7. Exodus

It had begun raining again, and the cold had lost its refreshing effect, making them nod off at intervals. They had agreed to take turns at staying awake, to make sure no-one slid off the roof, but by now, they were sitting side by side, sleep weighing down their shoulders and chins until they were huddled close together. That way, at least, the cold only felt intoxicating, not painful.

The water had stopped rising, and was flowing by calmly now, as though it was in no rush to collect its prize.

Sonic wrapped his arms around Amy's shoulders, not sure whether he sought, or wanted to give, warmth. The girl sighed sleepily and opened her eyes. A tiny incredulous frown crept across her forehead. Waking up in the arms of Sonic – could only be another dream. She smiled at him, and he returned the smile. Kindness for kindness seemed fair enough. The world was falling apart around them, but they could still smile. True – there was a strained quality to Sonic's face that hadn't been there a few days earlier, and Amy's eyes were haunted by fleeting shadows of sorrow. Both of them had changed… but still both of them could smile.

Hour followed hour, seeing nothing more than sighing stream and falling rain. Sonic didn't wake up Amy. She slept so peacefully, finding in sleep the peace that had disappeared from the world. Her calm breath melted into the scenery and became part of the world around him. Somehow it seemed right that she should sleep and he should watch – ancient instincts told him that was how the world ought to be. Her head was resting against his shoulder, his arms encircling her, cradling her, keeping her safe.

A shadow of fear stalked into the universe. What if she, too, was lost to the mayhem around him, torn away by violence, like Tails, or illness, like Cream, or nature, like Knuckles. Didn't she look a little paler than usual? Weren't her lips turning blue? Having lost everyone else, he couldn't bear the thought of losing her too. Slowly, gently, he bowed down over her, whispering her name.

- Amy? Amy, stay with me, don't go.

She didn't answer, must still be sleeping. He slid the back of his hand down her cheek, caressing her ever so gently. Why did the world have to be turned upside-down before he noticed how much she meant to him? Why did dead have to shoot its' arrows at all his friends before he learned to appreciate life? He would blame himself for his stupidity forever, but at least it was not too late – hope remained for the two of them. Hope and life.

- You're all I have left… I… I love you…

He pressed his lips softly against hers, shuddering at the cold contact. He closed his eyes and waited holding the kiss – she would wake up any minute now, and return his embrace. Any minute…

Nothing.

But this couldn't be – she had been fine a minute ago…

The girl was as cold and limp in his arms as a rag-doll pulled out from a refrigerator. As he drew back from her abruptly, her head fell back over his arm, her pale lips slightly parted. Looking at her closed eyes and smooth brow, he knew that she had found a peace beyond all tempests. But that didn't take the pain away. It felt like he had been shot through the stomach, and was just waiting to bleed out of existence…

Drawing her empty form to him in a tight embrace, he screamed his sorrow into the howling wind, until the swooping chopper drowned out all sound, catching the two little figures on the roof in its search-light.

No, Amy! WHYYYYYYYYYYY?!

Flash.

- It's useless… I'm calling it… 10:48

- Notify housekeeping, this place is a mess.

- We lost him…

Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-

Why?

Such is my nature.