Bad Dream

The little girl, no more than three, ran amongst the burning flames that used to be her town. People everywhere were screaming like birds and running, while she stayed amongst the debris. The laughter and the mechanical sounds from the war machine destroying her home rushed in her ears and the darkness played around her like a cloak.

With her eyes closed, she could sense the bodies around her, mostly gray with nothing special attached to them, and the black hole that was the evil man in the war machine. She didn't even realize she'd stopped until she heard a hauntingly familiar voice.

"Run!"

The feminine voice was soon deceased and replaced by an eerie, haunting laughter. "I have you now, little one." Hissed the voice.

"Ahhh!" The little girl shot upward in her bed. The space beside her was empty and this made her even more frightened as the tears rolled uncontrollably down her cheeks.

She didn't even flinch when a warm hand rested on her shoulder and the comforting smell of the midnight air surrounded her. She couldn't stop crying or even open her eyes until a swift but gentle movement had her cradled within the security blanket she knew well.

He cradled her gently, rocking her across his slightly damp knees. No doubt he'd been singing the songs of the night with the birds and insects outside. His thin but softly muscled arms wrapped around her tiny body, holding her against every curve of his, making sure she was protected. His quills fell over his shoulder and she turned into his chest.

"What's wrong little dove?" He cooed to her, pulling his gloves further down his wrists absently. "What's got you in a fluff so late?"

The little girl in his lap sniffled. "Bad…dream…" She choked.

The warm hand played with her hair, smoothing the light reddish-brown locks against her skull, cooing to her. "It's all right. Calm down, little one. Everything's just fine."

The little girl looked up, only to meet his emerald orbs, shining like the moon in the dimly lit room. They were soft and glassy, almost tired, yet compassionate and caring. Impatience flashed behind those pupils, but it was overpowered with concern for her. She smiled suddenly.

His concerned eyes closed and he rested against the wall, his back spines crushed against the concrete. His breathing slowed and his grip loosened considerably. The little girl moved until the contours of her body matched his. She laid her head upon his tan-colored chest, moving up and down rhythmically as he rested. She snuggled closer to him, listening to his heartbeat and the inner workings of his body. Quite suddenly, she began to laugh.

The shrill cry of her birdsong laughter was hard to distinguish from that of anguish. Sonic the Hedgehog's eyes shot open instantly and his body straightened. "I'm up! I'm up!" He stated, looking around him curiously, his grip tightening. "What's wrong, my Corie?"

But, Corie continued to laugh, running her small fingers through his tangled fur. "Calm down, Sonic. I'm laughing."

Sonic's grip loosened again and he relaxed with his back against the wall. He smiled, too. "What's so funny?"

"Your tummy." Corie shifted until she was kneeling in his lap, her tiny hand pressed against his midsection. "It's making funny noises."

Sonic chuckled almost inaudibly. "What kind of noises is it making?" His eyes shone playfully.

Corie chimed in, her voice lowering in octaves. It was amazing that she had such good control over her voice. After all, she was only seven. "It's sounding like a little frog underwater."

"Ribbit!" Sonic imitated, his arms launching for her chest. Once there, he pushed against her gently. "Ribbit."

Corie giggled. "Or a fishy."

Sonic made a fish face and Corie squealed, covering her mouth with her hand. He moved easily forward, his mouth pressed against her neck. He then blew a rapid breath of air there. Corie pushed him away, laughing hysterically.

"Or maybe a…" She paused, her face fearful.

Sonic's arms encased her again, smelling her fear. "What?"

"A machine grinding." Corie answered, her lips pursing together in an attempt to stop herself from sobbing.

Sonic held her close. "No, no, no. Don't cry, don't cry, I'm here." He rocked her gently back and forth, humming soothingly. "Shh. It's all right."

Corie's hand reached for his cheek. "Sun, it was that horrible dream again. He almost had me this time! It was awful!"

Sonic's lips brushed the top of her head. "No, no. Don't you fret. Eggman isn't gonna get you as long as I'm around. Okay?"

"But…" Corie's sapphire eyes met his emerald ones. "Your tummy."

Sonic laughed softly. "My belly's more of a frog or a fish. No machines, I promise." His forehead touched hers gently, his eyelashes tickling her cheeks.

Corie nodded into his chest. How quickly Sonic's role could change, from father to brother, to light. "But…" She paused, listening again. "It's getting louder now."

"Hmmm." Sonic nodded slowly. "I'm a little bit hungry. But," He lifted her from his lap and tucked her in under the covers, letting her grasp a handful of his chest fur as he lay, without covers, beside her and she turned to use him as a pillow. "Mister Sunshine will only come up if good little girls are asleep, okay? So, close your eyes and think happy thoughts."

Corie's arms wrapped around him and she yawned, clutching at his fur. "Tell me."

Sonic thought a moment and began in a soft, soothing tone. "Well, the winds flying across the land, maybe. They're playing with the fallen leaves, you see. Or, a fat little caterpillar becoming a beautiful butterfly. Or the sapling, that reaches towards the sky, her many skinny little arms growing upward until she becomes Mother Tree."

"Will she ever touch the sky?" Corie asked, almost asleep now.

"She hasn't yet," Sonic spoke, his voice receding as Corie fell asleep. "But, maybe one day."