CHAPTER 6

Avery was very fortunate that she did not have to wait long for Sonic and Tails to arrive. That's a perk of being friends with the fastest thing alive. She answered the door to let Tails and Sonic in when they came.

"Well...you clearly weren't lying when you said that Infinite attacked you again." Sonic stated while looking at the semen stain on her shirt, making Avery cringe.

"What are those stains? Did Infinite spray you with some type of mace?" Tails asked.

"Uhhhh...yeah." Avery lied. The kid can pretty much build anything, but he still hasn't figured out masturbation? Well I guess being a tech whiz doesn't necessarily mean you know biology very well.

"So why did you want me here?" Tails asked again.

"Infinite broke into my house last night. If anyone can figure out how he did it and how to keep him out or possibly even trap him if he tries to break in again, it's you." Avery answered.

The little fox let out a warm smile. "I can do this Avery! You can always count on me for this kind of stuff. What do you want me to do first?"

"I need you to inspect every area of my apartment. Try to find a place where he could have entered." Avery instructed.

"Got it!" Tails cheered and went into the apartment. The young fox's bright and sunny mood quickly turned dour. Avery froze when she heard Tails let out a scream.

"CHEESE!" he cried out. Avery's heart sunk. She knew what Tails saw. She had left the remains of the half-eaten Chao on her coffee table and forgot to dispose of it. Sonic and Avery dashed into the living room to find the young fox bursting into tears in front of the coffee table. Sonic's mouth was dropped open in shock.

"Infinite had a midnight snack and he didn't eat all of it. He left the leftovers in my closet..." Avery said sadly.

"Oh my God! Cheese!" Sonic yelled, finally able to speak.

"That's it's name? You know this Chao?" Avery asked.

"That's Cheese. He's Cream's Chao." Sonic answered hesitantly.

"Cream?" Avery asked again.

"Young rabbit girl. You may have seen her around with Cheese." Sonic explained. Avery did dimly recall a rabbit girl who was often with a light-blue Chao, but she didn't get to know the young child well.

Sonic continued, fighting through the lump in his throat. "Cheese went missing on the...on the...same night you encountered Infinite in the forest...Oh God...Cream is gonna be devastated...Sorry Tails, I'm here for you buddy." Sonic then went over to console his young friend. Avery gently picked up what remained of Cheese that Infinite didn't devour and walked over to her broom closet to get a cardboard box to use as a pseudo-coffin. After placing Cheese in the box, she handed it to Sonic.

"...I think you know how to handle this particular situation better than I do." She said dully to Sonic. He nodded his head and placed the box/coffin by the entrance to her apartment to take back with him later. Tails was now laying on the couch. His loud sobs were now quiet sobs. Sonic then went over to comfort him.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry about Cheese. Everything is going to be okay now. Avery and I are sorry you had to see that. But we need you right now. If anyone can stop Infinite in his tracks right now, it's you buddy. Not only does Avery need you, everybody on the planet needs you. Infinite is still very much a threat and you can end it once and for all. I know you can do this Tails. You can do it." Tails sobs finally died down and he looked into the blue hedgehog's eyes and gave an affirmative nod.

"Okay. Let's do it. Let's stop Infinite. Lead me around the apartment some more, Avery." The now confident young fox said.

Avery then led Tails and Sonic through the rest of the house. The inspection of the living room, the kitchen and the bathroom turned up empty-handed. When Avery bought the two into the bedroom, Tails started staring up at the ceiling.

"What is it?" Avery asked.

"That vent there. See it?" He said. Avery looked up at the vent. Every apartment in the complex had one. They were used to regulate the temperature in the housing units. Keep things warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Avery had never bothered to pay much attention to the vents. That was the maintenance guy's job, not hers.

"What about it?" Avery questioned.

"The grating is slightly dislodged." Tails said as he began spinning his twin tails and flew up to it.

"You're familiar with these types of vents?" Avery asked.

"Yes. These are a standard type of venting system. They're very common in the buildings in this city...and I know for a fact that the grating is slightly misplaced." The fox explained. Wow. He must have very good eyesight to spot that.

"Would Infinite be able to fit in one of those?" Sonic asked.

"It would be a very tight squeeze, but not impossible. Considering how obsessed he is with Avery, I wouldn't be surprised if he would go to such lengths." Tails said as he began prodding the grate in an attempt to open it. After a few pushes, it popped open on it's hinges and some hairs began to fall out onto the floor. Jackal hairs.

Avery finally knew how Infinite got into her house. He had got in through the vents and hid in her bedroom closet until the time was right. She had never encountered him because she slept on the couch the night he entered. Sonic picked up one of the hairs.

