Sonic Forces: Success

Chapter Ten: Catching Up

A week had passed rather quickly. In Chris's opinion, it passed too quickly. He had gotten his well-deserved rest, but in between that people (And quite a bit of them) had knocked onto his door and rambled question upon question about the whereabouts of Sonic. Even the news had shown up, about as anxious as ever. Chris wanted to tell the reporter herself, being as she had been the one to find him first, but he took one good look at the camera that was rolling, shook his head, and muttered, "I can't. Sorry."

Now, here he stood, back at the hospital, staring at the front doors with his clipboard in hand and lab coat draped over his shoulders. The morning Wednesday air had a slight spring-filled chill to it, refreshing his senses a bit more as he took in a deep breath of the crisp air.

It smelled of pollen and flowers.

He opened the door.

Inside, he walked up to the desk and held out his assistant's badge to the scanner. With a beep, it signified that he had clocked in, and he took long strides down the corridor after a small nod to the man behind the desk. It was quiet, unlike the last time he had been there. The chaos of the week before was still fresh on his mind as doctors and nurses went to and from in a frantic frenzy. All for one hedgehog nonetheless. Now however, it was like a ghost zone, the silence comforting yet chilling all at once. Chris pressed on, reaching Dr. Smithins office before he went on his way to Sonic's room. He gently knocked on the door twice, and when the muffled voice told him to enter, he did so.

The doctor raised his head, and upon seeing Chris, his eyes lightened. "Ah! Christopher! It's good to see you, very good! Had a good rest?"

"Yes sir." Chris replied as he sat himself down on the opposite chair of the desk. "How about you?"

"Ah, the life of a full time doctor is a game of it's own. It's got its own stresses that comes with it. But it's all for a good cause." Smithins chuckled. Then he sighed, and lost his smile. "I should get straight to the point of the most important matter, though, shouldn't I? Too much talk would be a waste of time." He picked up a pen and sat up straight, face set in a serious scowl as he returned his gaze to Chris. "As predicted before, Sonic is healing rather well. We cleaned up most of his wounds and wrapped him up good enough. But the nurses that brings him his meals had noticed he's eaten less and less of it, and the bags in his eyes seemed to be darkening. I want you to find the reason for this, and try to help him out of it."

Chris held back a gulp with a nod. "I'll do my best sir."

Smithins smiled again. "That's all we ask of you. You may go."

With that, Chris stood, and headed out of the office. He continued his way to Sonic's room, once again his worries for his blue friend engulfing his mind.

But at least I know he's alive now. Chris thought to relieve himself somewhat. It's just the matter of bringing back his spirit.

He opened the door. Inside, he found Sonic sitting up in bed, staring out at the far window. The light shining from it hit his blue quills, giving him a soft glow that reflected off of his eyes. As Smithins had said, the bags in his eyes were rather noticeable against his pale muzzle. An almost untouched breakfast sat at the side of his bed forlornly. When the door clicked shut, his eyes moved to Chris, at first uninterested, then noticing who it was, smiled. Chris knew it was fake.

"Hey." Sonic muttered as his human companion walked in. "Been awhile since I've seen a somewhat familiar face. Almost didn't recognize you with how much you've grown."

Chris smiled in return despite himself, sitting in a chair below the window. "Yeah. It's funny how I can still know it's you even after all these years, though. You don't look like you've even changed."