Hiya! I'm back with an all new chapter! Sorry it took me this long with school and all 0_o. I'd like to thank everyone for all the lovely reviews! It always means so much to me so please keep it up! Haha, I'll stop talking now and let you read on :P

Chapter Fourteen: Missing Me

"This monster could have taken them outside the district and halfway to another city by now!"

I couldn't believe that he had said that right to my face. I was speechless at that moment. There was nothing I could think of to counter it because it was true. I had made Sonic bring me to the police station so that I could ask the officers if they had searched that exact area yet. My dream had guided me a very specific spot in that neglected part of town as a way to entrust me to find the missing girls. I couldn't stop thinking about them afterward and the thought of discovering them left my mind restless and unfocused. I walked into the police station confident that I would be providing the officers with an intelligible lead in the case but found myself rather disappointed with the outcome.

"I have something important to ask you."

"Alright, Amy. Go on, what is it?"

"I... had this thought that, well- have you checked in that run down neighborhood off in the east part of town?"

"I think I know the place you're talking about and yes we've passed around there but didn't uncover anything. I'm sorry."

"But... there's a certain place. You see, I had this dream where I was transported to this dark alley and there was this door and I couldn't move and then I was told that they were there, at that exact spot! You have to go and look there; you have to-"

"Oh Amy. I know this must be extremely hard for you but dreams can be deceiving. We can't waste time searching an area when there are much more plausible places that they could have rushed off to. It's highly unlikely that he took them to a city as populated as Mobius."

"But you can't just blow it off! You have to at least look there!"

"I'll talk it over with my boss but if his reply is to expand our search elsewhere than I have no power."

"It wasn't just any dream! It was more like a vision; I know the place exists."

"You've been there yourself?"

"Well, not exactly but Fea- Wave brought me there. You know the one who wrote that letter you still keep?"

"Yes, I remember. It seems to me that you're going through a stressful time and that your dreams are just a product of your imagination and anxiety."

"But that's just-"

"Look, I'll see what I can do but as far as authority over the case goes, my hands are tied. Until then, please try and stay out of harm's way and do not go searching for them yourself, is that clear? Leave the investigation up to us."

"Fine."

"It was good to see you, Amy. I'll walk you o-"

"I can show myself out, thank you."

I left the building with a dark cloud lingering over my head and grief's hand slapped over my mouth. I didn't want to talk to anyone after the conversation I had just had. Despite Sonic's desperate attempts at apology, the words did not escape my lips to tell him that his words had been pushed to the back of my mind by my dissatisfaction at the police's cooperation. I didn't understand why they would just put me aside when I was the ideal in the case. The more I thought about it, the more bitterness I felt towards the people who claimed they were trying to help me.

How can they just disregard everything I believe in like that? It seems to me that they're not too interested in finding them right now...

I was having my doubts on the amount of concern they were putting into the case and was beginning to worry over how soon the girls would be found. I didn't want to heed the officer's warning to stay away from a self investigation; I felt helpless and guilty that I hadn't been doing more to help I the search. It felt like a duty and that I owed it to them to find them. As I thought all of this, I seemed to have blacked out from the world around me because when I came to, we were already home. I sped out of the car and rushed into the building. I was definitely in no mood to discuss what I was feeling so, without a word to any of the others in the apartment I guided myself to my bedroom and hid out in there for the remaining hours of the day.

I didn't feel hunger or thirst, only longed for a deep sleep to catch me up on what had been taken from me during the strange vision the night before. Once my head hit the pillow, I couldn't hold my eyelids open any longer, even though it was only mid-day. I drifted into slumber, quietly and peacefully as all my troubles and worries dissipated into unconsciousness.

xXx

I woke up at around 6:30 P.M. I dragged myself from the comfort of the bed and up onto my feet. I stood and stretched my arms, as I looked out the window. It was starting to get dark but the sky would only be swallowed into night in a few more hours. I opened the window and allowed a fresh, calming breeze to flow inside the room. It relaxed me for a moment until all of my worrisome thoughts stirred up my mind once more and the stress returned to my body. I thought I could at least put some relief to rest if I apologized to the other house members for being so incredibly rude by blatantly ignoring them when I walked back in. I hesitantly open the door and stepped out into the hallway. I could hear the light sound of tapping coming from the living room down the hall. I approached it and unsurprisingly found Sonia seated at the computer with a concentrated look on her face.

