Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Note: Finally! Finally! Finally! The fourth "Angel Wings" chapter! Sorry everyone that it took so long, but like Marie said, "Better late than never." So just think of this as a late Christmas present all my loyal fans. Now just read, oh and don't forget to review!

Lyra sat on the living room couch, the phone in her hand as she spoke to her mother. "So, how's Eddward?" Her mom asked.

"Oh, he's fine." Lyra answered simply.

"I haven't heard about him in a while, the boy hasn't had a birthday party in five years! I don't even remember his birthday."

"Oh, well, its just me and Francisco have been so busy lately-"

"Too busy for your own son!" Lyra's mother interrupted.

"Don't worry mom, he'll have a birthday this year. I promise." Lyra said, thinking fast.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, yes. I love Eddward, I'm not too busy for him. He'll have a party this year, I promise." Lyra said, hating herself with every word she said. How was she going to make time for a birthday party?

Angel Wings Chapter 4: Runaway

Edd ran down the hall of the second floor, though he knew it was forbidden for him to go there. He didn't really care though, he wouldn't get in trouble, for he was leaving soon. Hesitantly he reached for the knob of the door that would lead him to his parent's room. Even though he knew he wouldn't get in trouble, he was still hesitant about his actions. Edd was so used to obeying being obedient, he wasn't used to breaking his parent's rules.

However, Edd still entered the room, his eyes flickering from side to side as he examined the room he hadn't been in for so long. Slowly he made his way over to his mom and dad's baby blue dresser, and looked at the clean, dust free surface. Upon it was a silver necklace with a thin silver chain, and a small charm. The charm was a rectangle with rounded edges, and an engraved picture of the Virgin Mary on it with the word Guadalupe underneath it.

Gently Edd picked the necklace up, it was his mother's. A part of her was Mexican, witch was why it had the Virgin's name in Spanish. His mom would wear this necklace to church every Sunday, and whenever she became worried, she would hold it in her hands as she prayed. She said it eased her soul, and kept her from worrying, because she felt that with that necklace she knew for sure that the Lord was watching over her.

Edd slowly placed the necklace over his head and onto his neck. He than put it underneath his shirt, an began to walk back to the room where he left Ed and Eddy.

"About time you got here," Eddy said as Edd entered the room.

"Sorry Eddy." Edd said even though he rather not have.

"So what were you doing anyway?" Eddy asked.

"Nothing." Edd answered simply.

"Whatever." Eddy grumbled, rolling his eyes.

Edd looked at him, an annoyed expression on his face, "Listen, I need you guys to go to your homes and pack a few things. But remember, only the essentials!" He called out as they left.

Edd sighed, throwing himself on his bed. He knew they'd never listen to him, so why'd he even bother?

"I don't know." He said out loud, getting up. He than went over to his closet to get his backpack and he emptied out all the school stuff and put them away. Than he searched his drawers for the "essentials". His cd player, his journal, his flashlight, the few cds he had, some batteries, some extra clothes, a blue, hooded sweater, half his life's savings, and finally, a picture of him and his parents. Edd looked the picture over, making tears to form in the corners of his eyes. He brushed the tears away impatiently, and placed the picture in his pocket.

Its not fair, he let himself think as he waited for Ed and Eddy.

Half an hour later, Edd's two friends came along, grim dismayed expressions on their faces. "C'mon guys," Edd urged, "don't be like that. I assure you we are not walking into sure death, and how are we going to defeat the monster with such low spirits?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Eddy said smiling. "Anyways this seems like a great opportunity for a break from the Cul-de-Sack. I could sure use a vacation from Kevin and the Kankers."

"I believe we could all use a break from them." Edd replied softly.

"Hey Double D?" Ed asked.

"Yeah Ed?"

"Can I write a note to my parents so they won't get mad?" Ed asked innocently.

"Sure, what about you Eddy?"

"Done already." Eddy answered.

