CH. 4 It was in the middle of the night when I had a woke. The room was dark, and I realized I was moved to a new location. "Cassie?" I whispered leaning up and moving my hands around. And yet, she wasn't with me. "Cassie?" I said a little louder. Still no answer. I slid my hand over the wall, and felt a strange vibration. I listened quietly and pressed it. It was a switch. The lights then came on, blinding me for a moment. I then looked around. I was in a cell, similar to the one earlier. I walk over to the gate and looked around. "Cassie!" I yell out. "Claire?" I heard a faint whisper. Oh gosh she's alright! "Cassie! Over here!" I call again. I then see a brown puff, knowing it was her hair I smile. "Cassie, are you alright?" She nods a bit drowsy. I then look down to my feet. Shackles…I growl lowly and then say, "I been chained!"

She looks at me surprised, and then looks at her own. "I was too!" I sigh. "I am not waiting here all night for my hero to come. I am getting out of here." Cassie watches me as I began pulling on the chains. "Claire, I don't think that will work." She said as I was ramming my side into the gate. The next thing we hear was a big bang, a groan, and growling. I lean out of the barred gate to see Shadow. "Shadow?.." I whisper surprised. "What!" he snapped rubbing his eyes. "I want Eggman." He shook his head. "You will see him later…do you have any idea what time it is?" he growled as he stifled a yawn. "I am sure its early…Sorry for waking you up." He sighed and looked up at his watch. "Shadow? What is the point in keeping us here if we absorbed the emeralds?" Cassie whispered.

He looked at her with a tired expression. "I really don't know what the doctor has in mind, but I know I am not allowed to give any information about it." He crossed his arms and sat down next to the wall across from me. I sat down as well, and so did Cassie. I looked down upset. "Shadow…why are you working for Eggman? I thought you worked for the G.U.N?" he didn't answer. I frowned. "Don't you realize that Eggman is evil Shadow? Do you not remember any of those memories?" I whispered. He looked away with out another word. I made a upset face and said, "I'm sorry…I shouldn't have gotten on your case like that." He looked up almost surprised that I was apologizing. Cassie yawned showing exhaustion. Shadow looked at Cassie and then said, "You both should get some rest." I nodded and whispered to Cassie, "Will you be alright?" she nodded. I smiled, "Night." I then went ahead and turned the lights out.

It was a couple hours later when I began feeling cold. I was still wearing that dress and it didn't give me much…warmth. I shook all night, and I felt my legs going numb. Thoughts then ran through my head about my family. How would my mother react? How would my father be when I got home? Would I ever?...no Claire, don't think about that. I shook the nervous thoughts from my head, and did my best to cover myself again. "Why does this happen to me?...why couldn't have I been a normal girl who lived a normal life!" I whispered throwing my shoes angrily at the wall, when I then heard a low yelp. I froze. I scooted up a bit, the shackles holding me back. "Shadow?...is that you?" I asked reaching out. I then felt someone pull me up. I knew it was Shadow now. He stepped towards me as I backed up. I was a little relieved it was only him and not Eggman. "I thought you could use this." He whispered. He held out a dark blue blanket. I smiled a bit. "Thank you. I was getting cold out here." I remember in the sonic shows, even though Shadow would be harsh, he always showed a soft side.

I sat back down against the wall wrapping myself in the blanket. I looked up to see Shadow already out of my cell. He must of used chaos control. "Did Cassie get a blanket?" I whispered. Shadow looked at me and nodded. I smiled but then fell back to my unconscious sleep. … It was morning. How did I know? Because I could hear the Mad Man himself coming down the stairs. "Rise and Shine! Today is a big day!" Eggman yelled as he came around the corner. "No…no...just five more minutes…" Cassie mumbled. I chuckled a bit. I rubbed my eyes as I looked around. There was actually natural light coming in the room, and I was thankful for it. Being in here felt so strange…and it made you forget that there was a real world outside. The sound of the doors echoing in the room was like a gun sound being shot through a wall. I stood up and actually fell down. "Ow! I forgot that these were even here…" I whispered to myself as I looked at my chained feet.

Eggman walked over and put the key into the lock, releasing the chains from my ankles. I stood up and stretched. My hair was very wavy and was spoofed up. Cassie was now up. She looked better than I even did, I bet she slept hard. Shadow had un-locked her. She stood and nearly rammed into me. "Cassie!" I said surprised. "S-sorry…I'm not…quite awake." She whispered leaning on me. I pulled her up and tried to get her focused. "Today you both will go through some procedures." I looked up scared. "Procedures?..." he nodded. "My goal is to get the chaos emeralds from you, with out killing you. And in success, I will be able to release you and send you home." Home! Yes! Take me home! But…my emerald. I must try to keep it. Its valuable. We were then both led out of the hall, and to the main deck inside. My stomach growled, and I did my best to keep it quiet. Shadow was the first to notice. "Was that your stomach?" he asked as Eggman typed in some codes. I looked at Cassie who had a hunger look on her. "Yes…" he looked down and then at Egghead. "Dr, the girls wont be capable with going through the process if their starved."

