No More Pain

15

Sonic and Rouge witnessed an unconscious Shadow with an oxygen mask on. As they walked closer, they saw Shadow's wrists and ankles were strapped to the bed. Since Shadow was now wearing a hospital gown, his self harm cuts were visible to them as well. The most current ones were covered in bandages.

Next to Shadow's bed was a tan squirrel doctor in white. He was holding a clipboard and writing things done. "Your this hedgehogs family I presume?" He asked.

"Yes, I'm Rouge. I called the paramedics. And this is Sonic, he found Shadow and saved him." Rouge explained.

"I am Dr. Murphy, I'm in charge of Shadow's case."

"Is he going to be okay?" Sonic asked.

"For now, he is physically stable. But he is very mentally unstable. Due to the amount of pills he swallowed, we had to pump his stomach content. But we were about to get all of the pills out of his system."

"That's great but, do you have to tie him up like that?" Sonic asked.

"Sorry Sonic, But this is standard protocol for suicidal patients. And I have also treated his self inflicted wounds. There were quite a lot of them. Under closer inspection of Shadow's physical wounds, I discovered that he is severely malnourished. While examining him I could physically see his rib cage." Dr. Murphy explained.

Rouge and Sonic were both in shock of the results.

'So that's why his hip was so bony.' Sonic thought. He shook his head and turned to the doctor. Sonic extended his hand to the doctor. "Thank you for helping him."

Dr. Murphy shook Sonic's hand. "It's all part of the job Sonic. But now I have to transfer Shadow to the psych ward."

"What?" Rouge gasped.

"I'm sorry but his mental instability is too high for him to just go home untreated. And again, it is protocol."

Suddenly, Shadow began to stir. A groan escaped his lips.

The attention of the 3 mobians were glued to the strapped down Shadow.

"I'll leave you alone to talk. Than I must complete my case." Dr. Murphy walked out of the room and closed the door.

Rouge and Sonic rushed to Shadow's side.

Shadow's eyes weakly and slowly opened. He groaned in pain and tried to rub his head. His arms were tied down. He looked and saw the binds.

His breathing started to hitch as he started to thrash off the binds in a panic.

Sonic held Shadow's arms down, to prevent him from hurting himself. "Shadow stop, it's okay!"

Shadow shook his head as he fought Sonic. Than he saw Rouge.

Rouge still had tears in her eyes and went closer to him.

Once Sonic saw Shadow was districted by Rouge, he let go and stepped back.

Rouge sat on the edge of the bed next to Shadow. Tears started to roll down her face.

Tears started to well in his puffy eyes.

Out of nowhere, Rouge slapped him hard.

"Rouge!" Sonic yelled.

"How could you do something like this! You're all I have! How could you be this stupid!" Rouge yelled as tears streamed down her face and she took off Shadow's oxygen mask.