Misconception: Recovery
Ch.5
Knuckles had ran back to the city outskirts, and paused for a breath. Man, how does Sonic do it? I ran all this way and I’m winded, but Sonic? He could run this is under a minute without breaking a sweat! As he collected his breath, he neared the hospital and realized that the hole Shadow made had been repaired. Curious as to where Shadow may be, he entered the building and decided to check on Rouge. When he came to her room, he noticed that the door had been forced open. Worriedly, he went over to the empty bed. There’s no sign of a struggle, which means that he hasn’t found her yet. Not here at least. That deranged bat! She knows she’s in danger, she hurt, and still she leaves! He sighed and left the hospital, then headed into the city Rouge knows that Shadow’s after her, and she’s not stupid enough to leave the city. There’s nothing out there but open field for a while, and she’d be an easy target. In the city however, there are a thousand places to hide! Knuckles began to search for her, but only on ground level. He knew she couldn’t fly, but he had no idea that Tails was helping her out.
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Tails and Rouge had run for quite a while before Tails, who was more or less leading Rouge, stopped for breath. “We can’t keep running like this forever, and we have to assume that no one can help us,” the young fox said, “so we have to find a place to hide and rest up. But nobody can know about it except us, or else Shadow will be able to find us. So no hotels or buildings, got it?” Rouge nodded while Tails looked around and spotted an alleyway. “C’mon” he said, pulling Rouge by the arm, “we can cut through this alley and find a place to hi-oh.” Tails stopped and placed a hand against the brick wall blocking their path. The alleyway was a dead-end.
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Sonic rested his leg on the soft couch and reclined into a comfortable position. He looked up into Amy’s eyes and said, “thanks Amy. This means a lot. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” Amy grinned and walked away, saying “oh, I know you will, Sonic,” he looked worried, and Amy turned to face him with a smile, “but not until you’re back on your feet. Both of ‘em!” Sonic smiled back at her.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~
“I don’t believe this” Tails said, still staring at the brick wall before him, “I just don’t believe this. Our luck…our luck has-” “Finally run out” Rouge finished. She had sat down behind a trash can; people walking past couldn’t see her at all. Tails sighed and placed his hand once again against the brick wall, hoping that a doorway would somehow miraculously open. The wall, however, remained firm. He sighed again and sat down with his back against the brick wall, staring at Rouge. The trash can behind her obscured his view of the street; he only hoped that it did the same for him and Rouge from anybody looking for them.
Several clouds passed overhead; Tails wondered how long they had been sitting there. He would occasionally glance overhead to make sure that Shadow wasn’t on a nearby rooftop. If he found them here…well, he didn’t want to think about it. He was about to stand and suggest finding a better place than behind a garbage can to hide when Rouge put a hand on his shoulder and kept him still. Leaning close, she whispered “Shadow’s coming this way.”
She pulled him close, her arms wrapped around him. Shadow came into the alley. The setting sun cast his shadow down the alley to where Tails and Rouge could see it. They remained perfectly silent, not daring to breath. For Rouge, it was like back on the ARK, when she had hid in Maria’s bedroom. He seemed to stand there forever, until the two could see his shadow receding; he was leaving the alley.
They remained silent in case he was still nearby, when suddenly the trash can they were behind shook violently. Rouge gave a little cry of terror, and at the same time Tails realized it’s a trap! He just wanted to draw us out and it worked! Oh, we’re dead for sure! He and Rouge huddled together in the back corner of the alley as Shadow came closer. He loomed over them and said, “Rouge, since you refuse to give me the information I need-” “I keep telling you,” Rouge interrupted, “I don’t remember a thing about it!” Shadow continued “and since you, Tails helped in the death of my friend and the destruction of my life, you will both pay the ultimate price.” “Shadow,” Tails argued, “how could I’ve been on the ARK 50 years ago? How could’ve Knuckles? How could’ve Sonic?” “I found out how you did it,” Shadow replied. Suddenly a voice rent the air “how many times do I have to tell you, I won’t let innocent lives get hurt!” “As a matter of fact, the one who allowed for you to be on the ARK 50 years ago is right here,” Shadow continued, turning to face Silver as he entered the alley.
