Chapter Text
Shadow coughs as dust gets in his lungs. He stands up and slowly walks back to the Green Hills. It doesn't matter where he decides to hide out, there's no one left to care about him. The only person that was close to him is gone.
When he reaches the small town, he hides in a box in an alley. He shivers when day turns to night and the cold air brushes against his fur.
He wakes up the next day with a familiar face staring at him. "It'd be safer to hide out in a building." The man doesn't leave, he's waiting for something. Or, he's waiting for him.
Shadow whimpers in fear that this man, Agent Stone, is going to hurt him just like how G.U.N. put him in a cage like he was a wild animal.
He is a hedgehog, but he still knows how to control himself. The agent holds out his hand, expecting Shadow to take it. "Come on, Shadow."
The black hedgehog hesitates for a few seconds before putting his hand in the agent's. Stone leads him back to the lab and shows him where he can sleep.
As Shadow enters the room, he notices that it's very clean. Stone stands next him and watches the invisible gears turn in Shadow's head.
"It used to be the Doctor's room but I cleaned it up for you yesterday. I'll be back when dinner's ready."
Shadow tries to respond, but he realizes he's still too scared to talk. He sits on the edge of his big new bed and waits for Stone to return.
40 Minutes Later:
Stone comes back with a plate of pasta and puts it on the nightstand. He notices that Shadow hasn't moved from his spot on the bed.
He decides it's better to sit down and try to make him feel loved than just leave him by himself. "Shadow?" The black hedgehog turns his head to his left. His big red eyes tell Stone that he's struggling to communicate with him.
Stone sits down next to Shadow. "Look, I know you've done some bad things. We all have. But, you don't have to do this on your own. I can see you want to talk to me. It's okay if you're not ready yet. I won't force you to tell me anything."
Shadow looks at Stone's face and searches for a sign that'll tell him he can trust the man sitting next to him. Once he realizes that this man isn't a threat, he hugs him and starts crying.
Stone is shocked at first, but then returns the hug with one hand and pets Shadow's quills with the other. "Shhh. It's okay. You're safe now. I won't let anyone put you in stasis again."