<<Hųśh>>

-'9'-

Sonic tried his best to keep up with Shadow. His leg seemingly refused to move - like a machine rusted at the joint. Each step sent pain jolting up his back that matched the excruciating jolts Surge had administered just months prior.

The blue blur hissed in pain as his hip finally gave in, sending him tumbling to the floor and knocking his spine. He layed completely still for a moment and allowed the pain to engulf him. He knew there was nothing he could do.

He groaned silently, the pain exhausting him too much, and tried to pull himself back to his feet. He stopped almost instantly as the pain increased in severity. His eyes began to water as a tear fell down his face. Why did it hurt so much? He couldn't remember a pain so badly, even death and resurrection was relatively painless in comparison. How could such a small knock practically incapacitate him? He was supposed to be a hero. How could he even be labelled Green Hill's hero? He had failed his friends and those who looked up to him, and was now keeled on the floor, paralysed, in pain.

His ears flickered, the familiar sound of a bullet ripping through the air echoed. Sonic looked up slowly and found Shadow fighting off a few beasts that had clearly taken notice of Sonic's vulnerable state. Eventually, the small group of husks fell to the floor lifelessly - each adorned with a bullet. Emerald eyes met concerned, ruby ones.

"You alright?" The ebony hedgehog asked. Sonic tried his best to reply yet his jaw tensed and didn't allow him the privilege. He shook his head. Shadow approached Sonic, presumably ensuring no husks were around still. "I'll have to pick you up and speed there." Shadow explained before gently picking Sonic up. Sonic wrapped his arms around Shadow's neck for support given the little support the bridal-style lift often gave. It didn't help the pain in the slightest.

The derelict, almost dead sight of Green Hills turned to vibrant blurs resembling an abstract painting in meer milliseconds. Sonic tensed at the sudden force, he never truely realised how much air resistance super speed fought against until he wasn't the one running.

___________________________

Once Shadow had unlocked the door, he set Sonic down on the nearby sofa and locked the door once more. He wasted no time in securing every aspect of the home, including the windows, and then returned his attention to Sonic.

"Where does it hurt?" He asked. "Mainly my back and spine." Sonic murmured back. His voice was horse and shaky as though he was amidst a crying fit. Shadow couldn't blame him, he knew the inevitable fate Sonic would soon meet. No amount of optimism could suppress the knowledge. "And?" Shadow asked. He had discovered early on into his rivalry with Sonic it was easy to understand whether or not he was withdrawing any additional information. "My leg isn't moving as easily." He muttered.

Shadow pressed a gloved finger on Sonic's thigh. "Can you feel that?" He asked as he looked up. A small amount of red dusted Sonic's cheeks. "Not much." He spoke hesitantly. Shadow moved his finger around, poking and prodding as he studied Sonic's face for any reactions. He seemed to have pain mainly in his outer thigh to his knee. "Any back pain?" He asked. Sonic nodded "From here to up here." He placed his hand on his lower back before tracing it up his spine as he spoke. Shadow nodded. It was most likely an enflamed muscle resting on the nerves in his spine - which would explain his legs innability to function.

"Nerve damage." Shadow quickly concluded. He knew it was pointless to try explain it all to Sonic. "Oh." Sonic replied bluntly, seemingly shocked. Shadow began to prod at Sonic's thigh once again. "I can't feel any muscle damage in your thigh, meaning the inflamed muscle is resting on the nerves in your spine." He concluded. Sonic nodded. "Could tell you that for free." He muttered bluntly.