SymbiosEd

Summary:

When his life is uprooted by tragedy, Edd must find a way to survive as a creature of the night. Will a deal with a demon be his saving grace? Supernatural creature AU.

Pairings: BroEdd

Triggers include: Pedophilia, Child Abuse, Dub-Con, Psychological abuse. Other warnings include Violence and Language.

Author's Notes:

Hello everyone. Battygirl here with a new fic for you! I've been sitting on this idea for a while and I've finally got something to show for it! For anyone interested, I will still be writing with DuoXKouga on our other fics, this is just something I wanted to do myself. As such, this is completely separate from the fics I've written with DuoXKouga. It's also an alternate universe thing where BPS never happened.

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy this. Please don't forget to leave a review and let me know what you think.

Sunlight peeking in through his blinds slowly rouses the boy lying in bed. He winces a little against the glare and rolls onto his side, away from the window. Curling up, he tries to go back to sleep. Reaching for the covers, but finding nothing, he blinks open his eyes to search for the sheets, likely kicked off in a fitful sleep. Instead, he finds his bed still made. The covers are rumpled slightly from being slept upon rather than under, but otherwise, are undisturbed. To his surprise, he's still fully dressed as well — even his shoes.

As Edd sits up, confused, the events of the night before slowly begin to come into focus for him.

He remembers walking home from a party he'd been dragged to. Ed and Eddy had elected to stay. They weren't willing to leave the creek just yet.

"Just one more song, Sockhead!" he remembers Eddy whining.

Ed had been distracted by something Rolf was parading around in. Everyone was having so much fun. He can't say he'd felt the same. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't very enjoyable, either. His parents had also been quite clear about his curfew last night. No later than nine o'clock. Far earlier than usual. Most nights, they didn't care if he'd stay out with his friends past ten. Last night, though…They were earnest about having him in early.

But…he doesn't remember arriving at home…He'd been in the woods. Following a path he knew by heart. He remembers being startled by something. Some noise in the dark. Tried to write it off. Keep going. He remembers falling to the ground. A sharp pain near his shoulder.

Then…nothing.

With a sigh, he holds his head, giving up on that futile effort. A bad dream…He decides. Nothing more.

Throwing his legs over the side of the bed, he rises to begin his day. First on the agenda: a shower.

The moment he steps under the hot water, he heaves a blissful sigh. Heaven. True heaven. He takes some time to let the water wash over him. Suds and pleasant-smelling soaps and shampoo are quick to join the water as he begins his bathing ritual. Losing himself to his thoughts. Going through his checklist of chores in his head. He should be able to finish them quickly.

When done, he dons a towel and steps out of the tub, looking most pleased with himself. He approaches the counter as he dries his hair. Once dry enough, he pulls on his hat, ignoring the mark now hidden by fabric. As he looks into the mirror to adjust his headwear, something catches his eye and makes him stop short.

Upon his neck are two scabbing holes about an inch or so apart. He's reminded of the night before. So something had bitten him? That would explain the pain he remembers…sort of…What kind of animal did that?!

He can already hear the far-fetched stories Ed would come up with if he saw this. Werewolf! Vampire! El Chupacabra!

He groans a little. Great…

With a sigh, he stands straight. His shirt should cover it, at least, and prevent any unwanted questions. Best to ignore it and let it heal. It already seems to be healing too, so he feels no reason to fret.

In the coming month, though, he begins to question that.

The marks have since faded, he's glad to say, and remain only as lingering scars. He's suffered no ill effects that may suggest rabies, so he feels safe in saying that whatever attacked him wasn't rabid.

However…other symptoms have begun to make themselves known.

His skin has become so much more sensitive. He can't walk outside without applying very strong sunscreen. It doesn't bother him that much; after that fiasco at the creek where he'd neglected to apply sunscreen at all, he assumes his skin's just become more prone to sunburn.

Not just his skin, though. His eyes have since stopped tolerating bright sunlight as well. Sunglasses have become just as vital an accessory as his beloved hat in his desperate attempt to protect himself from the migraines that inevitably ensue.

By now, he can't step outside until the evening.

