Dreams of an Absolution

We Have Another Plan

“Hey everyone I’m back.” I said as I got through the door.

“Hey Silver!!” Charmy was first to greet me, and Espio waved with a bow on his horn.

“What happened to you?” an instant smile came on my face.

His eyes dropped and an embarrassed flush came across his muzzle, “We were playing house…”

“Were you the mommy?”

“No I was their baby….” He hit his forehead in the palm of his hand. 

“Oh nice!” I laughed as he pulled the bow off and rubbed a finger along his horn. “Anyway the date went well, they had a little bit of an argument, but they worked it out in the end and he walked her home again.” I said taking a seat at the table.

“Mr. Shadow is going out with Amy?” Cream jumped up on the chair next to me.

“Trying to anyway.” I yawned.

“Why are you following them around?” She asked. Charmy buzzed over by her side.

“We’re trying to get them together because if they don’t fall in love, Silver will never exist!” He blurted.

“Charmy!!” Everyone yelled including me, the last thing I need is for Cream to tell Amy the information!

“What!? It’s just Cream! Hey maybe she can help us!! You’re friends with Amy right??” Charmy shuddered at everyone giving him a glare quickly trying to find hope in his mistake.

“Yes I am!” She nodded, “I want to help!”

“Well, maybe you can try to get her feelings out of her, you know find out what she really feels about Shadow… the whole, ‘girl’ talk that you do.” Charmy suggested.

“Another brilliant idea from Master Charmy.” Vector applauded, “He’s growing up so fast…” He covered his eyes pretending to whimper, “It seems like just yesterday he was nothing but hyper and annoying, and now he’s using his brain and coming up with ideas almost as good as mine!”

“Aw whatever.” Charmy crossed his arms yet had a proud smirk on his face, “Of course since I’m Shadow’s best sidekick ever, I’ll be giving him the ‘man’ talk, where we talk about the girls we like!”

“And what girl do you like?” I asked raising a brow and glanced at Cream.

“W-what?! No way I don’t like a girl!” Charmy’s face brightened red.

“Sure.” Espio smirked, “But if we’re going to go with your idea it’s best we leave it to someone else to talk to Shadow, not you.”

“You’re just jealous because Shadow thinks I’m cooler than a ninja.”

“I think it’s time for bed…” Espio rolled his eyes.

“I agree. Come on dear.” Cream’s mother picked her up waving good bye to us.

“Hey Cream, if you’re working with us now, you better call us once you’ve completed your mission!” Charmy waved quickly, “We’re counting on you!!”

“I will!!” She smiled waving back as they left.

“Your life has been entrusted in the hands of a four and six year old.” Espio leaned over the couch.

“Thank you, that makes me feel so much better.” I glared at him.

“Aw you don’t have to worry about it, they’re actually extremely reliable. Just the way it sounds is kinda funny.”

“Okay everyone, time for bed, Espio you’ll catch Shadow and try to poke around on his heart strings tomorrow.”

“Me? I guess, it can’t be as hard as it is to get Knuckles to admit he likes Rouge.” He shrugged.

“Good, then with that settled; lights out everyone.” Vector waved Charmy up to his room as we all separated to our rooms as well.

Again here I lie in the bed tired but not falling asleep; also a little afraid I might have another nightmare, perhaps I might read a little like Espio does before bed. But I didn’t really feel the urge. I floated my stuffed cat I had gotten at the arcade, over into my arms. I never really remember myself snuggling with a stuffed animal for comfort; in fact I don’t really ever remember having comfort in the world I came from. Unless it was with Blaze, she made everything better, because I wasn’t alone… Being alone really terrified me after the images I had remembered of my mother never returning.

Snuggling with the stuffed cat named after Blaze, I couldn’t decide to shame myself for being brought down to a state so pathetic or to just go along with it and silently cry a little until I fell asleep. I hate feeling like this… this empty and alone feeling. Yet now I hear Amy’s voice, ‘It’s fun to get in touch with your inner child. Even for silly things like wishes on stars and dandelions.’ She’s right, so this isn’t such a bad thing after all… now it’s making me feel a little better. I can almost hear Blaze telling me, as she did night after night, “It’s okay Silver, never give up. That’s all we have to do, and everything will truly be alright again.”

I finally fell asleep thinking to myself, ‘If I fade away I won’t die, not as long as I didn’t give up.’