"Um, hey."

"Hi, how are you feeling?"

"Alright. I was just tired. I'm sorry I was so impolite before."

"Oh, that's fine Amy. We all have bad days where we don't want to talk to people."

"Really? I've never seen you have a day like that. You always seem so positive and happy."

"Well, I try and stay as far away from moodiness but sometimes it creeps up on me."

"I wish I could be like that; it'd probably be a lot easier to put up with me that way."

"Oh Amy, your no burden! And I like you just the way you are. You're a strong and caring individual with lots of heart and what you've been through has shaped you into that amazing girl. Your quirks are just what make you you."

"Sonia, do you really think all of that? Doesn't everybody think of me of that girl who was kidnapped and can't completely adapt to reality?"

"Nobody thinks that! And if anybody ever makes you feel that way then you just need to think of all the amazing things you've overcome."

"Thanks Sonia. I've never been told something like that before."

I only realized it after a moment, but I had tears welling in my eyes. I couldn't think of what I could possibly be sad about but then I realized that they were only out of an emotion overload. I had never had anybody show me so much compassion before and instead of making me feel small and vulnerable with pity, Sonia had just made my soul soar with happiness.

"Honey, are you crying? Oh, come here!"

She reached over and quickly hugged me. Sonia was a saint in my eyes. Just when I felt like I was falling, she helped me back up again. There were not enough words to explain how much I needed her in my life. If guardian angels existed, she would definitely be mine. I dried the tears that were spilling onto my cheeks and smiled at her. I never understood why she cared for me so much when she had known me for such a little amount of time. When I thought more about the situation, I realized that it was not only her but Sonic as well who opened up his home to me and allowed me to live in the best conditions I could ever imagine. I felt guilty for the way I acted; I let my spontaneous feelings of anger and irritation cloud over my rational mind. Suddenly, I had an epiphany about what had been going on around me for the last few weeks. All that time, I had thought that everyone was taking pity on me and seeing me as broken but I hadn't acknowledged everyone's acts of kindness, compassion and care. I had been under a spell of misery that was playing host to a party of melancholy and suffering. I hadn't allowed myself to let in the light while I shadowed myself in isolation and grief. There wasn't a moment where I had put others' feelings ahead of mine; I had been so selfish and didn't even know it. I wasn't about to continue on this path of narrow-mindedness. I didn't want to let my history control but to my dismay, the only way I could move on from it was to get the other girls back with me. Unlike me, they still had families who missed them every second for years and years. That was my new mission: to free them from torment and together we would be restored to our true selves.

I had been told where they were, whether or not anybody believed it. Wave had reached out to me and showed me that specific spot in my dream. I refused to believe that it was just my imagination or a reaction to my medication. If nobody else was going to take action, I thought, who better than I to do something about it.

xXx

On Wednesday, I decided to skip my therapy appointment. I know it seemed like a crucial point in which it would be a good idea to discuss my thoughts with a professional but I was slightly afraid that she might discourage my motivation to search for the girls. I had gone out on my own more often, trying to think of an appropriate time to find out when to head back to that neighborhood. Every time I went out, I traveled further towards the section of town, skimming the side streets and staring into it as if my conscience built an invisible force-field around it, preventing me from entering it. I longed to build up the courage to pass through but there was something holding me back.

"...at least you know one part of town you should stay away from."

Shadow's words crept into my head, echoing like he had only just spoken them to me. I knew that what I wanted to go through with was dangerous and maybe even stupid but it was the only possible way that I could assure that my dream would be taken seriously. I would not allow my fears to hold me back from saving them; that would be selfish and I was trying to change for the better.

On one particular walk, I stood on the side walk across the street in the exact spot I froze in my dream. It was tempting to let my subconscious guide me right into its depths but I held back. I turned around and headed back to the apartment complex. I had been walking for around fifteen minutes when I realized just how far it was on foot. My legs were beginning to tire out as I made my way across a busy street. When I arrived on the other side, I was startled by the sudden sound of a motorcycle screeching to a stop next to me. The rider removed his helmet and revealed who he was.

