II: "Familiarity..."
AMY
I awoke suddenly; my wrists felt like they were on fire. I softened my grip on my feather pillow, lifting my arms so I could squint at my hands. But I didn't need to see my limbs to know what was happening, as the sensation was all too familiar. My bracelets were squeezing into my skin, cutting off the blood circulation. I could feel my hands getting weak as they were strangled. My attention turned from my hands to my bedside clock, and I let out a groan as I blearily squinted at the bright red numbers.
"Seriously Sonic? It's not even light outside… it's barely morning…"
Despite my weariness due to the early hour, the sharp cutting pain of the metal into my arm was enough to wake me and flood my body with a sense of urgency. I grumbled and pushed myself out of bed, using my legs to avoid injuring my hands. I wanted to stay in and rest, but I knew the longer I waited to chase him, the further he would get away, and the more the bracelets would tighten on my wrists. They were a radar of sorts, constricting as a warning whenever Sonic got too far away from me. So I better get going.
After pulling on a quick outfit, I stepped outside, shivering is I saw my breath in the chilly air. I walked in a small circle, closing my eyes to focus on my bracelets. I had learned to be in tune to them, noticing the small changes in pressure. Northwest. The pressure was the lightest when I faced northwest. Where was he going up there? The waterfall?
My back towards the now-rising sun, I took off towards that direction, tracing the familiar path I'd run on so many mornings just like this. Sonic may be unpredictable to some people, but he definitely has his favorite spots. I could see the steam rising from the waterfall long before I made it to the lake, the billows of warm arm obscuring the pink swirls of the sunrise. Sonic loved this area, which was ironic because everyone knows he hates water and can't swim. Truth is, he still admires it as he does with all nature.
You can imagine my surprise when I see the blue hedgehog actually in the water.
"A-amy?" He spotted me and immediately jumped out, his cheeks flaming. Sonic shook his head like a dog, causing water to spray all around him as he attempted to dry his quills. "Can't say I'm surprised to see ya, but come on... can a guy get a little bit of privacy?"
He had the audacity to be mad at me, when he'd woken me up doing who knows what out here. My hands came to rest on my hips, and it was then I'd noticed the wrist pain had finally subsided.
"Do you even know what time it is Sonic?" I would have glanced at my watch had I been wearing one. "It's a little early for a swim isn't it?"
"First off," Sonic began, continuing to mess with his quills. I hated how attractive he looked while his fur was damp. Maybe I didn't love him, but he was ridiculously good-looking. "I wasn't swimming. Second, you know you can stay home. You don't have to follow me everywhere, all the time."
Actually, I do, I wanted to say, but I wasn't in the mood to try and explain - and he never listens anyway. As if on cue, and before I could get a word in, he took off. My bracelets tightened against my skin once again. Dammit Sonic. I tried running after him - keeping up a little game of cat-and-mouse, but he was trying real hard to lose me this time. I could tell. Most of the time he let me follow him at a safe distance, but today I could tell he wanted to be alone. And more than anything I wanted to give him that wish. But the golden bangles strangling my wrists reminded me I was bound to him, and had no choice to stay close unless I wanted to lose my hands.
As I ran in pursuit, that was starting to become a real possibility.
This is what my life had come to. Just another day chasing after the wind. Not like I had anything better to do with myself. I'd given up on having a normal life. Maybe I've been an average girl before, but my life had turned into anything but. Once a girl with a crush, and now just a girl chasing a long abandoned dream. I was living proof that you should be careful what you wish for.
I was cursed by getting exactly what I wanted.
Not a day goes by where I don't regret what I did is young, dumb girl. Not even seeing Sonic safe and protected as promised. And not just because my feelings for him are gone - he's just so damn ungrateful. He treats me like a pest. Well I can easily admire his good looks and I'm hopelessly attracted to him, I can't stand Sonic. And I can't believe I ever liked him! Maybe it's just because I'm always around him and never get a break, but he gets on my last nerve. He's annoying and confident and so very cocky and reckless. He only gets away with the stuff he does because I'm protecting him.
