I freeze in place. I don't understand, I don't know what to do. My legs refuse to move. My blood runs cold at the sight of all these scientists at death's door, who were happy and smiling only a few minutes ago
At last, my legs start to move. I rush over to a scientist and place my hand under his head.
-Shadow: What happened?! Who did this to you?!
-Scientist: Ah...Sha...dow...you...must...leave...
The scientist closes his eyes. He's not breathing anymore. I stand up, and note with horror that none of the scientists are moving. I'm afraid. I'm terribly afraid. I don't understand what's happening. I was here a few minutes ago, and everything was fine, everyone was happy. What's happened?! What the hell happened?!
By the way...where's Maria?! And the professor?!
Suddenly, I hear what sounds like gunshots and screaming. I flee to a random corridor and run without stopping. All around me, scientists lie dead on the floor. I try not to look at them and keep running. All I can think about is finding Maria. I don't understand what's going on. All I know is that she's in danger.
As I approach the laboratories, I pass five scientists, completely panicked. One of them approaches me, and I can read the fear on his face.
-Scientist: Shadow! Thank God they haven't caught you yet!
-Shadow: What's going on?! What happened to the others?! They're dead...why...
One of the scientists kneels down in front of me and puts her hands on my shoulders. She takes a deep breath to regain her composure.
-Scientist: Shadow, listen to us. You've got to get away from here at all costs! It's you they want!
-Shadow: Who are they?
-Scientist: The army. The government has finally decided...it's time to call it a day. They want to take you back to Earth with them. And they also want to arrest all the scientists on the Ark and, in the process, shut it down. And as you've seen, some of them refused...and it cost them their lives.
No...that's impossible...the professor promised me we wouldn't close the Ark. He promised me everything would be okay. He promised!
-Scientist: Shadow, you must hide. If soldiers come, hide as fast as you can, don't face them. Do you understand?!
-Shadow: But I can't hide! I've got to find Maria! She's in danger!
-Scientist: You don't have time to look for her! You must stay alive Shadow, do you understand?! By all means! You can't let the army find you! Otherwise...I'd rather not imagine what they'll do to you.
Suddenly, I hear footsteps. The scientists show me a corridor.
-Scientist: Go that way. We're holding them up!
-Shadow: But...
-Scientist: GO !
I realize there's no point in insisting, and I go down the corridor. But I can't get away. Soldiers arrive. I stay hidden in the corridor to observe what's going on.
-Soldier: Where's Project Shadow?! Where have you hidden it?! If you answer, you'll be safe. So think!
-Soldier: Tell us where Professor Gerald Robotnik is hiding, too!
-Scientist: We'll never tell you! We've put our hearts and souls into this project, and there's no way it'll fall into your hands! And we'll never betray the Professor!
The soldiers, out of patience, shoot the five scientists. I place my hand in front of my mouth to stop myself from screaming. Blood. There's nothing left but blood, screaming, despair. Why are they doing this...why?!
These humans...they're just monsters! Monsters!
-Soldier: Right, back to the search! This way!
The soldiers take the elevator, leaving the bodies behind. I rush back to those who have just saved my life. It's a nightmare, a real nightmare. My head feels like it's going to explode. I thought all humans were as good as Maria.
But I was wrong. They're monsters...They disgust me...I hate them! I HATE THEM!
I run off down the corridor, hoping at last to find Maria. I cry as I run. Anger, sadness, fear and disgust mix in my heart. I wish it was just a nightmare, and that I'd wake up right away. I wish nothing had happened and we were all back at the main hall celebrating Christmas.
Lost in my thoughts, I run without paying attention to what's in front of me. I bump into someone and fall. I'm scared. I'm afraid they're soldiers and they're going to take me away.
I get up again. A feeling of relief comes over me. It's Maria.
We both hug and cry. I've never been so happy to see her. Maria's fine. Maria's fine. Now I must protect her.
-Maria: Shadow! You're all right! You're not hurt! Thank God!
-Shadow: I was looking for you! I was so scared...I thought I'd never see you again!
-Maria: Don't be afraid...I'm here...
I can't let go of Maria. I don't want to let her go. I'm so relieved she's okay.
But there's still one thing that worries me.
-Shadow: Maria...where's the professor...? Is he...
-Maria: I ran into him a few moments ago. He asked me to take us to safety. He lured the soldiers to him so I could escape.
-Shadow: But... he'll...
-Maria: Don't worry. Grandfather knows the ARK like the back of his hand. He'll find somewhere to hide. In the meantime, we're the ones who have to hide. And quickly. I won't let them take you, Shadow. I won't let anyone hurt you.