"Shadow! Hi, what are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you the same question. What are you doing all the way out here?"

"Um, I guess I just got carried away in my thoughts and wandered a little farther than I normally do."

I smiled at him and he sighed, reaching for the second helmet that was clipped to the side of it and handed it to me.

"Come on. I'll give you a ride back."

"Oh, okay. I won't object to a free ride. Thanks!"

I hopped onto the back of the bike, as I had so many other times and placed the helmet over my head. Shadow then revved up the engine and sped off towards our building. I missed the feeling. It had been a little while since I had gone for a ride; the last time being the ride through the run-down neighborhood. My spirit felt free and I didn't worry as much on the bike because I trusted Shadow. Nothing bad had ever come close to happening and I felt safe with him. We weren't too far and arrived pretty quickly. He pulled up to the entrance to let me get off. I swung my leg over the side and removed my helmet then handed it back to him. I smiled at him and waved as he drove off to park around the corner. The sun had almost gone all the way down and night was approaching. If I had been walking, I would have for sure blindly making my way through the streets. I stepped inside the building and decided to wait for Shadow on the inside. I stood by the stairs for a couple of minutes before I saw his figure move its way through the doors. He had a surprised expression on his face when he noticed me.

"Amy, I thought you'd gone up already. What're you waiting here for?"

"I just wanted to thank you again for giving me a ride."

"Oh, its fine; you know I'm happy to do it."

He gave me a curt smile and then started his way up the stairs. I ran to catch up with him as he was much fast than me. He slowed his pace when he saw I was panting at the second flight.

"Hey, wait up! I wanted to ask you something."

"Shoot."

"Remember what you said about staying away from that place we passed through last week?"

"Not specifically."

"You said that it was dangerous and that I should stay away from it."

"Correct. You should. It's no place to be wandering around; especially for a young girl like you. You wouldn't be safe."

"Okay, but what about for somebody who was living there?"

"Still just as dangerous. What's all this about?"

"I think that my captor has taken the other girls I was living with and hiding out there."

"Whoa. What makes you think that?"

"Well ever since you told me that the police hardly pass through there, it's been lingering in my mind and then I had this dream where my friend who, uh- passed away, told me that they were there. I tried to tell the police but they didn't take me seriously."

I lowered my head at the memory. I was still slightly shaken by Sonic's comment and the disbelief in the officer's expression was twisting the knife in further. Shadow's changed into a look of sorrow. He stared down at me for a while before speaking.

"Amy, no matter what goes down, promise me you won't look for them on your own. I know how desperately you want them to be found, but if something were to happen to you, you don't know the effect it would have on the people around you."

His tone was serious but calm. His eyes were filled with concern and worry as he gazed into mine. It took me a minute or so to absorb them before I responded.

"...I-I promise."

The words came out but if I thought them over again, I wasn't so sure I would be able to keep them true. We arrived at the top of the staircase of our floor and we each went off to our own doors. Before Shadow stepped into his apartment, he looked back over to me.

"Just stay out of trouble, okay."

"I'll try. Bye, Shadow!"

"See you around kiddo."

He then disappeared behind the large wooden door and I was alone in the hallway; or so I thought. As I turned the handle after taking out my key, I heard footsteps advancing from behind me.

"I thought I told you to never speak to him again. He's a bad influence."

"I ran into him on the way up the stairs. I wasn't going to be rude and ignore him."

"So you think it isn't insulting for you to deliberately defy me?"

"You're reasoning was illogical and besides, you're not brother or any other family member so why do you care about exchanging a few words with the neighbor?"

I was being a brat. I wasn't sure why I got so heated so rapidly but it could have had something to do with the fact that I still hadn't entirely forgiven him for his honesty at the police station. I stepped past the threshold and left him stranded in the corridor. I didn't turn around as headed to my room, saying hi to Sonia who was sitting at the computer once again. I passed by Sonia's room on the way to the bathroom to brush my teeth, peeking from the corner of my eye and seeing Manic lying down on the bed bobbing his head to some obnoxious tune emitting from his headphones. I stifled a laugh as I closed the door behind me. I finished up quickly and headed back to my room.

