Before Note: HEY GUYS! Once again, I'm sorry for the late update, I actually had most of this chapter written down a week after my last update. However, now there is a newborn baby in the house that I must help to take care of. I never new being a sister would take most of my free time. :/ But i'm enjoying the experience (even though the little tyke won't let me sleep at night XD). Anywaaaays, here's the chapter you have all been waiting for! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic the Hedgehog or any of it's characters (I simply own the plot of this story, I guess), they rightfully belong to SEGA and/or Sonic Team.

When Miles woke up there seemed to be something out of place. The kit rubbed his eyes to get rid of the drowsy feeling and sat up. He stretched his arms and legs in a cat-like manner and looked around. The air was fresh-a clean type of fresh with the light scent of the damp forest ground—and the sun, which was barely peeking over the mountains, gave enough warmth to balance out the cool air. The child's gaze suddenly fell upon the used napkins full of crumbs that lay at his side. A smile formed at his lips, the pleasant memory of only a few hours earlier came as clear as water in his mind.

And then, with a sudden shock, he immediately knew what was so odd about this morning.

He had not woken up with fear.

The feeling became so foreign, so alien, to him that he didn't know what to make of it.

A sudden, cool morning breeze blew by, attempting to take the napkins with it. The kit managed to catch them before they went into the sky.

However, something else was also about to blow away; Miles managed to catch that too.

It was a thin strip of paper, so thin that Miles held it as if it were an ancient artifact, for he thought it could crumble in his hands at any moment. He cautiously turned it over. There, in thin handwriting…

You are not alone

…was written.

It had taken some time for the fox to read it, for he had never been educated and he had to teach himself how to read using scraps of newspaper dug out from a trashcan. But now, as soon as he got a grasp of it, the words became clearer than ever.

He set the paper to the side.

And there came that spark of hope again. Could it be true? Could there be somebody that cares? Could there be somebody who shared his pain? Could there?

You are not alone

Alone in what?

Just then, a heart stopping, ice cold splash of water hit his back.

Routine Routine Routine

Miles did not dare scream, he only gasped as the water slid down his back, seeping into his skin. Eyes wide, he held himself, as he always did, and tried to conserve as much warmth as he could. He didn't look back, it was surely one of the employees that always woke him up anyways.

However, it didn't end there. A crack was heard in the air and the whip came down hard onto the child's back. Miles's breath caught in his throat, a new level of shock setting in. The stinging pain took moments to fade away, and when it did (and when the beating of his heart softened from his eardrums) he realized that it wasn't an employee.

It was Ivo Bombini.

Now, fear started to flow into his body, and he heard shuffling behind him; he started to tremble, not just because of the cold.

A few minutes must have gone by, Miles figured that Bombini must have left, for it was deadly silent. His trembling ceased and he looked over his shoulder. The ringmaster was gone. The kit let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, and let his shoulders relax. The pain in his back wasn't as bad as his first day at the carnival, but the blood had dried and whenever he moved the scab would sting. The twin-tailed fox tried his best to ignore it. He managed a comfortable position and stared at the cage floor. There was only a small pile of blood, his blood, and an area wet with water that was starting to dry.

And…

Once again, the kit's eyes widen with a new feeling of fear.

And then he understood.

The napkins, including the note, were gone.

It was true. He looked all over the cage, even peeked his head out between bars and searched the grounds. Bombini must have taken them.

Strangely, Miles had been kept in the cage all day long, never taken out. Except once, to give him time to do his business, and to wash him down with the hose. Other than that, the only time he got contact with others was when he got delivered scraps of food for breakfast and dinner. It was odd how they made sure he stayed alive, considering many surely wanted him six feet under. Then again, he was the reason why they have so much business now. It made sense.

Miles was absolutely perplexed. Was there not a show today? He saw the performers walking by, getting ready for their performances. Why had nobody come and taken him out for the show? He figured that it must have been Ivo's decision, but things were still mystifying to the kit.

And then the malevolent ringmaster. He was the only person that could make the child want to crawl into a hole and never come out with just a simple glare. Miles had been more terrified by this man than with any other person he had encountered in his life in the forest.

Just thinking about him made the fox's skin crawl.