Not that that even matters. He thanks the stars that this is all happening in summer, because he's not been able to wake at a reasonable hour in weeks. Sleeping in later and later, it's often evening by the time he can come out and play with Ed and Eddy, who've become quite concerned. His parents have taken notice, but only demand he go to bed earlier.

A reasonable request. He's not slept well at night lately either.

Is it my diet…? He wonders. Can't be too far off…No matter what he drinks or how much, he's always thirsty. Nothing he eats satisfies him anymore either. Always so hungry and unable to sate it. Meat, though, has a minute effect. Therefore, meat has found its way into his diet more and more until it's all he eats. As unsavory as he wants to see it, he can't find satisfaction in anything else.

Rolf has since banned them from his property after Eddy had tried to 'help him get a bite to eat'.

Ed and Eddy have tried their damnedest to help him, actually. Sleepovers where they don't let him sleep at all during the day. Helping him convince his parents to start buying more steaks for his carnivorous new appetite. Finding him shady spots whenever the sunlight starts to burn hot on his flesh. They've been his rock during this weird time. He can't be more grateful to them for their efforts.

He only wishes any of it were working…

It's late in the afternoon and he's hungrier than he's ever been. Nearly doubled-over. Barely able to hold himself upright or walk for too long. Stomach growling and demanding something he doesn't comprehend. They're in the woods to remain shielded from the sun. As Edd rests, curled up against the trunk of a large tree and trying so damn hard to bite back the stomach pains, Ed and Eddy try to cheer him up. They'd long since given up sharing their food. Edd denies it at every turn as it never fills him up anyway. So they've taken to prancing around like clowns.

Ed's giggling as he and Eddy reenact some scene from a movie. Edd watches them, but can't focus or remember what they're referring to. They're jumping from branch to branch, with the larger chasing the smaller.

"Woah! Watch it EeeeeeeeEEEEEDD!"

Only after the thud does he glance up to find Eddy on the ground. He's curled up on his side, holding his hand.

"Eddy!" Ed gasps, hopping down from his branch and rushing over to his fallen friend.

Gripped with worry, Edd stumbles to his feet as well. Ignoring the pain in his middle, he follows suit, racing over to Eddy.

"Oh dear!" he gasps, "Eddy! A-Are you o…kay…?"

Something in the air stops him. The grumbling in his stomach gets worse. Sounds become more muted.

"Yeah…" Eddy's voice sounds so muffled, even as the other boy sits upright, "Dammit…I cut my hand…"

Edd's eyes grew wide at the red liquid dripping so tantalizing from Eddy's palm. Then…

Black.

When the dark veil is lifted again, Edd is left in a haze of confusion. The hunger pains that had been plaguing him have finally gone. Night has fallen. He feels something on his face. Something sticky. When he looks down, he finds out just what it is.

Eddy's beneath him, whimpering and making tiny, wheezing sounds. His neck is spouting blood like some kind of gruesome faucet. It's everywhere. Pooling beneath the limp body beneath him. Soaking into his clothes and drenching Eddy's.

"O…O-Oh god!" Edd cries, trembling, "E-Eddy!"

A gurgle is the only response he receives, drawing a pained cry from him.

"Eddy — no!" he sobs, grasping desperately at his friend's shirt, "Please — dear lord — no!" He raises his head. "E-Ed! Help!"

As he looks around, though, he finds himself alone. Ed nowhere to be seen.

A dim, warm light appears in the distance, startling him. He hears voices approaching. Scrambling to his feet, he discovers it to be Ed and a group of several adults.

"Oh thank heavens!" Edd heaves, "Ed! Ed, please! I—"

"There he is!" Ed screams back, a manic look in his eyes, "There is the monster!"

Naturally, Edd's taken aback by that. Monster?! He looks around fearfully. What the devil is he talking about?!

He turns back towards Ed, brow furrowed in desperate confusion; "Ed…wh-what are you…?"

Rather than respond, Ed raises a wooden stake high above his head. There are tears in his eyes as he points directly at Edd.

"We must stab it in the heart!" he cries, "Before it can kill again!"

Edd feels his heart sink down into his stomach. The many eyes are on him. Full of hatred and a lust for revenge. He takes a step back.

