HELP WANTED - Marble Garden
If there was one thing that made Knuckles more nervous than traveling with the cracks of twigs and growling of beasts behind him, it was traveling in complete, utter silence.
The island seemed still this morning, the sky above white and lifeless, without even a breeze to sway the leaves in the trees around the Guardian. Typically, one would at least hear the distant cries of birds in the overgrown gardens, or the shiver of greenery as small, wary animals skittered out of sight. But no, not a sound, nothing over the echidna's own heavy breathing, which almost seemed to echo through the crisp air as if he were instead screaming. It was eerie, it was wrong. And he knew that this was the exact place he would find what he was looking for. No doubt that even the vicious island animals were afraid of the mechanical monster that had settled further within the garden.
And they had good right to be. Knuckles slowly knelt down on one knee, closely observing small tracks in the moist dirt. A steady line, almost that of maybe a snake. He knew better, however. More than likely he would have to keep his eye open for that beast's vine tendrils; as if that would be easy. It was not comforting to notice that vines wrapped around just about each and every tree around him. Perfect. At least none of them appeared to react to his presence. Either they were ordinary plants, or he had not yet been detected, and honestly, both options sounded just fine to the echidna.
He stood upright once more, glancing around. Now, he just had to wait. Hopefully his assistance would show and they could get rid of one more problem on this island.
