Past Secrets
Chapter 19 - Time-lapse
Shadow's POV 2:30 pm
"Amy!" I screamed her name as I woke.
God that was horrible. Amy…. She …god. That was one hell of a nightmare. I was walking Amy home one night after doing something really important, I don't know what, but it was important. I let her go into her house alone and out of no where just as I was about to leave; I heard her scream my name. I quickly reacted and ran in her house and someone shot her. I don't remember who, but its enough to wake me up and I'm glad I did. I hope that never happens, but why would I dream such a thing. As I wiped my face of sweat someone ran into the room.
"Shadow; are you ok?" Yelled Amber
I quickly looked at her and then down at my covers. Amber rushed me and came to my side.
"Shadow what happened?" Asked Amber.
"It was just a nightmare." I said.
"Are you ok?" Asked Amber.
"I'm fine but I haven't had a nightmare since I was with Maria." I Replied.
"Who's Maria?" Asked Amber.
I looked at her
"Maria was one of my best friends." I said
"Was?" Said Amber in a confused tone.
"She was killed a few weeks ago." I said sadly.
"I'm so sorry Shadow." Said Amber.
"Why; Eggmans the one who should be sorry." I Said.
"Wait, what?" Asked Amber confused.
"You don't know? That's surprising. I could have sworn he would have told you and everyone that works for him that he killed her." I said in anger.
Amber looked at me with anger.
"What?" I asked her.
"That's wrong Shadow." Said Amber.
"What's wrong?" I yelled.
"Eggman didn't kill Maria. Why would he kill his own granddaughter?" Asked Amber.
"Because he's a cold hearted prick, who's only goal in life is to take over the world and kill anybody that tries to stop him." I replied in rage.
"How dare you talk about him like that! Eggmans one of the nicest people in the world and his only goal in life is to bring peace to the galaxy and all who inhabit it." Said Amber.
"Is that what he told you? His true intentions weren't in the brochure you got when you were hired to work here?" I asked.
"First of all; I had no choice but to work for him. Secondly; where did you even get the idea that he would kill your best friend and his only granddaughter?" Asked Amber.
"He killed her right in front of me and my…. Ahhhh never mind I'm done talking about this. If you don't believe me then go ask him yourself." I said to her.
"I will when I'm done taking you to where he wants you to go." Said Amber.
"Where's that?" I asked.
"Eggman wants you to come and see him, and I suggest you try not to anger him or you'll be sorry." Said Amber.
"Is that a threat?" I asked in a hostile attitude.
"Ohh I'm not going to hurt you, but the security will if you cause trouble." Said Amber.
"They can try." I said.
Amber put her hand on my hand.
"Shadow, I'm sorry" Said Amber sincerely.
"Why?" I asked in confusion.
"I didn't mean to yell at you it's just… I've worked with Eggman since I was a girl and it's hard when someone makes that kind of an acquisition about him. I trust Eggman. He has helped me my whole life. I was just angry that you said that about him. I don't know if you have ever met him but…" I cut her off.
"I was created by him Amber, and I was betrayed by him."
"What?" Questioned Amber.
"Eggman made me. One day on his old space station he decided it was time to get rid of all useless assets and he along with his men tried to kill me and my family. Most of us made it off and went to earth to find a home; but Maria and my…. Well let's just say they died in the escape." I said while trying not to cry.
Amber stood up and headed for the door. I grabbed her arm.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"To see Eggman; I want to know if that's true." Said Amber.
"I'm coming with you." I said while leavening the room with her.
"Good because he wants to talk with you too." Said Amber.
"Amber? What are going to do if he admits what he did to me?" I asked.
"I don't know, but we'll find out." Said Amber.
We approached Eggman's office and opened the door to find him sitting behind his desk.
I looked at him and he was staring at Amber. When I looked at Amber I could of sworn I saw her wink at him.
"Amber; thank you for bringing Shadow to see me. You can go now." Said Eggman.
"No. I have a question to ask you." Said Amber.
"Which is?" Asked Eggman.
