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 Grooming, 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: Whew! Happy One Year to us! We made it this far and we are not done either! Hopefully this story will come to an end soon! We hope you enjoy this new chapter and please leave us a review!
Battygirl: Kay so…remember at the end of the last chapter when we said we might be able to finish before the end of June? Yeah so…obviously that didn't happen. This is also not the end. While working on this chapter, it kept getting longer and longer. So…One more to go! Not even kidding here! We got one more chapter! Woo! A little over a year later! Go us! Anyway, I'm actually almost done with the next chapter. With luck, we might get it done within the week. However, we prolly won't post it right away. Unless, of course, you want it sooner? Please let us know if that's the case and we may be persuaded to post the final chapter sooner than later. For now, enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 16: A Trouble Shared Is A Trouble Edd
Contrary to what may be popular belief, Samuel Vincent despises hospitals. It isn't the cleanliness of the facilities, nor the sterility of the environment that irked him, of course – the state of his own household should be an indicator of his family's strive to maintain such an atmosphere. It's the clientele.
He sits in the waiting room, leg bouncing as his foot taps impatiently. Surrounded by coughing patients and crying children. His association is with the people he encounters and the overall dour demeanor on every face. It's a sorrowful place to be.
This prejudice did not, however, prevent him from supporting his son's fascination with medical sciences. Quite the opposite, in fact. It always gave him a swell of pride to know that his son had such passion for a noble profession. It also gave him tremendous hope for the boy's future.
Or at least it had before all of this ugliness had begun.
His mind is plagued with worry, making him increasingly more agitated with each moment he must sit here and wait for the doctor to return. Upon arrival and, after checking the boy in, the doctor had decided to examine Edd privately. The decision had been made due to Samuel's revelation in whispers to the medic concerning his suspicions of sexual abuse towards the child and Edd's own unwillingness to even speak in his father's presence. Therefore, the logical conclusion was for the doctor and his staff to survey the damage without the parent in the room (after gaining written consent from said parent, of course).
He worries, though, what will come of this. What it will mean for the boy's psyche. Children who have suffered as Edd has endure terrible, lasting effects. He's quite sure they will have no choice but to seek professional help. There are a lot of changes that will have to be made.
But those can wait. For now, he must focus on the task at hand.
A man beside him begins coughing hysterically and Samuel leaps to his feet in disgust. He rubs the bridge of his nose, pushing his glasses aside as he feels a migraine coming on. No, sitting or standing around waiting will do him no good.
He wishes so terribly that Edd would have said something sooner about this, but the boy had seemed determined to keep this secret. Glancing up, he spots a pay phone. His eyes narrow in determination.
He needs answers. And he believes he knows where he can get them.
Resolutely, he storms over to the device on the wall. As he walks, he reaches into his back pocket for a packet of sanitary wipes – there's no chance he'll be touching this filthy device without cleaning it first.
In his distraction, he doesn't notice the man walking towards the front desk. He grunts when he crashes into him. It doesn't send either man to the floor, but is certainly enough to anger the two of them. Samuel looks to him, opening his mouth to offer a reluctant apology. He's startled when he receives a cold glare before the man shoves him aside to continue towards the receptionist. The stranger is clutching his head, staggering some as he walks.
"Excuse you," Samuel snaps, drawing the man to glance at him again.
He looks no less angry as he sneers at him.
"Fuck off," he growls back before turning to the receptionist.
Samuel just barely catches him telling the poor woman that he needs a doctor immediately. Something about a head wound, headaches that won't stop. Samuel can hardly understand under his slurred speech.
Shaking his head, Samuel returns his attention to the pay phone. After thoroughly cleaning the device, he deposits the correct change and dials the number. He considers calling his wife first, but ultimately decides it's best to wait until he's received news of Edd's condition. Valerie is upset enough as is. It wouldn't do well to add to that by revealing he'd taken their child to a hospital under suspicions of sexual abuse.
The phone on the other end of the line rings once, twice, before a gruff voice answers.
"Sampson residence?" a man answers.
"Salutations, Tony, this is Samuel Vincent, your neighbor at the end of the street," Samuel greets tersely. A pause on the other end of the line has him elaborating. "Eddward's father."
"Oh…" Tony sounds surprised to hear from him, and apologetic in his tone, "Sam…hey." He clears his throat uncomfortably. "You don't usually call. What's the occasion?"
"I regret to report that I'm calling from the hospital," Samuel reveals, "And I'd like you and that son of yours to come here immediately."
