Tails looked around the room impatiently. Where was Chris? He should've been here about twenty minutes ago! Sonic was evidently thinking the same thing.
"Hey, bro! Where's Chris? His parents will be here any minute." Tails shrugged, "I don't know Sonic. The last time I saw him was in the garage…Oh great. I'll get him."
Tails went down quickly, hoping Chris did what he was told.
He did not expect to see Chris lying down on his side with a puddle of blood surrounding his pale form.
He turned to the house in a panic, "SONIC!!!!"
Sonic ran in, and his cocky attitude vanished instantly when he saw his friend's condition. "What happened?"
"I don't know! My invention definitely didn't cause this!" He peered closer. "It looks like a bullet wound. Who would do this?!"
Sonic didn't answer, just scooped Chris into his arms. "It doesn't matter. What we should do is take Chris to a hospital. Tell everybody what happened. I'll go on."
The Thorndyke mansion vanished in a blur.
The doctor went out of the operation room, a tired look on his face. He went over to Chuck, Ella, and Mr. and Mrs. Thorndyke.
"He went into shock at first, but the surgery went fine. Chris would be able to go home tomorrow."
Everybody let out a huge sigh, and Lindsay broke into happy tears. She was definitely staying for her son's birthday now.
Mr. Tanaka explained that they would have the party again after the day Chris comes home. The parents wanted to have an alone day with their son. Watching him nearly die put a whole different perspective on their lives.
Chris was listening to his mother tell him tales about her childhood, when a car horn sounded through the house. Lindsay turned to her son, and smiled brightly.
"When I told her about what happened, she decided to see you earlier than what she told me. She's so happy you're okay."
Chris gave his mother a confused look, but smiled when she left the room.
A few moments later, his mom came back, and an elderly lady was with her.
She had white-blond hair and was very tall and thin.
She gave him a soft smile, filled with relief and happiness. Her deep, blue eyes sparkled.
Chris smiled, but he gave a look of confusion to his mother.
Lindsay looked at her son with concern.
"Chris, aren't you going to say hello to Auntie Maria?"