"Did you try to kill Shadow before?" Asked Amber.
Eggman smiled and stood up out of his chair.
"A long time ago." Said Eggman.
"Why?" Asked Amber.
"Shadow was useless to me and it was only proper to clean out anything that was of no use." Said Eggman.
"Shadow said you killed his only friend and you're on granddaughter. Is that True?" Asked Amber.
"Of course not Amber. Yes Maria was killed but it was not by me. Listen; Shadow has tricked your mind into turning on me and I will not stand for, from neither of you." Said Eggman.
"That's bullshit and you know it!" I yelled.
"Shadow you were always a stubborn hedgehog ever since you were born. Even after leaving the family that raised you and taught you everything you know you still are stubborn and a very disobedient little brat." Said Eggman.
"You killed Maria and ruined the only life I ever had and I promise you I will avenge her!" I yelled at him.
Eggman's security ran in and aimed at me.
"Shadow even if you wanted to avenge Maria and you somehow managed to kill me. It would all be for nothing because I didn't kill her." Said Eggman.
"I know you did you son of a bitch I watched as you pulled the trigger!" I shouted.
"There was so much going on then. How could you be sure it was me?" Questioned Eggman.
"I'm positive it was you and I swear you will die for what you have done you cold hearted terrorist!" I shouted in rage.
"The corporation you used to work for Shadow is now considered a terrorist cell? You lived by the same reasons everyone else lived by and that was to protect the galaxy." Said Eggman.
"Stop lying! You only want to rule the galaxy not save it." I said.
"Eggman? Is that true?" Asked Amber.
Eggman hesitated then walked to her.
"Amber, you have worked for me for years and yes I have been lying to you. Yes I want to rule but it's only because of shadow here that dream almost became a reality." Said Eggman.
"It would have happened if you were smart enough to wait." I said.
"Yes it would have, but I make mistakes too." Said Eggman.
"The biggest one you made was to let me live. Now I'm going to kill you for it." I said while about to charge.
"Guards!" Yelled Eggman.
The guards prepared to fire. Then Amber jumped in front of me.
"Don't you dare!" Yelled Amber.
"Amber. Get out of the way!" Yelled Eggman.
"No!" Yelled Amber.
"Hold fire!" Shouted Eggman.
Everyone relaxed.
"Shadow I'm giving you this one chance only. Leave now or I will kill you and put an end to the Shadow family." Said Eggman.
I thought about it and this was my chance to kill him, but I would be killed in the process and so would Amber. I will not let another innocent girl be killed because of me and my dumb decisions. I looked at Eggman and finally said.
"I will kill you trust me on that Eggman." I said while taking Ambers hand.
"Leave now before I change my mind." Said Eggman while sitting back down behind his desk.
I took Amber back to my room and I sat on my bedside while putting my hands on my face.
"I'm sorry Amber but I will not let you get hurt because of me." I said.
"Thank you Shadow. I'm happy you decided to leave." Said Amber.
"I will be back and the next time I do; Eggman and all his men will die." I said.
"I hope your not planning on killing us." Said a familiar voice coming from the door.
"Ohhh Paul. Did you hear that…?" Paul cut her off.
"Yeah, Yeah. I'm sorry Shadow about everything." Said Paul while approaching me.
"Thanks and to answer your question; no I'm not going to hurt you two." I said.
"Why?" Asked Paul.
"You two seem like you don't trust Eggman anymore then I do now that you heard the truth and you two also helped me, and Paul you saved my life I owe you one. Same go's for you Amber; if you didn't jump in front of those guard when you did I would be dead." I said.
"Eggman's the one who preformed the operation Shadow. I only took care of you." Said Amber.
"That means a lot to me trust me." I said.
"Why are you so quick to trust me?" Asked Paul.
"I just have a feeling that me and you will be good friends and call it a favor for saving my life." I said while standing up and sticking out my hand for him to shake.
Paul took my hand and we shook.
"Amber I need to get Shadow back to North End." Said Paul.
"Alright;. Bye Shadow." Said Amber as she gave me a hug.
