Shadow's eyes slowly opened, before he snapped awake, sitting up with a gasp. He looked around, and discovered he was in a bedroom. An old one by the looks of it; the wooden floor was dusty, and covered in dust bunnies, the wallpaper was faded and peeling away in some places, and there were no windows. The only light came from a small bedside lamp. The bed he was sitting on was somewhat new, though, as it wasn't as dusty as everything else in the room.

He glanced around nervously, slowly getting out of the bed. The floor creaked under his feet, which were now bare, and he spotted his shoes beside the bed. Hastily slipping them on, he quickly raced over to the door, and tried to force it open, but it was locked.

"I see you're awake…"

The chilling voice caused him to freeze, before he whipped around and pressed against the wood. Mephiles was sitting calmly on the bed, smirking at him in amusement.

"Good, I was starting to think I'd put you in a coma, and we wouldn't want that, now would we?" Mephiles asked as he stood, and started towards Shadow, who was still plastered to the wall.

"Where am I?" he demanded, trying his best not to stammer.

"Oh, this place? It's just a quaint little abandoned house I came across. I found it rather nice; quiet, secluded…just how I like it…"

Shadow shuddered as he pressed as far back into the wall and away from Mephiles as possible. Mephiles smirked at him as he walked closer, until he was pressing Shadow into the wall, and one clawed hand rested on the hedgehog's shoulder.

Shadow whimpered softly as Mephiles used his other hand to tilt his head up, and the demon's eyes stared down into his own, glinting with amusement and lust.

"Who do you belong to?"

Shadow's eyes widened a little, but he remained silent in terror. Mephiles merely smirked again, and pressed his forehead to Shadow's.

"Oh, did you forget? I thought you'd remember quite well, even with your well known memory loss issues…"

Shadow trembled as Mephiles' thumb brushed the M shaped scar on his cheek, and tried to move further back as far as he could. The wall prevented any further retreat though, and he whimpered as Mephiles' grip on his jaw tightened.

"I suppose I'll just have to remind you…"

Shadow's insides lurched, and he started squirming in Mephiles' grip, but Mephiles kept him in place by pressing his hips against his, trapping his lower body, and pinning his wrists above his head. Shadow gave a soft sob, while Mephiles brushed his cold lips against his, a small smirk forming.

"As much as I'd love to take you now," he murmured, his cold breath ghosting along Shadow's face, "Let's make things a little more interesting…"

Shadow's eyes slowly opened to gaze at him wearily.

"Wh-wh…what do you mean?"

"Oh, you can speak; I was beginning to wonder if you still could."

"What did you mean?"

Mephiles' smirk sent a shiver down his spine, but he did his best to stay somewhat calm.

"This is a rather large house, with so many halls and rooms; and you do recall me saying how much I enjoy the thrill of hide and seek, right?"

Shadow's blood ran cold, and he opened his mouth to say no, but Mephiles cut him off.

"And before you reject my offer, allow me to clarify what's at stake. If you can avoid me for at least an hour, I'll release you."

Shadow gulped as he gazed at him.

"A-and…if…you win?" he stammered.

Mephiles grinned, flashing sharp teeth.

"If I find and catch you, then…"

He leaned in closer, and Shadow felt his breath against his ear.

"I get to do whatever I please to you…"

Again, Shadow's guts clenched, and his breath sped up a little.

"And if you don't agree, that counts as you losing."

The obsidian hedgehog shivered, and Mephiles snickered.

"So is that a yes?"

After a minute of thinking it over, Shadow hesitantly nodded.

"O-okay…"

"Splendid; you get a ten second head start, before I come looking for you. Oh, and Shadow; do try to make this interesting, or else I'll have to make up for it when I catch you." Mephiles stated, before planting a soft kiss on Shadow's lips, and then vanishing.

Shadow stumbled a little from his sudden freedom, before regaining his bearings. He wiped at his mouth with his arm, and turned towards the door. He carefully tested the doorknob again…and it opened; it hadn't opened that easily earlier…

Taking on last nervous look around the room, he stepped into a long hallway, looked around again, and then took off.

:::::::::::::::::::::

Alright, I know I'm gonna get an inbox full of messages saying "FINALLY!", but I'm prepared. I know it doesn't have a whole lot of Mephadow in it, but it will come soon. I know I haven't updated in so long, but my Mephadow muse finally returned to me today! Whether or not it will stay for long is another matter…but I'll cross that bridge when it's built…

Okay, so, next chapter; let the games begin…