Coming Home
Chapter 1: Coming Home
“Ah, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We are on our final approach to Station Square International Airport…” the pilot began addressing the transcontinental flight’s passengers.
A twenty-one year old pink hedgehog stretched brushing her waist-length quills over her shoulder as she smiled looking out the window to see the sprawling city below. For the last four years, Amy Rose had spent the time traveling the world though she had been mindful to keep in contact with those who would truly be worried about her either directly or by proxy.
“Miss, we’re getting ready to land, could you put up your tray table?” a passing flight attendant politely asked Amy as she was walking up the aisle doing the final check on the passengers.
“Oh I’m sorry Ma’am,” Amy politely said as she closed her laptop and put it away after securing her tray table. It wasn’t long after that the plane touched down and taxied to the gate. Once Amy was able to disembark the plane, she headed straight for the baggage claim. Right after she picked up her suitcase, her eyes widened and she felt herself bubble over with joy when she spotted a familiar face. “Knuckles!” she squealed spotting the big red echidna who had pretty much adopted her as a little sister. “Wait, I thought Rouge was coming to pick me up from the airport?”
“Amy!!!! I’ve missed you like crazy!” he replied just as excited to see the not so small pink hedgehog. “Eh she was going to come, but G.U.N. called her in for something,” he shrugged then scooped Amy up into a great big bear hug. “She said it shouldn’t be long and asked me to drop you off at your place so you could chill then she insisted on treating you to dinner tonight.”
“She’s planning a surprise welcome home party for me, isn’t she,” Amy laughed after retrieving her large suitcase.
“Uhhh…” Knuckles rubbed the back of his head and glanced from side to side trying to think of an answer. “...No? Rouge knows you aren’t a huge fan of surprise parties,” he said nervously.
Amy couldn’t help but laugh as they headed to the car Rouge lent Knuckles. “It’s okay Knuckles,” Amy giggled. “Technically you didn’t tell me, I guessed, but act surprised.” she laughed lightly.
Knuckles sighed with relief. “Thank you, Amy, You know Rouge would kick my ass if I spoiled all her work.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t get you in trouble.” Amy smiled.
After loading her bags in the car, they began to make the long drive out to Amy’s house, but the pink hedgehog stopped him. “Um, I don’t own that house anymore. I sold it before I left,” Amy said before they left the city properly.
Knuckles looked at Amy shocked, “So where am I taking you then?’ he asked.
Amy gave him the address of an extended-stay hotel just outside of the city. “For now I am staying at the Blue Moon Inn until I find an apartment,” she nervously laughed.
“Amy Rose,” Knuckles sighed mildly annoyed. “Why don’t you just stay with Rouge and me?” he suggested.
“Seriously bro?” Amy raised an eyebrow looking at the red echidna. “I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Rouge when she made the same suggestion. As much as I love you two, I don’t want to hear my brother and bestie going at it.”
“Point taken,” Knuckles laughed driving Amy to her hotel. For the first few minutes of the drive, they made small talk with Amy catching up on what she missed until Knuckles asked the question that he had been burning to ask. “Amy, why did you leave the way you did four years ago?”
“I knew this question would come up eventually,” Amy sighed, her jubilant smile fading to a small sad one. “Listen, I’ll tell you and Rouge what happened later, okay?” Amy said.
“Uh, it’s okay if you don’t feel ready to talk about it,” Knuckles said feeling like he may have hit on a sore topic.
“No, it’s not like that, Knuckles.” the sad smile relaxed to a calm natural one. “I’ve come to terms and made peace with everything while on my little journey. I just don’t want to keep repeating the same story over and over, so I’ll tell you and Rouge what happened during the party, okay?” her smile lightened a little as she looked at Knuckles.
“Well, if you say so, Amy. That’s good enough for me,” a warm brotherly smile appeared on his face. “So tell me about some of the places you’ve been?” he asked lightening the mood.
Amy laughed and they spent the rest of the trip with the pink hedgehog giving brief snippets of her many adventures during her self-discovery journey promising to give more details at the party.