I looked at Cassie hopeful. I think Eggman had a feeling we were going to be hungry anyway, because when we opened the door, there was a small table with food on it. I looked confused at Shadow and then Eggman. "Eat something. You have twenty minutes." I nodded and did not hesitate in taking the meal. I sat down and made a small plate of eggs, ham, and fruit. I ate it quickly and silently. Shadow ate a apple in too, so it did seem to get a bit awkward. Cassie was a bit picky at the choices, but I snapped at her. She had to eat. "Here, you can have some of the eggs. There not that bad." I suggested as Cassie picked at her food. "I really rather not…" I frowned. "I don't know when were getting food again, so please Cassie, eat something." She looked at me a bit upset but went ahead and had the small portion given. "DING DING! Times up!" A bit startled, I chocked on my drink of water I had, when Eggman barged through the doors.

"Common! We don't have all day." He said sternly. Acting swiftly, Cassie and I stand up and follow him and Shadow out the door. We were led to a empty room and that's when I become extremely nervous. "Hey Eggman, what is this room?" I mumbled as he typed in keys on a screen. "This is a metallic radar. It should be able to remove the chaos emeralds from you." I looked at Cassie. She looked at me heart broken. These emeralds meant the world to us, and I wasn't just about to hand them over. I laid my hand on her and smiled. "Shadow, follow me, girls stay." We both watched as our foes stepped out of the room. It was then silent. I listened for anything. That was when we heard the sound of alarms. The sirens made me jump, causing Cassie to fall backwards. I quickly pull her back up, but kept my focus on what was happening. I gasped at what I saw. There before us was some type of lazar. I stepped back as it tried to target us. "Stand still!" I heard Eggman yell annoyed.

We both scream in terror. I don't know what that lazar might do, and I wasn't about to find out! "Girls! You wont die! Just stand still!" I look around as I hear his voice. "You say we wont die! But that lazar is dangerous!" I snap. And it was true. The lazar was making smoke marks anywhere it shot. This was not what I wanted. "Help! Let me out of here!" I yelped as the lazar missed me numerous times. Cassie was doing the same. She let out screams and then said, "Let us out of here!" I then crashed into the ground. I didn't have my shoes on, and my feet hurt. The lazar pointed at me, and I just braced myself…hoping it wouldn't be harsh, and over soon. "CLAIRE NO!" I heard Cassie cry. And that was when my hero came.

Shadow had just snatched me before the lazar shot, and he dropped me right back down on his first land. He then aimed at the lazar and spin dashed into it, causing it to explode. "What? Shadow!" Eggman yelled in furry. Shadow smirked and then backed up towards us. "Grab on." He commanded. I obeyed and grabbed his hand. Cassie did the same quickly. Shadow smiled, "So long Eggman! Chaos Control!" We were then engulfed in a bright light. Shutting my eyes, I tightly hold on to Shadow. I could already feel the density changing, and I smiled a bit. Opening my eyes, I see green scenery everywhere. I look at Cassie and Shadow who were looking around. "Were in a forest…" I whisper. Cassie looks at me excited and then comes and gives me a tight hug. "Were finally out! Were out!" she squeals. I giggle at her enthusiasm. I look at Shadow who was looking at the sky. I did the same. Eggman's ship. I walk up to Shadow and take a deep breath. "Thank you Shadow." He looked up at me and nodded. "You better get moving. Eggman will be searching for you again."

I look at him a bit worried. Were free and now we have to worry about Eggman catching us again? As Shadow is turning and walking off, I stop him. "Are you going back to Eggman?" he stopped. He turned his head slightly. "No." he then continues walking, leaving us alone. Once Shadow was gone, I look at Cassie. "You think Shadow will turn to the good side?" Cassie nodded. "He saved you and I. He said he wasn't going back to Eggman." I nodded. I turned towards the direction he left. I sighed and then said, "Lets try to find our way home. Everyone must be so worried." Cassie smiled with a nod, and we began our journey back.

Shadows P.O.V. I decided to walk until I found a place to stay for the night. I feel so lost, so confused. I still remember what Claire said, "I'm sorry…I shouldn't have gotten on your case like that." I sighed as I continued walking. I wanted to escape my worries for now, so I leaped in the tree and went to sleep.