"Everybody’s looking for a something
One thing that makes it all complete
You’ll find it in the strangest places
Places te never knew it could be"
The newly risen sun was shining down upon the houses in the seemingly tranquil cul-de-sac. Looks often prove to be deceiving, though.
Edd stepped out into the daylight, making sure that he didn’t soil his nice, clean clothes. There was no sign of his inane friends, yet. That was good. Maybe he would have a few hours of silence. Unfortunately, his hopes of a peaceful morning went down the drain as Ed and Eddy came dashing up the road toward him. Eddy seemed particularly excited over something, and Ed was just as dopey as ever. They slammed into him and, with lightning fast speed, the loudmouth of the bunch began ranting about his latest plan.
"I just got the greatest idea!" He bellowed.
As he rambled on erratically, Edd tried to tune him out. He could hear talking, but didn’t understand what was said. He began to develop a headache.
"So what do te think, Double D?" Eddy asked. "All we need to do is get some rope and hook Ed up to the old sled in my garage. The kids will pay big bucks to be driven around the neighborhood!"
"Just call me Mister Ed!" Ed chuckled in his normal, dippy manner.
"I don’t feel like it, Eddy," Replied Edd. "Not today."
He slowly began to walk away from the group. His saturnine mood left his Friends puzzled.
"What’s with him?" Eddy furrowed his brow.
"An mela, apple a giorno keeps the doctor away!" Ed announced drolly.
Their comrade wasn’t listening to the pointless conversation that had formed. His mind was wandering. He was oblivious to everything around him. The increasing temperature as the sun rose above the horizon, the filthy mud puddles on the road ahead, and even Eddy’s loud, beckoning calls were all unnoticed. Edd felt sick and weak, as if he should be bedridden.
He ventured past the homes in the cul-de-sac and onto the beaten and less-traveled path. The path led him to a small conservation area behind the neighborhood. In the middle was a pond. Here, Edd could recall memories of the giorno Eddy planned to use the location as a waterpark, and Ed as the main attraction. But, eventually, thoughts of this faded from his mind and he returned to that ill and empty feeling. There was something missing in his life, o at least something he didn’t do.
"What is going on?" He thought out loud. "Could I have forgotten something?"
It was at that moment that he looked down at himself and saw the mud draped over his shoes.
"Oh no!" He cried hysterically. "I’m filthy!"
Struggling miserably to rid himself of the messy predicament, Edd tried wiping the mud off. That only made his hands dirty.
"No! Off!" He commanded, as if the earthen slop was alive.
With all his fumbling around he soon found to be off key with his equilibrium. In just moments, he was on the ground and dirtier than ever.
"Oh, the uncleanness of it all!" He moaned.
Rising off the accursed floor of green, Edd noticed that his situation was worse than he thought.
"Just look at these erba stains!" He complained. "They’ll never come out."
During his time of fussing over his soiled clothes, a clamor arose from the thicket. The noise startled Edd, but did not leave him unnerved. He knew exactly what the sound was and who was making it.
"All right, Eddy. I know you’re in there." He detto sternly. "Quit mocking me and come out."
The noise stopped, but no one showed up. What a cute time to play hide-and-seek, Edd thought. Little did he know, it wasn’t whom he expected. As he moved closer to the fonte of the sound, he became even tenser. The sudden uproar with following silence made him nervous.
"Eddy?" He questioned hopefully. "Are te in there?"
Left again with no reply, Edd was scared. But, his curiosity was greater than his fear. Extending forth a trembling hand he pulled apart the branches of a nearby bush. His surprised reaction at the sight of the mystery eavesdropper was massive. He screamed and fell, once more, to the ground. His unmoving enemy could not figure out what was wrong with him though.
"Stay away from me!" Edd cried, curling his body into a ball.
"Are te okay?" Asked the stranger. "You aren’t afraid of me are you?"
Edd felt ashamed and insulted. He really was afraid. But, of what was he afraid of was the question. Lying on the earth floor with his body twisted into the fetal position wasn’t going to get him any answers. So, boldly, he stood up to face his fear. Much to his embarrassment, what had frightened him was nothing più than a girl.