It was now dark outside and the skyline view from my window was lit up all the way across the town. It was like something I'd never seen before. When I had been kept inside the cabin, I never got to look outside at a view similar to this one. I took a moment to admire the beauty before calling it a night and crawling under the covers of my bed. I embraced the warmth as I closed my eyes and let my mind wander away into slumber.

Unlike the past nights where I was able to sleep soundly, I woke up with the feeling that I blacked out. I rose out of bed seeming like I was only out for a few minutes but in reality it had been hours. It was around ten in the morning and nobody else was to be found around the house. Even Manic had gone. He often went out and hung around old friends that lived around the neighborhood which was the opposite idea of what Sonic and Sonia thought was going to happen. I still didn't feel completely comfortable enough around him to tell him all about my past. It was another obstacle I had yet to tackle. I had expected to get to know him since we would be alone during the day but he liked to disappear for hours at a time and didn't seem too keen on getting to know me either.

I wandered around the house and attempted watching the television but it began to give me a headache after a little while so I occupied myself with other things. Sonia had given me novels, some of them I had read before but others I had never heard of. I positioned myself on the couch and picked up a book that I had reread countless times back in the cabin: 'Great Expectations'. It was honestly one of the best stories I had read, not only because it centered on self improvement but also because of the one line that stood out to me every time I reached the end of the novel. I flipped to the second to last page and read it out loud to myself.

"I have been bent and broken but, I hope, into a better shape."

I had been through a lot and it had broken my spirit at times but I did hope that I could only get better from that point. I was still in the process of change as I wondered if I could really achieve true happiness in the future. I knew that at the moment, it was hopeless and impossible because of all the impediments I had still had to overcome and all the things I had to do in order to move forward. One of those difficulties was being able to open up to people more easily. Rouge had told that its major progression for me to get it out of my system and that I would feel lighter once it was done. I made it a new goal in to let go of my fears and just come right out and explain everything that had happened to me when Manic arrived home. I didn't want to let diminutive restraints hold me back any longer from reaching my dream of feeling free. It was decided; just like it was decided that I would have to take matters into my own hands about finding my friends. I had waited too long to let it slip away from me. It was time I took action and did things for myself instead of letting others do everything for me.

As I had this moment of self discovery, I heard the distant sound of footsteps advancing towards the door. I suddenly felt my throat tighten up and my eyes widened. If it was who I thought it was, I would have to uphold my decision and talk about my past. The idea scared me in some ways and reassured me in others. I didn't know which feeling would overpower me but it would decide whether or not I would accomplish an objective or cower in the corner.

The door opened and Manic stepped through, oblivious to the inner turmoil I was suffering through. He was wearing a band t-shirt and a pair of worn out jeans. He never seemed to take life too seriously but according to Sonia, he was very focused when it came to academics even though he would claim himself to be a party animal on campus. I sat upright from my horizontal position on the couch and stood up.

"You're back."

"Yeah. My friend had some stuff to do and most of the other guys are at work. Why you got a problem?"

"What? No, it's just that the past few days you were gone most of the day and-"

"Relax, I'm just messin' with ya. You're usually asleep when I leave so this is first that we're both here. Wouldn't you say?"

"Yeah. Um, I understand that you still don't know why I'm staying here, right?"

"Yeah, Sonic said that you would tell me in your own time but he makes everything sound so serious lately."

I stared for a moment, fixed in place while I collected my thoughts and chose the path I wanted to take with this conversation.

Should I say it now? Oh, I don't know what to do!

"What're you lookin' at? Is there something you wanted to say?"

It's now or never...

"I was kidnapped."

"Pardon? What are you talking about?"

"At the age of six. A man who still remains nameless to me abducted me and brought me to a small house in the middle of a forest quite far from here. When I arrived there, there were three other girls who were also abducted and stayed with me for ten years. We never left and never hardly ever went outside. Some couldn't handle it and after seven years, one of them... took her own life."

