Chapter 3

Cake, Presents, and Moments

In the kitchen, everyone gathered around a huge table where the cake

was. It was vanilla written in red icing, "Happy B-day, Hal and Sal!" It also had two candles; a one

and a five, making the number fifteen. Salley and Halley blew them out and everyone clapped and

cheered.

After everyone had their cake, it was time for them to open their

presents. The first one to Salley was from Espio. She opened it and it revealed a huge ring with two

ninja star chains on it.

"What is it, Espio?" Salley asked.

"It's a tail ring, Salley," Espio replied. "I bought it for you."

Salley was extremely happy. "Oh, Espio. Thank you." She leaned in and

kissed Espio on the cheek. The others thought it was adorable.

It was Halley's turn now.

Ernest handed her a small box. "This is from me to you, ma cheri," he

said.

Halley took the box and opened it. She saw a golden chain with a heart-

shaped locket on it. It was engraved with the words, "Je t'aime, Halley. –Ernest"

Halley couldn't believe it. "Ernest," she said, "it's so beautiful."

"I had the best jewelry owner make it for you," said Ernest. "I knew you

would like it."



Halley smiled. "I really do." She hugged Ernest for a few seconds. Halley

and Salley opened the other ones afterwards.

Suddenly, the doorbell started to ring.

"Who could that be at this hour?" asked Mrs. Hallivan.

"I'll get it," said Halley, standing up from the couch. She walked to the

door. When she opened it, she saw Rouge the Bat standing outside in the dark outdoors.

"Hey, Halley," said Rouge.

Halley glared at the white bat. "What do you want, Rouge?"

"Look, I know I wasn't invited to your party, but I came to tell you

something. It's about Knuckles."

"What? Now, you're going to say that he's found another woman to be

with?"

Rouge was surprised. "No! I--"

"Listen to me, I may have broken up with Knuckles, but I won't have you

try to interfere in his life."

Rouge sighed. "I guess Knuckles didn't tell you this, but there's a good

reason why he didn't come to your party. And it has nothing to do with me, I swear."

"Then, tell me. What's the reason?"

Rouge went silent for a few seconds. "It's his baby brother, Kneecaps.

He died."

Halley was shocked to hear that. "…Kneecaps died?"

Rouge nodded her head.

"How can that be?!"

"Did Knuckles once tell you that he suffered in a concussion?"



"Yeah."

"Well, unfortunately, he had another one and his brain couldn't handle

it."

Halley felt ashamed of that. "I'm very sorry."

Rouge sighed again. "Knuckles had to go to his funeral this morning and

he hasn't left his grave since then."

"Maybe I should talk to him."

"I don't know about that. A thunderstorm's heading this way and he

doesn't even want to talk to me. You can try though." Rouge reached into her pocket and handed a

card to Halley. "Here."

Halley took the card. "What's this?"

"It's a birthday card from Knuckles. He wanted me to give it to you."

Halley smiled. "Thanks, Rouge."

"Don't mention it. I've got to go." Before Rouge left, she said, "Oh, and

Happy Birthday." Rouge flew away from the house and Halley went back inside before it rained.

"Who was that?" asked Salley.

"It was Rouge," said Halley. "She just wanted to talk."

"Oh, okay." Halley sat herself back down on the couch, next to Ernest.

"What is that, Halley?" asked Ernest, noticing the card.

Halley opened it. "It's a card from Knuckles. Rouge delivered it to me."

Halley read the card carefully. It said:

"Dear, Halley,

I'm very sorry I couldn't come to your party. There's a reason why I couldn't and I didn't tell you.

My little brother, Kneecaps, died after he suffered in another concussion and it damaged his brain. I



had to go to his funeral with my family. I felt so upset about losing another family member, just like

I lost my father.

"Please, accept my apology for not telling you the truth earlier. I made this special card for you and I

asked Rouge to send it to you.

"Happy Birthday, Halley! Tell your sister I said that too.

"With love, from your ex-boyfriend,

"Knuckles the Echidna"

Halley put the card down on the couch and felt sorry for Knuckles'

misfortune. She felt like she had to do something about it.

"Are you alright?" asked Ernest, putting his hand on Halley's shoulder.

Halley faced Ernest. "Yeah," she said. "I'm okay." She stood up from

the couch. "I have to go do something."

Ernest was confused. "Where are you going?"

"I'm just going to see someone important. I'll come back afterwards."

"Oh, alright."

Halley walked over to Salley, who was talking to Espio. "Psst," she

whispered.

Salley got her attention. "What do you want, Hal?" she asked.

"Listen, I have to go see Knuckles at the cemetery."

"Why's Knuckles at the cemetery?"

"That's not important. I'll only be gone for a few minutes."

"Are you crazy? It's raining very hard outside. You'll get soaking wet."

"Just cover for me until I get back."

Salley sighed. "Okay. But, don't say I didn't warn you."



"Got you." Halley left out the door, out in the stormy weather.

At the cemetery, Knuckles was sitting on a stone wall, crying over

Kneecaps' death. He was also very wet from the raindrops.

Then, Halley came to him and said, "Hey, Knux."

Knuckles turned to Halley, but didn't say anything.

"I heard about what happened," said Halley. "Rouge told me."

The echidna turned away from the cat and looked at the grave.

Halley felt so sorry for him. "You want me to leave you alone?"

Knuckles looked back at Halley and didn't answer. Then, he said, "No."

Halley sat on the wall next to Knuckles. She put her arm on his

shoulder. She saw the sadness in his eyes. "I'm really sorry, Knuckles." The echidna leaned on

Halley and cried on her.

The cat-girl rubbed his head, trying to reassure him. "It's okay,

Knuckles." Halley did everything to calm him down for about an hour.

The storm died down afterwards and Knuckles felt a little bit better. He

looked up at Halley.

"Do you want to come back to my house and get dried up?" asked

Halley.

Knuckles sighed. "I'd rather not."

"Oh, okay. That's fine." Halley and Knuckles leaned close to each other



and kissed their lips. They broke off after a couple seconds.

Halley stroked Knuckles' cheek. "I love you, Knux."

Knuckles made a smile. "I love you, too." Halley got off from the stone

wall, waved goodbye to Knuckles, and left him alone. (A/N: Now that's what you call a birthday to

remember. Just remember one thing, Halley 's in a love triangle, so she can kiss both of the guys that

she loves.)

The End