Meanwhile, in the inn, nervous Sonic was walking in circles. Shadow still hadn't arrived, and the sun was slowly setting. He would never think they would have such adventure. The boy didn't want to admit it, but he was walking, so he would keep his legs moving, hiding the shaking.

He thought tailing Amy was the most adventurous thing he would do, but now they had encountered dangerous men and witnessed her kidnapping. His rescue plan was also crazy, and now he was realizing how dangerous it was.

He wasn't afraid of the height. However, if he would miss, that boar man would create a fuss, ruining their plan. A cold shiver run down his spine. The last hours sure were crazy. If there was one part he enjoyed, it was the run-to-the-hills one. The air was whistling all around him, and the scenery turned into a blurry image, connecting all houses into one block. It was a blessed time until he realized that screeching sound was coming from Amy and not his amazing speed. Then again, he might don't want to listen to it every time he would run.

'Where is he,' he muttered in his mind. The wait for the priest seemed endless. When the door creaked, the boy almost jumped out of his quills.

"Father Shadow!" Sonic exclaimed, throwing himself around priest's neck.

Shadow had to step back to not fall backward. He hugged him in return, feeling intense burden had fallen from his shoulders.

"I did it! I ran and ran!" He jolly chanted into an ebony ear, making the other almost deaf.

"I know! You did great," praised him Shadow, and the boy jumped down.

However, Sonic's legs finally gave in, and he landed on his butt. Shadow silently giggled as he watched the boy rubbing his landing pads. His dark eyes glanced Amy sitting at the bed. She was quiet and focusing on the boy. The priest was sure this experience left her scared.

Amy must have noticed he was watching her since she turned her attention to him. Yet again, her crystal blue eyes pierced right through him, but there was no malice but complete sincerity. "How did you actually find me?" she silently asked. Her small hands were clenched.

"Well, I..." Shadow knew, saying he smelled her would sound weird and bring up more question, so he reworded his answer a bit, "noticed you were going out and since your situation is a bit complicated, I have decided it would be best to keep an eye on you."

Her eyebrows knitted as she replied, "So you were stalking me?" Her cheeks huffed a bit.

"Is that how girls say thank you?" inquired Sonic sarcastically. His imagination of this moment was much more cheerful and full of freshly baked cookies.

Amy lowered her head, feeling ashamed. Sonic was right she should thank them. However, her pride was hurt a bit. She thought she could take care of herself. The young lass had many books in her head she knew them by memory. Her father told her a lot about his business and his travels. She was sure she could navigate in the outer world.

"Now, now, no one would like to be tailed," Shadow noted in a soothing voice, patting Sonic's quills. He then continued, "Then we witnessed some shady people around you, and Sonic hitched the ride. But since he was unable to get you out, he waited for a better chance.

When I arrived, we made a rescue plan. It was a little daring, but with Sonic's speed it was doable." Shadow tried to sound calm like everything was perfectly planned. However, Amy's face suggested she was now aware it wasn't easy or carefully planned.

Then she smiled, adding, "Sonic run really fast! It was like flying!"

The blue hedgehog looked proud, puffing up his chest. "I can go even faster, but I had to slow down for you." He rubbed under his nose.

Shadow was sure he was trying to impress her. He was glad this ended, but there was still one matter that had to be settled. "Can you tell us why did you leave?" Shadow sat down on the chair as he felt tired. He would probably arrive sooner, but he had to push back that voice in his head. Thankfully, it seemed it silenced itself, for the time being, letting the priest enjoy some sense of peace and quiet.

Sonic looked at Amy and took a seat on the other bed. The boy let out a sigh, feeling the adrenaline was gone. He now felt more tired than before even sleepy.

Amy took her handbag that had a few stains on the cover and took out a small package. "I thought I would get Sonic something better to wear. You do take care of me." She smiled at him.

The blue boy turned crimson in his face, and his ears flopped down. Shadow smiled too. It seemed Amy had a good influence on him. Sonic jumped down off the bed, now completely awake, and took the package.

"I hope I got the right size," the pink lass silently mumbled. A bit of redness was on her face too.