I paused for a moment to catch myself before I started to cry even though I could already feel all the tears forming in my eyes. I peered at Manic who had shock written all over his face. He looked as if he wanted to say something but the words weren't coming out. I continued on.

"Several weeks after that- event, he brought in another captive. Most of us had forgotten our names as we were always called by the nicknames he had given us. The new arrival was quite young and we wanted to keep her as safe as possible which meant not making the mistake of calling her by the name he gave her. I actually think you may know of her."

"Wh-what? How could I know her?"

"I found out all of their names not long ago but hers I remembered. It was Tikal."

I looked up at him once again and watched the terror worsen in his expression. I was certain he knew about her. Without letting his shock calm down, I carried on through the story of my demise.

"Jumping to several months ago, we came up with this plan to escape but our hopes had discouraged with doubt as we kept waiting and waiting for the right moment. Delaying it further, we still found ourselves locked up in March. I couldn't take it anymore and after a spontaneous motivation, I fled. I can't remember what I was thinking but I managed to escape his grasps. It was a rainy night and everything was cold and dark and I was sprinting in random directions until I slipped onto a road where somebody stopped in their car and brought me to a hospital. That person being your brother."

I did it... That's my life in a nutshell.

I watched his expression as I finally let him calm down from the dramatics and take in everything I had just told him. He sat down at the kitchen table and held his head in his hands. He gazed blankly at an empty spot on the wall as he absorbed my words. I felt a little bit guilty for forcing this all on him the minute he walked through the door but he was also curious about it. I bet that he hadn't seen any of that coming. I was surprised at how calm and level I was able to remain while throughout the entire time I was speaking. I swallowed the lump in my throat and wiped the wet from my eyes. I had managed to stay strong all that time and I wanted to keep going like that. I walked up to the table slowly and sat down across from Manic. He looked up as I approached.

"And you've been here after all that?"

"Yeah for almost two months now."

"Wow. Well I can tell you things make a lot more sense now."

"What do you mean?"

"Sonic told me that it was for a good reason and being the idiot that I am, I thought he meant something dumb 'cause he'd only known you for a couple of weeks when he told me."

"I don't think that you're an idiot for not believing him. It's close to impossible to guess something like this."

"I just can't believe it. That's like something out of a movie or something. Not that I don't take it seriously! And Tikal too. She's been missing for so long that everyone had secretly given up hope of her ever coming back."

"She will. I'll make sure of it if it's the last thing I ever do. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if the others were never found."

"I'm sure the police are doing everything they can to find them. But honestly; you have to be so brave to go through all of that and still be standing here telling me about it. It's amazing..."

I was surprised by his words. He caught me off guard by his serious tone that was unusual for his character. I turned my face to hide the blush that was appearing on my cheeks from the warmth I felt out of the compliment. Lately I had been hearing so many good things about myself that it made my lifted my spirit. I had never been praised or flattered so I never knew how good it felt inside. I couldn't express how glad I was to not hear another 'poor Amy'; those were the worst.

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks, it's just the truth."

I stood up from the table and made my way back to my room. I paced around the wooden floor as I thought about the girls and how they were feeling. I had to push past all the mushy emotions that fluttered around my head. I had to put myself back on track if I wanted to help them. There wasn't a moment I could pass up to think of how and when I was going to look for them at the place from my dream. I was confusing myself all over the place and my head was spinning from the cluster of good and bad thoughts battling each other. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.

I'll have to act soon or else I'll go crazy with anticipation. Don't worry girls. I'm coming back for you. Hold on, I'm coming!

xXx

It was quite late in the evening and Sonia had warned me earlier in the day that Sonic was planning on having Fiona over for us to get more acquainted. I, personally, was not too thrilled about it. I still found the idea of their relationship a tad strange because they had met while I was in the hospital. Technically, I was the main reason that they were together. I was lying down on my bed when I heard the front door open and the clack of pointy heels hitting the floor. I didn't budge from my spot. I wasn't interested in getting to know Fiona. I knew that she was a doctor and I knew that she was persistent. That was all I cared to know and I also had other thoughts on my mind. Sonic would be distracted tonight so it would buy me some time to go searching even though the sun was just beginning to disappear over the horizon. I put my shoes on shoved my key in the pocket of my jeans.

