"We need an emerald. NOW."
As Shadow and Tails sped through the grimy, sodden backstreets, an unknown figure stood on the rooftops watching, waiting. He didn't notice this though as the only thing he could focus on was getting him and Tails out of there and the only thing he could hear was blood pounding its way through his ears. THWUM. THWUM.
What am I gonna do? I don't want Tails to get hurt because of me and what the hell I feel all light and everytingsgettingbrighterandthegroundisgettingcloserthatswierd...
He was down, Face down in the effluence that was strewn in the gutter. Cold. Injured. Tails slowly approached the silent figure.
"Shadow?"
Suddenly the figure emerged from the dark alley. It was none other than Amy.
"I hit him with a powerful tranq, Tails. Now move!"
"Or what Amy? You gonna shoot me too? Is that gonna make it better?"
"It might..."
"No. It won't. Do you think Shadow wanted Sonic to die? The only person like him? His brother in arms?"
"But he... w-was jealous..."
"He wasn't. He respected Sonic. They were both so similar."
"Oh g-god...wha-what have I d-done...?"
She proceeded to burst into tears. They ran down her soft face like morning dew. And Tails only said one thing.
"He lives on in our hearts."
And at that, she smiled through her veil of sadness.
Much later mumbled expletives could be heard from Amy's house and even though the usually cheery girl was happy to greet he neighbours, she hadn't been seen for nearly a week. Inside though, it was a different story.
Pink hung across the walls. It was unbearable. It was too cheery. As Shadow pulled himself up from the remains of a once pink chair, he heard voices in the kitchen. He carefully listened.
"Amy...you've got to talk to him!"
"But what if he freaks out and tries to hurt me?"
"He won't. Not without a reason."
"What about drugging him? Trying to kill him?"
"He'll understand."
She unsteadily made her way across the room, to Shadow.
"I'm sorry..."
"You don't need to be sorry. It affected us all."
He tried his best to show her a smile, but he failed.
For moments they stared across at each other, not knowing what to say. Emerald eyes gazed in to two shining rubies.
The pain contained within his ruby eyes
He hides behind his cold and lonely guise
Created to protect or to destroy?
Pretends to be cool, but easy to annoy
Tell me Shadow, what are your hopes and fears
Have they all lasted for 50 hate-filled years?
Ebony hedgehog, you know how to love?
And yet you strike down like death from above
The pain contained within his ruby eyes
He hides behind his cold and lonely guise
They were lost for words, silenced by each other's presence. And not for the first time in either of their lives they felt a profound connection.
"Shadow, we gotta leave soon."
"Wha-? Sorry Tails. Amy, we gotta go and get away from this damn mess."
"No."
"What?"
"I won't have it. You can both stay here until you get an emerald, and then we could all leave."
"I thought you had commitments."
"This place has too many memories."
Shadow couldn't suppress his smile.
"That sounds great. Doesn't it Tails?"
"Yeah. I'm cool with it."
It was funny, mused Amy. She had never seen him smile before. And he had the most wonderful smile.
Meanwhile something plotted. It smiled, not a wonderful uplifting smile, but a truly disgusting unpleasant maniacal grin. It had made the discovery of the century.
More cliffhangers! Cower in fear!