Set me Free

Ill Will


Sonic arose from his bed early on Friday mourning. “I am so sick of this.” He commented, realizing he could not remember the previous night. His memories of being young came back to him, flooding his mind with all things which were familiar. He could feel his mind drown in its own despair; on its own accord, it searched for a reason to a broken soul . . .

Shadow, an insomniac, was up before the birds again. Sleeping a bare three hours at most, he always just stood there, waiting for something interesting. However, it never did, so he went out and looked for interest. Today was different, his memory not failing him for once. His eyes became glassy as he thought of the past. “I thought . . . that I had put the past behind me.”

Fall, the season of memory, the season of beauty. Large red eyes looking over the landscape. No overcoat, nothing. Just a look of joy, to be with his greatest friend. The pair looked happy, orange and red leaves falling around them. Sonic could never admit it, but he loved the crimson black hedgehog, with all of his heart. He knew from the feeling warmth and comfort, the feeling of always being secure.

The hedgehog had learned a while back that his secret love would most likely never love him in turn, but he no longer cared. The only thing he ever worried of was when a bruise, or a scar would appear on Shadow’s body and face. Sonic finally got up the courage to ask him, “Shadow, what happened to you?”

“It wasn’t enough, that is all. So I had to pay another way.” Shadow said, not turning from the view in front of him. The mountains seemed to trap them under this tree. They seemed to edge ever closer, securing they would not leave this place.

“I...I don’t understand Shadow, what is it that you must pay?”

“Bills Sonic, I just have so many to pay, and I agreed to pay a certain amount to my father every week until they are gone.”

Sonic stopped speaking, sitting down next to Shadow, who continued to stand. He thought a little while, then came to a satisfactory conclusion. “How much, Shadow, do you have to pay?”

“Well, I have to pay at least 400 rings weekly.” He said, a bit more melancholy than normal.

“How could you manage that?! The average paycheck is only 178 rings!” Sonic exclaimed without hearing Shadow out.
“Well, I find my way.” Shadow said, burrowing himself into contemplation.

The sun began to set on the mountain, casting a great orange-red glow over the plains. Every blade of grass grew weary in preparation for the oncoming night. The tree grew in tired as the day drew to a close. The leaves were all basking in what may be one of their last ray gathering days.

Shadow carried a broad smile as the sun was quickly engulfed by the mountains like a cookie in wickedly crooked teeth. The sky above grew pink and purple, in a large array of colors, like paints mixing together perfectly on a canvass. The sky was dancing.

The moon arose largely behind them. Shadow turned to it, and said, “I must go back.” He walked off, leaving Sonic in his thoughts. He then got up, and turned and said, “Wait, Shadow.” The darker stopped without turning asked calmly, “What is it?”

“How much, do you owe in total?” Sonic asked, trying not to pry, but too curious not to do so.

“I have been keeping up with these payments by gambling, poker mostly. I have a talent for reading people’s faces, and knowing when to quit.” Shadow then continued, “However, the total sum is still great, around 30 0’000.”

Shadow walked off, but Sonic remained in his thoughts. Sonic then came to a single conclusion.
’I must help him.

Over the next few days, Shadow did not come to the tree. Sonic wondered if he was ashamed of his confession, but then again, when did Shadow ever care what other people thought or felt? It was not till later that he discovered Shadow had been abused by his father for being a single second late.

When Shadow finally recovered enough to meet Sonic, Sonic presented him with a bag full of rings. Thousands of them that Sonic must have saved for his entire life. “Take them” Sonic began, “I would never use them anyway.” The blue hedgehog’s family may not have been rich, but Sonic could save his money fairly well.

Shadow said, “This is completely irrational.”

“Not at all, because . . . I will not let anyone get away with murder.” Sonic never imagined that this large sum of rings would become the first big gamble of Shadow’s life.

“I’ll be right back Sonic, but then I will have to leave.”

The brown bag was quite heavy and diminished most of his running ability. He knew Sonic meant for him to use this money for his debt, but he thought of a better way, and a more fun one at that.

Arriving home early surprised his father immensely. “Shouldn’t you be out fucking that boyfriend of yours?” The man said with a mean look in his black eyes. He looked like Shadow, except for three differences. The white fluff of hair on the father was matted and discolored, there were no red streaks on his spines, and he was a rather large size.