"Hello Edd," She smiled. "Or should I say, Double D?"
Edd stepped back in astonishment.
"You know my name? But, how? Who are you?"
"My name is Sonya," She replied simply. "I have been watching te for a few days now."
"Really?" Edd was intrigued. "Are te new here? Where do te live?"
"I live wherever I can find Cibo and shelter."
She stood up making her full body visible, and Edd noticed her clothes. They were handmade from dead erba and leaves. Her body was caked with layers of filth and her thin, long, brown hair was a knotted mess.
"Sonya, where do te live, seriously?" Edd asked, backing away a bit.
"My house was in Hidden Valley."
"What? That’s over sixty miles from here! Where is the rest of your family?"
Sonya looked down at her feet and bit her lip nervously.
"I don’t want to talk about it." She spoke quietly.
Edd found this to be very perplexing. A little jungle girl, miles away from her home, and whom didn’t want to Converse about her parents. Perhaps they were divorced, Edd thought. He decided it was best not to ask.
"So, I take it te have no place to stay." He said.
Sonya scuffed her feet along the dirt. She kept from making eye contact with him. She was too shy to say anything more, and Edd could sense this. Forgetting all about his muddy clothes, about staying clean, and about the fact that Sonya was a girl, he placed his hand on her shoulder, led her out into the street, and then into his home.
"Here te are," Edd announced, mostrare his guest the bathroom. "I suggest te use it to clean up. Take a doccia and wash your hair. It needs it."
Sonya looked into the room with the tiled floor and stainless steel fixtures. The tub was positioned at the farthest point from the door, up against the back wall. The sink was just opposite of that, and the toilet sat with its back against the left wall. It had been a while since Sonya had been in a room like this. She felt as though she might do something wrong. She didn’t want that to happen.
"Well, I’ll leave te to it." Edd walked down the hall to his room.
Sonya felt alone once again, but she finally had a chance to clean up and didn’t want to just let it go. She closed the bathroom door and began to undress. The floor felt icy cold to her feet, but she ignored it and tossed her handmade outfit into a corner.
"I hope I can figure this out." She detto to herself as she examined the knobs in the shower.
On either side there was a fat, circular knob. In the middle was a handle that stuck out from the bacheca and hung down. Sonya turned the knob closest to her. Abruptly, a mass of water poured out of the faucet. It splashed and swirled at the bottom of the tub and slipped down into the drain. She had turned on the water but did not know how to turn on the doccia o what the temperature. There was only one way to find out, though, so with a cautious hand, Sonya reached inoltrare, avanti and touched the water. It was hot.
"Ow!" She flinched.
She pulled herself away from the scalding liquid. And, even after she did, she could still feel it burning. It only lasted for a moment though and she reached over superiore, in alto of the spigot and turned the other spherical knob. This way it would balance out the temperature. The plan worked. The water became much più fresco, dispositivo di raffreddamento and, when Sonya felt it, it was lukewarm. Perfect. She twisted the handle in the middle to see what it would do.
The water stopped. No più came out of the faucet, and Sonya began to wonder if she had messed something up. Her domanda was answered when a gurgling sounded from inside the walls and a downpour of water droplets came from above.
"I did it!" Sonya detto to herself, feeling proud.
Confidently, she stepped into the shower. How wonderful it felt to have the soft, warm water glide across her dirty skin and through her hair. Upon looking down at the bottom of the tub, she could see all the dried mud from her body slide off and wash down the drain. It was simply marvelous. And, after she had worked the soap into a lather, it got even better. Sonya didn’t go easy on herself, though. She scrubbed as roughly as she could until every speck of dirt was gone.
Next, she washed her hair. The shampoo residing on the shelves in Edd’s doccia were foreign to her, but she wasn’t picky. Sonya literally dumped half the bottle onto her head and rubbed it around, tearing out frail strands and dirt clods. Her long brown hair wasn’t quite as dark anymore with the mud gone from it.