Moments later, the carnival music started playing and the beginning announcements were heard in the distance. The twin-tailed fox looked at the main carnival tent, which was illuminated by various colorful lights.

Although he being left out confused him, it was better to take an optimistic view at the moment.

At least he wasn't in there, being humiliated and tortured.

With this thought in mind, Miles decided to curl up with his tails around him, and catch up on some needed sleep.

The kit did not know what made him wake up from a (rare) peaceful sleep. He was sure the show was long from over and everyone was asleep. However, he had no time to think about that because the next thing he knew, a series of footsteps was heard behind him.

Fearing that it might be one of the employees, or worse, Bombini, the child pretended not to notice. Moments of silence soon turned into minutes and Miles thought it was over. So he turned around.

He was certainly not expecting the sight that met him.

It was him.

He leaned against the cage, his crimson eyes firmly on the kit. Miles stood in shock. Never since he had seen him that time n the carnival, so apart from the crowd and so mysterious, had he ever thought that he would meet this figure face to face.

Silence.

Miles wanted to say something, wanted to move, but his muscles seemed to be frozen in place. He wasn't afraid, not at all. He was excited.

Seeing as the child would not move or say anything, the hedgehog decided to make the first step. His firm stare softened, eyes gentle and full of concern.

"Hello," his voice was deep, but not threatening. It gave the kit a sense of security for some reason.

"Hi, mister," Miles's polite reply was barely heard, for he never was one to speak up, he would rather stay quiet at times. The hedgehog nodded and then rummaged through the many pockets in his heavy coat. He then took out a bundle and took a few steps toward the fox.

"Are you hungry?" The bundle was outstretched to Miles, who identified the smell of a hotdog.

"Thank you, mister," the kit said, gaining more confidence toward the dark colored hedgehog, and finding the necessity to be as polite as possible. He took the hotdog and unwrapped it, the sight of warm food making his stomach groan in protest. He blushed in embarrassment, but the hedgehog only gave a small smile and encouraged him to eat. The kit took his time to savor the taste, making it last. Soon enough, only a napkin full of crumbs was left.. The hedgehog rummaged through his pockets again, and brought out a small bottle of orange juice, which Miles took gratefully. The kit had only had water to drink most of the time, so the new flavors were pleasant and a want for more lingered.

"I hope that helped filled you up," the hedgehog said, and the kit nodded happily. "What's your name, kid?"

The child hesitated at first, but he gave in. "Miles," he said, "but I never really liked it," he added in a whisper.

The hedgehog grinned in amusement, "Well, do you want to be called something else, a nickname perhaps?"

Miles thought about it. Sure, he never liked his name, it was one way others made fun of him. However, he never thought about wanting to be called something else. The idea didn't sound bad. The kit nodded enthusiastically.

The dark figure rubbed his chin with his hand in an inquisitive manner. "Hm, how about…" the hedgehog searched the fox, trying to find a fitting name, his eyes then fixed on his twin tails, "…Tails?

Tails...

"That's a great name!" the child got to his feet and jumped in the air, his namesakes waving in every direction. He then realized that most of the employees were sleeping and he should not wake them up, for his sake. He immediately settled down.

The hedgehog looked at the sky, and his brows furrowed. He looked back at the kit and gave him a reasuring look.

"I'm sorry, kid, I must leave soon."

The fox frowned.

"Hey! Don't worry, you'll see me soon. I'm here to help."

The child stared. He's here to help. A new feeling of hope blossomed within him. The hedgehog sat up straight and turned around, ready to leave. But he turned back, a grin plastered on his face, which confused the kit.

"By the way, call me Shadow."

And like that, he was gone in a flash.

Literally.

The fox stared, unable to comprehend what just happened. His hand had outsretched in order to call the hedgehog back...but then...

Flash!

Now, Tails looked foward to their next meeting.

After Note: Yes people! It's Shadow, we finally met him! Phew, this took a while.

To be honest here, I originally planned to use Sonic, but there was something that made me pick Shadow. (Sonic will be here shortly *wink wink*) I'll explain in later chapters.

Well, I have to go to bed now, hope you guys enjoyed,

Thank you for reading, comments and feedback are always welcome! (Grammar corrections especially!)