“Shouldn’t you be drunk by now?” Replied the young hedgehog sarcastically.

“That’s it you little shit, get your ass over here!” Yelled the larger loudly.

Shadow glared at him, shaking inside with fear. He showed no sign of such fear though, and boldly said, “I have better idea, Father, why don’t we play a game?”

“I have no time for this nonsen . . .” The older gazed greedily upon the heavy bag of golden rings Shadow dropped on the table.

“How about a wager then?” Shadow asked in return to his father’s unfinished remark.

“What do you get?”

“The only thing I want, freedom from you.” Shadow said, gaining his own foot hold. He began to corrode within. He could feel his heart slow down, and his will become steel. He wanted it for so long, and he knew one thing he wanted more. He knew for sure that he would have it. He pulled the pack of cards from his pocket.

After small talk on the game, they cut the cards and dealt five each. “So, are we betting by ante or just giving everything?” The father said with little emotion.

“No folding, no quitting, no backing out. This is the one and only hand, whoever wins will get it all.” The air smelled thick and heavy. His father’s cheap cologne mixed in with the putrid smell of the room around them. So strong was it that even Shadow could notice, even though he lived here.

Shadow threw away four cards, and picked up four. The elder looked at his son with knowing eyes. He looked down at his own hand, and saw three of the Aces, and his son had the fourth. He realized his son had little hope of winning, and he would own Shadow and the enormous sum of rings.

The father did not discard anything when shadow asked, as he was clearly lost in his own greed. “Show your cards, father.”
“Heh, you have no chance with that ace, I have the other three in my hand.” His father loomed over him, like a vulture over the dying.

“Four cards . . . , they are all it takes to change a game.” Shadow said darkly below his breath, “And Lady Luck shows her love for me today!” He barked with the heated flames of vengeance in his eyes. He threw down his hand, the Ace of Spades and four deuces.

Shadow snatched up the rings and looked at his father. “Sir, there is a time to lead, and a time to follow . . . this is my time. To find just who I am.” He went into his room and gathered a few things. His father sat stunned, staring at the cards. Something glinted behind the elder as Shadow walked by. “And father, You do not have to worry about bills, because I want to carve my new future now.”

Hopeful, and still surrounded by thoughts of money, he looked up to his son, who he suddenly felt to be a generous, forgiving hedgehog. “Wha . . . would you leave me your money then?”

“No, I am going to put you out of your misery.” He jumped on top of the table they played and cut at his eyes. He saw fear, an icy glaze of true fear. He could tell his father realized he had raised a monster, a creature of hell. Shadow watched his fathers eyes shred tears of blood. He screeched to the world around them. The knife hung loose in his hand. He dangled it over his father’s head, watching blood stick messily in the fur beneath his eyes. Then, he dropped the blade upon him.

Shadow walked away from his home, knowing that no one would dare enter that house again. He knew he was getting away with murder.

Sonic remained by the tree, holding on to the promise that Shadow would return. He did, indeed, stop by the tree, but did not plan on staying long. “Sonic . . . ” Shadow said sadly.

“I love you.” Sonic said abruptly, hearing Shadow’s call for his voice, “But you are going to leave me . . .”

Shadow walked over and touched his shoulder, preventing him from continuing what he was saying. Shadow finally replied, “Sonic, I love you, but you don’t want to love me.”

Shadow began to walk away leaving his friend uncomforted as tears flooded his eyes. ‘You . . . say that . . . but you leave me . . . ?

Sonic reminiscence of the dream-memory finally ended there. He had been awoken with the grievous feelings from the years torment that followed the incident. Shadow shut him off, and he felt broken. As the days had gone by, his heart grew cold . . .

They made him what he is today.

Shadow, however, thought of the days and wept not a tear. He had no regrets. He simply avenged his pain, and the pain of others. They did not deserve what he did not. He was a shady figure, but he was on the side of truth, even when no one knew, even if truth went against justice.

A/n: By far, the best chapter of this series thus far. (Cept no lemon. I WAS going to have some indication to incest between Shadow and his father, rapecest to be exact.) I like it though. And I gave less info than I was originally. Oh well, who gives a damn anyway, the chapter is posted and no one read A/n anyway. (Cept me, that is why I write them.)