"The hospital?" Tony echoes, "Is everything okay? Why do I gotta bring Eddy?"
"Because I'm concerned about Eddward and I need answers about his ordeal that he refuses to yield," Samuel retorts, "And I believe your son may be able to provide them instead."
"Answers? About what?"
"I'd rather not discuss this over the phone," Samuel states sternly, "Please, just bring your son immediately. I will explain everything when you two arrive."
There's a pause on the other end of the line. He hears the man sigh a bit.
"Alright," he relents, "We'll be there soon. Which hospital are you at, anyway?"
Samuel attempts to give Tony a detailed list of directions, which Tony waves off upon hearing the street name. They bid each other a curt farewell before hanging up. Breathing deeply, Samuel turns back to the waiting room.
No more available seating, it would seem. He spies the rude man from earlier. It appears he's recruited the help of the woman beside him to write down his information. For a moment, Samuel is surprised, realizing that his head injury must truly be debilitating if he can't even fill out his own paperwork.
He observes, intrigued as the man stumbles to the receptionist to hand back the clipboard. Realizing how severe his condition actually is, the woman calls for an orderly and the man is escorted to an elevator to be taken to a higher floor. Samuel wonders if the man will be alright, but it doesn't last. A rude stranger isn't his priority. His son is.
Finally, the doctor he'd spoken to walks out to the waiting room. He has a morose expression as he approaches the worrying father. A weight settles in Samuel's stomach. He doesn't have to ask to know, but he can't help but ask anyway.
"What did you find out?"
The physician glances around at the crowded waiting room and gestures towards the hall.
"Perhaps this is a conversation best had in private?" he suggests.
Catching the seriousness in his tone, Samuel nods in agreement and allows the doctor to escort him away. They approach a room and enter. Samuel's surprised, having expected to see Eddward waiting for him. Instead, he finds himself in an office. He glances at the door, finally spotting the name on the plaque; Doctor D. Fitzgerald. M.D. The doctor explains before he can ask.
"We have your son waiting in a room upstairs," he reveals, closing the door behind him and escorting him to the desk, "I thought it best if I discussed things with you here first."
"Please," Samuel begs, "What's happened to him?"
The man takes a seat across him and sighs wearily.
"This is…difficult to say," he responds, "And always that much more difficult for a parent to hear. But…" He pauses, thinking carefully about his next words. "Along with the severe physical abuse over most of his body…we did find evidence of sexual trauma."
For several long moments, Samuel feels as though the breath has been knocked out of him, causing him to sink down into the chair in front of the desk. He covers his mouth to prevent the barrage of curses that are threatening to burst from him. Rage. Sorrow. Horror. Guilt. He feels them all and nothing at the same time. While he seethes in silence, the doctor gives him a serious look.
"How did he end up in such a condition?" he asks.
"I didn't even know he was in such a condition," Samuel snaps back before calming slightly, "At least not this severe a condition…Eddward didn't tell me…"
"What do you know?" Fitzgerald asks, eyes narrowed slightly.
Samuel gives him a remorseful look, sighing some.
"He…was abducted from an amusement park about a week ago…" he reveals, "My wife and I had no idea he'd even left the neighborhood the day before that…We both work long hours and aren't home as often as we'd like to be. And Eddward often spends summer nights with his friends. It's not unusual for us to come home and he's absent." He thinks carefully over his words. "He'd…left a mess the day he and his friends had left the cul-de-sac. That was unusual, but still not enough for us to feel alert…We thought nothing of it. Just that he would be punished for leaving behind such disorder.
"A few days ago, we were informed of his abduction," he proceeds, feeling more and more guilty as his narrative continues, "We went to pick him up in a trailer park that he and his friends had taken refuge in. When we arrived, Eddward had bruises all over his face, his arms…We could see from his appearance that he'd been physically abused. But…"
He pauses. He doesn't know how to describe why they reacted the way they had.
"We were upset…" he explains, "The only response we could manage was…to make him understand that running away from home like he had was what got him in that situation. We wanted him to understand the dangers and keep them in mind no matter what. We wanted him to understand this so…so that it wouldn't happen again…"
He feels sick, realizing what their words must have meant to the boy. If only they'd known…If only they'd had an inkling…They wouldn't have…
"I'm sorry to be the bearer of this news…" Fitzgerald offers, regaining his attention, "and I realize this is most upsetting for you, but I would highly suggest attempting to calm yourself at least while you're talking to Eddward." Samuel furrows his brow, taken aback by the statement. "Your son is in a very fragile state. I understand that anger is the easiest reaction, but I would advise you to keep the child's needs first."