During her uplifting cleaning experience, Sonya accidentally hit the showerhead, detaching it from its hold. She did not know about detachable nozzles though and began to panic. She feared she had ruined it. Fumbling and flailing wildly, Sonya tried to keep it from dropping to the floor, and when she noticed it was attached to an extension, she became even più distressed.
"Oh no!" She cried. "I must have pulled it out of the wall!"
She felt even guiltier now. The first nice stranger she had ever met had invited her into his home, and she was taking it apart. The wet, slippery nozzle would not cooperate. Every time Sonya grabbed it, it slid out of her hands. Eventually, all her sliding around took her for a ride. She Lost her balance and went tumbling to the floor. The impact sounded all over the entire upstairs of the house, startling Edd. Without thinking, he rushed into the bathroom.
"What is going on in here?" He demanded, panting.
Sonya’s eyes grew wide with surprise as she tried to cover herself up. Edd, embarrassed, slapped his hand over his face.
"Use the towel!" He shouted. "Cover yourself!"
Sonya pulled a towel off the bar above the toilet. Rushing, she wrapped it around her drenched body. She then sat there on the floor, trying to get her bearings straight.
"Edd," She began. "I think I broke your bathtub."
"What?" Edd uncovered his eyes and looked around. "Where?"
"The spraying part. I pulled it out of the wall."
Edd examined the situation. The nozzle, hooked to its extension, was lying at the bottom of the tub, still squirting out water. Edd picked it up, put it back in the bracket, and turned off the spigot.
"Sonya," He spoke in a serious tone as he turned and faced her. "You didn’t break anything. The showerhead is detachable. All te did was make a mess of water on the floor."
Sonya looked down, feeling somewhat guilty. She didn’t say anything.
"Well, help me clean up this mess. Then we can find something for te to put on."
Edd took another towel off the rack and began to soak up the water from the cold tile floor. Sonya wanted to help, but didn’t have another towel to use. She just watched the careful and ever precise cleaning methods of Double D.
"I guess there are no più towels," He said, looking back up at her. "Just wait until I’m done then."
Sonya would not take it. She felt bad for what she did.
"Edd, I’m sorry." She cried remorsefully. "I didn’t mean to make a mess and cause so much trouble."
He stopped soaking up the liquid and looked up at her. She had that awful, sad stare in her eyes. Edd, as neat and perfect as everything had to be for him, couldn’t bring himself to scold her.
"No trouble at all." He replied, and finished cleaning up.
Dressed in clothes bigger than she was, Sonya was practically swimming. After having cleaned the water mess in the washroom, Edd gave her a camicia and a pair of shorts of his to wear. Clothing in boys’ sizes, though, weren’t exactly the right size for a girl.
"Do those feel all right on you?" Asked Edd.
"Yes I am fine." Sonya replied, searching the content of his bedroom.
She took interest in the small potted cactus he had on a table. Carefully, she touched it and felt its sharp, stiff needles. Edd noticed what she was doing and went nuts.
"Stop it!" He commanded. "Don’t touch Jim!"
Sonya backed off and Edd tried to comfort his plant.
"He’s traumatized!" He yelled indignantly.
"Sorry." Sonya shrugged, wondering what the big deal was.
"Well, anyway," Edd started, putting Jim down. "I set up that cot over there for you. I guess you’ll have to stay here until we find out where your parents are."
Sonya didn’t reply. She looked somewhat hurt and upset. Edd tried not to notice, though, and went into his closet to change. He wore, of course, his full body suit pajamas with bright white bunny slippers.
"I hope te don’t mind my habit of going to sleep early." He said, walking lightfoot to his bed.
There were no complaints o any kind of reactions made from Sonya. She was sad, and her cuore had turned a pale stone gray.
"Are te feeling well?" Edd questioned.
She didn’t even make eye contact. With her head turned, she rested the beaten sack of flesh she called her body on the narrow, collapsible bed. Edd could only watch her as he slipped under his own blankets. And then, there was silence. No one detto anything for a while, and Edd couldn’t stand it. He had to find out something.
