A Zone Cop's New Life

Much Needed Advice

Zonic's Pov

Sonic was gone. He was taken to an orphanage so he could be placed into a good home. He'd only been gone for a few minutes, and I knew he was in good hands, so why was I so worried about him? As hard as I try, I can't stop thinking about him. I need advice and I know just who to call.

I pulled out my phone and called my adoptive parents, Zack and Zoey; I've never really felt comfortable calling them anything other than their names, I'm not sure why. Once they picked up, I told them my problem, "Hey. I know it's been a while, but I really need some advice. See, this baby hedgehog was left on my porch a few days ago, and I was taking care of him until they found a place for him. They took him away today to an orphanage. I know that this is what's best for him, so why do I feel so weird about it?"

There was a moment of silence as they were most likely thinking over my situation. I then heard a light chuckle as my adoptive father said, "It's quite simple, sport. Heck, I'm surprised you didn't figure it out by now. You love this little one. You may have taken him in out of a sense of duty and responsibility, but somewhere along the line, you started seeing him as your son. He is to you what you were to us."

I was surprised by his words at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized he was right. It may have been my past and my job that caused me to decide to take care of him, but from the moment I first held him, I knew there was something special about him. No wonder I was feeling so weird; I missed my little guest. No; I missed my son.

"You're right, as always," I told them. "I know what I have to do now. Thanks...Mom and Dad. I love you guys." 

I heard them let a gasp on the other line before they both said, "We love you too...son. Call us whenever you get the chance." I guess my eyes really had been opened now, because it felt so right to call them that after everything they've done for me. Screw my 'real parents'. I'm done feeling sorry for myself, wondering if there was anyway I could've made them love me. I had parents who loved me like I was their own, for no reason other than the goodness of their own hearts. That's family. That's exactly what I'm going to give Sonic.

Sonic, stay strong, my son. I'm going to bring you home, no matter what it takes. I promise you, we'll be together soon.