Samuel shoots him a glare, but nods in understanding. He still intends to get answers from Eddy and, hopefully, from Edd as well. Despite the doctor's expertise, he cannot bring himself to believe this revelation. It's too much. He needs to hear it from Edd. He glances at the man before him.
"I…I found him with a bottle of Vicodin earlier…" Samuel informs him, his voice soft and pained, "when I discovered the…possibility of sexual abuse." He pauses, eyes flitting about as he fights to calm himself, "I was afraid he would…would try to ingest the medication…"
Fitzgerald looks thoughtful for a moment as he processes this. Samuel gulps down the lump in his throat, returning his focus solely to the physician.
"He didn't…did he?" he asks shakily, "You didn't find any evidence of that, did you?"
"No, no," the physician answers, "Eddward showed no signs of having taken any medication – not that we'd even been looking for any. That's information we would have liked, though."
Samuel breathes a sigh of relief, glad to know the tragedy isn't as bad as it could have been. Before the doctor can comment further, Samuel speaks again.
"May I see my son now?"
"Of course," Fitzgerald nods, rising to his feet.
He escorts Samuel from his office and to the elevator. The ride to the next floor is silent and agonizing. Floor two. When the doors open, they step out. Fitzgerald leads Samuel to the correct room and reaches for the door handle.
When they enter, they find Edd conversing with a nurse beside him. She's got a sweet smile on her face, but her eyes reveal the pity and sorrow she's feeling for the boy talking so animatedly to her. He's asking about the equipment in the room – what models the hospital utilizes and reciting his own knowledge of medical practices.
"What a smart little boy you are," she commends, petting his head.
Edd beams proudly, drinking in the praise and attention. He seems to have let his own situation slip from his consciousness in this moment of relaxation. Fitzgerald clears his throat, drawing their attention. When Edd notices his father in the room, he shrinks in on himself.
"Mr. Vincent would like to speak with his son alone," he informs the nurse.
With that, she rises to her feet. Edd draws his knees up to his chest, looking suddenly uncomfortable in his hospital gown. After the doctor and nurse have left the room, Samuel approaches the bed where his son is seated, cowering.
"Eddward," he addresses him sternly, "I want you to tell me what that man did to you."
Edd tenses, his eyes wide and full of fear.
He tries to play it off; "I…I don't know what you mean…"
"You know damn well what I mean!" Samuel snaps.
Edd flinches at his tone, drawing the man to breathe deeply to calm himself.
"Please, Eddward…" he sighs, "I need you to tell me what happened to you. I need to hear it from you."
The boy curls up some, hugging his knees tightly in a desperate attempt to comfort himself.
"N-Nothing happened…" he whimpered, "I swear it…P-Please…I'd like to go home…"
Edd can't bear to answer. He simply can't reveal this to him. He can't know.
Samuel, however, is incensed by his refusal to answer. He sighs, his hands clutching into fists as he realizes that this will truly be more difficult than he'd first imagined. But there's little option. He needs Eddward to explain to him what happened. He needs to know the extent of the abuse the boy has suffered.
And he will get the answers the seeks.
Tony Sampson approaches the sliding, glass doors. His imposing figure, standing close to six foot five and with a muscular build to his arms and shoulders, is hunched as he leads Eddy into the building. His face is unshaven and his clothes rumpled from a day that had originally been relaxing. Walking into the regional hospital with his son beside him, he knows just how formidable his appearance suggests him to be.
He glances down at Eddy. The boy's eyes are searching frantically around him for Samuel's son – Eddward, if he remembered correctly. He approaches the receptionist and tries to give the small woman sitting behind the desk a warm smile.
"Good evening, sir," the nurse greets politely, "How may I assist you today?"
She's pretty young, he notices, with brown curls and baby blue eyes.
"I'm lookin' for Eddward Vincent," he responds.
He reaches a hand down to snag the back of his son's shirt as the boy tries to dart away to look on his own. A single glance at the squirming boy has Eddy going limp in his father's grip. Despite his submission, however, he crosses his arms; face drawn into a pout.
"Ah, yes…" the receptionist murmurs as she types something into the computer. A moment later, she takes a small card from a pile and a pen from the pocket on her shirt. She jots down something onto the card before handing it over to him. "Just take the elevator at the end of the hallway to the second floor. Take a left and his room should be the third door down."
