I am back after some time away from FF. I was too busy with school and personal stuff to write anything. Can't promise anything with the uploads. I'll se where life takes me, and then take it from there. I've gotten new inspiration to write, and we'll see how this goes

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xXDarkAngelKittenXx: ETA means "Estimated Time to Arrival".

Now, without further ado

Everyone Needs Their Payday: Chapter 6; An interesting encounter

-Shadow's POV-

The drive back to the safehouse was filled with celebrations, but I wasn't feeling celebratory at all. I always complain about my own life, about how I got this side-tracked from my goals and ambitions, yet here I am; robbing banks and killing people. Somewhere, right at this moment, there are many weeping mothers, getting the message that their son just got shot and killed in an armed robbery. I sigh, looking out the window at the scenery flying by in a blur. I needed to get out of this life, before it buried me six feet under. Was it even possible at this point? Shaking my head, I looked over at the rest of my crew, still celebrating, counting the stolen money.

"Why the long face Shadow? All of us made it out in one piece"

Silver's stupidity seemingly knows no end… Or maybe he's just unable to think about anyone else than himself. It annoyed me that apparently no one else but me felt this way after a "successful" plan B. As a reply to his answer, I just shook my head and looked away. In my peripheral vision, I saw him shrug and refocus on the loot. I refocused on the passing landscape outside the window. To my delight, the safehouse was in sight and that meant that this heist was finally over. However, more importantly, it meant that I could sit in peace and think; a pastime that I quite enjoyed. The van came to a full stop outside the old warehouse, and my crew and I carried the money inside, but not before giving the driver his share of the money. Once we were inside, we piled all the stolen cash into our medium-sized vault. My slowly mind drifted back to needing a break to think and recuperate. Since the confined space of the safehouse would not be sufficient for my needs, I decided, against my better judgement, to leave the safehouse and go explore the city. After taking off my ballistics vest informing my crew about my plans to visit the city, and denying them the opportunity to accompany me, I left them to go explore the city. Once outside, I decided to take the SUV and drive into town instead of using the public transport. Getting into the car and turning the key, I smirked at the sound of the engine roaring. Getting into a comfortable position, I pulled out of the driveway and started driving towards the city.

After a carefree drive, I parked the car next to a local park. If there was any place in the city where I could get some peace and rest, this was that place. Entering the park at a comfortably slow pace, I took in the scenery: A small path, snaking its way around a large pond. There were also some trees and benches scattered randomly throughout the park. Perfect, I mentally noted. Making my way towards the edge of the pond, I sat down, letting all the stress of the day leave my body. This was how I usually dealt with the stress of my "work", or should I say the horror of my "work". Taking in the scenery once more, I managed to let go off all my worries. Well, at least for the moment. After a few minutes, I arose, content with my carefree state of existence. Taking one step backwards without looking resulted in me getting slammed into by a passing person, who was apparently in a hurry. When be both realised what had happened, the person whom had tackled me from behind stammered out a weak-sounding apology.

"S-s-sorry, sir. I-I… eh… sorry"

I recognized that voice. Pushing her off me and getting to my feet, I turned around to face her.

"What's the hurry Rose?"

I inwardly smirked as I saw her eyes widen. She seemed to be in disbelief, and to be honest, I was too. What a coincidence.

"S-Shadow?"

Reaching out my hand, I helped her to her feet. Only now did I register the fact that she was extremely anxious. Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to ask.

"What's wrong?"

The pink hedgehog hesitated, before pointing in the opposite direction of the way she was running. Following her direction, I saw a green hedgehog, followed by two brown hedgehogs; Scourge. I scowled at the thought. Amy apparently took notice.

"L-let's get out of here"

I slowly shook my head as I saw the trio approach. Scowl replaced by a frown, I called out to them.

"I will give you this once chance: Turn back, and no one gets hurt"

The trio slowed their pace, and came to a halt approximately two meters away from me. Scourge looked at us, a smirk growing on his face.

"Ah! How lovely; your boyfriend happened to be here. That's nice… but not for very long"

He suddenly lunged towards me, trying to get a cheap shot on me. However, I anticipated it, and answered it by grabbing his arm and forcefully running my knee into his stomach. I watched him collapse on the ground, gasping for air. Looking up, I saw his mates getting ready to fight as well. I instantly pulled out my handgun from concealed carry and pointed it their way. When they acknowledged the gun, they instantly froze. I saw the fear in their eyes, and decided to act upon it.

"Run…"

I spoke slowly; my tone was deep and frightening. As a result, the two hedgehogs instantly ran for their lives. I directed my attention to the recuperating hedgehog in front of me. His eyes were still facing the ground, and he was still reeling from the brutal beating he received. He was now at his knees, and he decided to look up at me, still struggling to breathe properly. When he looked up, he was greeted by my handgun. His expression rapidly changed from pain to disbelief and fear.

"Close your eyes…"

I inwardly smirked as he obeyed my command. I knew I was in control and I was using it to my advantage. Again, I spoke slowly and in a frightening tone.

"You never should have come here"

When he heard my gun being cocked, he broke down. He started crying, begging me to go away. In response, I put my gun to his temple. I looked back at Rose, who was also equally terrified. I gave her a wink of reassurance before returning my attention to the green hedgehog. I leaned down to his ear, and whispered:

"Boom"

Uncocking my handgun and putting it back into its holster, I simply let him sit there. He was now reduced from a cocky, arrogant bully to a broken, crying mess. I shook my head at him, and returned my attention to a relived Rose.

"You ok?"

I studied her facial expressions: A mixture of worry and relief.

"You… You weren't going to…?

I look at her and can't help but chuckle a bit at my response.

"The gun has no ammunition in its magazine"

And I knew damn well why that was the case. The pink hedgehog besides me breathed a sigh of relief, and followed up by saying:

"For a moment there, I thought I would witness a murder…".

"Nah… He doesn't deserve to die… He just needed to be thought a lesson. Let's just say, he won't be bothering you or me in the near future".

Taking in her facial features once more, I saw distress.

"What if he goes to the police with this?"

Again, I chuckled.

"I didn't hurt him much, and after all, it was self-defence. My little interaction with him; he has no proof of that. Besides, I think the police has bigger fish to fry, with the criminal gangs shooting up banks and stuff"

Her face now brightened up, showing signs of happiness.

"… Thanks, Shadow. You know, for saving me and stuff" She said, adding a small giggle to it. Admittedly cute, but no way I was saying that aloud. A silence settled in the following seconds. Breaking the silence was the pink hedgehog.

"Well, I better get going; it's getting late".

The moment that just happened replayed in my head, and I instantly followed up by asking.

"Alright… Do you need a ride?"

By the sound of it, she wasn't too sure how to react, but she at least gave me a clear response.

"Eh… Sure. I live a few blocks away from here. If you got a car, you can take me there, but only if you have the time and want to" She answered shyly.

Nodding in response, I told her to follow me. Once we got to the car, we got in and I drove her to her suburban home. Nothing interesting happened during our drive: A bit of small talk, a while of silence and a moment of goodbyes. My next destination was my safehouse, and I left the area with one final closing thought: "This is going to be an interesting chain of events, I can already tell"

Alright, that is that. Chapter done, after X amount of days and months overdue. RnR, and I hope that the next chapter wont be as delayed as this one.