"So I guess this confirms it. Tails, do you think you could seal this vent up or maybe even make something that could trap Infinite in here?" Sonic asked.

"Yes. I definitely can. It-" Tails didn't get to finish his sentence.

"No. Absolutely not." Avery interrupted.

"What!? Don't you want Infinite to leave you alone?" Sonic said in shock.

"I do, but we can't seal up the vent. Not only will the landlord not approve of us tampering with the venting system, it would also turn my apartment into a sauna. I know. It broke down once shortly before the war." Avery explained while flinching at the memory of how painfully hot it was.

"So what are you gonna do Avery?" Tails asked as he put the grating back on and flew back to the floor.

"I've...I've been thinking about it...but...can I stay with you Sonic? Infinite wouldn't want to go near me if I'm with you." Avery said softly. She had been thinking about this ever since her most recent assault from Infinite. Maybe I should stay by Sonic's side. He'll keep me safe...and he cares about me.

Sonic was silent for a moment. He looked at Tails and then back at Avery.

"You sure you want to do this partner?" Sonic asked.

"It's the only option. I don't think he'd want to...rape me around you..." Avery muttered.

"Okay then...I guess you should start packing. I'll help." Sonic said. It didn't take long to pack up Avery's bags. She didn't really have too much after the war. Nobody really did. Even the millionaires were basically turned into plebians. Once your property gets devastated in a brutal war, your money doesn't really mean anything anymore.

As Avery proceed to leave with Sonic and Tails, she looked back at her apartment. I guess this is your territory now Infinite. She thought to herself. She then turned around and left with the two guys who would keep her safe.

After dropping off Tails at his home, Avery and Sonic went to the latter's house. When they arrived, Avery flopped down on the couch in the living room. She was still unhappy about one thing. Sure, she was safe with Sonic, but she had to tell him...

"Sonic. I-I need to talk about something." Avery said. Sonic sat down beside her.

"What's up?" The blue hedgehog asked.

"It's about Infinite." She said.

"What about him? Did he do something else to you too?" Sonic asked.

"It's about him. I don't know why. This kinda sounds crazy. Promise you won't get mad?" Avery replied.

Sonic looked her in the eye and smiled. "Don't worry buddy. I promise!"

Avery trembled slightly and then spoke. "Infinite...well...I think I'm in love with him..."

The truth finally came out. Sonic kept his promise, but his eyes widened in shock. As to be expected from listening to someone who just admitted that she loved her tormentor.

"I-I can't explain it. But I-Infinite makes me-me feel good when he kisses me...and when he holds me...and when he screws me...I-I don't know why I have these feelings but I-I want them to stop!" Avery confessed.

"It's not right! It's not freaking right! I don't want to love him but I do! I don't know why this is happening!" Avery was on the verge of tears again. Sonic hugged her tightly while she sobbed into his shoulder.

"It's alright buddy. I know you will get through this." Sonic whispered.

"NO I WON'T! Even if he dies, I'll still love him. I'll still silently beg for his touch. I feel dirty. I feel so dirty and I hate it! I hate that I love him! I hate myself so much!" Avery cried hysterically.

"Don't say that!" Sonic said as he pulled the dog off his shoulder and held her in his arms. "Let me tell you something. You may love Infinite but does he really love you? I don't think so. He may have mated with you, but he's not doing it for you! He's doing it for himself! If you want to love someone, you should love someone who... actually does love you back. And besides, do you really want to be in love with a guy who eats Chao'?"

"W-What do you mean." Avery mumbled as she gazed up to him with tear-filled eyes.

"Somewhere. Out there in the world. There may very well be a man who...actually does love you. And when you finally meet him, I can guarantee that you will be over Infinite." Sonic explained calmly.

"Who do you think that man is?" Avery asked, her tears now dying down.

"...I don't know, but it's a big world partner." Sonic said. He then stood up.

"If you're feeling better, I'm gonna go to bed now. You okay sleeping on the couch?" Sonic asked. Avery nodded her head. He proceeded to leave.

"Hey Sonic!" Avery said. Sonic turned around.

"Yes buddy?" He asked.

"Thank you for being here for me, yet again. You know something? When I give birth to Forest, I want you to be there by my side, holding my hand." Avery said with a smile on her face.

"I promise you that I will be there when that day comes." Sonic said with an optimistic grin and went upstairs to his bedroom.

Yay! More Sonic/Avatar fluff! Plus Infinite isn't here to spoil the moment this time. But will things get better or will Avery go back through hell again? That's something only I know.