Tony offers her a quick 'thank you' before leading the way down the hallway. Upon reaching the elevator, he presses the button and glances back down at his son. Judging by the boy's behavior, he realizes that, as soon as they arrive in Edd's room, it'll be damn near impossible to separate the two.
A ding sounds, signaling the arrival of the elevator to their floor. As the doors open, he steps inside after his son, who darts in and presses the button for the second floor. Tony heaves a sigh, running one of his hands down his face as he realizes that he must prepare for his encounter with Samuel.
He must admit; that man has a lot of nerve to call him and his son out to the hospital like this – and so late. Tony had never truly gotten along with Samuel in all the time the Vincents had lived in the neighborhood. He can still remember when they had moved into the house at the end of the cul-de-sac and he remembers how excited his wife, Janine, had been to welcome the new family to the neighborhood.
If he remembers correctly, it had been because of Sam's wife, Valerie, refusing one of Janine's home baked pies – insisting that her baby shouldn't eat such 'filth' – that the families did not harmonize. Tony still remembers how angry Janine had been. Angry enough to have thrown the offending pie at Valerie in rebuttal before storming home.
However, this dispute had not stopped their sons from becoming close friends. Therefore, it stood to reason that the two families had little option than to put aside their differences for the sake of their children.
But the tension remained. Valerie was always the most vocal about it. Always asserting that her child should not associate with Eddy in the least. Always insisting that Eddy was a 'bad influence'. Generally, though, Tony had never really had a problem with the Vincents. He's just never agreed with how they raise their son.
Tony grunts as the elevator comes to a stop and he's quick to grab Eddy before the boy can try to run off again. Keeping a tight grip on the child, he leads the way to Edd's room, following the instructions given to him by the nurse. They reach a room with numbers matching those on the card.
The door is cracked, but before he can grab his son again, Eddy pushes the door wide open.
"Edd!"
Eddy's eyes search the room before they land on his friend, who is curled up with his knees to his chest. Without waiting another second, the shorter boy hurries over, nearly tripping over the equipment next to the bed. Despite how stunned Edd is by Eddy's appearance, he welcomes the embrace he's pulled into after Eddy clambers up onto his bed. He throws his arms around him as well, sobbing softly into his shoulder.
"Are you okay?!" Eddy demands, holding him away to look at his face, "Did something happen?"
"I'm fine," Edd asserts, "I-It's nothing…really…"
Eddy looks over his face, frowning.
"Ed wanted to come too," he sniffles some as he pulls Edd back into the tight hug, "But he's still under house arrest…"
Edd giggles softly at the joke, nuzzling his dear friend affectionately.
Samuel is standing by the window. He watches his son hug his small friend tightly and start crying. Guilt wells up in his chest for a moment. He hears the door shut and his eyes dart to focus on Tony, who has closed the door. The larger man glances over at the two preteens on the bed, hugging each other tight and crying happily at being reunited. He turns his attention to Samuel, who looks stunned and guilty. Crossing his thick arms across his chest, he waits, his eyes narrowed into a glare, for the slender man to speak.
"Greetings, Tony," Samuel greets softly as he twists his hands together nervously, "Sincerest thanks for arriving so promptly."
Tony can see that the other man is clearly distraught by something, leading him to sense that there's a serious matter to be discussed here.
"Eddward won't tell me anything about what happened to him…" Samuel continues, "And I didn't know who else could provide me with the answers but your son."
Tony glances over at Eddy, his eyes growing a bit wide as Eddy glances at Samuel. Edd clings tightly to Eddy, who then turns to look at his father in confusion. Samuel's shoulders are slumped wearily as he turns himself around to face the window. Tony moves towards him carefully.
"Sam, you wanna explain what's goin on, exactly?" the larger man asks as he reaches a hand up to scratch at his scruff on his chin.
Edd happens a glance at him and grows tense as he finds himself reminded of Terry. He hides his face in Eddy's chest, shivering uneasily. Tony's attention, however, remains on Samuel as he awaits his reaction.
It's so sudden that Tony is honestly startled.
Samuel turns around, tears in his eyes a he gestures to his son.
"Look at him!" he roars, his hands flailing some.
The shorter boy can feel Edd begin to shake as well. The sight of Samuel's rage is foreign and frightening. None of them have ever seen him lose control like this.
"Look what he did to my son!" the hysterical man screams as he glares at Eddy, pointing an accusing finger at the boy, "He did this! Now Eddward won't tell me what happened! I know that horrible son of yours has done something to Eddward and I know your youngest can tell me what it is! Either that or…or he's done something to make Eddward refuse to answer me!"
