Disclaimer: See the first chapter. I own Steve and Paul.

I love Rolf, as this chapter can show. I love the way he talks, the way he acts and just his weird persona in general. He's different...as am I...and thus, it pleases me...plus his insults can make me burst out into laughter.

Oh, and when the story is written like this, it's the dark thoughts Edd hears. The ones that bring him down. They finally start to play a role in this story.

Ern Estine 13624: Wait no more, for here is the next chapter! I do hope it pleases you.

This chapter is for you, as you were the only one to review.

XxX

"Good job boys! Hit the showers and head on home! I want you all ready and at the top of your game!"

Kevin tossed the ball through the hoop one more time before following the others into the shower room. "You still need more practice Steven. Paul got past you every time when you tried to block."

"Sorry Captain. I'll put in some extra practice when I get home."

"You better." Paul snickered as he slapped Steven on his back. "Or else the Coach will have you on the bench for the entie season."

"You're an ass Paul..."

The rest of the team laughed and joined in the joking around, but Kevin took some of his things out of his locker and went to shower. Or at least tried to, cause as soon as he went to undress, Rolf burst into the room and started shouting for him.

"Kevin! Rolf is in need of your assistance!"

Groaning, Kevin rubbed at his face and fixed his shirt before turning and intercepting Rolf before the rest of the team could kick him out. "Dude, what the hell?" He grunted when Rolf grabbed him by the front of his shirt and started to drag him out. "Rolf, what's your deal man!?"

"Rolf needs you to help move Edd-boy. He is very unwell and must go to nurse."

Kevin couldn't help it...he froze, Rolf still dragging him out of the shower room and towards the equipment room. His mind flashed back to Edd in the hospital, covered in bandages, tubes and wires running from every exposed piece of skin that was showing, the sickly smell of the infection that was spreading in his left arm...

"Kevin! Listen to Rolf you stale end piece of white bread!" Rolf shook Kevin, narrowing his eyes when his old friend finally focused on him and tried to push him away. "Listen to Rolf and listen good! Edd-boy is unwell and Rolf needs you to help get him to nurse, yeah?"

"Okay okay, I get it!" He managed to dislodge Rolf's hands and followed along. "What's wrong with him anyway? I thought he was all better now and shit..."

"You may have saved Edd-boy, but you know not of his struggles..." Rolf growled, fixing his ponytail which had come loose. "You know not of how he almost starve, because his Mama and Father left before he was all healed. You know not of his many nights of no sleep because of his 'night terrors'. Rolf and family took Edd-boy in, fed him and made him strong! Mama continues to make lunches for him, while you, Kevin..." He shoved the now speechless boy and glared darkly. "You and others call him nasty names! Try to take his food away! Rolf will stand for this no more!"

Kevin stared with wide eyes. The last time he had pissed Rolf off was when he had refused to let him put the 'eels of forgiveness' down his pants...but this anger was something else. "Rolf, c'mon man..."

"Rolf will not be doing the calming of the down! Edd-boy is brother of Rolf! He is now a son of a shepard and Rolf will make sure brother will never be hurt again! Now...you will help Rolf, Kevin, or Rolf will break fingers..."

Having said his peace, Rolf once again grabbed Kevin's shirt and dragged him towards the equipment room. Kevin, not wanting to risk angering his old friend all the more. He didn't know about Edd almost starving, though he had a feeling the guy wasn't sleeping well from the dark bags under his eyes...

Edd, meanwhile, was hunched over in the middle of the room, pinching the bridge of his nose to try and stop the flow of blood...and yet, it was to no avail. His nose was leaking like a fountain, a small puddle forming on the floor below him, staining his shirt and pants a dark crimson hue. He knew better then to run that hard, but the dream...or rather memory...had pushed him into a rather dark place in his mind. And the only way he knew how to get himself out was to run.

"Don't pass out...don't pass out..." He repeated over and over, trying to ignore the ringing in his ears that warned him if he didn't get help soon, he would indeed lose consciousness. However, when he saw who Rolf had brought as help, the thought of passing out didn't seem so bad...

"Do it...you are weak...you are pathetic...no one wants you...but we do...come...come into the darkness...come into the void..."

He didn't fight it when his vision started to go black around the edges...he hardly heard Rolf's or Kevin's voices raise in alarm as he started to tilt to one side. All he knew that in the darkness, the pain of every day life couldn't hurt him...

"Yes...come to us Eddward...join us..."

And so, he did.

XxX

*tilts my head from side to side* Hmmm...I don't know how I feel about this one...I mean, it's okay, but I feel it could be better...lots better...I want to say there are many 'voices' talking to Edd at once, but...I don't know...what do you all think?

Have I mentioned how much I love Rolf and his insults? I mean...who knew there were so many ways to insult people?

But now, I must go get ready to leave...*glances over at something, makes a face* And clean up after one of my cats...*grumbles* Why is it always the freaking carpet they puke on...

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