Dreams of an Absolution

Spy Job

“Espio, Silver trail them and make sure all goes well. They aren’t in love yet, but this is a good start!” Vector pushed Espio and I out of our hiding spot.

We quickly trailed them to a restaurant, not a very fancy one but it was decent in the terms of higher class dinning.

“What should we do?” I asked Espio as we crouched in the plants outside looking in the windows.

“Nothing I think, as long as they don’t start arguing or leave on a bad note. And even still if we do interfere at this point it’ll be an awkward situation.” He answered.

Shadow looked like he was uncomfortable, just due to being out of routine and alone with a girl he wasn’t exactly used to. I wonder if he was this shy when he met Rouge. How can he be himself with Rouge who, I’ll admit shows off a lot more than Amy, yet be so nervous around her? Shadow’s ears gave it off the most, slightly pinned back to his head and he couldn’t keep still in his chair or look at her directly. I wonder if he has Anthropophobia, which would explain his distance from everyone but Rouge and that robot. But Amy was a little shy too, although she tried to keep conversation going as much as possible to not leave awkward silence.

“Amy, you really didn’t have to do this. I mean you’re a friend what was I supposed to do, just leave you there?” Shadow mumbled.

A friend? They consider each other friends?? Why would you have to be that shy with a friend!? Espio elbowed my side, “I think you’ve been spotted.”

“What?” I asked, “By who?”

“Me…” I turned around to the manager of the restaurant, with a name tag reading: ‘BEN’. “Look kid, I don’t know who you’re talking to, and how bad your mental state of mind is, or if you’re hungry and homeless, but you will not be staring in my restaurant like a nut case. Either come inside and order something or vacate the premises. You’re freaking out the customers!” He yelled.

“O-oh, y-yeah leaving I’ll be leaving now.” I sputtered quickly hoping that all the attention wasn’t drawn to me. Why didn’t he see Espio!?! Ben squint his eyes glaring at me hard as I edged away, and from the distance I couldn’t even see Espio. That ninja jack ass, he’s invisible and left me to be seen and chased away by the manager! His cover didn’t last long as it gotten darker and the outside lights came on, when the light shined directly on him the camouflage had dissipated and there was a rough outline of a shadowy figure, almost looking like a different creature entirely. He walked away before he was spotted and rubbed his eyes as he met up at my side.

“Those lights are so bright.” He murmured and blinked for a while for his eyes to readjust

“You ass, you left me!” I balled up my fist and hit his arm.

“No you left me! It’s not my fault that you can’t go intangible. Maybe if your quills weren’t so huge the plants would have given you better cover.”

“Ugh! Would people stop talking about my quills!? That’s the way they are okay!”

“Well I guess it would have worked if the rest of you were disguised as a flower pot.”

“Grrrrr!!” I crossed my arms, “Whatever, how did their dinner go?”

“Good! Since it’s so late, Shadow agreed to walk Amy home. Charmy is going to love that news.” He smirked.

“Look there they go!” I pointed watching them exit the restaurant.

“I hope Vector saved us back some dinner…” He sighed as we ran to catch up with them, staying hidden behind things and of course Espio walked only a few feet away invisible and keeping his steps light.

“It’s a little cold tonight.” Amy said as they walked in the dark, “I hadn’t planned to stay out this long.” She wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed them trying to keep warm.

Strange… I didn’t find it cold. Suddenly Espio came next to me his completely visible.

“Are you okay?” I whispered.

“Just a little cold.” He whispered back shook as a shiver crept over him.

“What?!” my whisper hissed, “What do you mean you’re cold it’s not that bad out here.”

“Yeah well I’m not covered in fur, with huge wind breaking quills.” He groused cutting a glare at me.

“What do you want me to do about it?” I asked narrowing my eyes back at him.

“Nothing, unless I start turning gray or blue, then we’ll have a problem.” He sighed shaking his head and continued to watch Shadow and Amy up ahead.

“Wow Shadow you’re so warm.” Amy giggled. I broke my eyes from Espio to see Amy snuggled in the crook of Shadow’s arm as he had it around her shoulders and she was getting close to his chest.

“Are we almost there?” Shadow asked.

“Oh, yes it’s this building right here on the third floor.” She said and straightened herself up, “Sorry… did I make you feel uncomfortable doing that?”

“No,” He shook his head quickly and even pulled her closer and nodded to the coastal direction, “I smell a storm cell coming from that direction, it’s going to drop the temperature even more and have some heavy rains. I just want to make sure you’re home before then.”

“Oh!” She giggled, “You can smell it?”

“I guess I have a sensitive nose.” He shrugged.

“That’s amazing.” Amy gasped, “So I guess you always know when to bring an umbrella?”

“Well, most of the time I guess.”

“Wait, are you going to be home before the storm hits?” She asked looking him in the eyes as they reached the apartment building.

“I’m sure I can manage.” He nodded with a light smile.

“Are you sure??” She smiled back and grabbed her key out.

“Yeah I’m sure.” He said again with a chuckle.

“Okay. Well, thank you again Shadow. And it was so nice to have more time with you; it’s been years since we had some actual time together.”

“Yeah, sorry.” He scratched behind his ear again.

“Oh it’s fine. I just hope we can do something like this again, maybe sometime soon and not years later.” She smiled after nodding a good bye and started up the stairs to her apartment.

After watching her get through the front door Shadow zoomed away as there was a chilling breeze blowing in some thick dark clouds covering up the silvery moon. Espio’s teeth chattered and with instinct pressed up against me to grab some of my heat.

“Are we going to make it before the storm hits?” He asked his deep fuchsia color already faded to an ashier gray color.

“Are you okay!? Are you going to die?!” I suddenly panicked and felt his forehead.

“No I won’t die, unless it starts to snow, but I am cold.” He shivered more.

“Come on let’s get you home.” I grabbed him by his wrist and pulled him along running at full speed back to the office/home.