Shadow of a Doubt

New Friends, Old Friends

(Maria)

Following the others inside, Maria took in the cozy interior. They all walked through to the kitchen, where an older rabbit and bat were conversing.

"If she wants to, she is definitely old enough to start experimenting. There's no harm in learning young!" The bat persisted.

"Forget it. No make up in this house until prom or graduation." The rabbit said, straining water into the sink from the pot in her hands.

"Oh!" The bat turned to the group and zeroed in on Maria instantly. "You must me Maria! I'm Rouge."

Maria shook her hand, a little surprised at seeing Rouge in her skin tight outfit.

"Welcome, Maria! It's so nice to meet you. I'm Vanilla." Vanilla set the pot down and approached Maria.

"It's nice to meet you, too. You have a lovely home." Maria replied, shaking Vanilla's hand.

"Thank you!" Vanilla gave her a warm smile.

~!~

They had a lovely dinner, laughing and talking until late. Maria began to feel more and more comfortable in the other girls' presence. Dropping the formal facade she had been keeping to hid her anxiety and awkwardness, she was able to joke along with the group.

Maria was finally starting to feel like herself.

Or at least what felt right to her, since she still wasn't sure who she was.

~!~

The next couple days went along relatively uneventfully. Amy and Blaze would go to work, while Maria puttered around. She would clean the house, explore the neighbourhood, or read to pass the time.

She was surprisingly content to wander around, taking in all the sights so unfamiliar to her. Maria had secretly been hoping that she would come across something to trigger her memory, but nothing happened.

Maria was introduced to all of the group's friends and associates. Though some she met one on one before hand, Maria was able to meet everyone at their regular training sessions.

You see, every couple days, the girls hosted training outside in the backyard. Everyone who could make it would come around in the morning and pair off to practice their fighting styles against each other.

Maria just watched and chatted with the new friends.

She was really becoming one of the group.

~!~

It had been a couple weeks since showing up, when Maria found herself having a dream for the first time.

Maria dreamt of a metal room. She was sitting in front of a large window looking out into space. A sketch pad lay on her lap as she glanced from the paper to the blue and green planet and back. A sketch of Earth was half done and needed more shading.

As she continued to draw, she heard the automatic door behind her open and close. The footsteps that followed were light and metallic, easily recognized by Maria.

"Maria? What are you doing?"

She looked up to see a black and scarlet hedgehog looking down at her. She smiled.

"I was just drawing. How are you, Shadow? Training over already?"

"Yeah, the professor let me go early. He asked me to come find you." Shadow said, sitting cross-legged next to her.

"Did he say why?" Maria asked, looking back to her drawing.

"He wanted me to remind you to visit the nurse at nine for your next dose and weekly medication... You okay?"

Maria sighed, not feeling as well as she had a minute ago. She looked out the window to calm her inner panic.

"Do you think it will be another injection?" Her heart rate was accelerating and her breathing became irregular.

Shadow saw her reaction and took her hand. He squeezed it reassuringly, trying to calm her down.

"Shhhh... It'll be fine. If you want, I can come with you." He offered, trying to make her feel better.

Maria looked over at him, grateful. "Would you?"

"Of course. I know how scared you are of needles." He answered with a smile only Maria had ever seen.

"Thank you." She sighed, feeling better.

Closing the sketchbook and setting it aside, she stood up. After helping Shadow up, they headed out into the hall.

"Let's get this over with."

............

Maria woke up panting the next morning. Her mind was spinning uncontrollably.

She had to get up.

She had to move.

Sitting up, her vision blurred.

The memories were too much for her. Hundreds of scenes flashed across her brain, voices murmuring in her ears.

Maria, NO!

Maria? What's happening?

There is no known cure.

She stood up as her vision got worse.

Step away from the pod!

Please! Don't do this!

Her legs failed her and as she fell to the ground, a scream slipped through her composure.

Please, Maria! Don't leave me...

With that, consciousness slipped away and into her memories she was forced.