I can't go on. I'm crying. I'm crying my eyes out. I can't take it anymore.
-Shadow: Maria...it's my fault...isn't it?
-Maria: Shadow...no...
-Shadow: IT'S MY FAULT! It's my fault they came to close the ARK! It's my fault all the scientists are dead! I feel like I bring nothing but misery to everyone around me ! I should never have been born ! NEVER !
-Maria: Shadow...you...
Suddenly, noises attract my attention. Soldiers are right in front of us. My hands are shaking. I'm petrified with fear.
-Soldier: It's him! It's Project Shadow! Capture him, and remember! We need him alive!
I don't have to think anymore. I grab Maria's hand and run. The soldiers come after us at once.
-Soldier: Don't let them get away!
I run, without letting go of Maria's hand. I don't stop running. If I stop, it's all over. I won't let them hurt Maria. I won't let them.
I hear gunfire. They're shooting at us. I mustn't look at them. I must keep running, without letting go of Maria.
Suddenly, Maria lets go of my hand and falls to the ground. I turn around and help her up. She grimaces with pain.
-Shadow: Maria! Are you all right?!
-Maria: Yes...don't worry...hurry...we've got to run...
We start running again and arrive at a door at the end of a corridor. The soldiers will be here soon, so we've got to be quick. We enter the room. There's only an emergency capsule and a control panel...
Suddenly, I feel something pushing me into the capsule. I don't have time to react before it closes. It's Maria. It's Maria who's locked me in.
-Shadow: Maria?! What are you doing?!
Maria smiles at me and rushes to the door to close it and prevent the soldiers from entering. Looking at her back, I see a thick red stain. A wave of horror and dread sweeps over me.
Maria has been shot in the back. She's bleeding badly.
I've got to go and help her! I've got to get out of this capsule! But no matter how much I hit her, punch her, and beg Maria to get me out, nothing happens. I'm crying, I'm desperate. Maria really looks like she's suffering. She approaches the control panel with difficulty and is about to pull the lever. Then I realize with despair what she's about to do.
-Shadow: Maria! Get me out of here! Open the capsule. Please! Please!
-Maria: Shadow...listen to me...time is running out...promise me...to...do what I...tell you...
-Shadow: Maria! MARIA!
At the door, I hear banging. The soldiers are trying to break down the door. Maria is about to collapse. And I can't get out of this damn capsule ! This is a nightmare!
-Maria: Shadow...stop! Please...listen...
I'm crying my eyes out. I'm not even trying to get out of the capsule anymore. I can't stop crying. I can't stop. I can't look away from Maria, who's there, dying, and I can't help her.
-Maria: Shadow...I want you to make me...a...promise...
MARIA ! Maria...
-Maria: You'll have to do your best...to...help the people of this planet...Make sure they all find...happiness...and don't fall into evil...
-Shadow: MARIA! NO!
-Maria: Please...Shadow...that's why...you came into this world...to...help others...
-Shadow: To...help others...?
-Maria: Yes...you're a wonderful person...you've made me...so...happy...I always dreamed of having a friend...like...you...but...now...it's to the others...that you'll have to bring happiness…
Tears. Tears. The only thing I can do is cry. Maria's words...resonate in my head like an echo...that will never stop...Maria...I promised to protect you...and...I failed...
Maria...I don't know if I can keep that promise...I've seen too many horrible things tonight...blood...the dead...those monstrous humans...who took so many lives...
-Maria: Promise me! PROMISE ME!
But despite...everything...I...
-Shadow:...yes...
That's all I can say. I can't speak. My voice is broken by tears. By despair. By fear. But I swear to you, Maria. I'll keep my promise. I swear it...on my life...because you mean everything to me, Maria...
-Maria: Goodbye...and good luck...Shadow...the...Hedgehog...never forget...your promise...and that...I...love...you...Be happy...
Maria pulls the lever before collapsing to the ground. I can't take my eyes off her, because I know I'll never see her again.
An invisible force pulls me down. The capsule falls into space and heads for Earth.
I'm shaken in all directions. All around me is blackness.
That night of my first Christmas, I lost everything...the ARK...the professor...
Maria...my Maria...
I feel like my head is going to burst. Before I finally lose consciousness, all my thoughts are racing through my head.
Maria, I'll keep my promise, even if...
...I hate humans. They're evil. I hate them. And even though...
...I hate Christmas. That awful holiday that made me lose everything.
