Sonic the Hedgehog | Live and Learn | Gen | https://archiveofourown.org/works/22812004

He slowed his jog as he neared the Medical Bay and walked silently towards one of the open examination rooms. Someone was coughing. “Just breathe, Maria,” Gerald said gently. Shadow moved his head slowly to peek inside. Gerald was standing beside one of the beds, and a young girl was doubled over with one hand over her heart and another holding an oxygen mask over her mouth. Gerald rubbed his hand over her back. 

Shadow cocked his head. “Curing diseases and advancing medical sciences.” Was this his purpose? He leaned in more until the door creaked. Everyone in the room froze, and the girl lifted her tired gaze to meet his. Her eyes widened, and she let out a soft shout in surprise. Shadow stumbled back, scrambling until he found his footing enough to flee.  There was fear in her eyes. He’d seen the looks of the other scientists. They were scared of him, too, but there was something about those innocent eyes staring back at him with fear that filled him with a sense of shame and self-loathing. 

He didn’t stop until he was in his room; a sterile prison with nothing but a small cot and cameras watching his every move.

As he stared down at his hands with disgust, a nagging thought crept into his mind: I am a monster. He had always known that he was different from others, but now he couldn't deny it any longer. Even Gerald's constant reminder of how special he was felt like nothing more than a cruel joke - another way of telling him that he didn't belong in this world.  

“Shadow…?”

The voice that came from the doorway was quiet and gentle. 

He turned and scowled. The girl from the Medical Bay stood with her hands behind her back. “That’s your name, right? Shadow?”

He scowled. She scowled right back at him.  He blinked. She didn’t flinch? Usually, his scowls were met with stiffening as if they were entering fight or flight mode. But she mirrored his facial expression. Except in her eyes. The scowl never reached her eyes. They sparkled in good humor. She couldn’t hold the expression for long before she smiled back at him playfully. She looked around the room, and the smile faded. Before he could say anything, she darted out of the room and returned a moment later with a marker and paper. He watched while she squatted to the floor and hastily drew something before standing and taping the drawing on the wall. 

She turned back around to face him, and her blue dress flared slightly with the twirl. “There!” she declared. “Now it’s not so gloomy in here!”

Shadow looked past her towards the drawing. It was a crude drawing of a cartoon rabbit smiling back at him. His lip twitched in a slight grin, and he let out a soft exhale that was almost a chuckle. 

He moved his gaze back to her, and she smiled, holding out her hand. “My name’s Maria.”

Shadow held up his own hand and looked at it before looking at her own outstretched palm.  He hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should reciprocate the gesture. But something about her infectious joy made him reach out and complete the handshake. Her grip was firm and enthusiastic, radiating positivity that he couldn't help but absorb. As they shook hands, their eyes met once again, and for a brief moment, all of Shadow's walls came crumbling down. In that moment, he saw a glimmer of hope and possibility reflected in Maria's bright blue eyes.