JUDAS

Chapter 12: Tragedy

"This little crib is just adorable!" Amy mused, watching the twins sleep. She had recovered from the birthing after their nap in the hospital, but Sonic hadn't quite gotten there. He was still exhausted from the morning's events. Unlike human babies, animal babies are born in hospitals and then left to the care of their parents.

Unless, of course, something goes wrong.

"Yeaup, it's peachy for our babies!" Sonic, uncomfortable dripping wet from his shower and drying himself off with an old towel, walked in without customary socks—or sneakers. He had to be allowed a bitterness in his tone—he was wet and tired, which was not exactly the ideal situation. Amy had not seen him bone-dead tired in many moons, so the sight was uncommon.

"Be nice," she warned, mostly to make him understand his own tones. "The babies are beautiful…that little girl won't cease twisting and turning!"

Sonic laughed. "What did you expect? She's got my genes, eh?"

"I think 'eh' is right! I'm not so sure how I feel about us having any more babies!" Amy taunted meanly, never once taking her eyes from the babies asleep in their cot.

Sonic rolled his eyes. "You'll give in to me at some point. We'll see how wild these little chasers are first. And there's the matter of me marrying you…"

"We've already had the kids, Sonic."

"I'd hate so much to be unofficial."

"Hmph! That's a laugh! You are habitually unconventional!" She snapped at a retreating back.

Sonic raised one hand dismissively, the towel around his neck now. "Tell me something I don't know! Coming to bed?"

"In a bit." Amy promised, stroking the short quills of her son's hair. "My little flower." She cooed. "So gentle. And you, my restless ship…huh?" When her eyes moved to the female baby, she found her near motionless. She felt for a breath, and found none. This worried her. "Sonic?!" Her voice hitched in panic.

Sonic ran in, quite literally, cutting his feet in the process. "What's wrong, Amy?" His eyes were wide and troubled. His form cast shadows into the darkness of the twins' room.

"Our little restless ship has stopped breathing!" Amy cried, in her anxious worry calling the female twin the nickname she had heretofore kept to herself.

"Oh dear." But, through the connections of desperation, Sonic understood who she was talking about. He already had his cell phone out, calling a favor from his dear little brother, Tails. "Tails? It's Sonic. I need you to sit the boy for a while…no, no, he's asleep. Won't wake up if he's anything like his mother…No time to explain, please hurry….Okay, thanks, Tails." Snap! The phone closed. "He's coming over. And, if he could keep up with me in our youth, that means he'll go pretty fast!" Sonic felt his heart pounding. He had never been so afraid in all his life. Amy was already getting her coat—no time to change out of her nightgown.

"Get some blankets from the bedroom—I think I have my old throw lying around. It's not much, but it'll have to do. Have it back here in three seconds."

"I'll do it in two." It was done. Sonic was already pulling on his socks and shoes. "What do you think…?"

"I don't want to think!" Amy was hopping from foot to foot in the doorway, her trembling fingers wrapping her daughter in the pink throw blanket. "I want to move! Oh, where is Tails, godsdammit!" It was so uncommon for Amy to curse. This was serious.

They heard the whirr of the X Tornado, and Sonic sped outside, exchanged some words with Tails. Then, he helped Amy into the passenger seat of the plane and took off without a word, his mind pulling the knowledge of how to pilot the sleek fighter to the forefront, even amongst his panicked thoughts.

So tiny…can't die…what will happen? I'm scared. He died inside as he realized this. He was genuinely terrified. His fingers (gloves neglected in the rush) were trembling at the wheel! He would cry, but he had a mission: to get his daughter to a hospital, and fast. He pushed away his tears and prayed fervently to the gods that she would be spared. Oh please, oh please let her be all right! PLEASE!

Here I lie


In a lost and lonely part of town


Held in time


In a world of tears I slowly drown



Tragedy


When you lose control and you got no soul


It's tragedy


When the morning cries and you don't know why


It's hard to bear


With no one beside you, you're going nowhere


~Lyrics: Tragedy by Bee Gees