*Shadow's POV*
I kept trying to call that number the rest of the day. It was to no use. The calls kept getting dropped.

It wasn't until around 11 at night when I finally got a response. A message.

Unknown: Sonic is with me. He's safe now. He really needs help, and none of his other friends would answer.

I looked at the message and clenched my fists. If I had not heard Sonic with my own ears, then I wouldn't have believed this random person, but I did. Sonic was with this guy, and he sounded so hurt. He sounded like he was in pain.

Me: Where is he? What happened to him? Why do you keep saying he needs help?

Unknown: He doesn't want me to talk to you or the others. He's scared but I don't know what to do anymore. I can't keep hiding him at my place anymore.
Unknown: My name is Spike. I am a bartender at the bar Sonic would go to every day.

Me: Sonic goes to a bar?
Me: Why is he scared? Hiding him from who? Or what?
Me: GIVE ME AN EXPLANATION.

Spike: Hiding from his husband.

My heart broke at reading that message. Sonic got married?

Spike: I met Sonic months ago, a long while after he got married to Fleetway.  I've never seen him sober until now that he's out of that place.
Spike: He NEEDS help.
Spike: Fleetway came to the bar yesterday to look for him and attacked me, knowing that I am the usual bartender there when Sonic goes.
Spike: Sonic is scared and is thinking of going back to him.

I started growling, my hand clenched as fists now as I read the messages.

Me: Location.

Spike: What?

Me: I am going for him now. Send me the location.

Spike: Not now. He's asleep. You're going to scare him.
Spike: Come tomorrow morning.

Me: I can keep him safe.

Spike: I know you can.
Spike: But he's not who you remember anymore...
Spike: If you show up now, without letting me tell him what's going on. He's going to freak out.

Me: Fine. I'll be there in the morning. Send me your address.

The guy sent me the location, and I put my phone down. I could not sleep the rest of the night. I was constantly thinking of Sonic and what that man could have possibly meant by him not being who I remembered.

I did not sleep.

When morning came, Rouge showed up at my house just when I was ready to leave.

"Where are you going?" She asked as I walked out. I was unsure whether to tell her or not, but I decided to do so just in case.

"To get Sonic." I passed her my phone so she could read the messages.

"Shadow, this could be a trap for you. Sonic didn't get married. We would have heard it on the news. And to Fleetway?"

"I heard him, Rouge. The guy called me before he texted me, and I heard Sonic crying in the background." I explained. She landed beside me and looked at the phone again.

"Are you sure it was him?" She asked again, this time she looked concerned.

"I know it was him." I nodded and took my phone back. "Don't tell the others and don't be here when I come back. If you see Fleetway, let me know."

"Be careful, Hun." She said, and I nodded and then skated off to the location I was given.

It was 8 in the morning, I thought it was a pretty good time to show up even though I wanted to leave since last night or even at 6 but I thought it may be too early for them. I stopped in front of what looked to be a café then looked around confused, unsure if I was at the right place. It wasn't until a brown fox walked to me and stretched his hand to me.

"I'm Spike." I took his hand and shaked it, then followed him inside the café and behind the counter to some doors that led to a staircase. He guided me upstairs and then stopped in front of a door. "I told him you'd be coming, and he didn't take it very well. He thinks you hate him, so just be careful about what you say to him. And -" He stopped and sighed. "Be gentle with him. He's in constant pain."

I nodded, unsure what he meant by that, and followed him in when he opened the door. It led to the inside of an apartment where I guess was his home. I glanced around for possible exits in case I needed it and made sure I had my chaos emerald with me then followed the fox as he guided me to a living room where I saw Sonic sitting down looking out the window.

I froze and lowered my ears when I saw him. His body was covered in cuts, bruises, and some already healed scars. He looked thin, like if he moved the wrong way, his bones could break. He looked at me with his ears pinned down, and I felt my heart shatter when I saw how red his eyes were. His smile was gone, and there was no traces of it. The dark bags under his eyes made me wonder how long had it been since he got proper rest.

I ran to him and instantly hugged him. I hugged him like my life depended on it. Like if I didn't have him in my arms, I would die. Sonic tensed up and kicked me off, then started to breathe heavily as he looked at me in pure shock.

"I'm sorry." He kept his ears pinned down. "I didn't mean to - I'm sorry." Tears streamed down his muzzle. I got back up, and this time, I walked to him and knelt down in front of him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." I reached for his hand, leaving my hand in the air so he could take it if he wanted to. "What happened to you, Hedgehog?"

"Take him with you." Sonic hesitated but  placed his hand on mine, then we both turned to look at Spike. "Fleetway is going to find out he's here soon. It's best if he's not here when Fleetway shows up."

"Thank you for calling me." I said as I stood up and looked down at Sonic. "Can you stand up?"

Sonic nodded, then looked at his friend and walked to him, then hugged him. I couldn't help but stare at Sonic, I was worried. He looked so weak and so defeated.

"Thank you for everything." Sonic whispered as his friend patted his back and then nodded. Sonic then walked to me, and I chaos controlled us to my house.

I will keep him safe.

********
My damn cat gave you guys the last chapter of this story for a split second before I unpublished it again. 😅
Almost spoiled the whole book for you guys!