And he has no idea.
I've had half a mind to just tear the bracelets off and throw them into the bottom of the ocean, knowing he'd never want to dive in and get them himself. He doesn't deserve this protection, as poorly as he's treated me. Let Sonic die, I don't love him. I honestly don't have an ounce of feelings for him, as that's just what the witch took from me. My ability to feel. My passion. The essence of who I was. In some was I'm not even "me" anymore, but I'm starting to forget who I used to be. All I know is that I don't care about Sonic anymore. If he died I don't think I'd bat an eye; I'd probably just be relieved
Relieved but still empty.
Something has kept me in the chase all these years. I'm holding onto nothing, and the wind keeps sleeping through my fingertips. How I hold on - why - I don't know. Maybe deep down I do still love him. Isn't love more than feelings after all? Maybe I don't feel love, but that doesn't mean it isn't there. Perhaps my choice to maintain the protection spell, despite how much it's cost me, is proof of true love. It's what the younger me would have believed.
The older me's impartial opinion is that I'm doing this out of sense of duty. These bangles may have made me a drone, but they're also my only purpose. At least I don't feel that aching pining feeling in the pit of my chest - I do remember how much that hurt and tore me up inside. Enough for me to agree to give it all up. At least now I'm of some use. I've long since accepted my fate is the girl who gave up her heart for Sonic. Seeing him alive, saving the world, saving me - maybe it was worth it after all.
Maybe. The jury is still out on that one. I don't really have a preference for what happens to Sonic, or the world, or even myself. "No one is that heartless" - except for me.
These same thoughts always rush through my head as I chase after Sonic day in and day out. Should I stay on this path or not? Perhaps I was still doing this because the one thing that witch didn't take from me was my stubborness.
Right now, back to present time, I couldn't take off the bracelets even if I wanted to. They were tightened in a death grip on my wrists, to the point where I couldn't detect any changes in pressure, no matter which way I turned. I gulped as I lifted my shaking hands to eye-level, concentrating on my numb fingertips. I was sure that my my hands were turning purple under my gloves, but the bangles were firmly snug on my hands. With the disappearing sensation in my fingers, I don't think I'd have the dexterity to attempt to pull them off. The irrational part of my brain was beginning to panic, but I waved it off. I'd never quite been in this situation before, but Sonic would come back for me, and then I'd find relief. No need to panic.
The pain was causing my eyes to squeeze shut with involuntary tears. I gasped and fell to my knees, crying out in hope of relief. Was Sonic purposefully trying to get as far away from me as he could?
"Sonic you bastard!" I yelled before screeching in pain. I was going to lose my hands. The bracelets were going to crush my muscles and bones and then they'd both fall off. Maybe I wanted that. Maybe?
Did I really want anything anymore?
"Sonic!" I yelled again, but I knew it was no use. The golden jewelry was reminding me oh-so-painfully that he was far away and couldn't hear me. I would just sit here and accept my fate.
SONIC
The scream.
Don't ask me how I heard it; I'm not a science guy. All I know is that no matter how far I try to run from Amy Rose, I can never escape the sound of her voice. It's unmistakable.
And by the pitch of her cry, I knew she was in serious pain. I wasn't really in the mood to deal with Amy today; I really just wanted some alone time. But whatever was going on, I had to check on her at least, as I wasn't that heartless. My legs pumped in record time as I made my way towards the scream, covering the distance in a few seconds.
I found the the pink girl alone on a rocky hilltop. She sat on her knees, gripping her wrists and in obvious pain. A few tears had slipped out of her eyes and that immediately tore my heartstrings. She knew my weakness.
"Ames what's wrong?" I demanded, kneeling next to her. I placed my hand softly on her back to soothe her..
She suddenly gasped for breath, filling her lungs with obvious relief. Her next move was to peel off her gloves and the golden bangles that always kept them secure. It was my turn to gasp, though, as I saw the color of her hands. Ugly dark purple lines scarred her normal healthy beige hands.
"What the hell?" I stared at her hands. "What happened, what's wrong?"
