Pirate's Treasure

Part 4

"Hi, knuckles" I groggily replied cosying back into the bedsheets before shooting up in bed so fast that Silver yelped in shock, spilling some of the orange juice from his glass over himself.

"Knuckles" I repeated, barely believing my eyes at the form of my red echidna friend standing right in front of me "where the hell have you been?"

Throwing the covers off me I ran over to him in an instant, without much thought I threw my arms around him. Not cool but to hell with it, I hadn't seen the guy in years. I was beginning to think the worst. The hug lasted 2 seconds before he shoved me off him. Same old knuckles, never one for affection, always one for a fight.

"Like you care!" he snapped, taking me by surprise.

I blinked, confused at his defensive stance as he glared down at me with burning amethyst eyes. The muscles under his bright red fur flexed with anger.

"What's that supposed to mean? Tails and I looked everywhere for you! I even asked Amy if she'd seen you"

"Wow, and we both know how hard it is to talk to your own fiancé" he mocked, gritting his teeth.

It felt like a slap to the face. He knew how much I disliked the marriage my mother had arranged. Amy Rose was a kind caring pink hedgehog with beautiful grass-green eyes but her constant desire for attention and demands for things to be done a certain way were exhausting. Every date so far had been perfectly planned by herself which was admirable and impressive considering the extent of research and planning she put into them. However, this also included the conversation, my food choice and even in some cases my wardrobe. All had to go the way she envisioned it.

"Come on, Knuckles you just disappeared without a trace!"

"Don't tell me, you of all people didn't know?" he said punching my face.

The hit was hard but not enough to knock me to the floor. Stumbling backwards, I grasped my sore cheek, rubbing the painful area. It'd been a while since I'd been hit by his rough fists. He'd diffidently improved over the years.

"That's exactly what I'm saying hot head" I grunted, back as I blocked his next punch. He may have improved his hits, but he was still slow compared to my speed.

"Don't call me a hothead, you liar"

"I'm not"

"You're telling me that of all people she didn't tell you!" he shouted, pulling back his other hand in preparation for another attack.

"Who?"

"Don't play dumb!" he lunged at me, I dodged causing the splintering of a nice decorative wooden chair that sat beside the bed. He didn't hesitate for a second as he turned around and started charging toward me again.

I brace myself but then everything changed. The floor disappeared beneath my feet as my body suddenly felt weightless as I floated into the air. Glancing around I noticed I wasn't the only one, Knuckles and a few other objects were also floating. The blue glowing tinge around everything brought my eyes to Silver who was cowering under the blankets. His face was barely visible between the bedsheets. His gold eyes however were impossible to miss as they darted frantically between Knuckles and myself filled with fear.

How could I forget he was here?

'Forgive me, Silver' I said in a reassuring tone, a kind smile of sympathy playing on my lips 'Knuckles here is an old friend. I haven't seen him in years and I'm trying to find out why'

Silver's eyes stared at me, contemplating my words.

'He was being sold as a slave' his reply was so low, that I barely heard him.