Back to Chapter 3

A few hours later, a rather wet but generally quite safe Sonic entered Green Hill Zone’s Hedgehog Village, led by Uncle Chuck. Sonic looked around nervously at all the other inhabitants of the village. While some, alerted by Chuck beforehand to the impending arrival of a newcomer, smiled nicely at Sonic as he passed, there were the occasional sets of eyes set ill-at-ease by this stranger. A few tried to pretend they weren’t trying to look, only ending up expending more energy on not looking than simply gawking in the first place, making Sonic feel more out of place.

The villagers weren’t rude by nature. Like most hedgehogs, however, they kept largely to themselves. Chuck and his family weren’t afforded the same opportunity, being restaurateurs, but they never minded this as they were outgoing. Most of those who lived in Hedgehog Village were happy to live in their own little part of the Green Hill Zone, minding their own business. A new face was something of a spanner in the works of the quiet lifestyle they’d got going for themselves.

Naturally, in time, the villagers would warm to just about anybody. Rosie had received a similar welcome on her first visit to the settlement- of course, being au pair to royalty meant many of the villagers would quickly accept her as, if she was good enough to serve under the noble King Acorn, she must have been worthy of their kindness too. Hedgehogs may be shy but they’re very amicable once they get to know you.

At this particular moment in time, however, Sonic had no way of knowing this. He felt like an outcast being paraded through the village by an elderly gent he’d only met himself just short hours ago.

Chuck sensed Sonic’s nervousness, “Now, don’t you worry about a thing, sonny boy. The people here are all good folks. And none better than those I’m taking you to now”

Sonic believed he could trust Chuck yet, at the same time, how could he be sure? For all he knew, Chuck might drop him off on the doorstep of mad cannibals, raving zombies or stamp collectors.

The two of them stopped outside a humble-looking house that still somehow had a lot of character to it. Flowering plants grew in hanging baskets outside the house and there was a nice- if quaint- garden on the front.

Chuck looked down at Sonic, “Nervous?”

Sonic nodded.

“Well, that’s okay, I think I would be too,” Chuck admitted, “But I can promise you the two that live here are good people- the best, even! Though I suppose I am biased!”

Sonic raised an eyebrow as Chuck gave a small laugh to himself.

“Ah, of course. Sonic, this is the home of Jules and Bernadette Hedgehog- my brother and his good lady wife”

Sonic felt himself relaxing. Anyone who was family to Uncle Chuck had to be nice. Didn’t they?

Chuck rapped at the door and gave Sonic a gentle smile, “You don’t have to stay with them if you don’t want. But a bed for the night might be nice, even if it’s just for tonight. What do you say?”

“Yeah,” Sonic admitted, “You’re probably right”

The door opened and a blue hedgehog in his forties with a tuft of brown hair opened the door, “Ah, Chuck, what a pleasant surprise!”

“Jules,” Chuck raised an eyebrow, “You don’t have to lay it on too thick- the lad knows I told you we were coming”

“Oh, right, fair enough,” Jules grinned awkwardly before extending a hand to Sonic, “It’s nice to meet you”

Sonic grasped the older hedgehog’s hand and shook it somewhat uncertainly, “You’re Uncle Chuck’s brother?”

Chuck let out a cackle of a laugh, “Quite the age difference between us, I know! But, yes, he’s my little brother alright!”

A female hedgehog of Jules’ age with a blonde fringe joined her husband at the door, “Oh, you must be Sonic, how are you doing, sweetie?”

“I’m… fine,” Sonic half-lied. He’d had a pretty good day on the whole. It was just that that particular bad thing which happened to be massive in scale.

“My name’s Bernadette, but you can call me Bernie if you like,” the female hedgehog smiled at Sonic, “Would you like to come inside?”

“Okay,” Sonic nodded. The sun was beginning to set and he felt he was out of viable alternatives for places to rest his head.

The four hedgehogs entered Jules and Bernadette’s home. Sonic was happy to see there were no hallmarks of cannibalism, undeath or philately anywhere within. The two seemed like perfectly normal people. Suddenly, a wonderful, amazing smell filled Sonic’s nostrils and a glazed expression took over his face.

“Ah,” Jules looked at Bernadette, “it seems someone has caught the scent of your famous chilaquiles!”

“I hope you don’t mind, Sonic, we’re quite fond of spicy food here,” Bernadette admitted.

“Mind? Are you kidding?” Chuck beamed, “You should have seen him put away my chilli dogs earlier!”

“I don’t mind spicy stuff,” Sonic replied, perking up a little, “To be honest, I’ll eat just about anything”

“Well, Bernie made plenty, so why don’t the two of you take a seat at the table and we’ll be right with you,” Jules offered.

Chuck and Sonic obliged. The dinner table was a small, wooden square with barely the leg room for four people to sit to it, but Sonic couldn’t bring himself to be bothered as the delicious smell wafted through his nostrils.

Jules and Bernadette brought over a steaming cooking pot filled with the tiny tortillas, with large serving spoons sticking out of the pot.

“Dig in,” Jules offered, “help yourself to as much as you want”

The guests obliged and, in no time, the four hedgehogs’ plates were filled with mouth-watering food.