I hugged back and said.
"I'll be back soon trust me and when I do, I will protect you."
Amber smiled and backed up.
"Come on Shadow, get dressed before we leave; its cold has hell out there." Said Paul.
"Hey at least I have fur unlike you two." I said while getting back on my cloths which were surprisingly clean.
"I forgot to mention I washed your cloths while you were asleep. Ohhh and here I almost forgot. I took it out before I put the cloths in the washer, I didn't want to ruin it, it seemed important." Said Amber while handing me my picture of Maria.
I took it and looked at her with joy in my smile.
"Thank you." I said.
"Your welcome Shadow; now you better leave before Eggman..." I cut her off.
"I know, come on Paul." I said while looking back at him.
"Alright then follow me." Said Paul while taking me to the garage.
"Your not going to be able to walk home it would take to long. So I have something to get you there faster." Said Paul while turning on the light.
In the center of the garage was something covered by a sheet. I stared at it with surprise.
"Shadow, I remember you." Said Paul.
"What?" I asked in confusion.
"Back on ARK; I used to work up there. I remember you and your brother." Replied Paul.
"How?" I asked.
"You don't remember? I was the one guard who watched after you and your brother and Maria. I was always following her around as protection." Said Paul trying to jog my memory.
"Oh my god; I remember you, you the medic." I said.
"Yes. Anytime you and your brother got hurt you guys always came to me for help." Said Paul.
"What happened to you?" I asked.
"After the escape you and your family pulled, I went to earth considering you blow up the station." Replied Paul
"Have you seen him?" I asked with hope in my voice.
"Not to long ago." Replied Paul.
"Where?" I asked with joy.
"He wanted to screw with you so he told me to give you this when I found you." Said Paul while handing me an envelope.
I took it and opened it up and pulled out a note and a picture.
The note read. "Hey brother if you're reading this then Paul has found you. Listen I miss you so much and I hope you still want to kill Eggman for what he did to us. I can't go after him alone and it would seem weird to kill him without you by my side once again so to find you I need you to go back to North End. Yeah I remember what you said about where you would be heading if you ever had to leave ARC, I'm not dumb. So as I was saying go to the high school which I know you would enroll in and go to locker 259 I placed a phone in there that you can use to text me the location to where you live so I can meet you there. My numbers the only one in the contacts list, so even you can figure it out. The key to the lock is under the chair in cafeteria A, chair number 48. I don't know why your school puts numbers on chairs, but whatever. Make sure once you head back home none of your friends if you have any don't follow you. We don't need anyone knowing what we plan on doing. I'll explain how I got the key and stuff in the locker when we meet so don't be confused. I love you brother. Don't get into any trouble. Love your brother, Dark."
I smiled at the note and looked at the picture. It had me and Dark wrapping are shoulders around Maria. I think this is from the first time we went to have a birthday party for the two of us. I put the picture and the note in my back pocket and looked at Paul.
"Dark told me to give this to you." Said Paul while taking the cover off.
My eyes widen in disbelief. Under the cover was my bike, Dark rider. It looked as I'd remembered it. It had my custom paint job and my chrome rims and it had my added side pouch with my initials on it, STH. Dark has the same bike but with a side pouch with his initials on it, DTH. I slowly approached my bike and got on it then looked at Paul.
"Thank you, Paul." I said.
"Don't thank me. Your brother dropped it off at my house one night. He said he barley got it out before the station blew up." Said Paul.
"I'll be sure to thank him." I said.
Well, I'll see you and your brother soon. Now you better be on your way. Said Paul while opening up the garage doors.
I smiled at him and said.
"Make sure you protect Amber." I don't want her getting hurt.
"I will don't worry." Said Paul.
I looked back at the exit and started the bike and drove out into the cold snow. I could not believe all that has just happened. My brother's alive and I got my bike back. I can't wait to see him, but when I go to school tomorrow I need to avoid my friends. I don't want any of them to get hurt. But everyone's going to want some answers and it will be hard avoiding them.