A Good Edd Is Hard To Find
Summary:
The Ed's encounter with Bro takes a dark turn as the savage sibling concocts a dangerous game for Eddy and Double D. The race is on for Ed, Eddy and the kids of the cul-de-sac to save Edd from Eddy's brother. Friendships will be questioned. Sanity will be strained. Will the Eds be separated for good?
Triggers include Pedophilia, Child Abuse, Sexual Assualt, Possible Dub-Con, Drunken Behavior, Alcohol Abuse, and Physical and Verbal Abuse. Other warnings include Violence and Language.
Pairings include BroEdd and EddyEdd. Subtle Hints at other pairings, but BroEdd and EddyEdd are the main two that will be focused on it.
This is being co-written by DuoXKouga and Battygirl.
Authors' Notes:
DuoXKouga: Just to start this chapter off, the reason why this chapter was late was because of me. It's my fault that this chapter was delayed and I would like to apologize to you, the readers, and to Battygirl. I'm so sorry! I promise this won't happen again!
Battygirl: So this took longer than I would've liked, but I like it quite a lot. I hope you guys enjoy it as well. Also, please let us know what you think. It's really nice to receive feedback of any kind. Whether ya like it, or ya don't like it, it's just nice to get something.
Chapter 12: An Eddy In Shining Armor
Smoke settles in the air as Terry reclines on the bed. Beside him, the much smaller figure lies motionless, lost in sleep. The man regards the slumbering boy with a smug look. It had been so damn easy to bend this boy to his will; to make Edd completely subservient to him. He's quite convinced the boy will do whatever he asks now. The feeling is exhilarating; to have absolute control over this child.
He grins wickedly as he snuffs out the cigarette on the nightstand before turning to the boy completely. Edd's lying, curled up on his side and facing away from him. His face is calm in his peaceful state. He'd been quite exhausted from their earlier relations and had passed out shortly after reaching the height of orgiastic pleasure. As the man gazes down at the tempting flesh of the boy's back, he's once again overcome with desire. He drags his hand up the boy's side, beginning at his thigh and coming to rest on the frail upper arm. Edd shifts only slightly, but otherwise doesn't wake.
The grin still alight on his face, Terry decides to rouse the boy.
"Bro!"
He grimaces. That grating voice had easily pierced the relatively thin walls of the trailer. How annoying…He feels movement beside him as Edd stirs. Seems it's even enough to wake the kid. Dammit…Edd rolls onto his back, turning towards the man some. He rubs his tired eyes as he arches upward in a languid stretch. Terry licks his lips, grinning as he caresses the boy's side opposite him, making Edd flinch. He looks to the man with those lilting green eyes, a haze of sleep residing there.
"Wh…What's happening…?" Edd mumbles with a yawn.
The man casts a glare over his shoulder, angry at the intrusion of the unwanted guest that's certainly waiting outside. He gives Edd a lustful grin.
"Don't worry about it, sweetheart," he purrs, cupping Edd's chin.
He leans down to kiss him.
"Bro!"
The voice is accompanied by a loud banging this time; fists pounding on the front door. Terry growls a bit, pulling away to glare at the closed bedroom door. Impatient little shit…As the man is turned away, he doesn't see Edd's eyes open wide.
"E…Eddy?" he gasps, rising to sit up.
Hope that had long since gone begins to well in his chest. He looks around for the plaid jacket, spotting it at the end of the bed. Snatching it up, he begins mumbling to himself, drawing the man's attention.
"Eddy…" he breathes, "H-He's here…! He actually came for me." With the jacket on, he pauses. "Oh dear, but how long has it been…? I haven't been able to keep track of the passage of time very effectively, but surely it's been no more than three days — has it?"
He begins mumbling incoherently, trying to calculate how much time had passed. Terry's eyes narrow. Grabbing the boy's shoulder, he shoves him roughly back down onto the mattress. Edd cries out in pain and surprise. When he recovers, he looks up at the man, confused.
"Wh-What are you doing?!" he stutters.