“You know,” Jules continued, “People usually have these for breakfast. But they’re so darn nice we tend to have them whenever we feel like it! And Bernie’s so good at making them I’m not about to complain what the clock says when we plate up!”

Sonic had to agree, the chilaquiles were amazing. He’d never tried them before but they were one of those wonderful foodstuffs that seemed to jam together a dozen different things he liked in one place.

“Oh, Sonic, I forgot to ask,” Bernadette rose from her chair, “would you like any eggs with yours?”

“No thank you,” Sonic answered, “I’ve never been too keen on eggs”

“That’s quite alright,” Bernadette replied, seating herself once again. Sonic got the feeling she was someone who liked to make an effort for a guest- but that she was trying particularly hard right now.

“So, Sonic,” Jules managed to say between mouthfuls, “my brother tells me you’re looking for a place to stay”

“That’s right,” Sonic was forced to admit, “I don’t have anywhere”

“Well, we have a spare bedroom made up ready if you’d like to spend the night. We’re not going to push the issue and there’s no pressure on you to say yes, but you’re more than welcome”

“That would be lovely. Thank you both very much,” Sonic downed another bite before continuing, “In fact, thank you all three of you. You’ve all been so kind to me. I guess you all have similar feelings about showing kindness to people you barely know”

“Helping people’s what we do,” Bernadette responded, “The way I see it, if it’s in your power to make someone’s life better- or even just make their day better- it’s your duty to do so”

Sonic smiled and reflected on his day. He’d met an awful lot of complete strangers and all of them had been lovely and welcoming to him. Perhaps life in the Green Hill Zone wouldn’t be so bad after all.

***

After the meal was eaten and the plates all cleared away, Uncle Chuck bid his brother and sister-in-law a good evening. Before departing, Chuck gave one final piece of advice to Sonic.

“Sonic, I don’t want you to worry. My family will do whatever we can to help you get back on your feet. Whether it takes a day, a week, a month, a year, ten years- it doesn’t matter. We’re here to help you. You got it, kiddo?”

Sonic nodded gently, “I got it”

“That’s the spirit, m’boy. Now, if I were you, I’d rest up. Rosie tells me tomorrow’s going to be a big day for your friend Sally- I’m sure your gang of new pals would love to spend it with you”

And, with that, Chuck took his leave and headed for home.

“Would you like me to show you to your room?” Bernadette asked, before catching herself, “Uh, I mean- the spare room? The room you’ll be staying in. Uh, tonight. Not that we mind if you want to stay longer, of course! We’d be happy for you to! But don’t feel like you have to!”

“I’d like that, thank you,” Sonic said, putting Bernadette out of her misery.

Jules and Bernadette led Sonic to a room upstairs, pointing out the bathroom and their bedroom along the way. Bernadette opened the door then flicked a light switch, illuminating the room. Sonic stepped inside and took a look around. Sonic spotted his guitar propped up in the corner but it was otherwise a pretty unassuming room with not too many features to it, which stood to reason as it was the spare room and likely wouldn’t see as much use as the rest of the house. But it was warm and it felt right. More to the point, there was a bed. Sonic couldn’t help but notice the bed’s unusual design.

“A racing car bed?” he raised an eyebrow.

“That’s right!” Jules smiled, “I know, it seems a bit of a coincidence we had a kid bed and no kid but… well…” he trailed off.

“It’s okay, honey, he doesn’t need to hear about that,” Bernadette patted Jules’ hand.

“No, it’s alright, I don’t mind,” Sonic looked up at the adult hedgehogs.

“Well, you see,” Bernadette returned, “Jules and I always wanted children of our own but…” then she, too, trailed off.

“…but we’ve never been able to have any,” Jules completed her sentence.

“Oh,” Sonic suddenly felt very sad for these two lovely people.

“But that’s alright!” Bernadette cheered up, not wanting to upset Sonic, “We have one another. And we have our health, and our friends and our lovely home. So we’re very lucky, really. Luckier than a lot of people, honestly”

Sonic looked as the married couple held one another’s hands.

“And now you’ve got me too”

The two didn’t quite know what to say.

“If you’ll have me, I mean. If you don’t mind. I don’t want to presume anything…”

Bernadette did her hardest to hold back a tear of joy as all her prayers had seemingly been answered at once.

“We’d love to, Sonic,” Jules responded, “Welcome home”

“Thank you,” Sonic smiled up at him.

“Well, we’ll let you get some sleep,” Bernadette said, “Like Chuck said- tomorrow’s going to be a busy day! You arrived just in time for a special visitor”

“Good night, Sonic,” Jules said.

“Good night, Sonic,” Bernadette added.

“Good night, both of you,” Sonic replied, “And thank you again”

“Any time,” Jules returned, closing the door gently behind him.

Sonic took in his surroundings then flicked the light switch. The lights were barely out before he was in bed- literally as well as metaphorically, as a burst of speed did the trick. Sonic did wonder how he was going to go about introducing the concept of his innate quickness to the adults he’d met.

From his bed, Sonic looked up at the ceiling. He thought about all the friends he’d made in one day. He thought of the kindness they’d all showed him. Then, exhausted by everything, he slipped into unconsciousness and took in a well-deserved sleep.

On to Chapter 5