Amy gripped at both of her hands; hugging them close to her chest. She didn't say anything, but was visibly shaken. Something terrible was going on but I had no idea. And maybe Amy was annoying, but she was a friend and I was going to help her. But I couldn't if she wouldn't tell me what was wrong.
"You really had to get as far from me as possible, huh?" she glared at me, he green eyes fierce with anger.
"Doesn't matter now, I'm here," I dismissed. "Did someone attack you?"
"It's the bracelets," she said casually. "They were just squeezing my wrists and nearly cutting my hands off, but they're fine now."
"What?" I stared at the golden bangles, and to my horror, Amy reached for them and slipped them back on. I immediately grabbed her wrist. "Are you crazy, what are you doing?"
Amy winced and pulled away from my touch. I paused in shock, not expecting such a cold rejection from her. "I have to wear them Sonic."
"Why?"
"You won't believe me," she stood up and brushed off her skirt, only to sit back down again. "You're too busy saving the world to care about me."
"Amy…" I trailed off, and looked away. I was embarrassed, I'll admit. But there was something else stirring in my heart to go along with the heat on my cheeks. I'd always known Amy as a moody girl who wore her heart on her sleeve, never shy about her feelings. But now she was acting cold, dispassionate. And that bothered me deeply.
"It's fine. I don't care about you either. But I have to follow you around. So if you could be so kind as to not leave me behind any more, that'd be great."
She was being sassy and sarcastic, not at all herself. My impatience was flaring up; my foot was tapping involuntarily. "Tell me what's going on. I wanna help. Just spit it out, Amy."
She rolled her eyes, and then looked straight into mine. "I have to wear these bracelets at all times, but they get really tight when we're far apart. They're protecting you."
"What? Do you mean they're protecting you?"
"No Sonic." It was all she said.
I scratched my head. "I'm confused - how are those hunks of metal protecting me?"
"See I knew you wouldn't believe me," she continued cryptically. She was still kneeling on the ground, recovering from whatever happened to her. I claimed the rock next to her.
"Try me," I said with a soft, calm smile. I was actually very worried about her, but no way I'd let her know that.
"Do you remember the day we met?" Amy asked. A wind gust ruffled her quills, and she crossed her legs.
"'Course I do."
"Do you remember how you saved my life?"
I had no idea where this was going and was already impatient for her to get to the point, but I'd humor her for now. "'Course."
"And then left me there. All alone. And you never came back." Her tone was even, steady. No hint of anger, or any emotion, really.
"Hey, you were safe and I had to stop Egghead! I had to go kick some Metal butt. You can't still be mad at me for that?" I gave her a teasing smirk.
Amy just stared at me, her expression completely blank. I took just a second to admire her soft, girly features. It'd been a long time since I really just let myself look at her. Even without a smile, she was cute to be sure. Still, I'd never felt a desire to spend more time with her. Mostly because every time we did, all she wanted to do was invade my personal space. Had I ever just let myself look at her? Had I ever took a second to listen to her? I wondered with some guilt. But I brushed off the feelings as quickly as they came.
"Sorry I'm listening, go ahead," I said with a perhaps a bit of impatience.
Amy crossed her legs and continued. "Well I didn't get a chance to say thank you because you ran off and I couldn't find you afterwards. So - "
I had to interrupt her "Wait, what does this have to do with your bracelets?"
"Sonic. Can you just be patient for like, two seconds." Amy rubbed her temples.
"Sorry sorry sorry, go on."
"Well I couldn't find you. I missed you. And I had to find you. Back then, l I thought you were really cute and heroic and all that. I was in love with you I guess." She said it all so matter-of-fact, it was almost jarring. "I went to see a fortune teller to find out when I would see you again. But she tricked me. She gave me these bracelets as a way to always find you... but in return she took my heart."
"Your… heart?" I asked.
"Yeah. My ability to feel. I can't experience emotions. I don't feel happy or sad or anything - "
"No way," I shook my head. "Amy, you're like, the most passionate girl I know."
"I was."