Eddy's eyes grow wide in horror and shock as his mind processes the revelation that Samuel may have some idea about what happened to Edd. He feels sick. He may know what his brother did.
"I dunno what you're talking about…" Eddy snaps back weakly as he hugs Edd closer. He looks away so they can't see the tears threatening to fall from his eyes. "I didn't do anything…I would never hurt him…"
Samuel releases a strangled, frustrated cry as he throws his hands up in the air. The man is teetering on the edge of a breakdown. Tony moves to intervene. Before he can reach him, Samuel looks at his son carefully, stepping towards the boys.
"Eddward, please…" Samuel begs, "Tell me what that man did to you."
Edd shakes his head weakly, his knuckles white as he clings to Eddy. Tony grimaces and turns to Eddy.
"Eddy, what happened at that trailer?" he demands in his stern tone.
Eddy's attention darts to his father standing before him. He knows by that tone that the man's being very serious. He meets his dad's eyes, realizing he can't get out of this.
"I want the truth. Now," the man continues, "What did Terry do?"
Eddy's mouth opens and closes in his attempts to form the words to answer him. He feels a tug on his shirt and glances down at Edd. The tearful, green eyes are gazing back at him pleadingly. Edd shakes his head at him, silently begging him not to reveal what happened. He couldn't bear it. He couldn't bear the shame of his parents knowing.
When the two give no answer, Samuel slips further into his hysteria.
"Dammit, Eddward!" he snaps, tugging at his hair, "The doctor already informed me that you were molested. Now I demand you tell me what that man did to you!"
Tony's jaw drops, his eyes locked on Samuel in shock. No…No, he hadn't heard that correctly…Surely he hadn't.
Edd, however, has a very different reaction. His eyes are wide as fear grips him like a vice. He cannot hold back the sobs that tear from him as he buries his face in his hands. Eddy stares down at him, shocked by Samuel's outburst. He realizes then that he has no choice. Wrapping his arms around Edd's shoulders, he pulls him into a hug.
"I'm sorry, Dee…" he murmurs into the weeping boy's ear. He turns his head towards his father with a grim expression, though he doesn't look up at him. "I…I'll tell you everything, okay? Just…don't blame him…It's not Sockhead's fault. You can…You can blame me for it."
As he recounts what he knows, he keeps a firm hold around Edd's shoulders. He confesses to the two adults about the physical violence administered upon meek boy. The verbal degradation that stripped him of what little confidence he had clung to. Most importantly, Eddy reveals what he knows of the sexual abuse performed on Edd by his cruel older brother.
Samuel's face is drawn in horror and rage. He's pale as he absorbs everything described to him, detailing everything his only child had suffered at the hands of this…monster. He feels physically ill as he imagines the pain and fear the boy suffered. What sickens him most, he fears, is how little he still actually knows. Eddy is only revealing what he is aware of. As far as he can be sure, there are much more gruesome details that only Edd and his abuser are privy to.
Without hesitating another moment, he shoves Eddy aside, throwing his arms around Edd. He lets out a strangled cry at the knowledge that his son's innocence had been so cruelly ripped away from him in the worst way imaginable. He wretches at his own behavior. At his own ignorance. What kind of horrible father is he that he had not realized what tremendous pain his child was in?! He can think of nothing more to do than embrace the boy tightly in a desperate attempt to comfort him.
Tony, by contrast stands a few feet away, his body shaking in disgust and anger. He'd always known that Terry wasn't the perfect son, and even less of a model citizen, but to hear that his eldest would sexually assault a child and abuse him in the most horrible ways he could made his stomach churn in disgust. He can't bear to imagine how Terry could do such vile and twisted things to a child! A child!
Edd has broken down completely in his father's arms, sobbing out apologies as he clutches the fabric of his shirt in his feeble grip.
"P-Please!" he begs, "P-Please forgive me…I…I thought…I didn't want you and Mother to…to hate me any more!"
Samuel's eyes open wide as he pulls away from the hug. He studies the boy's face in shock. After a moment, he rises to his feet.
"I…I need to call my wife…" he stutters, stumbling from the room.
Tony glances at the two carefully.
"I should too…" he agrees, making a beeline for the door, "Should call Janine…Should…Should call…"
They don't hear what else he has to say as he shuts the door behind him.
Eddy glances back at Edd shyly as the boy hugs his arms weakly; the tears cascading down his cheeks.
"How could you, Eddy?!" he sobs, "How could you do that to me?! How could you betray me like this?! How could you tell them?!"