"E-Ed…" he whimpers softly, "Why are you looking at me like that…? P-Please…what's happening…?"

No response. They start to close in menacingly. He takes another step back. Trips over the bleeding body of Eddy.

The group moves in for the kill.

Whatever instincts Edd has kick on in that moment. Onto all fours, he scurries away before they can get their hands on him.

He runs.

It feels like ages before he can finally stop and rest. He'd been following the river as closely as he could while his attackers were in pursuit. But they've finally turned back. Now, as he collapses to the ground at the shore of the river in exhaustion, he's given reprieve.

But is he really? What had happened? He certainly has no memory of the event. Just a lot of hunger and pain leading up to a black void. Now he can hardly remember what it was like to be so hungry. As though all of the meals he'd been ingesting have finally taken effect.

When he catches his breath, he rises to sit upright. There's blood all over his hands, he notes in disgust. Shaking, he drags himself over to the water. There, he's met with another horrific image.

In the reflection he can just make out in the calm river, he sees more blood splattered around his mouth. It's all down his front and dribbled down his chin. He covers his mouth to try to hold back the vomit that's threatening to escape him. No…It can't really be true…can it?

Quivering, he lowers his hand again. Tears are falling fast down his cheeks and into the river, causing blood to smoke within the water below. Finally, he spots them. On either side of the gap in his teeth, he seems something he shouldn't. With shaking hands, he reaches up to feel at his canines. So much sharper…and longer.

He feels the panic begin to set in. The blood feels like it's burning his skin. Desperately, he throws his hands into the water. He starts scrubbing. The cold water is making it difficult to wash the drying blood from his flesh, but he keeps at it. Scrubs until his hide is raw. Until the only red is in his skin rubbed far too hard.

Once done, he sits back, watching the blood wash slowly away. Guilt and terror are all he can feel. Tears are running down his face, but he's lost all energy to cry any longer. He rises slowly to his feet. He can't stay here. He knows he can't.

Turning away from the cul-de-sac, he starts walking.

Hours pass. He's stumbling along on unsteady feet. His head full of agonizing thoughts. His fault. It's his fault this happened. His fault that Ed hates him and that…that Eddy's…

Tears form anew, choking him and stopping him in his tracks. What can he do now…? Where can he go…? The inky sky above is fading as light permeates the darkness. The sun is beginning to rise.

He starts walking again.

It feels like it takes so much longer than it should. Sunlight is peeking through the leaves. His skin is burning — or at least that's how it feels to him as he stumbles along.

Finally finds a cave to take refuge in. As he cowers in the shade, he takes a look at his surroundings. Nothing looks familiar at all. He assumes he's quite far from home by now…

"Wh…Wh-What am I going to do…?" he whimpers, trying to quell the tears that have begun to bubble up again, "I certainly can't go…home…After what happened…oh…Ed…Eddy…"

He can't fight them back any longer. The dialogue he'd been hoping to have with no one in particular is abandoned as he's reduced to incoherent sobs.

It's midday before he calms again long enough to think more clearly. A few animals come by every now and then, but few regard him for very long before moving on. He sits up a bit straighter, his breathing shallow as he tries to rationalize.

"Okay…" he sighs, "Okay, what…what do I do? Home is no longer an option…I have to find somewhere to go. But…" He deflates a bit. "Where…?"

He glances hopelessly out into the sunny outdoors. He can't do much at the moment. Can't travel in daylight.

"Well…" he mumbles, "At least I don't have to worry about food…Just shelter…Oh dear… but how many more caves can I possibly stumble across to take refuge in? Maybe I can just…stay here…?"

That wouldn't be so bad, right? He's sure he's not very close to any people. Instead of continuing a trek that will likely go nowhere, he can stay here. Safe and protected and away from the people he cares about.

"Yes…" he pouts, "That would be the wisest solution…I'll stay."

With that thought in mind, he finally lets his weary mind rest. Curling up on his side, he drifts into a fitful slumber.

"Try this way!"

"No! Over here!"

