Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW Fanfic Series)

Chapter 6: Secrets of the Amulet ~ Part 2

Later on...

The small group was now walking downstairs to the underground, ruined train station. According to another one of the reporters, that ruined train station was the last time the glowing aliens were seen. Along the way, they had a brief chat going on.

"Ya know, I'm pretty surprised Jewel allowed me on my adventures with you guys!" said Tangle.

"What was that all about?" asked Aleyah.

"Well, when I asked if I could go investigate the tower with Sonic, Tails and Amy, she reminded me that I got other responsibilities to do. I just came to Restoration HQ to support Jewel since she, as you might know, is my bestest friend."

I think it's because of how she treats me like how Clara treated me. Perhaps, it's also because I'm involved in this situation and how Jewel had to agree with Tangle because of this, Runa thought.

"Chao-chao?" Shania asked her.

"I'm fine, Shania. Don't worry," Runa answered in a low voice only she could hear.

Now, it was Tangle's turn to notice that something's up with Runa. Her eyes were filled with concern and her gut told her to talk to her about it just like how she and Whisper talked about the origins of the Diamond Cutters. But then, she shook her head snapping herself back to reality as she kept walking towards the big trunk.

She walked beside Aleyah and whispered to her, "I'm curious, though. What's with Runa, anyways?"

Aleyah turned her head behind her to see Runa walking beside Whisper along with the five chao. In silence. It got Aleyah quite concerned on why she's in deep thought. She knew that kind of feeling as she had seen a face like that before. Especially with Runa.

Aleyah turned her head back to Tangle and whispered to her back. "She was just having some mental problems. That's all."

"Then, why is she still in deep thought?" asked Tangle in a whisper only Aleyah could hear.

"I don't know. I've been asking the same question, Tangle. I think she's still thinking of her own origins. Either way, we'll just have to wait and see."

"Alrighty."

As Runa was still in deep thought, she then, heard Whisper making a conversation with her. "You okay?"

For some reason, Runa felt somehow comfortable with Whisper's presence as she too can be a quiet type sometimes. It took her a few moments before answering in a low voice only Whisper could hear, "I'm fine. Just thinking thoughts."

"Understood. I too, have been thinking these thoughts lately. I'll give you time until you're ready."

Runa's head slightly turned to Whisper with a thankful smile on her face, but her eyes were directly on her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," she replied.

At the bottom of the stairs, Runa suddenly spotted a shadowy figure right in the corner of her eye. For some reason, the presence of the shadowy figure was somehow familiar... and strange at the same time. By the shape of it and the strange feeling she was feeling around him, she immediately recognized him.

Should I go talk to him or keep moving while respecting his privacy? she thought.

Not far from Runa's perspective was Shadow. He was seen standing there with his arms crossed, his back almost turned on her. Runa was seen hesitating of she should go talk to him or not. Something's telling her she should, but another part told her to respect his privacy and to respect Aleyah's obsession with him. This was something she thought about ever since she and Aleyah had planned their birthday party. Well, mostly Aleyah.