I'll have to go soon. Maybe I can sneak out when they're-

A furious and incessant knocking came from the front door. I was confused because I knew that Fiona was already in the apartment and that everyone was home. I opened my door and hesitantly stepped into the hallway. The knocking didn't stop as I walked forward, closer to the door.

"Who's that?"

Sonic had his hand on the door knob and turned around to face me, shrugging his shoulders. He turned the handle and in came the social worker that I met twice before; once at the hospital and once in the meeting at the apartment. I was even more confused about her presence once she started speaking or yelling rather. I assumed that it would have something to do with me but it turned out, it was centered on Sonic.

"You bastard! I lost my job because of you! And now you're going to pay!"

What the hell is she talking about?

Her and Sonic started arguing quite loudly and it was giving me a headache on top of my disorientation. It became too much for me and I took this chance to run right out the door. I sped down the stairs and fled out the entrance. I had to hurry because of the approaching darkness so I quickened my pace. It took me quite some time to arrive at the edge of the neighborhood. By then, I could hear my name being called frantically behind me but I ignored it. I took a step forward and let my body be guided just as it was in my vision. I could all but feel Wave's presence as she led me past the worn out buildings and boarded up windows. There it was again, that same feeling of eyes watching me from the shadows as I ran down streets until I arrived in the alleyway. I paused for a moment to realize exactly what I was doing. I started to panic as I understood how afraid I truly was and rightfully so. I was shaking and breathing quickly as I once again heard my name being called and the sound of footsteps hurriedly advancing towards me. I continued down the alley until I came up to the door against the wall at the end of it.

Just like in my dream. This place is real. They have to be here!

I suddenly felt I hand grab my shoulder which brought me out of my thoughts. I was terrified in the moment but then relieved to see that it was only Sonic. I stared at his worried face for a couple of seconds. He then caught his breath and immediately started scolding me.

"What the hell do you think you're doing here!? Do you know how much you scared me? Come on, we're going right now!"

"No! Not yet, they're in there, I know it!"

"Who's in there?"

I was about to reply when we heard a banging coming from the other end of the door. My heart skipped a beat with both fear and hope. I tried going towards it to open it up but Sonic grabbed my hand and started bring me away from it. I pulled on my arm for him to free me but his grip was strong.

"No, let me go! We need to open it up!"

We started to hear voices coming from the same place behind the door. I saw Sonic stop to think for a minute before he tried the handle. It was stuck so he picked up a pipe and began whacking it until it fell off and the door burst open. Out came three small individuals who looked hysterically terrified. I knew those faces all too well. I knew the fear and I knew the relief that was written on their faces. It took me a moment to collect myself and really understand what had just happened. I walked nervously up to them and crouched down to face them, the shadows hiding most of their faces in the dark of the night. I reached my hand out to touch one of their faces to make sure that I wasn't dreaming; that they were real...

"R-Rose? I-is it really you?"

Before I could answer I felt Blaze's arms wrap around me, her shaky body latched onto mine as I tightly gripped her back. I couldn't believe it. I had just found them. They were here with me, in the flesh. I felt lightheaded with amazement at this moment. Nothing could ever compare to the feeling of relief that washed over me as I held her in my arms. I had been crying for some time without realizing it. I could see Sonic helping the others to their feet and trying to calm them down. They rushed at me from their spots and clobbered me when they realized that it was me that opened the door up.

"I knew you'd find us! Feathers told us!"

"She said you would come!"

I opened up my eyes in awe and through my tears, I saw the wavering, faded apparition of Wave. She smiled before disappearing again. We sat there for an eternity trying to grab hold of everything. We were all free now. Nothing could separate us ever again.

Alright so we got Amy's POV for finding the girls! I know it may sound a bit like an ending but I assure you it's not! I have SO MUCH MORE planned for this fanfic. It may turn out to be a very long story in its entirety but oh well! I really hoped you enjoyed it; don't forget to leave a review letting me know what you thought about it! Criticism is welcomed; flames are not so please be respectful! Thank you for your continued interest in the story and come back again soon!

-DarkRose