Chapter 6: This Can't Be Happening
"Willow, You're all bruised up! What happened?" Sapphire said. Willow looked down to see that she still had Dash's dye all over her quills and skin.
She cleared her throat. "Just fell, that's all. Guys, I'm just going to go home. I don't feel good."
Cole looked down at Willow's feet, "With no shoes?"
Well, it's not like I'm going to get those back anytime soon. Willow thought as she looked away.
Flint intruded her thinking, "You're going to have to stay, Willow. Dad's not going to let me leave one of my sisters alone."
"What's with all the commotion?" A familiar voice came from behind Willow. She and the group had their attention on Dash, who had dyed his quills back to blue. Dash set his arms on Willow's shoulders.
She then pushed his arm off of her. "I was just leaving."
"Willow, don't. I just want to…."Dash began.
"Want to what?" Willow looked around to see everyone staring at the unexpected uproar from her. She turned around and walked out the door, limping.
The door slammed behind Willow, making her jump. She rubbed her right arm with her left hand. What have I done? I ruined everything… Willow sobbed quietly as she walked down the sidewalk. Her tears were then hidden by the rain that began to fall. From behind, she heard a motorcycle approaching her. She looked over to see the motorcyclist stop and look at Willow. She stared blankly as he took off his helmet.
"Need a lift?" Said Cole.
"No… I just want to be alone."
He leaned on his bike for a moment, and was searching for something to say. He then got off his bike and went over to Willow. She just stood there, rubbing her eyes, crying. Cole grabbed her hands, wiped her tears away, and hugged her. She, in return, hugged him back, crying on his shoulder. He softly stroked through her quills to calm her down as the rain fell upon them. "Want to go home?" he asked. She sniffed and nodded as she clung onto him. He lifted her up and sat her up straight on the motorcycle. He then gave her his helmet. "Hold on tight!" he said. She did so by tightly wrapping her arms around his stomach.
Within a matter of minutes they arrived at Willow's home. He put the bike in park and helped her off. "How are you feeling now?"
Willow took off the helmet, "Like crap… What time is it?"
He looked down at his watch. "It's only six."
Willow sighed, "Looks like I'm home early."
"Wanna go somewhere then? Not a date of course, but to get things off your mind."
"No, not today Cole, I… just want to rest." She said as she handed back the helmet. "Thanks though."
"Okay," he said with a smile. He walked up to Willow and placed a hand on her cheek, "I'll let you clear your mind tonight, but I will see you tomorrow." He said as he looked at all her bruises, wanting an explanation. He put on his helmet and gave a quick wave before riding away.
Willow walked though the door. When she shut the door, she leaned up against it. "You're home early." Said Shadow. He looked at her oddly, "What happened at that party?"
Willow's eyes welled up tears while she looked at Shadow, "Daddy, I feel like… like I'm dying."
Shadow showed no emotion, as he usually did. "Maybe, you caught the flu at the party." Which he knew wasn't true.
Rouge walked. "Honey, what's wrong?"
"I'm sick." She said. Which was half true. She just wanted to break down all together. "I also twisted my foot when I was dancing."
"Here, eat up, and place this on your ankle." Shadow handed her a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a ice pack.
Willow looked up, "Thanks." She felt a something cover her. Rouge had given her a light blue blanket. Willow turned to see her father had left the room.
Rouge had plopped herself down on the other side of the couch. "Movie?"
Willow snuggled into a corner on the couch. "I guess so." While the movie played, Willow had mixed thoughts about the day. Her eyes began to feel heavy. With her mind racing, she fell asleep.
***
Everything was cold to the touch. Willow noticed that she was on top of a fluffy, blue, lined cloud. Willow heard beautiful piano music was playing in the background. She waved her hands through the cloud to reveal what was underneath. Through the hole, she could see the ground miles below her. Groups of people were hovering around a casket. Shadow was holding Rouge, who was balling her eyes out. See saw Flint holding back the tears while Cole did the same. She felt like something, someone, was missing.
All of a sudden everything went into a foggy blur. The people and the casket were gone and now it was just an empty area with dead trees all entered Dash and Sapphire, holding hands. "Good for them." Willow said as she rolled her eyes. They soon approached a tombstone where the casket used to be.
"How about a dance, pretty boy." Sapphire said to Dash. He then went over and grabbed her hand and danced slowly.
Willow's mouth dropped, they were dancing on top of a grave. Willow hopped off the cloud and faced them. "Stop doing that! You're disgracing the person who had just died." She scolded. She looked over to Sapphire and Dash, both backing away from Willow. Willow reached out to them but they cowered in fear. She then looked over to see the gravestone that read 'Willow the Hedgehog'.
***
Willow opened her eyes abruptly. Heart racing, I just saw my own grave… She thought. She looked over to see her Rouge, mouth wide open and drooling, as she slept, still holding onto the remote controller.
Willow quietly got up and walked around a little to calm her nerves. Willow went over to the kitchen sink and splashed some water on her face to wake her up a bit. "Just a dream Willow. Just a dream." She looked up to see her own reflection in the mirror. She saw her plain old self. White quills that somewhat resembled her father's, and light blue eyes.
Willow had some urge to leave the house. She quietly shuffled through drawers and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.
Dear mom and dad, I'll be out. Just need to clear my head. Love Willow.
Willow then walked out the door, silently closing it.
The night was cool. The stars shined like bright lights. She then took her first step off the porch. She suddenly felt a cold, squishy substance underneath her feet. "Oh, that's right, no shoes." She then walked back inside, cleaned her foot and grabbed some random pair of shoes from the closet. She looked down to see they were Flint's shoes. She carefully put on his shoes and began to walk out the door. This time, walking around the mud.
She walked quietly out yard, when suddenly the shoes she was wearing started to shake. What the… The shoes then lifted Willow off the ground. She wobbled a bit to gain her balance back, but as soon as she tried, she fell into the splits. "Ouch!" she whined. Slowly bringing her legs back together, Willow stood strong. "How do I go?" She twisted her body from side to side, looking at the shoes with curiosity.
Willow then took a step, making her right foot glide. Before falling again, she followed through with her left foot. Back and forth from right to left, she had now built up a steady speed. I could get used to this! Willow thought.
Off in the distance, Willow saw a futuristic city. As she approached she saw a sign in bright blue neon letters that read "New Station Square".