...Welcome To My Nightmare...

CHAPTER SEVEN

★SONIC’S POV★

“...” I gaze at Scourge, my mind momentarily frozen as I try to wrap my head around what he just said. One of my ears droops against my skull, while my head tilts ever so slightly to the left, lost in a whirlwind of contemplation.

“Who’s coming to get you?” I inquire, a hint of bewilderment colouring my words as I watch his peculiar antics.

The hedgehog in front of me is sitting in a tensed manner, clearly in a state of turmoil. His gaze is fixated on the table, and he nervously gnaws at his index finger. Beneath the surface, his left leg is a whirlwind of energy, bouncing with such intensity that the entire table quivers ever so slightly.

“Scourge-“

“You wouldn’t believe me...” I squint at his words, watching as his ghostly complexion brightens for a fleeting moment. His weary, dull eyes meet mine, and I catch a glimpse of something like revulsion flicker across his features before he quickly averts his gaze.

“No one will ever believe me, not even in a million years.”

“Try me. Who knows, I might actually end up believing your part of the story. But I can’t do that if you don’t talk to me...”

“You’ll think I’m fucking insane.”

“Everyone has always thought you were insane, therefore even if you do end up saying some weird shit, no one will be surprised... just talk to me...”

With a deep, trembling breath, Scourge lets out a long sigh, his unsteady hand rising to gently caress his own left cheek. After a moment, he meets my gaze again, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions.

From the look on his face I can tell he’s really uncomfortable. It’s clear he’s reluctant to open himself up to me, almost as it he’s too scared to talk. Yet beneath that discomfort, I can tell there’s a palpable yearning—a longing for tranquility, for a moment of respite. He craves someone to lend an ear, to truly believe his version of the story.

I’d never have thought of seeing him in such a state one day, so much so that having him in front of me in the state he’s in right now almost seems surreal.

“... it all started a couple of weeks ago...” he says in a raspy voice.

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★SCOURGE’S POV★

“Drink! Drink! Drink! Drink! Drink!” A sly grin spreads across my face as I tilt my head back, savouring the final gulp of beer from my glass.

With a triumphant flourish, I slam it down onto the rustic wooden table, then casually wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, relishing the moment.

“Tsk, that was too fucking easy!” I shout out with a with a playful grin, the vibrant energy of the dimly lit club buzzing around me as my friends erupt in cheers. Drago, caught up in the excitement, gives me an enthusiastic shake by the shoulders.

“ I can’t believe you actually downed that much beer in 15 seconds...” Flying exclaims, eyes as big as saucers, making me chuckle.

“Of course you didn’t, now pay up, a bet is a bet.” With a deep, theatrical sigh, the frog fumbles for his wallet, then deftly pulls out a few crisp banknotes, sliding them across the table towards me with a groan.

I let out a wicked laugh, my fingers eagerly snatching them up.

“Thanks buddy boy, it’s always a pleasure doing business with you.” I utter with a playful smirk, causing the frog before me to respond with a low growl.