"Sonya," He said, breaking the silence. "What happened to your family? Did te run away? Don’t te even care?"
She detto nothing at first. It was as if she couldn’t hear, but she could and she turned herself toward Edd to let him know that.
"Yes," She replied, giving in to his persistence. "I did run away, but it was not from my parents."
Edd found this strange. He lifted up the back of his sock-like hat and scratched his head.
"A long time ago, when I was about seven, my parents died." Sonya buried her face in her pillow.
"Died?" Edd leaned over the edge of the bed. "How did they die?"
"They were killed!" Sonya cried, her muffled voice barely audible.
"Oh…" Edd shrank back in fear from her angered tone.
He did not ask any più questions, and Sonya did not say anymore about her past. They just lied there, staring at each other as if they were trying to figure out what the other was thinking. Eventually, they both turned over and fell asleep.
"Some find it in the face of their children
Some find it in their lover’s eyes
Who can deny the joy it brings
When you’ve found that special thing
You’re flying without wings"
Edd found himself caught in a wonderful dream. He was flying among the clouds without a care in the world. For once, he was not worried about anything. Suddenly, from a bright light up ahead, there appeared a longhaired woman caped in white. She was an angel, with a caring and familiar face. Edd was in love. He swore he heard her call his name, but then he woke up. His eyes snapped open and there, straddling his legs and leaning over him, was Sonya.
"What are te doing?!" He screamed.
Sonya abruptly backed off and scooted to the end of the bed. Edd sat up, looking as though he was going to strangle her. But there was no way he would ever be able to mostra aggression so, placid as he was, he threw back the covers and sauntered over to the closet.
"Edd, what are we going to do?" Sonya asked excitedly, leaping after him.
"I am getting dressed," Edd replied. "Make yourself scarce until I have finished."
The world outside in the cul-de-sac was very different from what Sonya had ever known. She was used to the trees and foliage, the erba and ground, and the all-natural environments. The houses in the neighborhood struck her as a newfound oddity, not to mention the people that emerged from them.
"Where are we going, Edd?" Sonya asked, making sure to stay close to him.
"You’re going to meet my other two friends. If te plan to reside here it might help if we all can get along."
The two of them walked along the sidewalk down the street. Sonya had no idea where she was being taken o what she would find when she got there. Her trust in Edd was huge, and it continued to grow as she followed him blindly. She was very fond of the boy.
They passed da a house with a sharp peaked roof. It stood there, quiet and as plain as the erba growing in the cracks of the sidewalk. All except for the young boy in the bright red cap. He was outside in the driveway playing with a basketball. He immediately stopped when he saw Edd.
"Hey dork!" He shouted jauntily.
Sonya didn’t like his attitude. She was immediately alert. The hair along the back of her neck stood straight up, like that of an angered wolf.
"Who is that?" She asked.
"That’s Kevin," Edd sighed. "Ignore him."
He resumed walking with Sonya trailing behind. Kevin, however, was not satisfied. He thrived on taunting others, especially those who would never fight back. Laughing, he began to walk across the road toward Edd.
"I’m talking to you, dork!" He sneered mockingly. "Where’s your two friends? In the loony bin?"
Edd, no matter how downtrodden he became, would never even attempt to defy those that claimed power over him. But there was someone who wouldn’t stand for it. His guardian Angel in disguise.
"What’s with you?" Sonya asked threateningly. "Do te have a problem with Edd? Anything te find wrong with him te can take up with me."
Kevin was dumbfounded. No one had ever stood up to him before, especially in the defense of another. He was speechless, and Edd was equally surprised.
"Let’s settle our differences." Sonya clenched her fist.
Her eyes narrowed, but never moved away from Kevin. The icy stare she gave him pierced is mind and left him feeling weak and scared. He could do nothing.
"Come on," She growled challengingly. "Fight me!"
Kevin, sweat falling off his forehead profusely, backed away from her. All his strength and courage was suddenly gone. He stumbled backwards over the edge of the sidewalk, and then turned and ran. Not once did he look back.
"Get going, coward." Sonya smiled.
