Sonic Series ❯ Shadow the Hedgehog ❯ Aftermath ( Chapter 6 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Shadow woke up to Sonia bandaging his arm.

 “It went straight through, no damage.” Sonia said. “You’re gonna make it.”

 Shadow slowly sat up.

 Police officers and GUN agents were clearing up the scene.

 Sonic, looking slightly dazed, was bandaging his wrists while Knuckles held an icepack to his own head. 

 Manic was helping Surge with her butterfly stitches in her leg.

 “You still have to go to the hospital.” Sonia said, sitting back. “You could’ve died, y’know?”

 “Why are you here?” Shadow asked. 

 “I figured you’d do something like this and I rode my motorcycle around until I saw an explosion.” Sonia replied. “Then I called the police and an ambulance.” 

 Sonic walked over with Shadow’s inhibitor rings. “You need these.” He said, handing them to Shadow. 

 Shadow put the rings on and slowly got to his feet.

 Sonic helped Sonia up. “I have to take Manic, Surge, and Knux in.” He said. “They’re willing to take any deal they can get.”

 “What about the others?” Shadow asked.

 “Gone.” Sonic replied. “I’m surprised Manic made it. Didn’t realize he had a tolerance too.”

 Sonia glanced at Shadow. “What about him?”

 “They’re letting him go to the hospital.” Sonic said. 

 “I’ll take him there.” Sonia replied.

 Knuckles, Manic, and Surge were led over to Sonic. 

 “Sorry, Shadow.” Manic said. “No hard feelings, right? Please, I’ll make it up to you.”

 “I’m only letting you two get a pass because you had nothing to do with Rouge’s death and out of respect for your sister.” Shadow replied. “She’s the only one in your family that I know who’s got sense.”

 “Hey.” Sonic protested.

 Manic and Surge breathed a sigh of relief.

 “Thanks, Knux.” Shadow replied. “I owe you one.”

 “You got me out of this alive, we’re even.” Knuckles said.

 “Come on, we gotta go.” Sonic said, leading Knuckles, Manic and Surge away. 

 Sonia walked Shadow to her motorcycle. 

 Tails was waiting out front with Shadow’s car. “Can you drive yourself?”

 “I don’t feel like it.” Shadow replied.

 “You can drive my motorcycle back to your shop.” Sonia said, handing her keys to Tails. “I’ll drive him to the hospital.”

 “Thanks, Sonia.” Tails replied.

*

 Shadow laid in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. He wasn’t looking forward to staying the night in a hospital, but he didn’t have much of a choice since he had a concussion.

 Sonia came in and sat down beside Shadow. “How are you feeling?”

 “Tired, sore.” Shadow replied.

 “How about emotionally?” Sonia asked. “Mentally?”

 Shadow thought about it.

 “I won’t tell Sonic.” Sonia said.

 “Drained.” Shadow replied.

 Sonia nodded. “You’ve been through a lot lately.” She said, sliding her hand into Shadow’s hand. “That’s an understatement, I’m sure.”

 “It didn’t make me feel better.” Shadow replied. “It was never about that. I knew that wasn’t going to do anything.”

 “Then why?” Sonia asked.

 “Sonic finally got them to do their job.” Shadow replied. “But I’ve worked there, I knew that wasn’t a guarantee. I couldn’t let her murderers go free, not while I could do something about it.”

 “I understand.” Sonia said.

 “But you don’t agree?” Shadow asked.

 Sonia leaned back in her seat. “I understand your point.” She replied. “I know how GUN is too. I don’t think revenge is the answer. I know that was part of your motives, I could see it in your eyes last night, so don’t lie.”

 “I wasn’t going to.” Shadow said.

 “Sonic and I say we don’t agree with vigilantism.” Sonia replied. “But honestly, I don’t know what we really believe. Sonic tries to do the right thing even if GUN tries to intervene. I would too. I mean, what do you do when nothing will be done and lives are on the line? It’s all so confusing sometimes.”

 “I know.” Shadow said. “It’s why I left GUN when I finally could. Too much corruption.”

 “It’s why I couldn’t work there if I had wanted to.” Sonia replied. “I’m content to run my salon and boutique.”

 Shadow reached for his water cup.

 Sonia handed Shadow his cup. “I guess I’ll let you rest.” 

 “You probably need to rest.” Shadow said. 

 Sonia studied Shadow’s expression for a moment. “Do you need me to stay?”

 “You’ve got better things to do.” Shadow said. 

 Sonia settled back into her seat. “I can’t think of anything better at the moment.”

 “It’s fine.” Shadow said. “You can go, I-”

 “Do you have anyone else who’ll stay with you?” Sonia asked. 

 “No.” Shadow replied. 

 “I understand.” Sonia said, brushing her bangs out of her eyes. “You don’t want to be alone here, but don’t want to seem like you’re moving on so quickly. You’re not ready to move on anyway. It’s too soon for that anyway.”

 “Pretty much.” Shadow replied.

 “It’s okay.” Sonia said. “I’ll be your friend. You need one whether you admit it or not.”

 Shadow half smiled. “At least you’re not as annoying as your brothers.”

 Sonia laughed. 

 Shadow shifted to get comfortable in his bed.

 “Would you like to watch a movie?” Sonia asked. 

 Shadow turned the tv on. 

 The Matrix happened to be on.

 Sonia shrugged, then settled into her seat.