So Ed and Edd set to writing a runaway/apology note to their parents. How could I have forgotten? Edd thought foolishly as he picked up his pen and wrote:

Dear Father,

I have to set off with my two friends and won't be returning for a while. My sincerest apologies for what I am doing, but I must. I will miss you even though you were never home, and I assure you I will return safely. I must also say that it is not your fault I am leaving, you have done nothing to provoke any kind of hatred towards you.

Love,
Eddward Angel Vincent

Edd reread his note. He knew he had written a cruel remark, but for some reason, he couldn't care less. Even though your never home. It was true and the truth hurt.

"Why'd you write your whole name Double D? I think your dad'll know who you are." Edd turned around, realizing Eddy had been reading over his shoulder.

"Father always despised my middle name. He wanted to name me something else, but I don't recall what it was. We don't speak much." Edd said the last sentence low, as to try and conceal his emotions.

"You wrote it cuz your dad doesn't like it? Why'd-"

"Hey guys!" Ed interrupted.

"What?" Edd and Eddy asked in unison.

"I finished my not, wanna hear it?"

"No."

"O.K. Here it goes. Dear Mom, Dad, and Sarah me and my friends are running off to the other dimension to destroy a deamony servant of Hades who will turn our brains into custard and feed us to his minions if we fail but we will be okay okey-dokey? From Ed. Whadaya think?"

Edd and Eddy stared at their friend, it seemed he got a little too excited while reading the note. "Its stupid Ed." Eddy said, recovering first.

"Is that a run-on sentence Ed? Because if it is than that's not proper grammar. And its not 'me and my friends' but 'my friends and I'." Edd lectured automatically, not being able to let such errors be.

"Man Double D can't you give the grammar a break for once?" Eddy was clearly annoyed.

"No," Edd said, a bored expression on his face, "c'mon let's go." He almost whispered, walking out the door with his backpack slung over one shoulder.

Ed and Eddy exchanged looks and followed.

Edd placed his hand on the doorknob and was about to turn it, but hesitated. A sudden rush of doubt entered his mind.

What if we die out there? What if we don't make it in time to stop the monster? What if we fail? And worst of all, What if Mother doesn't care anymore?

With that last though, Edd almost ran up to his room and locked the door, never to come out again, but something stopped him. Hope. There was always that. Always.

"Hey what's up Double D?" Eddy called out from behind. Edd realized he had been standing there like an idiot. He tightened his grip on the knob and turned it, letting the three Eds into the outside world.

I was such a beautiful day. No clouds hung in the sky, there was just a big baby blue semi-sphere hanging over the peaceful Cul-de-Sack. The houses were silent, as were the streets. The air around them was still, causing the temperature to be perfectly warm. No one was in plain sight, but Edd knew where they were. Out somewhere playing or doing something they didn't want the Eds at, but than when did they ever want the Eds around?

Edd took a step outside, sighing lightly. This place would not miss them. Most likely, the other Cul-de-Sack kids would find their sudden disappearance a blessing. There was no hiding the truth, they were outcasts, hated and despised.

"Kevin's dream come true." Edd muttered under his breath, beginning to walk across the Cul-de-Sack. His two friends followed him into the dreaded forest, that they hadn't gone in since last summer when they'd encountered the Belly-Button Eater. Edd shuddered to think about it, they should never have messed with the Urban Rangers.

The three traveled deeper and deeper into the thick forest. They passed the creek, the big clearing, trees, trees, trees.

"How long dose this stupid forest last?" Eddy complained from behind.

"Yeah my feet hurt. How long have we walked?" Ed said with a tired face.

Suddenly Edd turned around and stopped Ed and Eddy. He pulled out a blue digital watch he kept in his pocket and placed it on his left wrist, "9:32." He read. "We've been out for an estimated time of… an hour and thirty minutes. I believe we've gone far enough for the time being. You two may sit."

Eddy gave a sigh of relief. He propped himself up against a tree, seemingly getting himself ready to listen.

"Now listen you two. We are now officially on the lam, and our faces and identities will be plastered all over the media. Because of this we need to conceal our identities and become invisible to others."

Ed looked totally lost, Eddy just creased his brows in confusion. Edd rolled his eyes and shook his head disapprovingly. "I mean, we must disguise ourselves or we'll be found out before we can even get to the portal."

