Chapter 8 – Not Over Yet
Sonic felt the hope surge up in his chest. "I can change it?" he asked, almost scared of believing it.
Dessovelle nodded, noticing the sparkle beginning to return to his eyes. He felt a jerk of relief prod him, and his body lost its rigid shape. He fought the excitement building up within himself.
"How? Tell me how, Dessovelle; I'll do anything, I swear it! How?"
She narrowed her eyes slightly, searching his face. He was sincere, she decided. The pleading in his eyes was enough to see that. She nodded again, and smiled. Reaching outwards to the skies, she focused on the words of time travel. Sonic barely had time to realise that they were once again surrounded by billowing winds. He hardly felt it; he'd been numbed by the pain of Amy's death.
.
The light instantly disappeared along with the tornado, and in the blink of an eye there were back in his living room. He shook out his quills, and glanced around the room. As he turned to his mantelpiece, he was relieved to see that his card from Amy was still there. But he was overcome with disbelief when he saw the mirror beside it. His reflection looked almost foreign. His eyes were dim with grief and his cheeks had tear stains on them. He quickly wiped his eyes in attempt to regain his usual appearance.
This is what it does to me? he thought. When it happens, I'll turn into this?
.
He cancelled those thoughts. But that won't happen; I'll make sure it won't. He turned back to Dessovelle, his expression solemn.
She returned his gaze with her own sincerity. "You must complete three tasks to prove that you are worthy for the adjustments of the forthcoming events."
His eyes flashed with confidence. "Just tell me what I have to do."
"First, you must declare your love to her. Second, you must earn her forgiveness, and in turn: her love. And finally, you must share your first kiss. If you perform these actions by midnight, your future will be rectified," she announced.
.
Sonic rolled his eyes, showing his typical grin. He was clearly a lot happier. "It's always midnight, isn't it?" She frowned at his immaturity. He straightened, with a resolute smile upon his lips. His distress had completely vanished, replaced by a new found determination. He looked at the time: still nine-thirty. "What?" He walked closer, picking it up to check the batteries.
Dessovelle ended his confusion. "We've been gone about a minute. In your time, that is," she said.
He nodded, not bothering for the details. He'd been through so much that he would believe almost anything.
.
"This means that you have all but two and a half hours to fulfil the objectives," she reminded him. She watched him with concern, expecting him to share her worry, but he flashed her a fearless grin.
"Trust me, that won't be a problem. I'm gonna start right now." She raised her eyebrows questioningly. "I've already got an idea."
She cocked her head and eyed him with curiosity. He understood her doubt and shrugged.
"I figured that if I'm going to tell her, I should do it properly," he said.
Her eyes suddenly became brighter, confirming his statement. From her expression, he knew that he'd just said what she'd been waiting to hear. Her pride in him was warm and sweet, like a teacher whose student had just graduated.
.
He drew back his arms, about to run, but she floated in front of him.
"Wait. Will you need any help with preparations?" she asked.
He relaxed and shook his head, smiling. "I can handle it." As he straightened again, he turned back to her. "Hey, Dessovelle. Thanks…for everything. I really appreciate it. I guess I needed an eye-opener, but I'm going to change things, don't worry. I'll fix it," he assured her. He winked and gave her his trademark thumbs-up, before whizzing out the door.
Her hair whipped across her face as she watched him run. "Good luck, Sonic the Hedgehog."