"Where is that kid?" Knuckles snapped as he paced back and forth through the break room of G.U.N.'s base. "I wanted to leave an hour ago!"
Rouge snickered at him. She sat stretched out across the black leather couch, looking utterly at ease. "You're as bad as Sonic. Can't sit still for more than five seconds, can you?"
Knuckles spun on her. "Don't ever compare me to him again!" he shouted. "Not after what he's done."
Rouge raised her eyebrows. "You really think he did it?"
"You don't?"
Rouge shrugged. "I have my doubts."
Knuckles narrowed his eyes. Why could she not be straightforward about things? Ever? "Of course you do," he growled. "You helped us capture him, bat girl. If you didn't think he did it, why did you bother?"
Rouge smirked. "Just because I have my doubts doesn't mean I know for sure. But we watched the same interrogation. And we both saw how much he wants to protect Tails, didn't we? Why would he kill Amy if he cares so much about Tails? He's not the type to pick and choose who he likes. After all, if he did, he probably would have offed you by now."
Knuckles glared at her. "What are you trying to say?"
Rouge sighed, getting to her feet. "I'm trying to say that you're as gullible as ever, and the condition seems to be contagious to the rest of the world. Think it through for five seconds: why would Sonic kill Amy?"
Knuckles gritted his teeth. "Because he's reckless and crazy."
Rouge rolled her eyes. "What was that, one second of thought? Okay then try this one: why would Sonic take a gun that he would never think of touching and kill someone that he cared about?"
Knuckles stared at her. Why did she expect him to have so many answers? If he did, then Sonic would already be in prison. But as far as Knuckles could tell, Sonic had just lost it. He thought he had known the hedgehog, known that he was trustworthy despite his leap-before-you-look attitude, but now the evidence proved otherwise.
So why did Rouge sound like she was making a lot of sense?
Knuckles tapped his foot on the white linoleum beneath him. The sound echoed emptily on the blank walls surrounding him. The noise unsettled him further. "You think I want Sonic to be some psycho killer? Because I don't. But I'm not going to let him run loose just because of some hope."
"It's not just some hope!"
Knuckles turned at the sudden sound of Tails's voice. The fox walked though the doorway with narrowed, determined eyes. The expression on his face made him seem many years older. And because of that, he simultaneously seemed many years younger. He clutched his hands into fists at his sides. "I don't think he killed her," Tails said. He hesitated, then said, "I think something's wrong with him, but I don't think Sonic killed Amy."
Knuckles crossed his arms. "Not you too. A few hours ago, we all knew for sure, and now everyone's hesitating. What is this?"
Rouge shook her head. "No, a few hours ago, you knew for sure and just assumed everyone thought the same. There's a difference."
Tails looked at Knuckles. "Hear me out, Knuckles. I'm not saying Sonic's not seriously messed up right now, but I really think that's just because Amy died. That's all." Tails took a deep breath. "And listen, I think he's the only chance we have of finding and stopping whoever did kill her." Tails frowned, looking at his feet. "You must think I'm crazy, but…it just makes sense if you think about it. He couldn't be a killer…because he's Sonic. I know it doesn't sound like it should be that simple, but I think it is."
Knuckles groaned. "Why can't we just be done with this? Why do we keep going back and forth? He either killed her or he didn't. Let's make up our minds once and for all!"
Rouge waved her finger as if she were telling off a foolish child. "Knuckie, Knuckie, you have to stop thinking the world is painted in black and white."
Tails looked up at Knuckles with wide eyes. "He wants to stop the killer, Knuckles. We have to give him a chance. I think he'll tell us what's going on this time; I don't think he'll just run off anymore." Tails's voice lowered and he looked away. "Now that it involves me, he's not going to abandon us."
Knuckles sighed. He shook his head, unable to look at Tails. "Tails…" he whispered. "He might have killed Amy. And if we let him loose…do you really want to let loose someone who might have killed your friend?"
"Yes."
Knuckles spun to him in shock. A chill ran up his spine. How could he have answered so simply? With such certainty? Tails's eyes glistened with tears. "Yes. He can't…he can't have killed Amy. Because if he killed her…I never want to see him again. And if he runs away to hide, I won't. If he killed her, than I don't want to be…I don't know…I just can't imagine a world like that. He's always been my hero. My big brother and my hero and I believed in him. If he killed her…then my entire life is a lie."
Tears streamed down Tails's face. His sodden fur weighed down his face, extending his frown. "I need to give him a chance; I need to let him go so I can know who he is…as well as who I am."
Knuckles stared at him in disbelief, words completely failing him. Tails wiped his arm across his face and still Knuckles had no words. He struggled to do so much as breathe. He stood there in silence until it was too much to bear. Without words, all Knuckles had left was action.
He pushed past Tails and stormed down the hall. Beneath his fur, Knuckles's skin burned and his heart thundered in his chest. This better be worth it, he thought.
And with that, he shoved open the door to Sonic's interrogation room. Sonic's eyes shot to the door in shock, his face quickly twisting into confusion at the sight of Knuckles. Before the hedgehog could form a word, Knuckles growled, "If you killed her, I'll kill you."
Knuckles took a step into the room, and his expression softened. He shook his head, releasing a heavy breath. "Sonic, you had better prove me wrong."
And he slipped out a key.
This is what happens when you get bored in college! So much of this chapter was so difficult to write, but the second half just fell into place. Review and tell me what you think!