Italicized words: thoughts and/or to make emphasis.

SEVEN

After a few minutes of butting heads to come up with a simple exit strategy, Unit A's lead tech lead everyone to the second floor stairs. The group made another pass over the weakened floor boards and with the extra weight from Unit A now adding to it, the floor made it clear to them that it's going to give way at any minute by creaking and splitting. The group noticed and was instructed to hurry along so they did not become victims of the floor's collapse.

With their plan in place, the volunteers got into their positions atop the rubble and the survivors climbed their way up onto the third floor. Unit B were put on standby should the need for them arose.

Shadow and Lou decided to climb up last to make sure all of the patrons and staff remaining were up onto the third floor and out to the safety of the roof. Moments later, everyone was now through the hole and on their way to safety thanks to the efforts of everyone involved. The lead tech asked the two remaining if his help was needed and Shadow told him it wasn't necessary for their climb, but asked him to hook up the other end of a cable w/harness system he had with him to something sturdy like a pipe. The tech did as he was asked as he found a pipe still intact a few meters from him and proceeded to attach the cable to the base of the pipe and tugging on it to ensure it will support the weight of Shadow and Lou. The tech was then sent out to assist with help on the roof.

Shadow insisted that Lou climb up first. Of course Lou, being older with a stern disposition objected, making Shadow shake his head in disbelief and try to reason with the elder. After some back and forth banter about who should climb first, Lou conceded and hooked up to the device and prepared for the climb.

Climbing slowly and steadily, Lou made his way onto the third floor and as he tried to get his footing on the rubble on the floor, some is scattered around his immediate area and some fall through the hole onto Shadow.

"Hey Lou, I'm trying to get out of here in one piece, you know…" Shadow playfully shouts.

"Awh, quit ya whinin' junior! Your quills are as tough as nails! Surprised the damn board didn't split in two when it hit 'em."

"Very funny, Pops! Get out of my way; you're blocking my exit!"

"Move it, Shadow! We're waiting on ya!"

Lou threw down the line he used to Shadow and he fashioned the harness attached to it around his waist. Shadow was now hooked and ready to be hoisted onto the third floor. Once on the third, he was relieved to see that only a few meters away is the door that will finally reunite him with his wife Rouge who anxiously awaits him at the cafe he instructed her to take refuge in. After unhooking himself from the harness, he unconsciously misjudged the amount of debris and rubble underneath his feet. He began to move faster than safely needing to towards Lou and the door. "It's over Lou! Everyone's alright now?"

"Yeah. Get your ass on kid!" Lou noticed Shadow was moving too fast and warned, "Hey wait, careful there son, watch yourself..."

Shadow took one more step forward and suddenly slipped on a piece of debris and stumbled backwards and through the hole in the third floor landing on the second floor, but the velocity of his fall caused the already weak floor to finally cave sending him through the newly created hole and landing back first onto rubble on the first floor. Shadow hollered out in agony while arching his back upwards reacting to the pain that's sending shockwaves throughout his body.

"SHADOW!" Lou exclaimed watching in horror. "Talk to me! What's hurtin' ya kid?"

"UUUUUGH, my back, Lou it's….I can't move!"

"DON'T!" Lou frantically looked around to see if there was any rescue personnel around to help the fallen Shadow. "Help! Shadow's fallen and he's fucked up! I need some fucking help here!"

"LOU! JUST GO! I'LL BE OK….AAAAAAH!" Shadow insisted painfully.

"I ain't leavin you til you get up here..…somebody come on dammit, the boy needs help NOW!" Lou frantically pleaded to any rescue personnel.

"Lou…" Shadow started, "I'll be alright, I may can make it. Please get out of here"

"But Shadow, we can get you outta here, hang on!"

"No listen. If there's that chance I don't make it outta here Lou, go to the cafe near here and tell Rouge...UGH...I love...her...and I...I'm...sor...sorry, ok?"

"No, Shadow! You're telling her yourself even if I have to carry your crippled ass there to do it...someone help him now, dammit!" Realizing after a few seconds that there's no one around to help, Lou turned his attention back to Shadow. "Shadow, look…I…"

"LOU, STOP BEING SO FUCKING STUBBORN AND GO!"

"Shadow, hang...shit!" Lou slammed balled fists upon the floor then lifted himself up and walked down the hall, through the door, and up to the roof to tell the waiting rescue unit that Shadow will make it out of the hotel on his own much to Lou's dismay.

"Hello again viewers, this is Angela Mongoose with continuing coverage of the terrible tragedy at the Moonlight hotel. There's word from the police and rescue teams that they are starting to evacuate surviving patrons and staff from the hotel either by leading them next to the nonfunctioning doors at the front of the hotel where there's a gaping hole caused by the explosion or rescue from units on the roof of the building. No word yet on the impending death toll, but good news is the sight of many being carried out of the hotel and some walking on their own power. We will stay with this story until the very end and bring updates as they come to us. Live at the Moonlight Hotel, this is Angela Mongoose, CINews."

Rouge and the other café patrons stare blankly at the TV screen until Rouge breaks the silence speaking to Kelly. "I have to believe, believe Shadow is among the rescuers. His abilities alone surpass any that the rescue squads have put together…"

"Really? How's that?...wait..…you did say your husband's name is Shadow, right?"

"Yes."

"Shadow? THEE Shadow the Hedgehog?"

"Yeah, that very one. He isn't just any hedgehog you know; he's the Ultimate Life form."

"Wow….oh yeah…he'll show up; give him a moment Rouge…"

Mrs. Baxter came up to the ladies and asked Rouge, "You said earlier that you're on your honeymoon, right? Have you thought to call family back home on the situation?"

"I haven't thought of that, my mind's been on Shadow. Let me do that now…"

Rouge started to move towards the counter then a thought hit her. She turned to Mrs. Baxter and asked, "Is there an international phone line here?"

"Yes. Go to the counter; they'll help you, honey. Good luck."

"Thanks for everything you two!"

"No problem, Rouge. Good luck." "I pray that favor is found for your husband and he returns to you without harm." replied Kelly and Mrs. Baxter. Rouge hugged the two ladies and headed for the counter and was given permission by the waiter to call home to give her family and in-laws the news of their disastrous honeymoon.