Shattered

Chapter 4

Sonic started waking up as Shadow pulled the car into the driveway. He looked out the window and saw the house Shadow got for them. "Welcome home Sonic. What do you think?" He could tell Sonic was speechless seeing their house for the first time. "I made sure to get us something comfortable but also secluded. That way we don't have to worry about neighbors." "I-I love it" Shadow smiled as he got out of the car grabbing Sonic's backpack. Then he walked around to help Sonic out of the car. He was able to walk a little better with Shadow's help since he rested a bit during the car ride.

They walked inside taking their shoes off and go upstairs to the bathroom. He helps sit him on the floor so he can start a bath. "I'm going to clean you first and then we'll get you bandaged up. I need you to take your clothes off and I can help you if you need it." When he turned back around to check on Sonic he noticed his ears dropped to his head and his body language indicates he was hiding something. This made Shadow worry and he needed to find a way to comfort Sonic. "If you did something I'm not going to be mad. I'm sure you had your reasons then and I want to help you heal. I've also noticed at times you're scared to even talk. If there's something on your mind go ahead and tell me. I won't be offended or anything." Sonic slowly looked up at Shadow's eyes. "Promise?" "I promise" He holds his hand to try and help him relax.

"I-I did do something...b-but it was only because I needed a coping mechanism. Everyone blamed me for Sonia's death even though it wasn't preventable. I've even had suicidal thoughts but I knew I couldn't do it. My mind was all over the place but you were the reason I was against it. If I didn't have you I would have nothing left." Shadow saw tears start to fall from Sonic's eyes so he moved closer and gently hugged him making sure not to hurt him. "You won't have to feel this pain again. I'm not going anywhere." He felt Sonic's arms wrap around him and heard sobbing. "I-I really appreciate everything you've done for me Shadow." After a few minutes Sonic calmed down letting go of Shadow. He started taking off his sweatpants first and then he took off his hoodie. Shadow was speechless seeing he's cover in not only cuts and bruises but he had what looked like whip marks on his back. When he looked at the cuts on Sonic's arms and legs they looked like they were self inflicted. All the marks were already healing which confused Shadow until he saw Sonic wearing inhibitor rings on his wrists and ankles. "I-I know there's a lot to explain." "We can worry about that later. For now we should get you taken care of. Do you have the blade you used on yourself?" He slowly grabbed his backpack and handed Shadow the knife he used. He cleans the blood off the blade while Sonic takes off his socks and gloves.

"I'll have you check the water to be sure it's warm enough for you." Shadow starts the water and waits until Sonic is good with the temperature. Then he slowly helps him into the bathtub and starts washing the dirt and blood off of him. After he was cleaned up Shadow helped him out of the tub and wrapped him in a towel. "Stay put and I'll be right back." Shadow goes downstairs to his office and hides the knife so Sonic doesn't feel tempted. Then he goes to his bedroom grabbing clean socks and gloves for him along with a black hoodie in case Sonic wanted to wear it. When he went back in the bathroom he saw Sonic never moved from where he's been sitting. He looks up watching Shadow as he sets everything down and grabs the first aid kit from the cabinet. It didn't take long since there was only a few deep wounds he needed patched up and then he helps him put on the socks and gloves. "I have a room set up for you. I'll make us dinner while you get settled in." "Thank you Shadow"

They go in the bedroom sitting on the bed together. Shadow sets the hoodie on Sonic's lap. "It used to belong to Maria but I can see you wearing it. I think you two wear the same size." Sonic puts it on and it did fit him. Then he remembered something and started looking in his backpack. Shadow was confused at first until he sees Sonic pull out a box and smaller bag. Opening the box it revealed the three medallions from Sonic Underground and the bag revealed five chaos emeralds. "When the band broke up Sonia had me hold onto the medallions so I kept them hidden. As for the chaos emeralds I found them in Manic's apartment. How he had them in the first place I'm not sure but I made sure he didn't know that I found them. I know you have the green one and I actually have the red one. He hands Shadow the stuff and then reaches into his quills to show him that he was carrying it.

"Sonia would be proud of you like I am. I'll keep all this safe in my office and let my commander know. He does want us to do an interrogation whenever you feel ready. He does understand that your health comes first and that you'll need some time." "I'll let you know when I'm ready." Sonic puts the red chaos emerald back in his quills as Shadow gets up carrying the box and bag. "I'll let you know when dinner is ready." He walks out of the room closing the door to give Sonic some privacy. Once he knew Shadow was downstairs he released a breath he didn't know he was holding and started quietly hissing from pain and looks at the mark on his stomach. "Why am I so scared to tell him about what happened after the incident? Maybe cause I'm used to the pain. Yes they were being careless cause of one time I couldn't save someone. They refuse to help me and let me just suffer. I'm not even sure if my prediction is even right. I'll tell Shadow when I do the interrogation." He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the door open and saw Shadow. "Dinner is ready whenever you want to eat." "I'll be down in a second." Shadow gave him a soft smile and went back downstairs. Sonic grabs a couple things out of his bag that will explain everything.

When he got downstairs he saw Shadow finished plating spaghetti and putting them on the table. He sits in a chair placing a folder on the table. As they finished eating Sonic slid the folder to Shadow. "Eggman wanted me to give this to you. This will explain everything about my inhibitor rings. It was the biggest experiment he wanted to do before his time came and he succeeded. It took a while but Sonia convinced us both I was the perfect subject." He looks at Sonic and then takes the folder looking at all the notes thoroughly. "So he made you immortal?" "Yeah...Sonia wanted me to do it so you don't have to live all of eternity alone. My blood was compatible with yours so we took the chance. I stayed with Eggman for a couple months just to be sure I didn't have any complications. I have chaos energy like you but never tried any of the abilities. I wanted to wait and see if you can help me since you're more experienced with it." Shadow was surprised not only cause Eggman was willing to help but also cause Sonic risked his own life to be able to live all of eternity with him. "I'll help you with that after you're fully healed."

When he got to the last page he saw it was directions to make some kind of medication which confused him. "What's this for?" Sonic pulls out a pill bottle from his pocket sitting it on the table in front of Shadow. "This is actually a little extra something he did to help us in the future. These pills will help me be able to have a baby naturally. I take one and it will last for about a month. He only made twelve and left these directions in case we need more. He said he tested them and said they should work." Shadow takes the bottle and looks at the pills. "I'll make copies of the notes for my commander and have somebody at GUN run some tests on the pills. Better to be safe for both of us." Sonic nods his head understanding Shadow's concern.

Sonic offered to wash the dishes while Shadow is making copies of the notes and contacts Richard. "He's doing better after I got him cleaned up and fed...Yeah I told him about the interrogation and he'll let me know when he's ready...I'll do it on my own since he only trusts me...I texted them too so they know...Yeah they're relieved and I did tell them it's best not to come over for now...I'll keep you updated...Thanks Richard." He ends the call walking out of his office and saw Sonic putting the dishes away. "Want to sit in the living room and watch a movie?" He turns around facing Shadow. "Yeah we can do that." They sit on the couch together and as the movie was going on Shadow looks at Sonic noticing he looks a little tense and might be fighting sleep. "Are you doing okay?" "Y-yeah I just...don't do well with sleeping cause of constant nightmares fearing that one day Manic's boyfriend was going to burst into the room and rape me." Shadow does what he can to try and comfort him and show him he's safe now. "Will it be better now that you're here with me?" "I-I hope so..."