Minutes turned into hours. The gentle sun turned into a scorching furnace. Each step felt like dragging lead.
Shadow could hear Amy's heavy breathing as she climbed a boulder covered in moss. Once she reached its top, she paused to catch her breath. A tiny, black fly hovered over her face, and she squirmed to shoo it. The forcefulness in her waving and irradic movements caused the small loose rocks under her feet to crumble. She slipped to the side and scrambled for a branch. It snapped.
She had let out a small cry. That was interrupted when she felt a large hand seize her arm. She was jerked forward and had found herself faced with her travel companion. Her cheeks turned red.
"I-I meant to do that," she stammered.
"Naturally," Shadow remarked with a smirk as he watched her walk around him.
His wine-red eyes took note of her blush. He moved behind her as they pushed through the thick bushes. It was clear they had no path. However, due to their last encounter, avoiding heavily populated places seemed wise. From the way, Amy walked and manuvered around the trees and branches, it was easy to tell that her thoughts were elsewhere. Her reaction time was slow, and her emerald eyes remained fixated ahead. Shadow stared at her for a moment until he seized her arm. It made her scream for a moment.
"Shadow, what are you--?"
The male Hedgehog pointed and explained, "You nearly walked off that ledge."
"I did?" She held her cheek and looked down, saying, "I must be getting tired."
"Then rest."
"We can't stop. Who knows what has happened to Sonic and Tails!"
"What good is it when you don't pay attention?"
The pink Hedgehog went silent. With a groan, she sat down. The sun's rays caught her attention. They were a bright, orange-red and bubble-gum pink. The clouds were coloured in multiple deep shades of colour that reminded Amy of cotton candy. The setting sun's beauty filled the darkening sky as it had bid the world a quiet goodnight.
The day was long, and Amy could feel its effects. Her feet felt sore. She pulled off her red-and-white boots and groaned at their soreness. Due to no available bed, Amy settled back beneath a tall thick fir tree. The moss below her cushioned her.
Half an hour passed. The young girl slept all curled up. With crossed arms, Shadow stood to the side, facing the large, bright, full moon. Its white, gentle light radiated and bounced off the lake below it. Shadow's dark quills were bathed in its light. No matter where they were, something about a giant night sky brought a form of comfort to him. It was unexplainable. Perhaps the quiet it brings calmed him.
Amy groaned in her sleep. It made him face her. Her normaly chipper face frowned as she huged her arms. Shadow's ears twitched when she spoke, "Sonic...Tails...Wait for me...I'll save...you."
With that, she sprang up, covered in sweat. She glanced around and paused. As she ran through her damp bangs, she sighed. Her hand stopped and covered a side of her face. A tear rolled down her cheek. Shadow approached her. When she noticed him, she turned away and said, "Sorry for being noisy. I'll get back to sleep. You should probably do the same."
Shadow looked at her for brief moment, before he also looked away and replied, "I will in a bit."
Both became quiet until he added, "Having nightmares?"
"I guess I can't deny it. Shadow, what if they didn't make it? Or what if they are drifting around in that wierd portal? I know there was a wierd world inside it."
"What good is worrying?"
"But--"
"The best thing you can do for them is prepare for the next day. If something happens to you, who else could look for them and help them?"
"Well, when you put it that way." She clenched her fist and smiled. "You're right! I'm going back to sleep."
Just as she finished talking, Shadow sat next to her and leaned back. He looked at her for a moment before he smirked and said, "Goodnight then," with a gaze that made Amy's cheek glow red until he added, "Sandy."
She frowned and shoved him, "Watch it, or I'll call you Sonic."
It made him chuckle and respond, "Touchy."
"Am not!"
"You are."
She rolled her green eyes in irritation and said, "Goodnight, Shadow."
Shadow smiled and closed his eyes.
There must be a way to track down Sonic and Tails if they're here. For now, I must do what I can to keep Amy safe, Shadow thought before he drifted into sleep.