"What do you want with me?" The young girl in Shadow's arms whimpered. Shadow payed her no mind. Esmeralda and her mom had been at home when this black hedgehog had taken her out of nowhere. He wasn't discreet about it either. He made a huge mess and made sure every guard knew about it. She didn't think he was very good at kidnapping, which means he doesn't do this often. So why is he doing it now?

Shadow didn't even make any recognition that she'd spoken. He held a steely gaze as he sped forward. The wind tore through Esmeralda's hair, causing it to whip her face like a sandblaster. What Esmeralda noticed after a while, was that Shadow held his arms around her like a barrier against the wind. Perhaps he wasn't all bad? She looked into his hard eyes and doubted it. He had the look of a criminal, maybe even a killer. He could be plotting with Robotnick and trying to take over Soleanna. The thought angered her and she looked straight ahead. The world moved past her in a blur of color and sound. It would have been fascinating, had it not been for the situation she was in.

Shadow slowed then stopped so suddenly Esmeralda's head hurt. She shook it in an attempt to clear it then took a look around. They were in the middle of an abandoned city that looked like it had been trying to rebuild itself the past few years. It was dark despite the sunlight, which gave the city an eerie feeling. Esmeralda didn't like it at all.

Shadow set her down and looked at her sternly, "Stay here! If a large, black creature appears, run that way!" He pointed the way they had come, "If not, wait for my return and I'll take you somewhere safe."

She furrowed her eyebrows, "Why did you take me if we're going somewhere safe?"

Shadow turned around, "I'll explain later. Just stay here and don't make a sound. Oh! And don't listen to what I say. I'm going to lie through my teeth when I talk here."

Esmeralda was befuddled. She didn't know what to believe or how much she understood. Was Shadow luring her into a trap or telling the truth? She decided to listen for now and wait to see what he does. She crouched behind a dumpster, receiving a nod from Shadow before he rounded the corner. Esmeralda waited, straining her hears for footsteps of movement. She heard nothing until there was a bone chilling voice that made her shiver.

"Where is he Shadow?"

Shadow's voice was icy, "He got the queen out before I could get her."

This Esmeralda knew was a lie. Shadow didn't even look for her mom when he took her.

The other voice sounded angry, "You cannot fail me Shadow! Bring me one of them before the next week or you will never see your precious Maria again!"

There was a threat in his voice so deep that Esmeralda shuddered. How can Shadow stand being near the owner of the voice?

There was an edge to Shadow's voice that gave Esmeralda pause, "I won't fail again! That is a promise!"

"Promise me nothing! Give me results!" The voice bellowed. Esmeralda cringed and closed her eyes, wishing she was home with her mother.

"I will! In seven days time or less you'll have Elise!" Shadow vowed. Esmeralda felt the dumpster shaking beside her, then realized it was herself. She hugged herself as if that would protect her. She only hoped Shadow was lying to buy time. If not, everyone's in trouble.

Shadow returned with the same hard expression as before. He scoped her up without word and sped off again. This time, he went the direction they came. Esmeralda didn't say anything. She only closed her eyes and pretended this was all a bad dream. If only it was.

"This may not look it, but I'm protecting your mother Sonic," Shadow said quietly.

Esmeralda opened her eyes slowly, but didn't look at him, "Mind explaining?" She demanded.

Shadow didn't hesitate to reply, "What happens when something threatens a queen?"

"The whole world knows," She responded with a roll of her eyes, "So?"

"And?"

She thought a moment, "The already ridiculous protection enhances..."

"Exactly. Now the world knows there's something after your mother and she has much more surveillance. I can protect you myself easily. It's not you he wants. Your mother, however, is wanted by not only Doom, but Robotnick and who knows who else. I need Sonic to protect her and the world to be aware."

Esmeralda thought about that for a moment, "But Sonic thinks you're against him..."

"One day, when you're in love; you'll know just how badly that hurts," Shadow said softly. Esmeralda looked at him and gasped. His eyes had melted to a deep repentance and there were the barest hint of tears. She looked away and said nothing else. They ran for a while, through an endless sea of grass and endless rows of trees. It was almost lulling to Esmeralda, and she found herself falling asleep.

"I won't drop you," Shadow said softly. He spoke with a silky voice that one would use on their children. It almost brought Esmeralda to tears. She loved her mother, and would't trade her life for anything, but she wanted a dad more than anything. She envied every little girl she saw in the streets of Soleanna who fell, and had fathers to pick them up and dust them off. She wanted her mother to marry someone so she'd have a man to call father, but Elise made it very clear she didn't want a man in her life. Esmeralda never showed just how much that upset her.

She adjusted herself so she was more comfortable. A soft smile played on her lips as she spoke, "Promise?"

Shadow spoke with that same, fatherly voice, "Promise."