Hiring

Chris sat at a desk with a lamp set on top, shooting a strong beam of light onto his face. Squinting, he said, "Is this really necessary Vector?" Across the room three shadowy figures hid in the darkness. One sitting in a chair across from him leaned forward, revealing his long green snout.

"We ask. You answer," Vector said. Chris nodded . "Good. Why are you here?"

Chris inhaled deeply and exhaled. Remaining calm and choosing his words carefully, was of the utmost importance. Sonic's life depended on it. "Sonic is missing and and…" He burst into tears. "And and I don't know where he went." A small hand softly gave Chris' head a pat and another handed him a tissue. "Thank thank you Char-Charmy," he said, dabbing the tears away.

Vector couldn't believe this; Sonic missing? How long has he been missing," Vector asked.

"A whole day," he sobbed.

"Doesn't Sonic usually run off somewhere for a day or two," Vector said.

"He always calls," Chris replied, wiping away tears which refused to stop.

Charmy buzzed with sympathy. "Don't you worry. We, the Chaotix, are on the job!"

Vector slammed his hands on the desk, causing all to jump from surprise—except Espio, who calmly leaned against the wall. "Now hold on there. We haven't even discussed payment," Vector shouted.

"Oh I can pay," Chris said. Picking up the pink pigging bank from his lap, he placed it on the desk in front of them. He looked sorrowfully at his piggy bank. Never had he imagined they'd part so soon, but this was for Sonic. "I'll give you everything I've saved in Mr. Piggy."

Vector sat in his chair stunned with disbelief.

"See Vector, he can pay," Charmy said. "We'll take the case!"

Chris' face lit up with joy.

Snapping out of his stupor, Vector jumped up from his chair. "We are not taking the case!"

"Why not," Chris and Charmy asked.

"This is why," Vector said, snatching the pig from the table and holding it in front of their faces. "This is hardly enough!"

Chris lowered his head in disappointment. "So, you won't help me?"

"Yes we will," Charmy said. Chris' face lit up with joy once more.

"No we won't," Vector said. Chris' face fell, disappointed once more.

"Let's ask Espio," Charmy suggested.

"Fine by me." Grabbing the battery run lamp from the desk, Vector shone the bright light on Espio. "Well?"

All eyes were on Espio, who answered simply, "Yes."

Charmy and Chris leapt for joy and Vector fell to his knees, feeling betrayed. "Why Espio? Why?"

"You shone the light in my eye," he answered. "Plus we live in an office made out of cardboard boxes."

Vector sighed, conceding. Business wasn't going well, but when did it ever? Perhaps this would be the end of their slump. "Okay," he said, rising from the floor with renewed zeal. "The Chaotix are on the case!"

Chris ran up the long staircase and sped down the hallway towards his room. He couldn't wait to tell Amy of his success. Turning the knob, he pushed open the door. "Amy, guess what?"

The room was empty. "Amy?" Chris searched his room. She wasn't in the bathroom; she wasn't in his large walk in closet. A breeze swept across his face. Turning, he saw the glass doors of the balcony open. "Amy, are you out there," he called, crossing the room towards the balcony.

As Chris stepped out into the fresh air, he was disappointed to find no one. She was gone.