This chapter takes place during the days Edd was in the ICU. Enjoy!

According to Mother, I was in the ICU for nearly twelve days, and for ten of those days I was practically comatose. I can't really remember if I really did open my eyes a few times, or if that was just one part of my ubiquitous dreams. One time, I thought I saw Ed and Eddy as doctors, standing outside my room. Like that would ever happen (no offense to my friends).

Most of my dreams were the same. They all seemed to take place in the cul-da-sac. Some were memories, like that time I had to pretend to be Ed because we were playing Truth or Dare (that was an interesting experience). But when the dreams weren't memories, they were just me with my friends. Ed, Eddy, the cul-da-sac kids, Hanna, even the Kanker Sisters were there, and they were actually acting civilized.

I once read in a book about dreams and subconsious thoughts, that dreams can often be the images of the things we desire most. This comes as no surprise to me, since the thing I wanted most of all was to be home, and for my life to be normal again. I wanted that ever since I was admitted to the hospital.

But one dream, was extremely peculiar. It started off by the edge of the forest.

()()()()()()

Edd was standing outside the forest a few miles away from the Cul Da Sac. He wasn't in a hospital gown, but in his normal outfit, which included his sockhat. The summer breeze cooled his skin, and the sunlight was not too dull, nor too bright. The grass swayed back and forth, and the tall oak trees were bathed in a healthy glow of the sun, and in return shadowed the forest from it. You could almost feel the coolness from the oak's shade. Everything seemed peaceful. But Edd couldn't really enjoy the tranquility of this day. He was too busy wondering how he got there, and where everyone else was.

"Hey sockhead!"

Edd looked up upon hearing his nickname from a familiar voice. He saw Ed and Eddy by the trees, already in the forrest. "Quit daydreamin', will ya? And hurry up!" shouted Eddy.

"Come on, Double D!" Ed said happily. Both boys ran into the forest.

"I'm coming," said Edd. He started to walk forward, but ended up being yanked back like a dog on a leash. He had failed to notice that a rope was tied around his waste. Looking back, he saw that only a few feet away, the rope was tied to an oxygen tank. But the rope continued past the hills and towards town. Usually, Edd would try to see where the rope went, but for once, his curiousity didn't get the better of him. He woud rather join his friends and enjoy the fresh air.

And so, Edd started to pull on the rope. He didn't have any tools to help him, no sticks or even a magnifying glass to try and burn the rope with. Everytime he tried to pull away from the tank, it would just pull him back just as hard as the first time.

He tried to pull the rope down so he could just simply step out of it, or over his head, but the tight noose would move barely an inch no matter which direction the boy pulled. He could feel the coarseness of the rope on his stomach as he pulled. He couldn't even reach the knot behind him, otherwise he would just try to untie it. But even if he could, the rope was strong, so it wouldn't have mattered anyway.

"Hello!" Edd shouted, hoping maybe Ed or Eddy could hear him, "Help! Assistance! Anyone?"

After about two minutes of yelling, Edd gave up on that idea, it became clear that no one could hear him. He grabbed the long rope, and tried to pull the oxygen tank towards him so he could get closer to the forest, but to no avail. Whatever else the rope was attached to, it must've been extremely heavy, because he couldn't move the tank even an inch towards him.

Finally, he sighed. There was just no solution. "Need some help?" asked a voice. Edd looked beside him, and saw a little girl with brownish, redish hair in pigtails, holding a familiar looking doll.

"Hanna!" Edd said happily. He hadn't seen her in a month, so she was definitely a sight for sore eyes, "I'm so glad to see you. And yes, I do need some assistance."

"Okay!" said Hanna happily, her pigtails bouncing as she hopped behind Double D. She pulled at the knot. "Wow, it's really tight!"

"Yes, I know," said Edd, "do you happen to have scissors or any other tools you can use?" Edd knew it was a ridiculous question, especially since she was only six, but it was worth a shot.

"Nope, sorry," said Hanna, "but maybe I run back home and get scissors from my mom."

"Or maybe I can help," said another female voice. Both children looked up. Hanna smiled.

In front of them was a young girl, about the age of sixteen. She was wearing a blue dress, and had long, black hair. Her skin was kind of pale and white, but she looked very friendly. She also seemed familiar, but Edd was certain that he had never met her before.

The girl walked over by Hanna, who was estatic to see her. An older sister perhaps, or a cousin maybe? "Okay, let's see if we can get this knot," she said, with a bit of determination in her voice.

Edd felt the girl pull at the knot, working on it and trying to wear it down, like a stream wears down a mountain. "Pull forward," the girl said.

"But that'll just make the knot tighter," Edd reminded her.

"Not if you're pulling it loose," said the girl, "now go on, pull!" Edd began to walk forward, and this time he was only pulled back a little. He felt the knot loosen a little. "Okay, now stop, and I'll try to get it a little more loose."

