That was all that was on the ebony hedgehog’s mind right now. All he could do was keep running, keep moving forward and ignore the pain in his bare feet and the agony in his heart.
He could see the doors up ahead and he pushed himself to run faster. He was so close. Freedom was just beyond those metal doors!
The metal doors that were slowly closing, sealing his only way out.
A sob tore from his throat as he continued run, eyes locked onto those doors. After everything he had been through, after Maria’s sacrifice for him, didn’t he deserve to finally leave this wretched hellhole? He heard shouting from behind him and he knew that those white coats had finally found him. With their guns and electric sticks, Shadow wasn’t sure if he would make it.
Gunshots pierced his ears and they flattened against his head as he continued running. He could do naught but press forward, praying to the universe to allow him to make it.
He slid through the almost too-small crack, turning his head to see the doors slam shut behind him. He felt relief flood his chest but he kept running. They could open those doors and come after him!
He kept running, running, running until he could run no more. He fell, sticks and underbrush scraping his knees as he did so. He panted heavily, trying to regain his breath. His chest felt as though it was on fire and he felt lightheaded.
And it was only then that he truly saw his surroundings. His breath caught in his throat and he looked around with wide, astonished eyes. Were these the trees that Maria spoke so fondly of? He ran his hands through the green ground below him. Was this the grass? His gaze moved upwards to the brilliant blue that was steadily growing darker as night began to fall. Was that the sky?
He swallowed hard, shaking all over from the effort of his long run and shock.
He was so distracted by the sights around him that he didn’t hear someone approach until it was too late.