Eddy frowns, his shoulders slumping. Of course he knows that what he just told the two men would hurt his friend, but it couldn't be prevented. He has no intention of revealing this to Edd, but the fact stands that Terry is still out there. He doesn't know how this revelation will affect this fact, but their parents need to know.
"Th…They're going to abandon me now…" Edd whimpers, "Surely they will…"
"What're you talking about?" Eddy questions.
"Once Mother…O-Once she finds out…" Edd stops, releasing a shuddering sob, "She'll be so ashamed…She and Father…Th-They'll never speak to me again!"
Eddy reaches over to touch his hand.
"I'm still here, y'know…" he assures him.
"Mother and Father don't want me to spend time with you or Ed anymore!" Edd snaps back "After this…After this, they'll isolate me even more!"
Eddy sighs, wrapping his arms around Edd once more. He's not sure what he can say as Edd curls up beside him, hugging him back.
"Edd, I…I promise…" he mumbles, "I ain't gonna just leave you…Even if your parents act like a couple of uptight—" he stops himself from snarling a curse and takes a breath to calm himself. "I don't care what they say…I'll always be there for you."
Edd doesn't respond to this, too distraught to speak against what he believes is a lie. They sit in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying being together again. Eddy rubs Edd's back soothingly, making Edd calm down.
"You know…" the shorter boy mumbles, shyly.
He pauses, wondering if he should really say it.
No. No, he has to. Edd needs to hear these words from someone. Someone who means them. Someone who can express them with the utmost sincerity.
"You know I…I love you…right Sockhead?"
A smile finally makes its way to Edd's face and he clings tighter to Eddy.
"I love you too, Eddy…" he stutters with a sniffle.
It feels so good to finally say it. In the privacy of this room. Where no one can see or make either of them feel self-conscious. There's no romantic implication to the words, by any means. Just an understanding of the deep affection between the two of them. An understanding they could never state before for fear of the societal rejection. The rejection of their peers who would surely mock them.
But now they can speak freely. They can finally be open and honest. Can finally speak plainly how much they care for each other. Can finally confide how deeply they love each other and how badly they need each other to remain whole.
They wish, briefly, that Ed could be with them as well. A piece of them is missing without the larger boy at their side. They're not truly whole without him, after all. But it still feels right to keep this moment between the two of them for now. Ed's love had always been worn on his sleeve for all to see. Now, Edd feels that he and Eddy could perhaps come to do the same.
The moment ends too soon, though, when the door opens again. Samuel steps in first, followed shortly by Tony. Eddy pulls himself away from the hug, but doesn't move from his spot. Samuel crosses the room and takes a seat on the other side of Edd, so he does not move Eddy away. For several moments, he is silent, as though thinking about what he should say. Edd refuses to look at him, expecting a barrage of words conveying how horribly ashamed and furious the man is with him.
"Eddward," he begins softly. Edd chances a peak at him, surprised by his tone. "As of now…I rescind your punishment. I still expect you to complete your usual chores, but you will no longer have as many as we've been giving you." He turns to look at Edd carefully, finding his son gazing at him in awe. "And you may spend time with your friends again. Provided, of course, their parents permit it…Should they be serving their own punishments."
Tony nods; "You too, Eddy. Yer not grounded anymore…"
"Seriously?" Eddy gawks.
"Yeah…" his father shifts uncomfortably where he stands, "Your mother and I have decided that you uh…you been through enough. And we're pretty sure you ain't gonna do somethin' like this again."
Eddy shakes his head fervently. Of course not! Never…ever again. The tears in Edd's eyes now reflect joy.
"D-Do you really mean it?" he sniffles, "I-I can really spend time with Eddy again?"
His father nods; "Yes, Eddward."
A wide, bright smile breaks out on the boy's face. He wraps his arms around his father's chest.
"Thank you!" he weeps joyfully, "Thank you! Thank you!"
Samuel gives a weary smile as he pats Edd's back, returning the embrace affectionately. Tony takes a seat in a chair near the bed, still looking distraught. Eddy watches him in silent uncertainty, waiting for him to do or say something…anything.
Instead, he remains silent. Eddy can only imagine what's going through his head. He can see the disappointment in his eyes. The mortification. The disgust. He looks like he's desperately trying to process everything, but can't bring himself to. It's too horrible. To know that his oldest son would be capable of something so…despicable.
Finally, he speaks, eyes locked on the tiles which have suddenly become so interesting to him.
"Eddy, why…why didn't you tell me about any of this sooner?" he asks.
Eddy bows his head ashamedly, rubbing his arm self-consciously.
