2
The next day at work Maddie took inventory on the supplies missing and ordered replacements for them. It was a pretty calm day, only a few animals with minor problems. Her partner, Selene, had the day off so it was just her and the receptionist Terry. She planned on keeping an eye out for Shadow both at work and after work, he might still be around the clinic or on her way home.
She finished her morning rounds and checked in on the animals currently under her care, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Shadow. The idea that he was out there, injured and alone, gnawed at her. She didn’t know him well, but from what she had gathered, he had been through a lot.
As the day progressed, she found herself glancing out the window frequently, half-expecting to see that familiar dark figure lurking in the shadows. The thought of him hiding outside, suffering, made her heart ache. She resolved that if she spotted him, she would do everything in her power to help him, no matter how reluctant he might be to accept it.
Around midday, she received a call from Tom. “Hey, Maddie, any news on Shadow?”
“Nothing yet. I’m keeping my eyes open, but I haven’t seen him,” she replied, trying to sound casual despite the worry creeping into her voice.
“Alright, well, I’m going to look out while doing my town laps.”
“Alright, Just… be careful, okay? He’s obviously not in a good place, and we don’t want to scare him off.”
“Yeah, I got it. I’ll keep you posted.”
After hanging up, Maddie returned to her work, but her mind was elsewhere. She finished her shift and decided to take a different route home, hoping to spot Shadow. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the town. She's glad she got off when she did, considering she walked to work today, while Tails worked on her car.
As she walked, she kept her senses tuned to the environment. She passed by the park, where children were playing and families were out enjoying the evening. The normalcy of it all felt odd against her worry for Shadow.
Suddenly, she heard a rustle in the bushes nearby. Her heart raced as she turned, hoping it was him. Instead, it was just a stray cat, darting away at the sight of her. Disappointed she continued her search.
Just as she was about to give up and head home, she noticed a shadowy figure peeking from behind a dumpster in an alleyway. Maddie’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be him?
“Shadow?” she called softly, taking a cautious step toward the alley.
The figure stiffened, and for a moment, she thought he might bolt. But instead, he hesitated, and she could see the familiar spiky silhouette take shape.
“Stay back!” he snapped, his voice laced with pain and defensiveness.
“I’m not here to hurt you. I just want to help,” she assured him, holding her hands up in a placating gesture. “I saw you at the clinic yesterday. I know you’re hurt.”
He glared at her, but she could see the weariness in his eyes. “I don’t need help,” he replied, though the tremor in his voice betrayed him.
“Please, just let me see your injuries. I can help you.” she pleaded, taking another step closer.
Shadow looked torn, his expression flickering between defiance and vulnerability. After a long moment, he sighed, the fight leaving him like air from a punctured balloon. “Fine,” he muttered, his tone begrudging. “But only a quick look.”
Maddie felt a rush of relief as she approached him slowly. “That’s all I ask.”
As she knelt down to inspect his leg, she noticed the swelling and bruising. “This looks painful. You should have come to me sooner,” she said softly, her heart aching for him.
“I didn’t want to be a burden,” he replied, avoiding her gaze. He looked ashamed in himself, for what? She wasn't sure.
“You’re not a burden, Shadow. You’re someone who needs help, and that’s okay,” she said gently. “Let’s get you patched up.”
With her medical supplies in hand, she worked carefully, explaining each step as she tended to his injuries, replacing his unprofessional bandage job. Shadow winced at first but gradually relaxed as she treated him with the care he hadn’t expected.
As she finished bandaging his leg, she looked up at him. “You know, it’s okay to lean on others sometimes. You don’t have to carry everything alone.”
He looked at her, the tension in his body easing slightly. He opened his mouth to say something before a ball rolled over to them and Maddie turned to see what it was from. Across the street a couple kids stood looking at her, one if them waving a mit in the air. She picked up their ball and tossed it back to them with a smile and a wave. When she turned back around Shadow was gone, and she was alone in the alleyway.
Maddie's heart sank as she realized Shadow had vanished again. The fleeting connection they'd shared felt like a fragile thread, now severed. She glanced down at the bandage she'd just applied, a symbol of the trust he had momentarily offered.
“What happened to you?” she murmured, frustration mingling with concern. The alley was quiet now, save for the distant sounds of the children playing and the gentle rustle of leaves in the evening breeze.
Determined not to give up, she took a deep breath and decided to linger a little longer in the alley, hoping he might return. Maybe he needed more time to process what had just happened. As she leaned against the cool brick wall, she thought about what she could do next.
A plan began to form in her mind. If Shadow was unwilling to come back to the clinic, she could bring the clinic to him. After all, he was still out there, somewhere in the shadows of the town.
She pulled out her phone and texted Tom: "Saw Shadow but he ran off. I’m going to set up a spot near the clinic with food and supplies. Maybe he’ll come back."
Tom replied almost instantly, “Good idea! I’ll help set it up. Let’s make sure he feels safe.”
With renewed determination, Maddie headed back toward the clinic. She gathered some food, blankets, and more medical supplies, then set up a small area in the back just out of sight but still accessible. She placed a bowl of water down and arranged the supplies neatly, hoping to create a welcoming space.
As she worked, her mind wandered back to Shadow. What had he been through to make him so wary? She could only imagine the struggles he faced, living on the streets and dealing with his injuries alone. It made her heart ache even more.
Once everything was in place, she took a moment to sit down, feeling the weight of the day settle on her shoulders. She hoped he would find his way back, but she also knew that trust was a slow process, especially for someone like him.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the clinic, Maddie felt a shiver go down her spine, she should probably get home.
Just then, she heard tires roll up behind her and turned to see Tom's truck. "I thought I said I would help make it!" He called out the window.
"I know but I just wanted to get it done sooner." She gave him a small kiss as she climbed into the passenger seat, before he drove off in the direction of their home. Unaware of Shadow climbing into the bed of the truck.
_
Tails watched quietly as sonic and knuckles had a contest to see who could eat the most hotdogs in under 30 minutes, knowing that Tom and Maddie would be home soon and probably won't be happy to see this. He perked up as he heard the truck doors shut and then the key in the door jingle.
"Welcome home!" He yelled to them and smiled as sonic and knuckles froze in place.
"Thanks sweetie, how was-" Maddie's sentence was cut off as she entered the kitchen and saw what was happening.
"Um, welcome home?" Sonic smiled uncertainly.
"Boys. The one time we trust you to be left alone you pull this." Tom's tone was sturn but not too harsh, and Maddie's face made both knuckles and sonic lower their heads in shame.
"Sorry" they said simultaneously.
"Well I guess you two already ate, what sound good for dinner?" Tom looked between Tails and Maddie.
"Pizza!" Tails smiled wide
"Sounds good to me." Maddie shrugged as Tom went to grab his phone from his pocket. No doubt going to order pizza.
"You two clean up your mess." Maddie gave the two boys one final look before going to her room to change.
When Maddie got in her room the first thing she noticed was the window was open, which was strange since she made sure it was closed this morning. The second thing she noticed was the small rock with a note next to it. After closing the window she picked up the rock and read the note.
Thak you f0r the help.
'shadow' she thought to herself and smiled as she put the rock on her nightstand and went to her closet to change for the night.