Chapter 4: Secrets Concealed and Identities Revealed

Amy recollected herself and approached the unconscious hedgehog. She carefully flipped its body over so she could see his face -- and knew right away it was Shadow without a doubt. She took him inside by grabbing him under his arms and dragging him over to her living room couch. Amy then struggled to get Shadow into a somewhat comfortable position while she checked his pulse to see if he was even still alive. Well, at least there's a pulse. That's good... Amy was soon growing frantic. Did she call the police first? Did she try to remedy him herself and consult a physician only if things get worse? Did she try to wake him up and ask him to see someone else for help? On top of all of this, she had numerous questions to ask of Shadow. Like how he survived the fall to Earth, and why he came to her instead of someone more reliable.

"Shadow..? A-are you awake?" Amy took Shadow's gloved hand in her own and patted the back of it lightly.

"...Yes... barely. It hurts.. it hurts to move. It hurts to talk. It hurts, to do.. to do anything. I feel so weak and helpless, I hate that feeling. Falling through the atmosphere isn't as much fun as one would think, it stings. I must be covered in burnt fur..." Shadow said. His eyes were still closed and he began to grip Amy's hand tighter due to the pain. Because he was stronger than her, it began to hurt a bit. After a period of silence, Amy spoke up with her questions.

"So, uhh, Shadow.." Amy began.

"Yeah? What??"

"Umm, if you don't mind me asking, how did you survive the fall?"

"Just lucky I guess."

"And, umm, I see it must've really hurt falling through the atmosphere like that."

"No, Amy, it felt like falling onto a pile of cotton balls." Shadow replied both sarcastically and impatiently.

"Sorry. I was just trying to make conversation." Amy folded her arms, "Could I ask one more question..?"

"Sure, Mrs. Obvious."

Amy gave him a quick angry glare although he couldn't see it. "Well, I was wondering, why did you come to me when you needed help? Why not someone else?"

"First of all, I was not in need of help, I am in need of help, and second, I came to you because," he paused. "I guess I trusted you more than the others." Normally, Amy would've taken out her Piko Piko Hammer and bashed him over the head by now, but those last few words had taken her aback. Someone actually trusted her? She began to giggle at that.

"What? What's so funny?"

"Nothing," she giggled again, "It's just that, no one has ever trusted me with something before. Whether it be an item or a secret."

"Well, now someone does. And I'm sorry I'm being such a jerk right now, but this is really painful. It could give anyone an attitude problem, trust me." Shadow then smirked and turned to her, opening his eyes. "And finally.., Thanks."

"Thanks? For what?"

"For convincing me to battle Biolizard. I know it doesn't seem like a good decision to you now because of the way things are turning out, but it meant a lot to me emotionally. It meant a lot to my purpose, and to Maria. Thank you."

Amy couldn't help but blush a bit, "Y-your welcome." Silence. "Umm, I better call up an ambulance, your in pretty critical condition." She then picked up the phone on the endtable and before she could dial 911, Shadow interrupted.

"Keep my survival a secret between us for now, all right? I promise that I will tell the others when the time is right."

"A-all right." She then gave another quick smile of delight, and in a matter of minutes after the phone call, the ambulance arrived.