"I dunno…" he answers with a shrug, "I guess I was waiting for Double D to say something to his folks about it first…'Sides…none of that happened to me. Doesn't…y'know…feel right talkin' about it…"
Samuel pulls away from the hug to look down at Edd.
"Eddward, why didn't you say anything about this sooner?" he asks, "Your mother and I would've brought you here immediately if we'd known…We had no idea your injuries were so severe…"
Edd shrinks in on himself shyly.
"I…I was afraid…" he mumbles back, "I thought…I thought you and Mother would be…ashamed of me." He rubs at his eyes and the tears gathering there. "A-After all the things Terry…After all the things I let him do to me…"
"No, no, Eddward," his father chides gently, cupping Edd's cheek, "You're just a child. You didn't 'let' any of this happen. You can't think that way. You understand this, don't you?"
Edd furrows his brow, giving the man a questioning look. Of course he understands, but that doesn't mean he agrees. Looking over his face, though, the boy can see how desperate his father is for him to concede. He nods, hoping to appease him. Samuel seems to accept this, petting his son's head gently before glancing at Eddy.
"I don't blame you either, Eddy…" he informs the boy, "After what you did for my son, the lengths you went to for him…I wouldn't dream of it."
Eddy shifts uncomfortably where he sits, his shoulders hunched some.
"Sorry I…still kinda started it…" he murmurs, "If I hadn't messed up our scam…and tried to find my brother…none of this woulda happened…"
"That does not make this your fault," Samuel counters, "The only person worthy of blame here is this brother of yours. He's the one who performed those…depraved acts on Eddward…" He glances at Tony. "I assume this man is in police custody, yes?"
Tony tenses considerably, his eyes wide as he snaps his attention to the other man. He licks his lips uncomfortably. Edd glances at him as well, concerned by his silence. Before the larger man can answer, the door opens.
"Samuel!" Valerie snaps as she enters the room, "Why is—"
"Where's my baby!" Janine cries as she pushes the smaller woman aside and barges into the room. She races to Eddy and grabs at his face and shoulders. "Are you oaky, sweetie?! Why are you here? What happened?"
Tony sighs as he stands, Samuel's query quickly forgotten by the arrival of the worried mothers.
"Calm down, Janine," he says soothingly, prying her off of Eddy, "Everything's fine…"
When Valerie spots Eddy, her eyes narrow. She purses her lips angrily.
"Oh, what a surprise…" she growls, "Of course you are involved in this. I suppose I should not be surprised that my son would wind up in the hospital because of you."
"What is that supposed to mean?!" Janine retorts, glowering at her.
"Do not patronize me!" Valerie scoffs, "Whatever has happened here, it must be related to your ill-behaved child and the horrible influence he has on my Eddward."
"Horrible influence?!" Janine guffaws, hands clenching into fists at her side, "You little—"
Tony grabs her arm before she can strike the other woman. Valerie rolls her eyes before glaring at Eddy.
"I do not want you anywhere near my child," she dictates, "After everything you've done to him—"
"That is enough."
Valerie's startled by her husband's sudden outburst. He rises to his feet and approaches her.
"Outside," he demands, "There, we will discuss this as civilized adults, without involving the boys any further." He lowers his tone slightly. "Eddward has been through enough and I have no intention of upsetting him further."
Valerie gives him a concerned look.
"What are you talking about?" she asks, "What's happened?"
Samuel gestures to the door; "I'll explain everything. Just not here."
Valerie glances at Edd, hoping to find an answer in his expression. He's avoiding her gaze, head bowed contritely. Weakly, she allows Samuel to lead her out the door. Janine follows suit, per Tony's urging.
Once the door has shut and the boys are alone, Edd and Eddy wait in anxious silence for their mothers' response. They're both anticipating the worst, of course. In Eddy's case, he's expecting his own mother to react similarly to his father; disgusted, horrified, heartbroken. Edd's worries have been assuaged slightly with his father's response, but he has no idea what to expect with his mother. Her display in the room had made it quite clear that she blames Eddy heavily for all of this. How would she take this kind of news?
Moments later, he gets his answer. The door opens again. Valerie runs into the room and makes a beeline for Edd.
"Oh, Eddward!" she cries, as she throws her arms around him, clutching him tightly, "My poor, dear boy!"
To say Edd's startled is an understatement. To be embraced so tightly and so suddenly by his mother, who would rarely be outwardly affectionate towards him, it's shocking, to say the very least. For several moments, she sobs, clinging tightly to her bewildered child.
