can start doing something with your life again instead of being locked up in this house all day."

Frustration filled him almost instantly. "You know I have writer's block." He argued

"How can I forget?" Her brows tensed. "You've had it for the past four years." She snapped.

He glared. "Again with this, seriously?"

"Yes, seriously." Sally was exasperated as she threw her paperwork onto the table and shot him a glare back. "Do you have any idea how much of a struggle it took me to even convince you to get out of that room and actually do something? If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have even been offered a job. You should be thanking me."

"For what?" Sonic laughed bitterly. "Screaming at me all day?"

Sonic noticed Sally's expression fall. He was certain he had gone to far but his own frustrations kept him from apologizing, so she went on to block doors within her mind and turned away. "Fine. Then sorry for bothering you."

Always sorry. Same routine. Nothing like before.

"I can't believe we're really married now!" Sally giggled, twirling around in her bikini with her hands clasped and eyes gleaming with love. "It's like a dream!"

He shut his eyes tight at the recollection of such a vivid memory.

He looked at his wife now and saw pure discontent as she pretended he didn't exist. Sally just continued to sit on the couch with a blank look on her face. How long had it been since he had last seen her smile? Months? Years? He had lost count long ago.

His heart clenched.

It was his fault after all.

"I have to go make a call," Sally stood, never glancing back at him as she walked to the hallway. "I'll be in my office. Your dinner is on the table. Call me if you need me."

Once he was alone, the silence descended much too fast, and Sonic was left to think about the crumbling of his marriage. Was he simply too stubborn and she too annoyed? Why was it so horrible?

His eyes drifted off towards the right side of the room where three large windows seemed to mock him. They constantly reminded him and gave him the answers. It was no surprise why their marriage was so deep in havoc.

As he rolled himself towards the window, he glared at what he saw in his reflection as he ran his hands down his thighs and stopped where his knee should have been. His legs ended there. He let out a hopeless laugh and held his face with an open palm. How repulsing.

He was only half a man now.

As a hedgehog fought within himself another lay almost dazed in her bed. It had been a lovely day. Meeting him was everything she had expected and more… she only wished she would of talked with him more.

His words quoted:

To: Amy Rose

From: Sonic T. Hedgehog.

— Have no master, except the wind that blows free!

Within the dark room, Amy's jade eyes glimmered brightly as she traced her hand across the black sharpie.

"Blowing free, huh?" She asked no one in particular as she hugged the book against her chest. If only it hadn't ended so soon. There were so many things she wanted to say.

The next chapters will be more progressive :) hope you enjoy and please review!