Chapter two, chapter summary: Timber tries to convince Sonic to go with her.
Timber was in her room, stuffing various pieces of clothing into her bag. She hadn't called Sonic; she'd hadn't thought of the correct way to approach him about the situation. If she was to approach him, it would sound like she was kidnapping him, but it wasn't what was happening. It was to keep him safe, at least for her. It was her shield of protection and she was going to use Stilles request that he'd come too to her advantage.
When she finished packing her clothes, she rushed to the bathroom to grab toiletries. She made sure she brought the first aid kit as she would probably need it in the near future. When she opened the cabinet to grab it, she noticed a note she'd put up with her mother's original signature. Nothing too special, but her mother had the prettiest handwriting she'd ever seen, so she kept it. It was found in a pile of junk, said Stilles, It was a good thing she thought she still needed to go through the pile of junk otherwise she would've never found this treasure. She took it with her as well.
"Just in case." She sighed, as she closed the cabinet, reminding herself there was a possibility she would never return to the little home she grew to love over the years.
When she was finished packing completely, she picked up her bag and glanced around her room for one more time, taking in the fresh strawberry scent her room always seemed to carry. She walked out of the room and shut the door behind her, bag in hand. When she approached the phone in the kitchen, she sat down the bag and began to dial the number she memorized in her head. While it wasn't Sonic's direct number, it was the only way she knew to get in touch with him.
A few rings, nothing.
A few more impatient rings, a voice picked up. "Tails Workshop."
"Tails!" Timber shouted through the phone, relieved to hear someone else's voice rather than her brothers. "Is Sonic there with you? I really need to speak to him."
"He left about five minutes ago to go to your place. Something about a broadcast. I don't know. He seemed shaken up, though. Is everything alright?"
"No, Tails. But I can't explain right now. Are you somewhere safe? The weather report is, uh, bad." Timber questioned. - There was no way to explain what was going on but she was concerned for his safety. Tails stayed quiet on the other line, only the sound of slight breathing was audible. When it sound like he hung up, Timber panicked. "Tails!? Can you hear me?"
The call had dropped.
She violently sat the phone back on the hook. Things were getting ugly. The weather probably cut the phone line outside of his house or even hers. She could only hope he was safe. However, she had to worry about Sonic now. He's out in the open, according to Tails. She made her way to the kitchen door, leading to the outside. When she opened the door, she saw Stilles loading up the truck. - Extra gas, etc.
Almost as if Stilles noticed her presence, he turned to look at her after putting the empty gasoline tank in the back of the truck. "Did you get in touch with him?" He questioned. Timber shook her head.
"No; he's already on his way."
"He saw the news?"
"Yea. Look, Stilles, I'm sorry. I didn't think this was goin-"
"Save it, Timber, really. I don't want to hear your excuse of why you allowed this to happen. If anything, I should let them have your head and not put myself in danger for your mistake."
Timber sighed. Stilles wasn't cutting her any slack. She felt bad, but there was nothing she could do to fix the situation. It had already begun and there was no way to stop the corruption. The sky let out a crack of thunder. It was letting out its emotional cry. A pop of lightning made Stilles glance at the sky. However, he gave Timber a cold stare and continued to finish loading up the truck. Timber felt more alone than she had ever been. She had only her brother to stand by her side and now she had no one. What had she done?
Minutes later, Sonic arrived. Stilles let them have a moment to speak before barging in on their conversation. Timber hadn't told him he had to go with them. She was afraid of his reaction, whether good or bad. She knew he wouldn't want to leave his friends behind but what other choice did he have? He'd be in danger staying. If his friends were smart, they'd take shelter immediately. Timber would have to try to get Sonic in touch with his friends before they left. Otherwise, she knew he wouldn't leave without telling them what was happening. It was the feeling of being torn apart between decisions.
"Uh, Sonic, I have to tell you something."
"Timber, everyone knows! The news, it was on the news. Someone had to record it! You have to get out of here right now. Trust me, I know you'll be sorry if you don't. But you have to. If you don't, you c- could die.."
She gazed at his expression. Was something... different? Preferably off, even? She watched his nervous glare and tried to get the words to come out but they wouldn't. She whispered, and her voice cracked roughly. "I- I, Y- You have t-to,"
"Timber! Are you listening to me? You have to get out of here!"
"Sonic." She managed to find her voice, although the tone was below a whisper. He noticed her cries, and brushed her quills out of her face, searching for an answer to a question that developed urgently. "Timber? What's wrong?"
"You have to go with me. Please, Sonic." She begged, her tone developing a louder sound. "Stilles is making you go. Please, don't fight him. I know-"
"You want me to leave everyone?" His voice choked. Timber never felt so horrible. She was pleading him to leave everyone he knew behind. But she knew she was only trying to save him from the destruction that awaited everyone who doesn't evacuate. She watched as his expression viewed sadness, confusion, anger.
"How could you ask me to do that? Timber, I don't want to leave you to be by yourself, b- but I can't leave all these people. They, they need me."
"If you don't leave, you're going to die. This isn't your fight, it's mine. I can't save everyone but this is my mistake. I'm trying to save you, just please, okay? I don't want to leave anyone behind but if I can control the situation before it gets," She stopped. Was he paying attention or was he drowning himself in his own sorrow? She didn't know whether to continue begging him to go or let him stay. she knew she couldn't stop the destruction. She could only prolong the inevitable. But he was a part of this. She had to make him go. If he doesn't, the elements would, in fact, target him first. She cared about him. If she let him stay the elements would take advantage of the situation. What was she supposed to do?
"Just listen to me, this is a really dangerous situation, Sonic. You can't do anything to save anyone if you stay. Or better yet, we can warn people to seek shelter before we leave and as we go, we can warn even more people. If you go, you can save even more lives than you ever could by staying." She continued to beg and plead for him to go. But he wasn't too sure about leaving everyone. He was a hero around here. What would happen if he left? What kind of hero would he be then?
"But these people, t- they need me, Tim."
"And so many other people need you, too. I- I need you... Please, just go with me..." Timber's eyes started to water. How could she ask him to do such a thing? It was selfish, really. But what else was expected, especially when she had no idea what was to happen? Sonic glanced out the window of the kitchen, deciding whether or not it was right to leave. He felt entitled to go, but what if he actually didn't think it was safe to leave? Everyone needed him here. Timber was right. There was nothing he could do if he stayed but he could warn people to take shelter. He could make sure everyone had their ducks in a row and were safe. If he took off afterwards, it shouldn't hurt anything if everyone was protected, right? And like Timber had said, he could save more people if he left. He thought hard about his decisions and weighed the good and the bad. If he tries to get everyone to shelter and leave afterwards, it could ruin his reputation. But Timber needed him. What kind of friend would he be to leave Timber in her time of need? Not a very good one, obviously. But was it worth his reputation, or even leaving Tails and everyone behind to suffer without him?
"Tim, I-" He was torn. What would he do if what he was about to say was the wrong decision? He'd hoped it wasn't. But only time could tell as it went forward. He spun to get a good look at her. Her eyes were beyond watery. There was denying she was crying. He felt horrible. What was to happen if he did go? Was this the right decision? "I- I'll go; only if you promise your word."
"We'll warn everyone. I promise."
He wanted to hug her but he felt disgusted with himself. How could he possibly say that he'd go? Timber is one person. The city is hundreds and thousands of people. He felt like he had let everyone down. But Timber tried to make him feel better by crushing his pieces back together and whispering in his ear. "It'll be okay."