The other adults have entered the room as well, albeit far more silently in comparison. Janine is white as a sheet, horrified by what she's been told. She too has taken a seat on the bed and has taken to coddling her baby boy desperately. Despite this, she still hasn't spoken since entering the room again.
"Mom!" Eddy whines, "Put me down!"
She ignores him, petting his head shakily. Valerie releases Edd from the hug, gasping his face in her hands.
"Eddward, sweetheart," she sniffles, "I am so sorry for how I have treated you these past few days. I…I had no idea…Oh my poor, sweet child…"
Samuel observes this for a few moments more as Valerie sputters out half-formed apologies, barely able to articulate her thoughts. Eddward cannot respond either, too overcome with shock over his mother's hysterical reaction. Samuel places a hand on her shoulder.
"Valerie," he speaks calmly, "Take a deep breath and calm yourself."
She whips around to face him, releasing her hold on Edd.
"How can you say that?!" she cries, "The abuses our child suffered at the hands of that…monster…How can you ask me to be calm?!"
Samuel sighs, taking her hand; "Because if you keep this up, you'll upset Eddward more…"
She glances at Edd, finding the boy shivering slightly. He'd longed for their attention, but he questions if their pity is acceptable. Valerie releases a whimpering sigh, petting his head.
"I am sorry, Eddward," she murmurs.
She glances at Eddy to find that the boy is now allowing Janine to coddle him. Despite his earlier protests, she supposes that he wants to be held. Guilt consumes her further. She'd spoken so cruelly towards him. Said such horrible things when he must surely blame himself already.
"Eddy?" she speaks softly. The smaller boy glances at her, brow furrowed uneasily. "I apologize for the way I spoke to you. Your father told me that you went to great lengths to rescue Eddward. I am…grateful that he has you as a friend. I…I was wrong."
She bows her head contritely. Samuel squeezes her hand, drawing her attention back to him.
"I've informed Eddward that he may spend time with his friends again," he explains, "I hope you'll agree that this is acceptable."
She nods; "Of course. I realize now how…petty it would be to separate them."
Janine nods at her; "Thank you, Valerie."
The larger woman sounds like she doesn't quite believe her, but is willing to accept even a forced apology such as that in this time. Emotions are high. Statements are quick to be made to defend and beg forgiveness. For now, it seems best to accept them while they have this fleeting moment of peace.
The group is startled from said moment by the door opening once again.
Doctor Fitzgerald has returned, offering them a comforting smile. He ushers the adults into the hallway, much to the confusion of the children. He informs the worrying parents that visiting hours would be ending soon and that they would like to keep Edd overnight. After Samuel had revealed that he had discovered Edd with a bottle of medication, Fitzgerald had found himself concerned about the boy's mental state. The Vincents are perturbed by this revelation, but ultimately decide it may, in fact, be for the best.
An argument initially breaks out between the grieving Vincents. A heated discussion about who should stay. It is decided immediately that one of them should return home. There are many preparations that must be made. Schedules to change, calls to make, research to do. They'll have to find a competent therapist and take much more time off work.
In the end, Samuel remains with Edd. Valerie had put up a fierce defense that she should be the one who stays with their child. That, as his mother, she should stay and tend to him. However, she is shut down effectively by Samuel's argument that her emotions are already high. That he's concerned that Edd is shaken up badly enough as is and that her hysterical state may exacerbate his frazzled condition. Naturally, she had been most reluctant to agree, but eventually relented.
As anticipated, informing the boys is very difficult. Eddy is adamant about staying; he doesn't want to leave Edd again.
"But dad!" he whines, "Can't I stay too?"
"Absolutely not," Tony counters, "Family only."
"But Double D's more of a brother to me than Terry!" Eddy snaps back.
"That's not the point, Eddy," Tony sighs.
Eddy pouts, realizing he won't be getting his way. He glances at Edd and hugs him tight.
"I'll come back first thing, okay?" he murmurs into the other boy's ear, "And I'll see if Ed can come too."
Edd returns the embrace, smiling gratefully; "Thank you, Eddy…"
Prying the two away from each other proves to be just as troublesome, but Eddy and his parents finally leave the room. Edd's parents follow shortly after, so that Samuel may bid farewell to his wife, leaving Edd alone.
He sighs a bit, hugging himself for comfort. It's freeing, some, that it's out in the open, but he cannot quell the shame he feels. He questions what will come of this. What the future will hold for him now…
DuoXKouga: Read and review! And we'll see you in the next chapter?