Edd winces at the voices that permeate his rest. Blinking his eyes open, he finds the bright light of sunlight gone, replaced instead by the cover of night. Brow furrowed, he raises himself to sit up and peers out of his hiding place. Twigs and sticks crunching and crackling under heavy feet. Voices whispering, but being much louder than they'd like to be.

His heart sinks when he spots them.

Among the trees and bushes, he can just barely make out the beams of light from several flashlights.

He's not alone anymore.

Wh-Who are they? He thinks to himself, Wh-What are they looking for?

Ignoring the feeling in his belly that's screaming at him to run, he pads his way closer. He can start to make out more of their words as they converse with each other.

"Not a lot of places to look…" a man's voice says matter-of-factly.

The panicked feeling grows worse; they sound familiar.

"Can't have gone too far…" another man agrees.

"S'just a kid…"

That does it! Eyes wide, he starts backing away again. They haven't noticed him yet. Haven't spotted him. Maybe if he just…

He's suddenly bathed in the light of their flashlights, blinding him for a brief moment.

"Hey! I found 'im!"

He cowers, frozen in place as one of the men approaches him. He recognizes him instantly. Eddy's father, Tony, glares down at him with murder in his eyes. It's only now that he sees the wooden stakes in their hands. They've bought into Ed's story completely. He can tell by the looks on their faces that they're not willing to negotiate.

He tries anyway.

"P…P-Please!" he begs, taking a step back, "I-I didn't mean it…Really! I-I don't understand what's happening…a-anymore than you! P-Please don't h-hurt me…"

There's a flash of something in the man's eyes, but Edd can't read it. They continue to advance, looking no less angry or vengeful.

"Ain't gonna let it happen to anyone else…" Tony grumbles under his breath before speaking directly to Edd again, "And it ain't gonna hurt…for more than a second."

Gripped with fear, Edd turns and makes a mad dash for the woods.

"Somebody grab 'im!"

He pushes himself to run faster when he hears that. Just barely missing grabbing hands and bodies that try to trap him. Farther and farther away. He loses sight of the river soon after that. Now he's just running aimlessly between the trees. Listening closely, he keeps running until their footsteps finally fade. The flashlights have also faded.

He's lost them, but he keeps running a little farther, just in case.

When he finally does slow to a stop, his chest is burning and he's past breathless. Despite his best efforts to remain standing, he collapses to the ground, clutching his chest tightly and gasping for air. Never before has he run that hard for that long. He's crying again. This time from the physical pain.

After catching most of his breath, he looks upward to the sky. How long had he been running? How long had it been since the sun had set before he'd woken up? He searches the sky in a desperate attempt to gauge the current time.

No such luck.

Finally, he gives up that feeble effort. It's doing no more than wasting him precious time. He's got to find a new shelter.

So much for staying in one place…

For at least a week…maybe longer — Edd loses track of the days after a while — he continues his routine. Waking up as the sun sets, walking as far as he can, finding a place to hide and then going to sleep just before the sun rises again. His hunters abandoned their efforts after the second day, he's glad to say, but he's decided not to take any chances. Just in case they've been more stealthy about it and are trying to catch him off guard.

He's so exhausted at this point. He almost wants them to find him. End it so he doesn't have to keep doing this. The guilt has been eating him alive in his travels. The hunger that had finally been sated has begun to return as well. He's come to describe it as a void. An emptiness that's not capable of being filled, but which doesn't feel painful or even irritating. Just…empty.

He's come to terms with what he needs, though he hates to admit it. He only felt sated after ingesting — he shudders to think it — blood. That means that'll be what he'll need to satisfy his hunger again.

He's not sure he can do it on purpose, though…Not sure he can consciously drink blood from a living person.

As he begins to feel the helplessness of his situation truly dawn on him, he spots lights in the distance. It's not like the flashlights. These lights are illuminating the night sky. As though the sun were rising. As he gets closer, he finds himself on the outskirts of a city. He pauses, wondering if he should enter. He has a feeling his hunters wouldn't go looking for him there, and there must be many places to hide from the rising sun…

With a feeble glance back at the woods that have been his safe haven for so long, he takes a deep breath and takes his first step towards the city limits.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading this first chapter! Please don't forget to leave a review.