Shooting Star (A Sonic Movie Fanfic: Book 1 of the Real World Chronicles)

Ch. 12: Fugitives

Dr. Robotnik just left the truck, walking alone the dirt sidewalk. He knelt down over another "abnormal" footprint and used ultra-fine laser rays to scan it. The scanned image matched the 3D one taken in the truck lab. He then used the glove controls to record the footprint's coordinates to send to the lab.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tom took Willow and Sonic up a pulldown ladder that led to his attic. All of the stuff he'd stored over the years were kept off along the walls. He helped carry the hedgehog up the attic without causing too much of a problem.

"All right, you two, stay here. And be quiet." Seeing that he didn't want the mint green-haired girl to get dragged into governmental matters, he thought it best to keep her in the attic as well.

Willow nodded to assure him. Sonic, being the loudmouth he was, however... "Good plan. Great plan! We're already working so well together. Practically finishing each other's sentences."

Getting all the assurance he needed, Tom climbed his way back down. Sonic's ears drooped a bit seeing his idol go, the fact he didn't even get a small bit of approval. "Okay, bye."

The attic hatch closed up on them, leaving the hedgehog and the girl alone. Seeing that he was alone with his... "crush"... he tried to spark up a conversation.

"So... you talk much?"

Uncomfortable, Willow only inched away on her knees and shook her head. "Mmm-mmm."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tom walked out onto the porch and spotted the doctor getting back up on his feet and walking along the dirt pavement.

"Hello there!" he called out. "Can I help you?"

The strange man noticed and casually waved. "Good morning, my rural chum. I'm..." He tried to make up a quick coverup. "from the power company, investigating the blackout."

Willow was watching the whole thing from the small side window in the attic, listening in on every word as she watched the suspicious man in black walk up the steps.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to take a few readings inside your house?"

"No kidding! You're from the power company? You must know my buddy, Spencer. We plan softball together."

"Ah, Spence," the doctor "happily" sighed. "He's a good man."

The sheriff directed behind him over to the door. "Yeah. Come on in!"

"Great!"

Willow frowned at this as she watched the stranger trot up the steps onto the porch behind Tom. Anyone taught at a young age should know not to let anyone you don't know inside your house. 'Hello?! Stranger danger, ring any bells?!'

"Take all the readings you need," chirped Tom. "Except, umm." He turned around and barred the doorway with one arm, leaning casually. "Doesn't the power company take their readings from outside the house? That way they can check them even if you're not home. Als, my buddy Spencer works for the gas company, and he's more of an ultimate frisbee guy. So, you want to tell me why you think I'm dumb enough to just let you walk inside my house?"

Willow smirked. 'Smart guy! You catch on quick.'

But her smirk fell short as she caught the doctor putting one hand behind his back typing commands with his glove controls while hiding a scowl. Her eyes flew to the truck as a couple of mini drones dispatched and began flying over the house.