I'll Be There

I'll Be There- Part Six

Hours later, and after many attempts of trying, Vanilla had finally managed to get a depressed Shadow the Hedgehog out of his bed for dinner. In hopes of cheering him up, the family had made the little boy's favorite homemade meal: quesadillas. Shadow entered the kitchen, looking at everyone's smiling faces, and anger began to fill his heart. Why couldn't anyone seem to understand the pain he was feeling? They were ungrateful, that's what it was. They had no idea how badly the sight of losing his friend hurt, nor did they look like they even cared. But how could they? They didn't know what it was like. So why should he even try bothering with them? He then angered his eyes at his family and friends, crossing his arms, and sat down at the dinner table. He refused to take one bite of his favorite meal, for he felt too sad and sick to think about, or even look at food. Vanilla then put her hand on Shadow's shoulder, startling him. "Honey", she said, softly, trying to be as compassionate as she could. "You need to eat. You haven't had anything since breakfast. We don't want you to get sick!" Shadow immediately turned around to face his mother, making the angriest expression at her that anyone has seen. "Hmph!" The 6-year-old sassed, turning his back to his mother and harshly crossing his arms. Vanilla was shocked. Shadow had never disobeyed or talked back to her or her husband before, so she knew that he was truly depressed. But, much to her dismay, her husband, Mephiles, wasn't near as compassionate towards the little boy as she was. She watched as he evily angered his eyes at Shadow, and pointed a finger up to his face. "Don't you EVER talk to your mother that way!" He angrily shouted. "Do you hear me, young man!?" Shadow angered his eyes at his father and pushed his finger out of his face. "Do you not get it!?" The black hedgehog said, staring his father in the eyes. "My best friend is dead, and I witnessed her last breaths!" He continued speaking through clenched teeth. "And all you care about is forcing me to eat!? You are all so cruel! I've had it!" Shadow looked at everyone's shocked expressions, then felt the tears welling up in his eyes. Without hesitation, he quickly stood up at the table, ran upstairs to his room, and slammed his door. Everyone was silent. Even talkative 4-year-old Sonic couldn't think of anything to say at this time. There had to be something everyone could do to help Shadow, but what was it?