Silver awoke breathing heavily like he had just done a long run. His head was hurting but not a normal pain. It was a very specific feeling, one he's only felt a few times before. He sat up clutching his head. He tried to remember what he was dreaming about. There were two men he knew and one he didn't. He couldn't remember what happened though, all he knew was just before his dream ended the pain in his head started. He ran to the window and scanned the outside, the last time he felt that pain it was because Finitevus was close. There was nothing though, Finitevus wouldn't come to Penders Drive. He lay back down on his bed and listened to the silence trying to find any sign of unnatural behaviour. He jumped when he heard a noise which turned out to just be Menniker snoring in the next room. Silver was being stupid, the only people in the house were his cousin, his Aunt and his Uncle (Admittedly not much of an improvement over Finitevus). Silver knew he'd feel safer once he was back at Soleanna, safest place he could be but he still had a fortnight until then. Silver turned his head and looked over at the birthday cards he had received a couple of weeks ago from his friends. He wondered what they would say if he told them about the pain in his head. He smirked as he immediately knew exactly what they would do. Coral would go on about how it was really serious and how he should write to Professor Locke, she would then do her own research into the subject to see what she could find.

He didn't know how much that would help though. As far as Silver was aware he was the only one to survive Finitevus so it's likely that he couldn't find an answer in a book. Locke might know but Silver didn't know what he did during the summer. Silver found it unlikely he spent his time lying on a beach. He was sure Lily could find him but then he wondered what he'd write in the letter "Dear Professor Locke, Sorry to bother you, but my head hurt this morning. Yours sincerely, Silver the Hedgehog" even in his head that sounded stupid. He was now imagining Razor's reaction. He would probably panic, asking a million questions about how Finitevus could be at Penders Drive, eventually he would say he would ask his Dad. Silver trusted that Rob would want to help in any way he could but he didn't like the idea of the whole O'Hedge family knowing about his problems. He might be staying with them for part of the summer for the Sky Chase World Cup and he didn't want it punctured by them worrying. Then it came to Silver, he could write to his godfather, Elias. Silver has only had a godfather for two months and was still getting used to the idea that he could write to him. Elias had already helped him recently. After his Aunt and Uncle found out he had a convicted murderer as a Godfather (Silver conveniently forgot to tell them he was innocent) they'd been giving him a bit more free reign. He was even allowed to keep his school stuff in his room now. Elias would also write occasionally, not by Flickys though. Instead his letters were delivered by tropical looking Chao. Lily didn't approve of these flashy intruders and would chase them off from drinking her water. Silver liked them, they reminded him of palm trees and sunny beaches. He was happy to know that wherever Elias was (He never said in case the letters were intercepted) he was enjoying himself. Silver got up form his bed and moved over to a small desk. He wrote a letter to Elias.

Dear King,

Thanks for your last letter. That Chao was enormous; it could hardly get through my window. Things are the same as usual here. Menniker's diet isn't going too well. My aunt found him smuggling doughnuts into his room yesterday. They told him they'd have to cut his pocket money if he keeps doing it, so he got really angry and chucked his Dreamcast out of the window. That's a sort of computer thing you can play games on. Bit stupid really, now he hasn't even got Mega-Mutilation Part Three to take his mind off things.

I'm okay, mainly because they're terrified you might turn up and turn them all into bats if I ask you to. A weird thing happened this morning, though. My head hurt again. I know that doesn't sound like much but it felt different than normal. It was a specific feeling. Last time that happened it was because Finitevus was at Soleanna. But I don't reckon he can be anywhere near me now, can he? Do you know if cursed body parts sometimes hurt years afterward?

I'll send this with Lily when she gets back; she's off hunting at the moment. Say hello to Volt for me.

Silver

Silver decided against mentioning the dream. He didn't want Elias to think he was worrying. He folded up the letter and put it down ready to give to Lily when she returned.