Broken Hills of Green

Old Aquaintence

Sonic parked the car in front of the charcoaled black square, also known as the gym. It's sleek metallic siding and big white luminescent sign gave it the appearance of something more modern.

Sonic looked at the clock that shone back at him with the time he knew to well. The time that signifies another miserable day at work. At least he could accomplish working out and keeping his body fit, while making money. Making money is all he could think of doing. His bank account showed that quite well with six figure savings.

"Another day...ugh." He said annoyed.

It was no surprise that Sonic was much favored over the other gym trainers. He was handsome, athletic, and was a good listener. Yet little did they know he wasn't ever really listening in the first place. Just thinking.

Sonic had finished training his last customer the week before. An older woman in her mid-forties looking for some mid-life renovation for her body, which sagged with much carried weight.

He had been quite successful in helping her, the sags still remained a bit but she dropped twenty pounds. Very impressive if you ask me, but that's beside the point.

Sonic had reached the door after exiting the car. The sound of grunts and machinery trying to escape through the doorway. He couldn't help but dread who his next customer would be. He has had a handful. The creeps, the cheats, and the weirdos.

Sonic sighed making his way to the back of the gym, where he would open two doors into a office and storage room. He'd punch in his time and be on his way to become the victim of another dreadful day.

The gym had always smelled of old socks and deodorant. Obviously a mask to cover the god awful smells that petrified the nose. The ceiling was high and lights shone brightly down to the floor. Reflecting off the equipment and sweaty bodies that dotted the room here and there.

This was nothing new of course. Our hedgehog had been working here for some time now. It was just interesting having the same similar routine everyday with very few differences. Yet, as we all know, that is about to change drastically.

Sonic made his way to the counter where the receptionist would give him his clip board. His appointment times would be laid out for him like a buffet of foods. Some frequent customers were signed up, per the norm. A few dreadful times to prepare for, also known as wierdo hours.

Something caught Sonic's eyes though. A familiar name, yet it couldn't ring a bell in the poor hedgehogs mind. A Knuckles Echidna had been wrote in somewhat sloppy handwriting. The name felt so surreal. As if it had been a big part of a forgotten past long ago. It was his last appointment for the day. Something to finally spice things up.

"Another creepy guy perhaps?" Sonic said unenthusiastic but questioning.

Sonic set the clipboard down on a bench and began to stretch. His muscles, tightened, began to unwind and regain strength after last nights most ravenous sleep.

A whistle from the crowd of uncivilized jocks made him quiver with disgust. Every. Single. Day. When will people realize he is not available? His heart belonged to one person and one person only...even if that one person is no longer living.

There was still the emotional baggage though. The feeling of being alone, of wanting someone near to hold. The emotions that needed to be hindered by a kindred spirit. Someone who just would remind him he would be okay. He tried a relationship once after the death of his beloved fox. You can't blame him, five years of being alone doesn't set well with the emotional side of life.

It didn't go so well, no mutual feelings from his side of the table. His heart was stolen by one guy. The one that he'd never be able to replace. He dare not even say the name, for with the name brought great suffering and sorrow.

Sonic waited patiently for his first customer to arrive. Throughout the day this would be the norm. Waiting, Training. Training, waiting. It had a system. Sonic realized working out made the time go by much quicker. Even if he had some old creep staring at him with lustful eyes. It just made him want to block out his surroundings even more.

As time moved on through the day, one by one the customers came and left. Some feeling accomplished, others picking up a sugared soda and some fast food to counter act the calorie loss. Either way Sonic knew most would be back. It was getting closer and closer to that time. Where he'd finally get to meet this Knuckles. An interesting and very unique name that dare touch the outer lengths of the hedgehogs memory.

Sonic pondered on the idea of which category this newcomer would be put in. The crowd of creeps? The circle of wierdos? The group of uncivilized jocks? Yes, he had become quite judgmental of people but that was no surprise. You can't blame him for feeling this way. Not after that night five years ago.

The time had finally come where his last customer, the one of mystery, would show. Sonic waited patiently on the bench, sweat trickling down his sides and forehead. A towel hung lifelessly over his shoulder. He rested his head back and closed his eyes. His breathing became steady and his heart stopped its rapid beating. At least he could feel his heart beat, it hadn't felt like he had one in five years.

"Sonic Maurice Hedgehog! God damn it's been a long ass time." A voice said breaking Sonic's peace.

Sonic looked up to see a 6ft tall red echidna looking back at him. The wavy hair had fell close the echidna's shoulders. His eyes a dark violet purple that seemed to tear through your soul. Quite terrifying. Not to mention when Sonic's memory of recollection came back, he was astounded by the transformation from high-school to now.

"Knuckles! I haven't seen you in years! You were only 4ft last time I saw you and not nearly as bulging with muscles like you are now." Sonic said sarcastically.

Knuckles chuckled and crossed his arms.

"Well you have barely changed at all, except you went from a light blue to a dark indigo. Been tanning recently?"

Sonic rolled his eyes and stood offering his hand in a gesture of friendship. Knuckles took it quickly and shook his hand before they both returned their hands to their rightful places resting by their sides.

"So what brings you to the gym?" Sonic said questioning. "You obviously don't need a workout."

Knuckles sighed. "Well that's the thing Sonic. I'm here on different business."

"Different business?" Sonic said raising an eyebrow. "If Amy sent you, so help me god..."

"No, no, no. This is more personal business. I first would like to apologize about high school..." knuckles said fidgeting with his hands.

A lot of time had gone past since high-school. After Sonic's coming out his sophomore year to his best friend it had become apparent to the rest of the school that the hedgehog was different, thus, he should be treated differently. The hedgehog's best friend, at that time, a two tailed fox who secretly had a crush on him since freshman year. It wasn't till senior year, after the bullying from countless people,  (including the red echidna) had finally taken its toll that Tails gathered the courage to ask his best friend out. The rest, is history as you the reader and I know.

Sonic shook his head. "It's in the past, so what are you really here for?" He said flatly.

The red Echidna fidgeted in his seat nervously. Looking around as to be sure no one was watching or listening.

Sonic pondered at the echidnas suddenly nervous manner. Something strange was going on but he couldn't put a finger on what exactly.

"Are you alright?" Sonic asked, making a mental note to stick Knuckles in the Wierdo category respectfully.

Knuckles hesitated then spoke briskly. "I have to be quiet or else they might hear me."

"They?" Sonic asked confused and frustrated.

Knuckles nodded before speaking quietly. "I have something to tell you, whether you believe me or not is entirely up to you. There is proof."

A pause soon followed.

"Proof of what?" Sonic said irritated.

"There is proof  that the night of Tails's murder was full of more mystery then you know. I believe he is alive, but he may need our help...."