Terry leans over him menacingly; "Don't get any bright ideas, Princess. You ain't goin' nowhere." He nearly presses his forehead against the boy's. "You're mine."
Edd can hardly comprehend what he's heard.
"But…B-But before…!" he attempts to reason with him, his voice wavering, "Y-You said—"
Before he can complete his plea, Terry sits back and slaps him.
"Bro!" Eddy's not letting up his assault on the door or his incessant screaming, "Let me in! I know you're there!"
The man ignores him, glaring down at the boy beneath him. Edd's crying, holding his cheek where he'd been struck. Before the boy can protest further, Terry grabs the manacles and shackles Edd's wrist to the bedpost. The boy tugs at the restraint.
"No!" he cries, "Please! No!"
The man's hand wraps around his throat, silencing the boy and halting his movements. He leans in close to his face as Edd cries.
"You're mine, dammit!" Terry growls, "And if that little shit thinks he's leaving here with you, he's got another fucking thing coming!"
With that, he releases the boy's neck and rises from the bed. Edd offers him little, whimpering pleas, begging him to reconsider. Terry ignores him as he pulls on his clothes. All that's missing is the plaid jacket. He glances at Edd, considering taking it from him. As the boy cowers and sobs on the bed, he decides to leave it. Seeing the kid wearing it, looking so defeated and scared; it's too beautiful a sight to take away what is now marking Edd as his. He storms to the boy's side, gripping Edd's chin and forcing the child to look at him.
"You belong to me," he snarls. Edd doesn't respond. He squeezes Edd's chin between his fingers, gritting his teeth. "Say it, dammit!"
Edd releases heavy sobs; "Y-Yes! I-I'm yours!"
He leans over him, ensnaring him in a rough, possessive kiss. The boy wails against the man's lips, but the sound instead result in something more akin to a moan.
"Bro! Get out here!"
The screaming is becoming so much more annoying to the man as a more fervent pounding reaches his ears. There are more fists attacking his door than just Eddy's. Terry pulls away, standing straight. Before turning away, he reaches into the nightstand and withdraws a switchblade. Edd's eyes are wide.
"N-No!" he cries, "Please! Y-You're not gonna use that on…o-on Eddy are you?!" He receives no answer, just a glance before the man continues for the door, pocketing the knife. "P-Please! No! L-Let me go! Don't do this! Please!"
His pleas go unheeded as the man exits the room. Edd breaks down sobbing, tugging at the chains in a futile attempt to free himself.
Meanwhile, Terry stalks through the trailer. His hands are curled into fists, clutching the key to the manacles tightly. He approaches the door, popping his neck. He can still hear the fists against the door and Eddy screaming. Grimacing, he gives the wood a rough kick. It's enough to startle the kids on the other side to make them back away. With a snide look, he pockets the key before opening the door and stepping out.
"Hey there, Pipsqueak," he sneers, "What took ya so long?"
He descends the rickety stairs of the trailer, each step making an eerie creak and each kid cringing at the sound. Kevin moves closer to Rolf, who clenches his fists in preparation. The Kanker's fingers too curl into tightly clenched fists as Terry scoffs at the small group of preteens. A part of him is slightly impressed, but he's mostly irritated that they had actually found this place. His attention finally falls on his little brother. Eddy is glaring up at him with such hate that Terry actually chortles at the sight. He shoves his hands into his pockets before taking a step closer to the group, who move back slightly in fear.
Eddy grits his teeth as he steps forward towards his brother, his hands clenched even tighter.
"Fuck that small talk bullshit, Terry!" he snarls, his nails digging into the palm of his hands, "Where's Double D! We won your stupid game, now give 'im back!"
There's a thick tension in the air as Terry stares down the group before him. His eyes are narrowed and there's the edge of a frown starting to form on his face. Bringing a hand up, he strokes his goatee thoughtfully as he debates his brother's demand. However, his mind is already made up.
And he won't be changing it.
"Mm, nah, I don't think I will," the man finally replies after a few minutes of silence.
"What?!" Eddy gawks.
