Eclipse's dreams were full of pain. Voices yelling at him and when he couldn't figure out what they wanted it got louder, the shock collar that went off randomly, and worse, there was punishment. He couldn't escape it, couldn't reason with anyone, it just hurt, the pain getting worse and worse-
He wasn't back there, he was wrapped in blankets, in his new home. He was safe...?
Sitting up, he slowly put a hand on toward his neck. The collar wasn't there anyone, it was gone. It would never be back around his neck. There were only scars.
Eclipse trembled as echos of his dream played in his head.
He was safe, in Wade's house, with his brother. And Silver and Wade. But it was different for him.
The hedgehogs were Wade's sons. He was not. Wade was kind to him, never cruel, never yelled. But Eclipse was big and clumsy, a stranger only allowed in because of his ties to Shadow. If things had been different, he would would have been part of this family.
Crawling out of his blankets, trembling, Eclipse moved silently down the hallway, peering around the door frame. Wade was sprawled out in bed, Silver curled up next to him.
The two of them looked warm and comfortable. Like how it used to be for him.
Eclipse would have given anything to join them. To be hugged, to receive comfort at a time to like, to be told he was safe, no matter what his mind was telling him. He needed that, he needed that in a time like this.
Except he didn't know if he was welcome. He was big and clumsy and different. Wade wasn't his father.
Wade wouldn't be cruel to him.... but what if he only tolerated him?
The one thing worse then the nightmares and the memories of what happened, was being rejected again. His spot in this place was already so fragile, he couldn't risk it any further.
Wade didn't mind him being here. But did Wade care about him? Love him like he did the hedgehogs?
Eclipse shivered out in the cold of the hallway, but he didn't dare go inside.
He could go to Shadow, but his twin was fast asleep. And he probably didn't want to be disturbed.
Eclipse was alone. Funny how he could be surrounded by people and still very much alone.
