<<Hųśh>>

-'10'-

The ebony hedgehog practically threw himself onto the bed, sighing as the collided with the somewhat hard mattress. Sonic's siblings were supposedly well-known rockstars along with Scourge and yet failed to buy comfy mattresses. They were unbelievably lucky to be on tour while all of the chaos ensued. Shadow almost wished he had been on a mission or perhaps just far away. He knew almost as soon as the first attack; Sonic wouldn't affectively deal with it given his almost stupidly naive kindness. He had too much of a heart.

Faint yet close footsteps echoed and the door to Shadow's temporary room opened with a small squeak. Reluctantly, Shadow lifted his head to face the doorway. Sonic was stood there. He was partially hunched over and growing more feeble by the moment. His sclera was now a medium grey and his eyes were fully brown. He didn't have much time left. Sonic himself must have not known this; he should have been spending his last moments with people he actually loved and cared about - not staring at an idiot wallowing in his own regret.

"You alright Shads?" Sonic asked, his voice somber and strained. "Fine." He muttered back and turned away. Seeing Sonic so weak and fragile pained him. He knew it was his fault. He knew everyone blamed him. The only thing he was unsure of is what he would do without Sonic. Even if they managed to save Green Hills, or what was left of it, there would be no hero. Sonics efforts would be seen as failures and he'd fade into lost history. His entire existence would have been in vein.

"C'mon Shads... its not your fault this happened. I was careless." Sonic reassured hoarsely as he sat beside Shadow on the bed, hissing quietly as he moved. "Besides, I had this comming to me." Shadow perked his ears. Sonic was practically a Saint compared to Shadow. He had saved the world multiple times, and all Shadow had done was attempt to destroy it. Sonic made friends and spread unity everywhere he went and the only noble thing Shadow had done was wipe out an entire alien race - and that was ethically questionable at the very least. "I mean- I've cheated death more times than I can count and I already failed Green Hills." He muttered.

"You didn't fail Green Hills." Shadow reluctantly spoke up as he rose into a sitting position opposite Sonic. "No one saw this comming." He reassured. "And one failure doesn't outweigh thousands of successes." Sonic sighed. "It doesn't even matter now, I don't think I have another day in me." His saddened eyes met Shadow's. The guilt wavered through Shadow like radioactive particles, destroying him from within slowly and painfully. "I hope its enough time to let you forgive yourself though." He added.

Shadow tensed up in shock. Shadow had always felt comfort in knowing no one understood his thoughts. He felt comfortable and private, allowing him to preserve his image. He was supposed to be a remorseless anti-hero to the public. To be viewed as a brooding, emotional, self-loathing mess of a hedgehog was practically turning him into a joke. Perhaps a short-lasting one at best.

"I was being careless, If I'd have taken a step back and actually looked around I could have probably saved myself." He reasoned. "It's too late now though." He bitterly added, sighing in defeat. "I'm so sorry." Shadow strained his throat. A lump began to form in the back of it. He opened his mouth reluctant and untrusting of his emotional capabilities at that moment. His eyes brimmed with tears and his jaw tensed, doing his best to silence the small wails that were fighting to be heard. "Sonic." He shakily began.

Sonic looked at Shadow. He looked suprised and concerned, frozen in place in shock. Shadow couldn't blame him, he would be shocked too if someone as withdrawn as himself began to get emotional and guilty for someone else. Sonic bit his lip, trying his best to put on a reassuring smile. Shadow knew the other had no idea what to do however. The lapiz hedgehog opened his arms, offering a hug to the ebony hedgehog. Shadow reluctantly accepted the hug and was immediatley engulfed in - probably - the tightest grip he had ever experienced.

"It's weird." Sonic mumbled. "I never thought I'd ever be hugging you." He chuckled, his voice still somber. Shadow laughed weakly in response. "Can't say you're not comfy though." Sonic added. Shadow could hear the wry smile in the taller hedgehog's voice. "Never expected you to have such a tight grip." Shadow managed to splutter. It felt as though his insides were bruising and a permanent curve where Sonic's arms had held would forever remain in his abdomen. He would atleast be able to tell Rouge how to get a permanent corseted look.

Sonic's grip suddenly tightened, eliciting a grunt from Shadow. He felt his bones crack and the sheer pressure stop his blood flow. "Sonic!" Shadow weakly shouted. He was unable to take in oxygen. He struggled to get the other away from him. Finding no other way out, Shadow bit Sonic's shoulder.

The taller hedgehog hissed and lessened his grip, allowing Shadow to forcefully shove Sonic away. "What the fu-" Shadow silenced himself when he finally saw Sonic's face. He was pale - almost grey. His sclera was a grey in one eye and a deep, void-like black in the other. The moment was finally there. Shadow felt his heart drop, unable to react. Sonic looked just as terrified, inching away. He shook violently.

"Shadow, you need to get everyone out." Sonic instructed. Shadow swallowed thickly. He tried to move, however something stopped him. He could only stare at Sonic, noticing every single difference since he had first been infected. It pained him.

Reluctantly, Shadow hurried downstairs. He glanced at the group, who stared at him in confusion. "Time to go." Shadow spoke carefully, knowing Tails or Cream may understand what is going on and possibly make things harder. Amy gasped. "Could we maybe see him?" She asked, tears brimming in her eyes. Shadow shook his head, feeling around his abdomen, a sharp pain shadowing his hand. "He's already losing control." He whispered lowly. He knew the two children probably understood.

"I know of a camp close by." Rouge reassured. "I can get everyone there and text you the location." She offered. Shadow nodded, flinching as a large bang echoed from upstairs. It sounded like Sonic was about to come through the ceiling. "Hurry." Shadow instructed blankly. He was finding it harder to hold back tears he never knew were brimming in his eyes.

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Shadow opened the basement door, holding it open as Sonic walked in before following. "The key for the door is upstairs on the shelf by the TV." Sonic gloomily informed Shadow.

The basement was filled with musical and audio equipment. It seemed to be the recording space for Sonic's siblings. Shadow could even see the very guitar Sonic used to play when he himself was part of the band. The shelves on the back wall were filled with tools and unfinished wooden projects. Shadow trailed his hand along the shelves until he found some secured rope.

"Are we sure this will work?" Shadow asked in hesitance. Sonic nodded, a small smile on his muzzle. "I trust you Shadow. You're stronger than me afterall." He laughed for a moment, stopping and allowing Shadow to approach. His red pupil glowed in the dim light, only serving as a harsh reminder to him.

The ebony hedgehog hugged the blue blur once more. "I'll miss you, Sonic." He muttered. He didn't know what had evoked such a response within him, but knowing someone he trusted somewhat was soon to be no more had never hurt so much. It was as though the vessels connecting to his heart were being individually cut, slowly and painfully. "You won't miss me for long." Sonic smiled reassuringly and allowed Shadow to restrain him.

The blue blur said his goodbyes as Shadow walked back up the stairs. He quickly found the keys and locked the door and padlocked it with a nearby G.U.N padlock for extra protection. Shadow trudged to the front door solemnly, quietly and harrowingly.

A bang emerged from the basement, followed by yet another bang. Shadow's ears perked and he turned around. "Sonic?" He asked in reluctance.

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1413 Words

Published: 24th April, 2024

((Edited))