Chapter Three

By the time the three Eds returned to the dorm, with their bellies full, there was an aura of unease that seemed to have blanketed the campus like a thick fog. None of them dared place the feeling that made the hairs on the back of their necks stand up thinking it was a manifestation of the feelings of unease among the students before the semester kicked off.

Double D had a pair of plastic bags from the campus store filled with supplies to maximize his efficiency at his desk, something he knew would prove to be paramount in his college career. He wasn't the only one who had acquired a new purchase. Eddy was lucky enough to catch a student transferring away selling his old mini fridge. It was well worn and the door was covered in stickers, but Eddy couldn't pass up the good deal and was already imagining the sort of refreshments he would store inside it. Double D had to remind him that they weren't of age yet so procuring alcoholic beverages would prove both problematic and illegal.

The three of them decided to take the elevator this time, Ed carried the fridge in his arms while Eddy directed him. Once they left the elevator though, their good spirits sunk like lead. Standing on top of the coffee table in the middle of the lounge with a crowd gathered around her was Lee Kanker, who shouted out to her audience, "That's right." She bellowed, "Ed and Eddy, the occupants of that room ova there," she pointed, "are with me and my sister here." she gestured to May who stood by her side and waved while wearing a smile. "So, it's in all your best interests not to get between us and our boyfriends! Got it?" she questioned the confused students who surrounded her. They shared unsure glances and whispers.

"Kankers." Eddy hissed, his face already turning red. "KANKERS!" he shouted, shaking the walls, and drawing everyone's attention. Double D shrank under the attention and Ed waved wearing a big grin, the fridge tucked under his other lanky arm.

"Oh look! Great timing, shrimp!" Lee called out. "This is him, everybody. My Eddy."

"Oh, what a load of crap!" he shouted back, his hands balled up in fists. "What you are is a deranged stalker who won't leave me and my friends alone."

"Sticks and stones!" she challenged back, "Besides if ya meant that me and you wouldn't have had all those little romantic rendezvous back in high school." she grinned.

Eddy's determination faltered. She pulled her secret weapon and it caught him off guard. Nobody was supposed to know about that! He regained his composure and fired back with the best retort he could muster. "Shut up!"

By now the students were starting to grow interested in this happening. Some of them latched onto the juicy drama, and some of them were excited to see their first bits of the legendary college life they had been dreaming of. Lee's last comment had earned her some wolf whistles and cries of encouragement. While Eddy's retort only earned some laughs.

"You Kankers have screwed with our lives enough! I'm not lettin' you ruin college for us. Enough is enough!" Eddy fired.

"Bold words for such a small fry!" she winked, putting extra emphasis on the small fry part, earning her more approval from the crowd.

Eddy was taken aback. Score two for the Kankers. He needed ground and he needed it quick, the crowd was already on her side. He dug in, "I'm not going to let you ruin our lives anymore!"

"Oh yeah? And whatcha gonna do about it?" this earned some whooping from the crowd.

"It doesn't matter." he retorted, a grin forming on his face.

"And why not?" she asked. He couldn't believe she took the bait.

"It's not like you or your sisters are going to be here long."

Her expression dropped before hardening, a low blow. Not something she was expecting so soon. "We'll see about that." she dropped from the coffee table and made her way through the crowd with a "C'mon May!"

For a brief moment, Eddy thought the two of them were going to walk over to them and start swinging. It wouldn't be the first time they did that exact thing, and he couldn't help but flinch as he fought off the urge to beg for mercy. Lee surprised him, and everyone else for that matter when she and May retreated into their room. Their mission was a success after all and now they needed to plot their next move, the retaliation for that underhanded comment.

But Lee wasn't one to not get be the last one to get in a word edgewise, "And just so we're all clear if I ruined anything you wouldn'ta kept crawling back for more."

This sealed the deal, put the final nail in the coffin, and Eddy deflated as the two sisters retreated into their room. Even though they were the first to leave the conflict they were the clear victors with the crowd already staring at the Eds with laughs and whispers. Eddy felt a pang of regret for his comment. It was dirty to call them out like that, but Lee poured out his best kept secret. Besides, he needed to get the trio off their asses for the year unless they wanted a repeat of the life they had since they were twelve.

He shook himself from his thoughts and plowed forward with his dark expression, "Come on Ed." he said as he made for his room. It was getting late, and he was tired. Besides he needed to do some contemplating following this new revelation.

"Guys I think I saw May." Ed said in a concerned tone trailing behind his much shorter friend.

Double D just gave an awkward smile to the crowd and excused himself. Looking over his shoulder along the way. If Lee and May were there then that meant Marie wasn't far. He just hoped he could make it to the security of his room before he encountered her. The thought of having to avoid her for another semester of his life caused sweat to form on his forehead and he gulped involuntarily.

When he arrived at his room, he noticed the clipboard was gone. A member of the campus staff must have stopped by and retrieved it, which meant he had a new roommate to greet. He took a deep breath and opened the door. This would be a welcomed distraction from the bombshell he had just been hit with. Of all the bad luck, who could have predicted that the Kankers would have gone this far?

The curtains were drawn and the room was concealed from the sun's final rays. The lights were turned off and Edd strained to try and make anything out in the dark room closing the door as his eyes adjusted.

"Greetings," he said to his mystery roommate, "My name is Eddward. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He felt around in the darkness and set the plastic bags down on his desk. He waited for a response but upon hearing none he continued, "I apologize for any interruption I might have caused. I am simply eager to meet my new roommate." he clarified as he sat down on his bed. "I understand if you're tired from traveling. I myself have had quite the trip coming here. Perhaps we might be able to talk in the morning."

He laid down on the mattress and clasp his hands together, the voice that spoke out made his blood run cold and sent shivers up his spine.

"Why wait?" came the predatory voice of Marie Kanker. Double D jumped up out of his bed in shock as she switched her bedside light on, bathing the room in the intimate glow of the low illumination.

Double D's eyes shot over to her as he took her in, she was laying on top of her mattress in an oversized t-shirt that hung off her small frame leaving little to the imagination. Double D gulped as he turned his attention to the ceiling.

"Hiya, lover." she purred, "Surprised to see me?"