Haunted castle

Chapter 3

Zero stood in a straight posture. He smiled at the group. Sonic had a weird feeling about the guy. the longer he stared at him. The more he reminded him of someone he met. But he wasn't quite sure who.

He looked back at Shadow.
Shadow was still glaring at the Jackal. If you listened quietly. You could hear a faint growl grumbling in his throat. Sonic noted to himself to ask Shadow about his weird behaviour.

Sonic looked back at Zero. They both made eye contact for a few seconds. Then Zero looked away at the others.

Something was off about this guy. Well. There was something off about everything here. But, to be honest. The place looked decent inside.

Before Sonic could think about anything else. The jackal spoke. "Well. Would you all like a little tour before getting settled?"

"Woah, Woah, Woah. Who said we were staying here?" Knuckles stepped forward. Zero chuckled. "Do you plan on going back home while the storm is at its strongest?" He raised an eyebrow while smirking.

Knuckles opened his mouth. About to argue. But closed it. Not having anything to say back.

"That would be very nice sir. But we really don't want to be a bother" Amy replied.

Zero shook his head. "Nonsense! Master has been expecting you all. We already have everything prepared"

Everyone looked at each other. Prepared? How did they know they were going to show up?

Zero clapped his hands together. "Now. I'll introduce you all here. Then you may head to bed"

Silver spoke up. "Are your sure we're not a bother-" Zero cut Silver off. "We rarely have guests. And like I said. We have everything prepared" he smiled.

The jackal walked through the group. He took a few steps away from them. Before he turned around towards them. "Are you coming along?" He tilted his head.

Everyone walked towards Zero. Zero turned back around. And walked at a fast, but slow pace.

Everyone stared in awe at the decorations. They walked on a crimson red carpet. Brass golden candle holders were held on the wall. Golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Almost everything there was gold. Knuckles had to hold back Rouge from stealing anything.

While sonic was mesmerized with the view. He noticed Shadow a bit distanced from the group. He figured that this was the right time to ask him about his behavior.

Sonic slowed down beside Shadow. Shadow glanced at Sonic. Then quickly looked back at the Jackal at the front.

".... you okay there shads?-" Sonic was cut off by a finger to his mouth. "Quiet. I'm thinking" Shadow glared at Sonic. Then turned his glare back to Zero.

He quickened his pace. Getting closer to the group. Sonic scoffed. "Rude" he whispered to himself. Sonic rushed beside Tails. He noticed that he was listening to Zero explain something.

"And in there is the ballroom" Zero said. Looking over at a large door. "In there. Every full and new moon. The Master and his beloved dance."

"Oh! How romantic" Amy said. Rouge looked a Knuckles with a smirk. "We should do that sometime" she loudly whispered. Knuckles's face turned a bright red. Rouge giggled.

Sonic noticed a figure approaching them. It was a white cat with a few black stripes. He wore the same tuxedo Zero had. With the same black gloves. His icy blue eyes scanned the group. Then looked at Zero. When the cat was close up. He didn't looked that much older to them. 16? 17? He couldn't really tell.

"Sir. The bedrooms are ready" he bowed his head at Zero. "Ah! Excellent. You are dismissed." Zero smiled at the feline. The cat then walked away.

"He looks rather young" Silver mumbled loudly. "That is correct. Most of the servants here are young. That one just recently turned 14" Zero then continued walking.

Everyone was shocked. 14? That seemed incredibly young to work as a servant. And who knows how long he's been here. The others decided to continue following Zero.

They soon approached another door. Sonic read the label.

'Guest Rooms'

Zero opened the door. Allowing the others to enter.

Inside was a long hallway. With multiple doors. Each of them having a labeled number. "Feel free to pick your own room. Or share one. There's enough room for everyone" Zero said.

Everyone spread out. Picking their rooms. Or talking to each other. "Miss Amy. Could we share a room?" Cream asked Amy. "Sure, Cream!" She smiled at her. "You're sharing a room with me, Mister!" Rouge dragged Knuckles into one of the bedrooms. "I never agreed to that!-" the door then slammed shut. Silver approached Sonic. "Hey, Sonic. Is it fine if we share a room? I don't exactly feel comfortable sleeping here alone" he asked. Sonic looked around for Tails. He then saw his pair of namesakes poking out of a room. He looked back at Silver. Then shrugged. "Sure! Why not" he chuckled.

Everyone else went into their rooms, except for Silver, Shadow, and Sonic. "Breakfast will be served in the dining room downstairs. I'll see you all in the morning" Zero smiled. He then left. Shadow quickly walked away to a free room. Sonic and Silver went to the room across from Shadow.

When Silver and Sonic entered their room. Their jaws dropped. they stared at their room in awe.

The room was massive. It had a polished wooden floor. And a sparkling chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. There were two beds on each side. One had a pure white, fluffy blanket. The other had a navy blue blanket. Both of them made neatly. Across from them. Was a large window. You could see the wasteland of dead land outside. And the forest of trees surrounding the castle.

"Dibs on the blue bed!" Sonic called as he ran to the navy bed. Jumping on it. Silver chuckled. He closed the door behind them. Silver walked towards the white bed. Sitting on it. "Wow! These are really comfortable" Silver pointed out. "Yeahhh" Sonic groaned in relief. He kicked his shoes off. Then crawled into the bed.

Silver pulled his boots off. Placing them neatly beside the bed. He pulled the covers. Then tucked himself in them. They both sighed in sync. Sonic glanced at the bright chandelier above them. "Hey Silv. Is it possible if you could fly up there. And blow out the candles?" Sonic asked. "Oh! Sure thing-." Before Silver could get up. The candles on the chandelier blew out instantly. Silver and Sonic stared at the chandelier, confused. "I'm not even going to ask" Sonic shuffled I'm his bed. Getting in a more comfortable position. "Yeah.." Silver looked away from the chandelier. Tucking himself back in.

The two hedgehogs laid in their beds in silence. "Hey, Sonic" Silver glanced across from him to Sonics bed. "Yeah?" Sonic continued to stare at the ceiling. "Don't you think this is all...weird?" Silver asked. "Yeah.. it's kinda creepy. The Castle, the room, Zero." Sonic stated. "Don't forget the storm" Silver added. "Right" Sonic nodded.

They both stared at the ceiling. Thunder rumbled every once it a while. Lighting flashed through the windows.

Sonic rolled around on his stomach. He stuffed his face in the pillow. He moved his hands underneath the pillow. Sonics eyes began to close. He then drifted off the sleep. The distant sound of rain drowning out the background noise.