Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Arranged (more like forced) marriage ❯ Aftermath ( Chapter 4 )

Shadow jolted awake to the sound of a gunshot. He got up and ran to the door. He stepped outside of his room.

 Maria, Sonia, and Amy came out of their rooms.

 “You heard that too?” Sonia asked. “I was hoping I was dreaming.”

 Gerald and Aleena came out of their rooms.

 “Shadow, what were you doing?” Gerald questioned.

 “I didn’t do anything.” Shadow replied. “I was asleep.”

 “You’re the only one who has a gun.” Gerald said, pointing his finger at Shadow. “No one has access to your lockbox.”

 Sonia’s eyes widened. “Manic can pick locks.” 

 Shadow raced off to Manic’s room and opened the door.

 Manic was sitting on the floor, rubbing his head. He had a long gash across the side of his head.

 There was a bullet hole in his thick metal bed frame.

 “What were you doing?” Shadow asked.

 “…Shadow…?” Manic asked. “What… happened…?”

 “You have a concussion.” Shadow replied. He helped Manic up. “Let’s get you to the hospital.”

 In Knothole, Sonic and Sally were sleeping peacefully until Sonic’s phone rang loudly.

 Sonic groaned and reached for his phone. He answered the call. “What?” 

 “Sonic.” Sonia cried.

 Sonic sat up. “Sonia?”

 Sally sat up.

 “Manic… he….” Sonia cried.

 “He what?” Sonic asked. “Sonia, what-”

 Sonia drew a shaky breath. “We’re at the hospital. He-”

 “We’re on our way.” Sonic said as he and Sally got out of bed. He hung up. “Come on, Sal. Something happened to Manic.” 

 Sonic and Sally walked over and sat in the waiting room with Sonia, Maria, and Amy.

 “Any news?” Sonic asked. “What happened?”

 Sonia shook her head. “Not yet.” She replied. “I’m sorry if I scared you. I was a little shaken up. He tried to shoot himself and, thankfully, missed.”

 Shadow came over and sat down. “Oh, so you finally show up, Sonic.” He said. “Your brother sent you an email.”

 Sonic got his phone out of his hoodie pocket and checked his emails. He sighed. “I guess he really believes I don’t care about him.” He said. “I can’t believe he’d try to shoot himself though. How’d he even get a gun?”

 “He picked the lock to my room and my safe and took mine.” Shadow replied. “It was in the note.”

 Sonic opened the email. “The email was just telling me goodbye and… he’s not outright blaming me, but he’s made sure to imply that I’m an awful brother.”

 Sally hugged Sonic. 

 “I forgot he was next in line.” Sonic said.

 Aleena and Gerald finally came over. 

 “What did the doctor say, Mother?” Sonia asked. 

 “He’ll be okay, but he has a concussion.” Aleena replied. “He’s lucky he flinched at the last moment. He’ll be staying overnight.”

 “That’s great news.” Sonic said.

 Aleena sat down beside Sonic. “It’s… good to see you, given the circumstances.”

 “Good to see you, Mom.” Sonic replied. “I’m sorry I had to resort to running away. Can anyone see Manic?”

 “Yes, go ahead.” Aleena said. “He’s on the third floor, room nineteen ninety-eight.”

 Sonic got up.

 “Oh, I forgive you.” Aleena replied.

 Sonic glanced at Aleena and gave her a weak smile.

 Sonic softly knocked on the door, then stepped inside. 

 Manic was propped up in his bed with a large stitched up gash across the right side of his head.

 Sonic walked over to the bed and sat down.

 Manic glanced at Sonic. “Oh. What do you want?”

 “I’m sorry, bro.” Sonic said. “I didn’t know you were next in line.”

 “I didn’t think about it, but why didn’t you answer my calls?” Manic asked.

 “You called?” Sonic asked.

 Manic looked at Sonic incredulously. “Yes, didn’t you get them?”

 “No, I wouldn’t have ignored you if I had.” Sonic said. He handed Manic his phone. “Check my call log.”

 Manic scrolled through Sonic’s phone. “Wow.” He mumbled. He handed the phone back to Sonic. “I did call, you can check my phone. I guess it’s back at the palace.”

 “I guess Mom doubled the guards, huh?” Sonic asked.

 “Tripled them.” Manic replied.

 Sonic grimaced. “Oh, man, you didn’t have a chance.”

 Manic hugged Sonic. “I forgive you, bro.” He said. He finally let go of Sonic. “I’m glad I’m not dead, but I’m still stuck in this sham marriage.”

 “We’ll see.” Sonic replied. “I saw a couple of books on Mobotropolis laws and royal customs in the waiting room, so someone’s been doing some research.”

 “Probably Shadow.” Manic said. “I heard he let Ma know how he felt about this over dinner.”

 “Well, he’s got a week to look it over.” Sonic replied. “Let’s hope for the best.” 

 “Manic…, I know you’re not in love with her, but how is marrying a sweet girl worse than dying?” Aleena asked.

 “Oh, thanks, Ma.” Manic said sarcastically. “Nice to see you’re so concerned about me.”

 Aleena sighed. “I do care, Manic.”

 Shadow scoffed. “If you cared so much, then why are you so dead set on marrying him off to someone he doesn’t like instead of going with the better option?”

 Aleena crossed her arms. “As I’ve said before, it’s our custom that he’s next in line. I don’t like it either.”

 “I’m researching it.” Shadow replied. “There are loopholes, your highness. I’m surprised you didn’t know that, but I guess you just wouldn’t want us changing a lot of your backwards laws.”

 “I have been trying to change the laws.” Aleena said. “It’s not as easy as you seem to believe it is.”

 “Okay, let’s settle this elsewhere.” Gerald replied. “A hospital room is no place for this.”

 Shadow nodded.

 “Of course.” Aleena said.

 Surge slipped into the room. “I just want to check on Manic,” She said. “He won’t let me get involved in this mess anyway.”

 “Fine.” Aleena said. “Sonia and I will be back later. Don’t try to help him escape, Surge.”

 Surge huffed.

 Sonic nodded.

 “You either, Sonic.” Aleena said.

 Sonic sighed. “How do you do that?”

 Everyone except Sonic, Surge, and Manic left the room.

 Sonic glanced at Manic. “I’ll let you see her and come back later.”

 “Thanks, Sonic.” Manic said.

 Sonic left the room.

 Surge hugged Manic, who started crying on her shoulder. “What were you thinking, Babe?” She asked. “You know I wouldn’t let you go without a fight.”

 “I’m sorry.” Manic replied. 

 Surge let Manic go. “Okay, I might be able to get you away from here after you’re released,” She said. “All you have to do is tell them a different release time and I’ll pick you up. I’m gonna hang around for a while and make sure I’m the first one here.”

 “I’m pretty sure Ma would hunt us down and imprison you for treason.” Manic replied.

 Surge kissed Manic. “I’m willing to take that risk.”

 “So am I.” Manic said.