This continued for about three minutes, and each time Edd pulled forward, he felt the rope loosen a little more. Finally, when he felt the girl's hands leave the rope, he pulled forward and felt himself nearly fall forward. Luckily, he was able to catch himself before he fell to the ground.

"See, I told you it will work," said the girl, smiling at Edd. Edd smiled back. He looked back, and the rope and oxygen tank were gone. But he decided not to question it. After all, weirder things had happened in the show. (a/n mini fourth wall break)

"Thank you for assisting me," said Edd, "My name is..."

"I know who you are, Edd," said the girl, "with two D's."

"Yes," said Edd, curious to know how this girl knew his name, "but how...?"

"I sent you a letter," said the girl. She then smiled at Hanna. "Plus, Hanna's told me about you." She turned back to Edd. "You might want to hurry before your friends leave you behind."

"Right," said Edd. He was about to start heading into the forest when he stopped. "Wait, who are you?"

"Let's just say, I'm a forever friend," said the girl smiling, "Now go!" Edd nodded and ran into the forest.

As he weaved between the mighty oak trees, Edd felt as if he could run a thousand miles. He felt so free. The fresh air that entered his lungs was pure, and didn't make him cough at all. And while usually this much running would tire out Edd quicky, he felt alive and full of energy.

He wasn't stuck inside a hospital, or attached to a tank just to breathe. He was free. And he was loving it!

"Way to go Sockhead!" Edd heard Eddy shout from behind, "way to finally get some energy!"

"Run through the forrest, run!" shouted Ed.*

Edd felt so happy, so free! He actually let out a carefree laugh. It was so invigorating! It was when he saw the end of the forest and the edge of the cliff approaching, when Edd finally decided to slow down. As soon as he did, he fell backwards onto the soft grass. His chest rose and fell as he lungs filled with air and the pushed it out. Edd took a deep, relaxing breath, and then closed his eyes.

()()()()()()

Slowly, Edd opened his eyes. He was out of his dream world, or maybe he was still in it, he couldn't really tell anymore. All he knew was that he was tired, and breathing was still a chore. But Edd felt just a little stronger than usual. He looked out the room's window and saw a nurse outside it. She was writing on a clipboard, but she then glanced up and saw Edd awake and looking at her. She gave a small look of surprise, but then smiled at the boy.

Edd smiled back, though he doubted if she could see it through the mask. Edd was tired, but he didn't close his eyes until the nurse was out of sight. When another nurse came in to check his IV and heart rate, Edd wke up again and smiled at her. The nurse smiled, her short, curly black hair bouncing as she nodded. "You're defintely showing signs of improvement," she said with approval.

It was about two days later when the doctor came in and said that Edd was strong enough to be moved out of the ICU. Edd of course couldn't really reply, but smiled and gave a small nod.

It felt good to be in a normal room again, even if I was still asleep most of the time. But at least Mother and Father could be with me. When I was awake and my parents weren't there, I thought about my dream. The girl, she said I was her forever friend. Could it be that I had imagined JWC? I didn't have access to a computer to look up any pictures of 'JWC', but even if I did, I most likely wouldn't find anything. So, from then on, I thought of the girl in my dream as JWC. She seemed like the person JWC would be. Kind-hearted, helpful, and friendly.

Speaking of friends, it was nearly two weeks later before I even got a chance to see Ed or Eddy again. It was about a week into March, and it must've entered like a lion this year, because according to Eddy 'The weather sucks!'. My visits with my friends got shorter. While my heart was up to code, my lungs weren't. Even with the artificial oxygen pumping into me every hour of the day (now through a nose tube so I would have an easier time talking), I still felt sufficated. I still had coughing fits, almost twice a day, but luckily I didn't cough up anymore blood.

During my days in the ICU, I had been moved up on the waiting list for a lung transplant. But that didn't mean I didn't have to wait. The waiting was hard, especially after nearly a month of it. There were times I thought getting a transplant was just another dream. But eventually, my patience paid off.

Edd was peacefully sleeping in his room. The room was as silent as a church. Edd didn't even interrupted the silence with coughs. But the silence was broken when a door opened.

"Eddward? Darling wake up."

Edd stired from his sleep, and opened his eyes. He saw three dark figures in his room, but thanks to the hospital hall light, he recognized their faces. The figures were his mother, his father, and Dr. Sherman. His mother was gently shaking him awake.

"Mom?" Edd mumbled, barely awake, "What...?"

"Dr. Sherman just got a call saying that a pair of lungs is being flown in from Columbia," said Edd's father, "you're going to get a transplant, son."

"We need to get him preped for surgery," Dr. Sherman said to Edd's parents. They both nodded in response.

Edd was only half awake, but even if he was fully awake, he still wouldn't believe it. He was finally going to get a new pair of tumor free, cancer free lungs. He was going to live.

Kind of a mini cliffhanger. Please review.

*You get a cookie if you guess the correct movie reference. I'll give you a hint, I spelt forrest with two R's for a reason.