The man shrugs, grinning deviously; "Yeah, I think I'll keep my little Princess for a while longer."
Eddy feels his blood boil at the name his brother would dare use for Edd.
"That's bullshit, Bro!" he snaps, "You said if we beat that joke of a game of yours, we could get Double D back!"
The man scoffs; "Damn, you didn't learn shit from me about scamming, did you?"
"Scam?!" Eddy echoes, "This wasn't a 'scam'! You didn't get any cash outta this!"
Terry shrugs again, inspecting his nails nonchalantly.
"Maybe not…" he admits. He casts the boy a dark grin, "But I did get your little girlfriend's virginity out of it. And plenty of sex after that first time."
Eddy sees red, blacking out momentarily in a blind fury as he lets out a loud, angry cry. He lunges at his brother, his fist swiping madly at the man's stomach. To his dismay, however, Terry is much quicker than what he'd expected. His brother's fist connects with Eddy's cheek, sending the preteen to the ground. Terry takes another step toward them, cracking his knuckles as he sneers down at his little brother. There's no way he's going to give up his princess after finally breaking the kid in.
"Eddy!" cries the larger Ed as he rushes to his friend's side.
He winces upon seeing the the dark mark forming on the shorter boy's face.
"I'm fine, Ed," Eddy growls, spitting some blood out of his mouth as he glares up at the adult before him. He has to get Edd back from him; his friend needs him.
Meanwhile, Edd remains trapped in the bedroom. His sobs have dwindled some as he tries to determine a way to free himself. Despite his efforts, the manacles remain firm. He can hear some of the conversation outside; bits and pieces of what is being said. Terry's words penetrate him like a knife.
"I think I'll keep my little Princess for a while longer."
"I did get your little girlfriend's virginity out of it. And plenty of sex after that first time."
Edd's eyes are wide. No…No he hadn't heard that. Terry hadn't actually…said that to Eddy…had he? He feels an overwhelming nausea come over him. For Eddy to now know about what the man had done to him…The tears come again, running hot down his cheeks. He hears the start of a scuffle outside, Eddy screaming incoherently. He hadn't misheard. Defeated, he curls up on his side. Soft sobs escape him as he resigns himself to his wretched fate. Truly, he would never leave this place. Eddy stood no chance before of taking on his brother. After everything he must have been through the past few days, he certainly won't be capable of it now.
Back outside, the skirmish is on. Eddy grunts as he rises to his feet, casting his brother his most hateful look before rushing at him again. Terry smirks, watching his little brother in sadistic amusement before effortlessly stopping the boy in his tracks. He brings his knee up into Eddy's stomach, knocking the wind out of him. It takes little else to throw the teen backwards and straight into Kevin. The jock releases a sharp gasp before the shorter boy collides with him. They roll a few feet before coming to rest on the ground, groaning softly as they try to regain their composure. Both Rolf and Ed turn to where their friends have fallen before returning their attention to Terry who is watching them expectantly.
"How long do you little ankle-biters think you can keep this up?" he taunts, "Why don't you all run on home to yer mommies and daddies and leave Princess to me."
Incensed, Rolf puffs his chest up as he steps toward the menace before them. Ed follows behind him, the look on his face reminding the boys of the day he had that pebble in his shoe. Lee has also begun to move towards the man, her fists clenched in rage as she stomps her way closer in hopes of avenging Eddy. Her sisters follow close behind her.
"You shall not triumph over this son of a shepherd!" Rolf declares as he rushes at Terry.
The man scoffs as prepares himself. He's shocked, however, as Rolf manages to shove him back with little effort. Gritting his teeth, Terry pushes back against the teen; their strength almost matched, but not quite. Losing patience, he slams his head forward, head-butting Rolf square in the face. The shock makes Rolf loosen his grip and gives Terry the opportunity to knee him in the stomach. Rolf isn't prepared for the fist that sends him face down into the dirt.
