Amy awoke to an empty bed, the space beside her cold. She sighed, turning onto her back. She really had hoped he would stay until she woke. Twisting her head to look where he had been laying, she noticed a handful of flowers. Tenderly picking them up, she examined them. Begonias.
Warning.
Why was Sonic going to all this trouble for her? Coming to see her at night, telling her his day, giving her warnings... telling her about Raif.
She had been awake when he had told her of Raif's plans, and what he had seen. And even though she believed Sonic, there was a part of her that did not want to accept that Raif was just using her for his "collection".
Sighing, she tossed the flowers onto her bedside cabinet and threw the covers off.
Sonic watched as Amy examined the flower. He was not sure what had propelled him to stay that night, but something in her voice...
He willed himself not to think about her. He knew that she still did not trust him, that much was obvious. At least is was... until she asked him -
No.
He would not think about it. Besides – he did not want to be distracted, especially not now Raif was approaching Amy's house.
Amy heard the knock, and knew instantly that it was Raif. He had a certain way of knocking – it was s quick progression double-tap, no doorbell and no door knocker – just a rap of his knuckles against the cold glass. Amy could not help but compare it to the way Sonic knocked – so very different. A hesitant tap of the metal door knocker, and then the shuffling of his feet against the step. Then she would open the door and he would immediately stand, afraid of letting her see him nervous around her, and he would give her his confident grin, and then they would just be.
But not Raif. With Raif, it was always a cocky knock, a cocky stance, and a cocky nature. She had always found it exciting first, but now she had heard Sonic tell her of his plans... it all made sense.
It must be the tea.
The only thing Raif had ever given her was the tea – that must be what makes her feel the need to be close to him all the time, what makes her addicted to him.
Sighing as he knocked again, Amy opened the door. She knew she had to act like she did not know, but right now... she wanted to hit him. Badly.
"Amy! Thought you weren't in for a minute there! Care to accompany me to the park?" he asked in that oh-so-cock-sure voice.
"Sorry," Amy said politely as she could. "I'm kind of busy today, maybe some other time?"
"Sure, why not. I'll see you around," Raif looked deflated, and Amy could not help but cheer inside.
As soon as the door was shut, Amy went into the kitchen. She sighed and threw all the tea Raif gave her away. There was no way she was going to drink that again.
A cup of hot chocolate in her hand and a romance novel in the other, Amy sat in her living room, and prepared for a lazy day. Without Raif.
Sonic watched as Amy sent Raif away. He could not help it – he had to gloat.
"I see she doesn't want you then," he called.
"You'll see Sonic. I'll have her," Raif stated, before trudging off.
Sonic snickered.
Oh no you won't.
Bored, Amy turned on the television. The first channel it came to was a news station.
"... Police are yet to reveal any information on the case, but we call tell you now that a white hedgehog, known as 'Raif' has been taken into custody. Any information we receive will be updated."
Amy sat forward in her seat. Raif had been caught? Part of her was overjoyed, and yet another part did not understand how the police knew to take him.
A gentle knock at the door shook her from her musings.
Sonic.
She ran to the door and opened it, only to find no-one there. However, she did find a flower sitting delicately on her doorstep. She picked it up and examined it. A purple Hyacinth. There was a small piece of paper attached. Curious, she unfolded it.
Amy,
I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you. I know that you and the others can't trust me any more and I understand that. But I suppose this letter isn't really to say I understand, it's to say I'm sorry. I should have told you about Raif long ago so that no-one would've got hurt by him. But the injuries were still raw when I first met you lot, and then we all just seemed so happy, there seemed no reason to tell you of my dark past. And so it was never spoke of. I'm sorry.
I guess the other reason I wrote this letter was to say I love you. Took me a while to realise it, and a while to accept it, I know. But I do. I love you. And I'm sorry.
Goodbye, Sonic.
Amy had to re-read the letter a couple of times before the words truly sank in. The old Amy would have giggled and showed Cream, before running after Sonic and hugged and kissed him silly.
But not this Amy.
This Amy knew that this was serious, and that Sonic really needed confidence right now, and comforting. Not a hyper teen.
And so Amy took the purple Hyacinth, accepted the apology from Sonic, and set out to find him.
Wow... this story has been so good, I've loved writing it and I hope you all loved reading it. I'll be uploading an Epilogue shortly and then it's finished! Thanks again to my wonderful beta Isilthrar!