It was true she was coming off as cold and dispassionate right now. But was it really because she'd completely lost her ability to feel anything? I couldn't believe that. "Why would she do this to you, take your heart? And why would you do this to yourself?"
"She needed it for the spell. I didn't know she would take away my feelings or I never would have agreed to it, but here we are. Now, I just exist and chase you because if I don't and we get too far apart…." She trailed off.
I finished for her. "Then those bracelets squeeze your wrists."
She didn't say anything, just kept staring at the ground, her expression neutral. I wasn't sure how to react, or what to say. I just shook my head.
"Amy, I'm so sorry. I had no idea… when did this happen?"
"When we first met, like I said."
It couldn't be. That long? "But it's been years."
To my horror, she just nodded slowly. Amy didn't need to say anything because the implications were clear, and just starting to dawn on me. Since the second time ever I'd seen Amy, she'd been cursed, her very heart stolen. She'd been trapped in those bracelets, forced to follow me around and stalk me everywhere. And I had no idea. And I'd been annoyed, frustrated by her constant presence and need to be around me. I'd pushed her away, I'd left her in the dust, I'd ignored every affection she'd thrown my way. I'd done it over and over again, as the flood of memories overwhelmed me. Maybe I'd been a bit too cruel, looking back on it. A bit too impatient, a bit too harsh.
I just hadn't thought much about her or her feelings. Hadn't cared or taken the time to get to know her. I could come up with excuses, but I'd been a real jerk. And maybe that's why she'd been so pushy with me in response.
"Ames…"
"I'm sure you have questions - "
"Why didn't you just tell me." It came out more like a statement than a question.
"I tried a few times. I said I had something to tell you, and you said 'yeah I know, you love me' and ran away. Every time after that I tried to get close to you, you avoided me and instantly ran as soon as you saw me."
Guilt was like a knife in my heart, and I had to look away. Shame cast a shadow on my normally proud features, but I shook it off.
"Well, I'm sorry 'bout all that. I really am. I was kinda a jerk I guess. But no sense in looking back. Now that I know what's going on, we're going to find a way to fix this and get your heart back." I stood and rubbed at my nose before holding out a hand to help Amy up.
She left it hanging and remained seated. "I don't think that's a good idea."
This girl was beyond confusing. "Why not? You saying you want to live like this? Those things are killing you."
"No but... I don't I don't think it's reversible."
"We're going to try. I'm not going to let you live like this a moment longer. "
I scooped her into my arms and smiled down at her, but she just squeaked from surprise. Her arms wrapped around my neck.
"But Sonic, I'm telling you, this isn't a good idea."
"What, is there something else going on?" I tilted my head in thought, and then it hit me. "Wait, somethin' you said earlier - they're protecting me. What did you mean?"
The color drained from her face, but she shook her head. "Oh, don't worry about that. It's not important."
"Would you tell me if it was?"
"It's not - I just meant, they keep us close together. That's all."
I wasn't' really buying it, but didn't want to be pushy. I shrugged. "If you say so. Now let's get going."
"Sonic, before you take off - answer me one thing." She paused and I nodded. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because you're my friend," I said with a shrug and a smile.
"Am I, Sonic? You haven't exactly been nice to me over the years," she pointed out.
"Yeah I know. 'S my bad. But! Water under the bridge, past is in the past. I know what's going on with you, it all makes sense, so it's no big deal. What's important is that we're going to fix this and get you your heart back. Alright?"
She still looked so hesitant.
"Ames?"
"Thanks Sonic," Amy said, not even cracking a smile.
"Hey, no need to be grumpy! We'll solve this together, promise." I gave her a wink.
"Did you forget the part where I don't feel emotions?"
"Heh, right, well… we'll fix that too. You'll be back in love with me in no time," I gave her another wink but she just narrowed her eyes at me.
"Scratch that Sonic, I can still feel annoyance. And anger."
"Anger is definitely still on your list. But don't worry, soon you'll be feelin' a whole lot more," I promised as I stretched my legs, eager to break past the sound barrier and get this quest started.
II: "...breeds contempt."