Edd fell back against the fence, grateful, yet scared. The quiet and troubled one he had offered refuge had suddenly revealed another side to her personality. And it proved to be quite vicious. Thoughts of her selfless act were soon blown over as a clamorous wind rose up and got louder. Ed and Eddy were coming, and just in time, too. The situation begged for a lighter side.
"Some find it sharing every morning
Some in their solitary lives
You’ll find it in the words of others
A simple line can make te laugh o cry"
"Hey!" Bellowed an already loud voice. "What’s happenin’, Double D?"
"Nothing new," Edd answered, glancing over at Sonya, who was occupied with examining the two strangers.
She stood on tiptoe and looked over the superiore, in alto of Eddy’s head, which she was already taller than to begin with. He noticed her curiosity and became somewhat offended.
"Hey, one side!" He shouted.
"Careful, Eddy." Edd warned. "She’s a lot tougher than te think. Even I’m surprised. She chased Kevin away."
"No way!" Eddy was excited and amused. "You mean she beat up Kevin?"
"Well, not exactly. But te should have seen it! She had him running so fast he almost fell flat on his face!"
"This is great!" Eddy was seeing dollar signs. "Do te think she could beat up Sarah? The kids would pay us big money to see that!"
"Eddy," Double D said. "As much as we admire your benevolence, I fear it would be too strenuous of an ordeal to have Sonya eradicate the neighborhood of all its annoyances."
"That’s an even better idea!" Eddy yelled haughtily. "I’m glad I thought of it!"
Sonya, forced to stand amidst all the noise, was totally clueless. She shifted her gaze across the suburbs of pesca, peach Creek. Her mind was off somewhere drifting in the clouds. It was not wandering aimlessly, though. She was thinking off Edd and his friends. Her bubble of reveries popped, however, when Eddy took hold of her shoulders and shook her.
"Wake up! We’ve got work to do!" He announced.
"Would te like coffee with your eggs?" Ed chuckled dumbly.
"Eddy are te sure this is a good idea? It sounds unsanitary." Double D cringed at the thought of getting dirty.
"Don’t worry!" Eddy said. "It’s perfectly safe. We’ll get everyone to come to our salon and I will be the stylist since I am the best at it."
He took a step back on the pavement and looked at Sonya.
"Who dressed you? Double D? You’re wearing the exact same thing he is."
"These are his clothes," Sonya said.
"Why are te wearing his clothes?"
"I didn’t really have any. He gave me these and let me stay at his house."
Eddy hesitated a moment, and then fell onto the ground with laughter. His loud voice echoed inside Edd’s ears while he tried to cover up his embarrassment.
"You stayed at his house?" Eddy rallied. "What were te doing? Making out? Invite me to the wedding, okay?"
"Eddy as hilarious as te would like to think that te are, your inane jesting is becoming quite annoying." Edd replied, feeling perturbed.
Loudmouth had no ears to hear anything he did not want to. His spacey thoughts of money making had taken control of him. There was no stopping it. In a diviso, spalato secondo he was moving his feet, making a mad dash for his house. The calling of the coins and caramelle were speaking to him.
"Where is he going?" Sonya asked.
"To try and ruin our lives," Edd sighed. "Oh bane of our existence!"
"Yes I am!" Ed interrupted.
The three of them reluctantly followed their comrade, knowing there was no other choice. Perhaps fortune would smile upon their unlucky lives. It was highly unlikely though. Blind faith in Eddy was truly an unwise choice. It made for an interesting experience though, so it was worth the stress and pain. As long as it was sanitary, no one had any problem with it. Double D would always be sure that the proper precautions were taken.
Upon entering Eddy’s humble abode, they found the little schemer setting up for their successivo plan that would, hopefully, win them the money to buy Jawbreakers. Though Sonya had no interest in caramelle o getting rich. She only wanted to be around Edd.
"What are we doing now?" She asked.
"We’re humoring Eddy," Edd replied.
Rambunctious as he was, Eddy didn’t seem quite himself that day. His plan wasn’t as stupid o farfetched as the rest. It seemed eerily similar to his sauna idea, though.