Ed watches for a moment, too stunned to react. However, he recovers quickly, his shoulders stiffening and his eyebrow creasing in anger. His eyes narrow and he makes a mad run at the man. Grabbing Terry's shirt, he shakes him roughly. This man had hurt Eddy. This man had hurt Double D! This man had hurt his friends! Terry is unfazed by this and chuckles as he backhands Ed hard across the face. The blow knocks Ed into the recovering Rolf, who releases a pained grunt as they land on the unforgiving ground. May lets out a loud cry as she watches her 'boyfriend' struggle to rise back to his feet.
"Ed!" she cries before glaring at Terry, "You big bully! I'll teach you to hurt my man!"
Terry glances over at the three girls who all charge him at once. He smirks as he simply steps to the side, which sends May stumbling past him. Reaching out, he grabs hold of the long, blonde locks and gives them a hard yank. May squeals in pain as she tries to pull her hair free.
"Is this the best you can do?!" Terry demands with a mocking laugh.
May gasps as the man roughly shoves her forward into Marie, who stumbles back holding her sister. Lee glares at him gritting her teeth.
"Not even close!" she growls, "I'll show you what we can do!"
With that, she lunges at him. It proves fruitless, however, as he smoothly grabs her by the throat, holding her at bay for a moment.
"Pathetic," he sneers before throwing her at her sisters.
By the time Kevin finally stands, Rolf and Ed have risen to their feet and are swinging punches at Terry. Rolf manages to land a punch to Terry's cheek, releasing a victorious cry before taking a hard punch to the stomach. He falls back onto the ground clutching his middle. Ed does his best to hold his own against the man, but fails as he too is sent to the ground. While his friends provide an effective distraction, Eddy takes the opportunity to sneak past his brother and into the trailer.
He closes the door behind him before walking through the run-down abode. He doesn't recognize anything from this place, but he can see his brother's influence in every nook and cranny. No care had been placed into the decrepit hovel in years. He had assumed after finding the photograph that the place had once belonged to his parents, but, after moving, the keys would have been passed along to someone else. He finds himself wondering how long it had been before Terry had reclaimed it from the previous owner. The walls are barren, he notes. No pictures. No decor. Just bland, tearing wallpaper. There are mysterious stains all about. Eddy can name some of them. Spilled beer, water damage from leaks in the roofing, blood.
Eddy tenses up as he considers the blood to have come from his friend and remembers the reason he's here. He catches sight of a telephone by the refrigerator. Eyes wide, he rushes over and grabs it, bringing it to his ear. Gritting his teeth, he curses under his breath. No dial tone. Throwing the phone aside, he glances around. There's nothing else here for him to see. Pushing past the grime and coldness of the kitchen, he makes his way to the hallway. He has no idea where he's going. He lets his instincts guide him.
He passes a bathroom. There's more blood on the tiles. Eddy fights the bile that's rising in his throat. No doubt about it; that's Edd's. As long as he can remember, Terry has always been ruthless and violent. Eddy feels confident that Edd must have said or done something to irritate his brother. Worse yet; it probably wasn't much.
Soft sobbing halts his steps. Edd is crying. His heart wrenches at that. The memories of Edd's tears and sobs had fueled his nightmares, disrupting what little sleep he had gotten over the past couple of days. It hurts so much more to hear them now. It means Edd is in pain. And, like before with those pranks he and Ed had pulled, it's his fault.
Taking a deep breath, he approaches the door at the end of the hallway. The crying is louder. Edd is inside. He's sure of it. His hand touches the doorknob and he hesitates. What is he waiting for? His brother is outside, dealing with his friends. The man won't be waiting behind the door to strike him.
Of course, that isn't what Eddy's afraid of. He has no idea what to expect when he sees Edd. He worries what he'll say. What can he say? He wants to make light of it, to greet Edd as playfully as he can. Return to normalcy. He can't do that. This situation isn't one he can make light of. He'll have to approach this seriously but gently.
