Chapter 11

Sonic opened his eyes to see a plain white ceiling. He was quickly aware of a steady beeping. Turning his head, Sonic saw a couple of monitors with vital signs displayed on it. Sonic frowned, uncertain if those were his vitals and if so, why were they on the monitors? He tried to sit up but found he could not for every time he moved a sharp pain raced through his chest. Sonic lifted his hand and felt along his torso. He was surprised to feel extensive bandages wrapped around his chest. A frown once more crossed Sonic's features as he attempted to figure out how he ended up in what he assumed to be hospital bed bandaged up. He looked around the rest of the room and spotted Shadow and Knuckles sitting in chairs near the bed. Both were slumped in their seats, asleep. Knuckles was snoring away while Shadow had his arms folded with an emotionless expression on his face. Sonic whistled and said, "Guys!" Immeaditly Shadow and Knuckles were startled awake.

Once Shadow got his senses about him he said, "Sonic! You're awake!"

Sonic replied, "You're awfully surprised by that."

Knuckles jumped up, "Yeah we're surprised! You had us really worried!"

Sonic looked confused, "Why, what happened?"

Shadow crossed his arms, "We were hoping you could tell us that. Knuckles found you lying in the street with blood running out of your mouth."

Sonic thought for a moment before saying, "Wait, I remember what happened now."

"After Knux and I had left the house to try and look for Tails, I got frustrated and speed off on my own. It was pitch black and the rain was really pouring down. At this point I couldn't really see where I was going except for the occasional flash of lightning. I guess I should have known to be careful because I know the sound asphalt makes when I run on it but I wasn't paying attention. I'm nearing a bend that went around a building. There was another flash of lightning and when it was gone there were two headlights coming round the corner at me. I tried to skid to a stop and turn around but the road was too slippery. The car was honking and its brakes were screeching but it kept coming at me. In the next instant, I remember hearing this snapping or crunching sound and my chest hurting like crazy. Then I blacked out and I don't remember anything after that."

Knuckles shook his head, "Chaos Sonic! I told you not to go! You almost got yourself killed!"

Sonic looked away, "I know, I know. I'm sorry. It's just… that video of Tails… I felt so powerless. It's my fault he was taken, I sent him to the east side."

Knuckles put a hand on Sonic's shoulder, "It's not your fault. You had no idea."

Shadow approached Sonic's bedside, "Sonic… I feel that I should apologize for what has happened to Tails."

Both Sonic and Knuckles replied, "Huh?"

Shadow's voice cracked several times as he said, "It's because of me that Tails was… abducted. If I hadn't ran off all day yesterday…, Tails wouldn't have been anywhere near that park. As a result, he wouldn't have been kidnapped. Also to an extent…, I'm sorry that you were hit by that car. It wouldn't have happened if you weren't out looking for Tails." There were several moments of tense moments of silence. Shadow's eyes flitted about as he thought, Why doesn't he answer? Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. But it was the right thing to do, wasn't it?

"Shadow."

The black hedgehog's thoughts were broken by Sonic's voice. Shadow looked at Sonic and was confused at he saw. Sonic had his open arms extended toward Shadow and what would have been a smile if it wasn't so sad. When Shadow remained motionless, Sonic beckoned him to come closer. Shadow stepped with Sonic's reach and to his surprise, Sonic pulled him in for a firm but not squeezing hug. Shadow froze in the embrace, flashing back to Maria's last caring contact with him.

He was caught even more off guard when Sonic spoke, his voice hinting at tears, "I'm sorry too Shadow. To you. I'm sure you heard everything I said that morning. I didn't mean a word of it, honest. I was angry and said a bunch of stuff I didn't mean. If it wasn't for that, you wouldn't have run off and this mess wouldn't have begun. I'm sorry." Shadow raised his arms, hesitated, than fully, and heartily embraced Sonic.

Knuckles stood on the other side of the bed, uncomfortably shifting back and forth, "You two are a riot. Hugging and passing blame back and forth and crap."

Sonic looked over at him and frowned teasingly, "Come off it Knux. Too tough for hugs are we? Get over here!"

Knuckles shot back, "I'm not too tough for hugs! Shadow certainly fits that description though."

Shadow replied, "An echidna told me once, 'You gotta stop bein' a loner sometime.' I followed his advice and now maybe he should do so as well."

Knuckles smiled and shrugged, "Why the hell not? Only because you two look like you about to start bawling." The red echidna came around to the other side of the bed and joined the group hug.

After a few moments, they broke apart and Sonic's face turned deadly serious, "Guys it's been about a day since Tails was taken by the Apex Killer. We're running out of time. I hate to say it but you two need to continue to look for Tails on your own."

Knuckles leaned against the wall, "Sonic, we're not detectives. There's no way we would be able to find him. We should just let the police do their jobs."

Sonic opened his mouth to say something when Shadow interrupted, "Knuckles don't you get it?! If we wait for the police to call us, it's going to be to identify a body! Tails is counting on us. We can't let him down."

Knuckles glared at Shadow, "Don't you think I know that? I want to find the kid just as much as you do. I'm just being logical."

Sonic spoke up, "This guy has killed six people already and the police still haven't found him. Hell, they haven't even found bodies! Chaos knows what he's doing with them! I don't care if you don't want to help Knuckles. If I have to, I'll go look for him myself, injuries or not!"

Knuckles rolled his eyes before shouting, "That's what got you in that hospital bed in the first place! All that righteousness, dedication, and loyalty is useless unless you focus it in a specific direction!"

Sonic became angry, "Knuckles your pushing it!"

Shadow butted in, "Stop fighting! We're only wasting what little time Tails has left!" Sonic and Knuckles were silent before nodding in agreement.

After taking a breath Knuckles said, "Ok. Let's go get that Apex Son-of-a-bitch." With that, the red echidna left the hospital room.

Shadow turned to follow when Sonic stopped him, "Shadow hold up a second." Shadow went to Sonic who whispered, "Shadow, can you promise me something?" Shadow slowly nodded. Sonic leaned closer to Shadow, despite the obvious pain it caused him, and whispered, "If you guys find the Apex Killer and he has Tails alive, make sure the creep is landed in jail. But if you get there and Tails is dead…" Here the blue hedgehog paused. Wary, curious, crimson eyes met hateful, dark, green eyes. Sonic said in the most serious voice Shadow had ever heard him use, "Kill that bastard."

At first Shadow was shocked but he quickly said, "Ok."

Sonic grabbed his wrist, "Don't tell me ok. Tell me that you'll do it. Promise me."

Shadow surprised himself with the deadly tone of his own voice when he answered, "I promise." Shadow then turned and left the room after Knuckles. He was determined to keep this promise and would stop at nothing to do so.

Author's Note: Whoa! Who knew Sonic had such a dark side when it came to Tails? *Raises hand* But the question is, will Knuckles and Shadow rescue Tails in time? Or will Shadow have to fulfill the darker side of his promise? Please read, review, and enjoy.