“But why!” One of the children cried to Rosy as they desperately clung to her hand. “Can’t you just stay with us. It’s dangerous without the fire dancing out in the grass.

     “It’s okay Rosy smiled brightly as another child wrapped their arms around her waist from behind. Her smile was growing nervous as she knew they had no intention of letting her go. But for all her limitless energy she knew for the day of adventure ahead she would need her sleep. But that did not mean she did not understand the children’s desire for her friendship. She was not sure herself anymore, but they might have been the first people they had encountered on their journey and if that was the case the idea of people from outside of their roaming village had to be almost overwhelmingly special. And she had been so happy to chat with the villagers and could have danced the night away, but she had no intention of giving Sonic a reason to believe until he found a way home she would be better off here. Spying over her shoulder back at him seemingly asleep she smiled mischievously. ‘Since you’re already asleep Sonic you’ll make a perfect pillow tonight.’

     Turning her attention back to the children she relaxed as they all embraced her obviously with no intention of letting her go. But she already had a plan and allowed herself to enjoy their company just a little longer. ‘I hope it won’t be long before I get to visit you all again.’

     “Okay, one more game, but if I win that will be the last one.”

     “And if we win?”

     The innocent and pleading eyes that looked up at Rosy made her feel somewhat guilty since the game she had in mind was completely rigged in her favor. Smiling awkwardly as she looked away, she casually avoided defining the prize for their victory. “Well, if you win, I’ll let you decide, but you should know I don’t think any of you can beat me at this game.”

     “Really!”

     “Did you hear that? We can get Rosy to stay if we just win this game.”

     “Then we have to win!”

     “This game better not have hard rules. It’s not fair if we have to learn hard rules you already know.”

     “Don’t worry,” Rosy laughed guiltily wondering if they heard her warning at all. “It’s just a simple game of tag. All you have to do is tag me before I get to that post.” Completely wrapped by the children Rosy had to point with her head to a distant post that the children believed they could reach without getting tired. As it was a simple game though and one that almost every child knew their eyes lit up.

     “Are you sure?” One of the children pried, believing they had the advantage. “We have you out numbered.”

     “Yeah, you won’t stand a chance.”

     “You should just give up and stay with us.”

     Smiling at the invitation the children glowed but nearly despaired as Rosy closed her eyes and shook her head.

     “You mean you don’t want to stay with us?”

     “Of course not,” Rosy comforted the worried children with a much gentler smile. “You’re my friends and I’d love to stay. But my other friends and I still have a long journey ahead of us so I can’t stay.”

     “Well we’ll win this game of tag and then you won’t have a choice.”

     “Well, if you still want to try, I won’t stop you,” Rosy teased. “You never know until you try, and it wouldn’t be fair of me to not let you.”

     “Well just don’t cry to us when you lose.”

     “We’ll comfort you if you do though.”

     The children still ignoring Rosy’s warning were in for a shock when she was free to use the speed Sonic had shared with her through the Ring Bond. They had never stood a chance and the looks of shock and betrayal on their faces cut Rosy deep. But she didn’t want them or her to give up and shouted back to them with a wave.

     “Don’t worry! I swear I’ll be back one day. The Rings will always remember, so I’ll be able to come back!”

     Unable to handle the pain in her chest for what she was putting the children through she clutched at her heart and ran. Yet when she caught up with Sonic who was already making his way to the Skyskipper, she greeted him with a smile and a disappointed and playful whine. “Ah~! I had hoped you would still be asleep. I wanted to use you as a pillow tonight.”

     “Too bad kid,” Sonic retorted with a smirk, his refusal to call Rosy by her name making her puff up her cheeks irritably. “It’s Rosy! Why are you so stubborn about that!”

     “Why are you so insistent about hanging all over me?” Sonic countered slyly.

     “That’s because I–” Rosy didn’t pick up Sonic’s teasing at first but as it dawned on her she stumbled over her words and stopped walking. “You don’t mean… Ah! Sonic wait!”

     Taking advantage of Rosy’s surprise, Sonic ran away from her excited pursuit to the Skyskipper where they joined Tails, Mighty, and Zooey to continue their journey in the strange lands they found themselves. Where the perception of long lengths of time was lost, and adventure seemed to be ever waiting for them.

ROAMERS’ REST · CLEARED

Prologue – Prison Prarie, End