With that in mind, he opens the door. The room is dark, save for the limited light that's peaking through the thick cloth covering the window and a small, blinking lamp by the bed. Eddy's nose crinkles at the pungent odor in the room. He can detect the smell of alcohol from a few bottles and cans of beer that littered the floor near the walls, mixed with something he can't describe. The sheets over the mattress are a mess, strewn about and pulled out to pool on the floor. Eddy feels his heart sink into his stomach as he notes the small, shaking figure laying upon the bed. Edd is curled up on his side and has his back to him. His brother's red, plaid jacket is all that's covering the boy.
Eddy fights back another bout of vomit at the image.
"Double D?" Eddy murmurs, loud enough for Edd to hear him, but soft enough so he doesn't startle him.
Edd gasps softly and curls in tighter on himself.
"Stay back!" comes the weak and whimpering response.
"Double D, it's okay," Eddy says soothingly, closing the door behind him, "It's me, Eddy."
He approaches Edd slowly.
"Please!" Edd begs, "C-Come no further! I-I don't want you to see…"
Eddy pouts a bit as he rounds the corner of the bed where Edd lays, cowering.
"It's okay," Eddy repeats, "I'm gonna get you out of here."
Finally, Edd looks at him. Eddy is startled for a moment. Edd's eyes are bloodshot and laden with heavy bags. It looks to Eddy as though the boy hadn't slept in days. His lip is split and several places on his face are bruised and red. As Edd sits up slightly, Eddy can see marks all over his friend. Harsh bruises in the shapes of his brother's hands, fingers, and teeth cover Edd's neck and sides, set in sharp contrast against the soft, pale skin.
Edd catches Eddy staring and clutches the fabric of the jacket tightly over him.
"Cease your ogling!" Edd cries shrilly, tears falling freely from his eyes, "Is this all you've come for?! To appraise your brother's handiwork?! Cast your judging eyes away from me!"
Eddy's eyes widen as Edd breaks down into incomprehensible sobs. He takes a few deep, calming breaths before closing the distance between himself and Edd. The boy is sitting up now, one hand trying to wipe the tears from his eyes. Eddy catches Edd's face in his hands. Perhaps not the smartest move; Edd begins thrashing.
"Don't touch me!" he cries, grabbing at Eddy's hands with his left, "Take your hands off me!"
"Double D, calm down!" Eddy hisses, "I'm not gonna hurt you!"
Edd's too lost in his own frantic flailing.
"Release me!" he cries, "I insist you take your hands off—"
"Edd!" Eddy speaks clearly and sternly.
Edd stops his struggling, eyes wide. His name…It sounds so foreign; he hasn't heard it in days. And it's so rare for Eddy to call him by his name. Since they'd met, it's always been 'Double D', or 'Sockhead'. So rarely 'Edd'. He catches Eddy's gaze and holds it. He can't recall seeing Eddy so serious before.
"It's okay," Eddy says again, holding Edd's face in gentle hands, "I'm here to help you. I'm gonna get you out of here and away from…" He grimaces a bit and tries to regain his composure. "From him."
Edd's lip trembles and tears well in his eyes. Truly; the most beautiful words he's heard since his capture. His heart hurts with regret. He'd spoken so coldly to Eddy just now. And here his dear friend stands; trying to save him from his pain. The feelings he had finally begun to understand bubble up inside of Edd's chest.
Eddy had come for him.
He knows Ed is nearby — possibly outside; waiting for Eddy to return with their friend — but he's never felt happier to see his smaller companion alone. Eddy is gazing at him with his soft, blue eyes, full of concern and — dare he say? — affection. Edd's emotions overwhelm him as he leans forward, pressing his lips to Eddy's.
The shortest Ed is surprised. He hadn't been expecting Edd to be so forward like this. After a moment, the shock passes. His own feelings begin to manifest. Eddy leans into the kiss, moaning softly as he moves his hands toward the back of Edd's head, pulling him closer. Edd returns the wanton moans, keening against Eddy's chapped lips. It isn't like their first kiss together, when Kevin had so callously blackmailed Eddy into the act to humiliate him. That had been rushed and crude. This, by contrast, is slow and soft. His hand finds purchase on Eddy's shoulder. It's the most tender contact Edd's had in days.