The boy opened the package and spread the white T-shirt with green rims. The green lines had very similar shade like his eyes. He threw it over his shoulder, spreading on the floor light-brown shorts with pockets. This piece had blue embroidery around the rims. It was already equipped with suspenders of light-beige color, and white socks were neatly folded next to it.

"Sorry, if it's not your style," she silently added. It seemed like a good idea, but then again, boys never liked to buy clothes. Now she was sure she should pick something different. Maybe a toy? Boys loved small soldiers, cars, or a model of a train? However, neither was practical for traveling.

That's right! The books! She should have looked for one! But what if he disliked reading? What was his level anyway? And what type of book? There were more thoughts like this in her head it was making it spun.

"It's awesome!" he exclaimed, throwing Amy off her mind. "Can I really wear it?" He looked at her, not believing his eyes. Those were the best-looking clothes he had ever got since he started to live in the orphanage. Not that he would complain about his old clothes, but all of them were already worn out. The feeling of having something that was his own made him excited.

"Of course. Clothes are made to be worn." She delightedly smiled. The blue boy immediately started to change which made Amy blush a bit as she turned around. Sonic was so happy he didn't realize it. Shadow watched them with a small smile.

"How do I look?" he asked after a while.

The girl slowly turned around. "You look great," she honestly replied.

"Like a proper hedgehog," added Shadow.

A loud growling sound spread in the room, and others soon followed. After a few silent seconds, they burst in laughing. Their stomachs were demanding attention, so they headed down to fulfill them.

The atmosphere during the meal was quite relaxing, but Shadow was deep in thoughts. He was sure this kidnapping wasn't a random occurrence, but it was deliberately planned. He was sure she might be still in danger, so he decided to visit her parents tomorrow morning.

He hoped he would be heard out. That way he could find out more about her fiance, situation and what had led to her escape. It wouldn't be an easy task he was sure with that. When he found her, he should have informed her parents she was with him, but she made him so busy he had no time to do so.

After the meal, Amy headed to her room. This adventure left her drained, so it was no surprise she wanted to go to sleep earlier. Sonic and Shadow also retreated to their room. The boy was reading the Holy Book while Shadow counted the money. The future days looked gloomy. With Sonic he could stay in this town for about a week, but since Amy joined them, it was shortened to three days.

'I really have to find some income. But how?' He was thinking about it, but he had no idea. He never did anything else than teaching about the Lord. He doubted any family would hire him. He had no background or benefactor to speak for him. 'Well, I can always use my strength for labor. I think it's not that bad.'

The fight with those thugs surprised him. He moved so fast, and his hits were swift. He was sure the adrenaline paid a huge part in it but still, he lifted about a ton of living weight. The fatigue also didn't last for too long. He was more tired from pushing the voice back. As he thought about it, he decided to start looking for a job tomorrow once he would finish his visit to Amy's parents. He loudly sighed.

"Father Shadow, is something the matter?" asked him Sonic looking at him. He had clearly heard him counting the money, and the sigh couldn't be a good sign.

"It's nothing," he lied, angry at himself he let himself to be caught brooding. "I was just thinking I may show you how I patrol the city."

"Really?" A big smile appeared on his face. "Will you show me how to get rid of demons?" He jumped down from the chair, clenching fists in an excited manner.

"Haha, nothing so extreme, I suppose it will be more like taking a stroll. But you never know what surprise may await on the road ahead," he calmly explained, but Sonic's reaction was just so honest it made him feel better.

"Okay," the boy answered, and there was a hint of a letdown in his voice. He returned the book on its place and followed Shadow outside of the inn.

The sun was gone for a while, and so only street lamps and stars with moon were providing any light. This part of the city was quiet, but just above the streets near the center, one could tell the real life was beginning. While they walked, Shadow asked some questions from the book, and Sonic answered them correctly in most cases.

Shadow's nose cringed as it inhaled. 'Amy?' he asked himself as he smelled her nearby. He carefully looked around, inspecting the space around.

"Want some?" The blue hedgehog offered him a cookie he took out of a small bag he hid in his new shorts.

"Ah, thank you." He accepted it, taking a small bite. 'Of course. Amy's smell is lingering on the cookies and Sonic's new clothes.' That made him feel relieved. One kidnapping was enough.

However, he had no idea there was indeed somebody secretly following them. This person's eyes were watching their backs as they were walking.