"Shadow's Responsibility: Taking Care of Cream"

Chapter 3: This Is Bad

(Shadows Pov)

As I finished washing the dishes, I noticed that Cream had already retired to her bed. After ensuring that the kitchen was spotless, I made my way to her room to tuck her in for the night. As soon as I entered, I could see the joy in her face light up.

Softly, I whispered, "Goodnight, Cream." But she shook her head, a pleading look in her eyes. "Please, tell me a bedtime story," she begged, a smile spreading across her face.

Although I didn't have any tales ready, I couldn't resist her pleading eyes. However, I tried to hide my reluctance as I replied stonily, "I don't have any bedtime stories." Her expression dropped in disappointment.

She quickly bounced back, her face serious as she made a proposition. "Okay, fine! But you have to tell me one next time," she said firmly. Her determination to hear a story made me chuckle.

With a smile, I turned off the light and agreed to her deal. As I left the room, I could hear her contented sigh.

After leaving Cream's room, I made my way to the front door, slipped on my shoes, and stepped outside into the cool night air. As I walked towards the corner store, I felt a sense of restlessness within me.

The neon lights of the drug store sign beckoned me, and I made my way inside, heading straight for the cigarette section. The smell of tobacco mixed with the scent of disinfectant and cheap air fresheners filled my nostrils.

I picked up a pack of cigarettes, paid for them, and stepped back outside, lighting one up immediately. The first drag was harsh, but the nicotine calmed my nerves and dulled the ache within me.

As I made my way back to the house, I couldn't help but feel like a shadow of my former self. The darkness of the night seemed to swallow me whole, and I felt lost in my own thoughts.

Eventually, I arrived back at the house, stubbed out my cigarette, and slipped back inside, I sat down on the couch staring at the ceiling, I knew that I needed to find a way to escape the darkness that seemed to be closing in on me.

As I sat on the couch, trying to shake off the feeling of being lost, my eyes fell on the TV. The news was on, and they were reporting about a missing person.

My heart started racing as I heard the name "Vanilla." It had been only a few months since I had watched her die, and the only people who knew about it were my best friend, Rouge, and me.

My mind raced with thoughts of what could have happened, and I felt a surge of panic rise within me. I was afraid that people might start to connect the dots and discover that I had adopted Cream, and that Vanilla was no longer alive.

I knew that I needed to stay calm and think rationally. I couldn't let anyone find out about what had happened to Vanilla. I had promised her that I would keep her secret safe, and I intended to keep that promise at all costs.

Taking a deep breath, I decided that I needed to talk to Rouge about what was going on. She was the only one who knew the truth, and I trusted her completely. I picked up my phone and dialed her number, my hands shaking slightly as I waited for her to answer.

"Shadow, what's going on?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

"Vanilla's on the news. They're reporting her missing," I said, my voice shaking slightly. "I'm afraid that people might find out about everything that's happened."

"Okay, calm down," she replied. "We'll figure this out together. We'll make sure that no one finds out the truth."

With a deep exhale, I expressed my gratitude before ending the call and placing my phone on the nearby table. As I ambled back and forth across the floor, my mind tirelessly churned, attempting to formulate a strategy. Suddenly, the sound of my phone ringing interrupted my thoughts. On the other end was Sonic, calling me.