After what feels like ages, Eddy pulls away again. His hands remain on Edd's face. Tears are still falling down Edd's cheeks. He's still crying?
"Aw man…" Eddy breathes, worried he had somehow made a mistake in returning the kiss, "Edd, I…I'm sorry. I…I-I didn't mean to—"
Edd buries his face in Eddy's chest, clutching the fabric there.
"W-Would you still want me?" he sobs, "Would you still want me, even though…e-even though I'm…u-used…? Little else than…than a toy? Broken by your brother?"
Eddy's startled by that. Is that what Edd thought? He brings his arms up to embrace Edd tightly.
"What are you, crazy?" he forces a laugh, hoping to lighten the mood. He pauses, the false smile fading as he rubs Edd's back. "You're not a toy, Edd. And you're not used. Not to me."
Edd sobs again, leaning into Eddy's arms, feeling safer than he ever had in his life. For a moment, Eddy allows his eyes to wander over his friend, vaguely assessing the situation. He finally notices something he'd overlooked when he'd first entered the room. Edd's right hand is shackled to the bed. Eddy grimaces and glances at the bedside table. He immediately averts his gaze again. Nothing there but an open bottle of personal lubricant. No keys to unlock the handcuffs.
He has a sickening feeling he knows where they are.
Pulling Edd away from him again, he holds him steady; "Wait here, Edd. I'll be right back."
Edd's eyes widen and he grabs hold of Eddy's hand; "N-No! Please! Don't leave me here alone!"
Eddy leans in to place a soft kiss to Edd's lips, silencing him; "Relax, Sockhead. I'll be right back. I need to go find the keys so I can get these handcuffs off. Then I'll come right back." He looks over Edd's face, eyes catching the scar near Edd's hairline. He reaches into his back pocket and retrieves a black cloth; Edd's hat, "I promise, Double D. I won't leave you. We're gonna get you out of here and take you home."
Eddy places the hat back onto Edd's head. The boy feels relief wash over him with the return of his head-wear. The anxiety returns, however when Eddy moves to leave again. His grip on Eddy's hand tightens. He doesn't want his friend to leave his side. Not when Terry is still around. Not when he could return at any moment to punish him for his 'disloyalty'. Eddy pries his hand free and turns away. Edd desperately reaches after him.
"Eddy, no!" he begs, "Please! Don't leave me alone again! Wh-What if Terry—"
"We're taking care of him," Eddy cuts him off, "He's not going to touch you ever again. I won't let him. I'm not gonna let you go again, Edd. I'll be back."
Edd feels his heart flutter in his chest and he calms as Eddy exits the room again. Yes, Eddy will protect him. Now that his friends are here, he can rest easy.
Outside, the others are fairing poorly against the adult, who's not holding back in the least. The Kankers, Ed, and Rolf all find themselves on the ground, groaning in pain from their recent attempts to take the man down. Once again, this leaves Kevin as the odd-man out, but the boy refuses to take part, his entire body quaking in fear. His eyes widen as Terry turns his attention towards him. The others are incapacitated at the moment and, as far as the man is concerned, the jock is all who remains. Terry smirks in the preteen's direction, delighting in the discomfort on the teen's face.
"Well well…aren't you the little coward?" he taunts, wagging his finger at the boy. He catches the boy flinching as if he'd been struck. "Oho, did I strike a nerve?" Kevin shakes, unable to respond, so the man continues. "Your little friends are fighting so damn hard to take my Princess from me while you're just standing around doing nothing?"
"Sh-Shut up!" comes the weak response.
Terry chortles at the weak tone, looking the boy over carefully.
"Maybe you'd rather join him?" he suggests coolly.
Kevin freezes as Terry licks his lips, jerking his thumb back at the trailer. He closes his eyes trying to ignore the fear that is gripping his chest like a vice. It only proves to egg the man on. Terry can see that his words are affecting the preteen and he finds it very amusing. It's for this reason that he continues. The boy is attractive, but he's far from genuinely interested; the jock can't compare to his delicate little princess.