"Oh." Ed and Eddy said in unison.

"So," Edd got down on his knees and pulled out the sweater from his backpack, "let's get started."

Three young boys trudged through the thick forest in single file, although that was probably just accidental. The leader was an extremely skinny twelve, almost thirteen-year-old, who wore a blue, hooded-sweater, navy blue baggy jeans, and a pair of blue sketchers. He had fair skin, and a black hat that covered his raven hair. Only three little clumps of hair fell in his face, in front of his huge black eyes.

"Hey Doub- I mean Angel!" The last boy called to the leader. He himself was pink skinned, and dark haired, with hazel eyes. He wore black shades with yellow colored lenses, a white t-shirt with black sleeves, black pants, and black shoes. "What's my name again?"

Angel, actually Edd answered in an annoyed tone, "Its T.J. Eddy. Its so easy to remember, how can you continue to forget?"

Always having to have his little say in each conversation, the tall redhead spoke up, "Maybe Eddy-" But the yellow-skinned mono brow was interrupted by one of his companions."

"Its T.J. Ed. Oh wait. Hey Angel, what's Ed's name again?"

The red head, Ed, looked at the kid in front, who he was supposed to call Angel. But than he looked back down at his clothes, thinking it strange that he had to wear these in place of his normal clothes. A white t-shirt, with a purple sweater over it, blue jeans, and black and white sneakers. His dirty red hair was washed and combed out, it somewhat hanged in his face.

"Its Daniel Eddy." Edd called back, continuing to walk forward as the sun set, and nigh began to come. The air around the three dressed up Eds was growing cold, and Edd was instantly grateful he took the sweater.

"Hey can we stop, or somin', its getting cold." Eddy called from behind.

"No, the more you move around the warmer you'll become. And besides, I want to make it to the end of the forest before we stop to sleep. And its only," Edd had to push the hair away from his eyes so he could read the numbers on his watch, "7:01."

Eddy sighed, losing his stubborn attitude for the while, "Fine." But the only reason for its absence was the rising suspicion that edged its way into existence earlier that day. And boy did Eddy hate it. The suspicion raced through his mind, played with his thoughts, messed with his emotions. Meddling with the trust he had for the so called angel in front of him.
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Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder where you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are.

It was difficult not to think of the nursery rhyme. The stars shone so brilliantly up ahead, stitched onto the vast, blue blanket that covered the Earth as it rested. The forest was a marvel at night, a peaceful silence eloping it. Around the Cul-de-Sack, the silence was as well, but this was…different.

Edd stared into the lovely sky, sleep escaping him. Many constellations were unknown to this bright boy, he knew only the basic ones, the big and little dippers. Orion was only known to him because of the three stars that made up the belt.

Edd's black eyes darted across the sky in search of the small constellation, Lyra, in which his mother was named after. When he was younger, his mother had pulled him outside and pointed it out to him. After that he loved to ask her to point it out to him when they were out at night. He'd never been able to locate the small group of stars on his own, but promised himself he would tonight. Searching for stars made Edd feel comfortable laying on the hard forest floor, which would have normally been an experience to loath.

"Hmmmmm, no, no. Where is it?" Edd whispered to himself. "Oh there it is!" He shouted in excitement, almost standing up. But than he realized he'd just shouted, and nervously he turned toward his friends, afraid he'd woken them. Alas, all he saw was his two friends sleeping peacefully on the grass .

Good thing they're such heavy sleepers, Edd thought, relived. He re-laid himself on the grass, using his backpack as a pillow. A feeling of accomplishment surged through him as he stared up at the four stars that formed Lyra. He'd tell Ed and Eddy, though they probably wouldn't care. His mother would have loved to hear it, or maybe she wouldn't. Edd closed his eyes and sighed. "I miss you mother, none than less." He whispered to the sky.

Edd wished his parents would care. It made no since to him why they even had him, why they even bothered to raise him. Why they fed him and gave him stuff, if all they were going to do in the end was banish them from their minds and pretend he didn't exist.

Oh well, he thought and closed his eyes. They'd leave for the city first thing in the moroning.