When Video Games Come to Life

(18) When He Arrives

Laura's P.O.V~

The house was right in front of me. I could see it so clearly, and I was yelling. Yelling at the top of my lungs. They had to hear me. How could they not? I stopped, and they finally turned around. At that moment, however, I regretted that I yelled for their attention. Their eyes were completely black. They looked horrified, as if they were going to melt right there in their seats. Then the whole building was on fire. All of it. It instantly began falling apart, and I knew at that moment I would never see them again. Such a horrible fate for such wonderful people. Then through the smoke I saw him. Standing there, like he wasn't even bothered by the heat. Then he lunged for me. I jerked, expecting the cold, hard ground. Instead, I felt soft fabric beneath me, and heard faint shouting. I remember the first thing I though when I woke; 'I never expected to be alive right now.' I still can't believe I made it, and to figure out some of my friends had snuck in my room that night! Unfortunately, I am still in the hospital. I've been visited nearly every day by random assortments of my friends. They're the best friends ever! Anyway, it's night now. Such an eerie night. Mainly because I can't find the TV remote, and they haven't gotten me a new one yet. But I'm hoping if I do have a dream tonight, it will be a good one. I'm going to sleep now. Good night!

I sit bolt upright. I guess it must be morning. This definitely isn't a dream. I look over at the window. Still dark? I totally expected it to be morning! In that case, what woke me? I have been very jumpy, because who wouldn't be after... that night. I shrug it off, and lay back down. Then I hear it. It was very faint, but it was real. I instantly sit up. I'm instantly terrified. I instantly recognize what I see. The exact figure in my dream. He's there. He's really there. It's Shadow. I surprise myself by speaking up. "What are you doing? Get out of here!" Even more surprising, he answers back.

"Listen to me! I have to--" but I interrupt him. By throwing my pillow at his face. "Laura, I--" I didn't want to hear it.

"Go! Get out of here, go!" He narrowed his eyes, and left. He took a massive leap out the window. I still can't believe it. He was just here, the one in my dream, the one I thought couldn't get here. I seriously just saw Shadow.

/That morning/

Wesley's P.O.V.----

It's been two weeks since Laura's been in the hospital. She gets out today! We have all of our surprise party gear set up. We're waiting for Laura to arrive so we can throw her this party. She's going to love it! Complete with cupcakes, and party gear, such as hats, party popper things, and that kind of gear. She does love these kind of things! I heard the lock click, and Knuckles walked in. "Everyone, get ready!" he said, then turned back to the car. "Right, come on in!" Then Laura stepped in. Knuckles flipped the lights on.

"SURPRISE!" We all yelled, decently at the same time. Laura smiled, then frowned. She took a step towards me.

"Did you know?!" I was speechless. Mainly because I didn't know what the heck she was talking about. "Did you know?" She took another step forward, then looked around. "Did any of you know?" It hit me then. She looked like she regretted getting aggressive, until I spoke up. "If you're talking about what I'm assuming you're talking about, then yes. I-I knew." She looked utterly hurt.

"You knew Shadow was here, and you didn't tell me?!" I heard so many gasps all around me. Sonic stepped forward, with Tails at his side.

"Shadow's here, and you didn't tell us?!" Sonic looked disappointed, and somewhat angry. Tails also spoke up. 

"W-why didn't you tell us?" I let them all down... The realization was painful.

"I-I thought I was doing the right thing... I thought.. I would try to figure out... what he was doing, before I said anything..." Sonic stepped forward.