"Hmm…I wonder if you're a screamer like my princess," he purrs.
"Stop it!" Kevin cries, covering his ears in an attempt to shut him out.
"Didn't take much to get my little princess to spread his legs for me," Terry adds, "I wonder how long it'd take for you."
"You're sick, man!" Kevin shouts at the man, his voice cracking in fear as he tries to swallow the lump in his throat. He's feeling very uncomfortable, but he tries to force bravery. "L-Look! J-Just give us our friend back a-and maybe you'll be able to walk away when we get done with you!"
Terry cocks his brow as he stares at the boy before bursting into laughter. Kevin's eyes widen as he recoils in shock. The man is…laughing?
The man grins maliciously at him; "Is that so?" He chuckles. "You'll be lucky to see the next grade, kid."
Terry takes a step towards Kevin menacingly. He doesn't make it far, though, as Rolf comes up behind him and jumps onto his back.
"You will fight me!" Rolf cries as he struggles to keep his grip on Terry, who becomes enraged.
Rolf lets out a cry as he's flipped over before a large hand encloses around his neck. Terry is glaring down at the boy beneath him, feeling little as he seeks to choke the life from the son of a shepherd. Kevin gasps in horror, watching his friend struggle against the man.
Eddy finally returns to the door of the trailer. His eyes widen at the sight before him.
"Back off him, Bro!" he cries.
Hearing his brother behind him is enough to draw the man's attention. A crazed look overtakes his expression as fury takes him. He throws Rolf back onto the ground, knocking the boy's head on the hard ground before turning to Eddy fully.
"The fuck do you think you're doing, Pipsqueak?" he demands coldly.
Eddy ignores him as he turns his attention to the others.
"Guys!" he cries pleadingly, "He's got a key I need to find! Ya gotta help me find it!"
"You little shit!" the man cries, fingers curling as though itching to wrap around the boy's neck, "I'll teach you to go near what's mine!"
As the man lunges for his brother, Eddy tries to dart around him. He's not fast enough, though, and Terry's large hands wrap around the boy's neck. Eddy struggles against the man's grip, kicking wildly and scratching at Terry's hands. It does no good. He squeezes his eyes shut tight, trying to urge his friends to help him, but barely able to make a sound. Ed, of course, is on his feet in seconds, rushing the man.
"Let go of Eddy!" he cries desperately.
His attempts are futile, though. Terry removes one hand from Eddy's neck and elbows the boy away. His focus, however, remains on punishing his brother. Rolf and the Kankers rally around him, but are fended off with little effort. In his rage, there's nothing that seems to stun the man. Kevin shakes where he stands. He looks for something — anything — that can help. On the ground near him is an old tire iron. The Eds' cries urge him on. Biting his lip, he musters all of his strength and courage as he rushes forward. He snatches up the tire iron, making a mad dash for the man. Terry's distraction proves fruitful for the boy as Kevin puts all of his weight into his swing.
The metal comes in contact with the back of Terry's head, stunning him for a moment and making him release Eddy. The shortest boy coughs violently, holding his bruising neck as Ed pulls him out from under his brother to safety. The tire iron is dented and there's a bit of blood that had been drawn from the strike. Unfortunately, it's not quite enough to have knocked the man out, but he does fall to his knees, clutching the back of his head as he tries to recover from the hit. When he's on the ground, Kevin raises the tire iron again before bringing it back down to hit him again. This time, the force is enough to knock him unconscious. Finally, he collapses to the ground.
Eddy pants heavily as he stares at his brother. He doesn't move for several minutes. He's out. Without hesitating any more, Eddy pushes past Ed and starts searching through Terry's pockets. To his horror, he finds a switchblade, which he decides to pocket for safety. Afterwards, he retrieves a small key with the same basic shape he remembers from the manacles. He wastes no more time before stumbling to his feet and racing back into the trailer.
"Make sure he stays down!" he calls back, "And wait here!"
End Of Chapter 12
DuoXKouga: Leave a review and we'll see you all in the next chapter! Bye-Bye!