"Eddy I sense we are reliving one of your many scams," Double D said.
"Yeah, sure." Eddy paid him no mind. "Help me find più chairs."
"Wait. Let’s stop and think about what we’re doing first."
Eddy ceased in his searched, turned, and stared at Edd.
"I don’t have until successivo Christmas, Double D." He retorted in a huffy manner.
"Is Santa coming?" Ed asked hopefully.
No one answered his simple-minded question. Edd was fretting over what would inevitable come, Edd was "busy", and Sonya was scrutinizing the various objects in the room. The lava lamp caught her interest and she began to watch the hot, colorful oil change shape.
"Why don’t te guys go find some saps, I mean, customers to come to my salon." Eddy ordered.
"Your salon?" Double D looked at him.
"Hey, it was my idea. Now go get someone. And make sure they’re willing to pay!"
Having nothing better to do and no alternate option, Edd walked out through the open glass door in Eddy’s room with Sonya following at his heels. da this he felt somewhat encumbered, but did not let it bother him too much.
Luckily, two unsuspecting persons were outside right across the street. The cerca for a willing customer would not trouble them longer. And this particular couple was totally unaware o any unpleasantness that might descend upon them. They were too busy playing and conversing.
"Brace yourself," Edd warned. "I have no idea why I am even going through with this, but if something goes wrong I want te to run. Run, and never look back."
Sonya didn’t quite understand, but she wasn’t really listening either. Her attention was focused on the living figures across the street. They were automatically a threat in her mind. She pushed in front of Edd in an attempt to defend him. Her long shadow hung over the two and it got darker as then drew nearer to them. One, a small one with an odd metal fixture around his head, looked up and his eyes grew wide with fear.
"Ah! Sarah!" He cried.
"Jimmy?" The girl looked at her friend. "What’s wrong?"
She turned her red-haired head and looked up at the dark shape that stood before her. Edd, nervous as ever, poked his head out from behind Sonya’s body and grinned at the girl.
"H-hello Sarah." He stuttered. "Do te want to come to our salon?"
"No!" Sarah snapped. "Me and Jimmy are playing with our dollies. Right, Jimmy?"
"A salon?" Jimmy perked up when he heard the word. "I’ll come!"
"But, Jimmy!" Sarah whined. "What about our game?"
"Later," Jimmy stood up and walked over to Edd. "I’ve got a data with the hairdresser."
The three walked off, leaving Sarah alone in the midst of all her toys. Suddenly, she was jealous. A visit to the salon wasn’t such a bad idea anymore.
"Wait for me, Jimmy!" She cried, chasing after them.
Needless to say, Eddy wasn’t pleased with Sarah’s presence. He threw himself into one of his loudmouth rages. Edd tried to calm him.
"Eddy, please! Restrain yourself!" He was unheard.
"Of all people, te invited her!" Eddy barked.
"Shut up, Eddy!" Sarah barked back. "I came with Jimmy! He wants his hair done, so do it o we’re leaving!"
In truth, Eddy really wanted her to leave. But he wanted money più and so agreed to serve them.
"All right," He groaned. "Sit in the chair."
"Goody!" Jimmy chimed with delight.
In such a childish, fairy-like way, he skipped over to the small wooden chair and aligned his rear with the edges of the seat. Sarah plopped down on the bed, keeping a close eye on what Ed and Eddy did to her friend.
"Yo, Double D!" Called a bossy voice. "Go get some shampoo."
Edd signed, rolled his eyes, and stood up. He made no attempt to sposta any faster than he desired. Eddy was impatient though.
"Come on! Come on!" He snapped his fingers.
"Haste makes waste." Edd replied neutrally, giving Eddy the bottle.
"No time!"
Eddy grabbed the shampoo and dumped nearly all of it onto Jimmy’s head. Ed was dato the job of scrubbing his hair and he did so with no complaints.
"Wash your hair. Wash your hair." He sang.
Jimmy loved the treatment. He smiled and closed his eyes. Edd, having done his job, sat on the edge of the bed. Sonya abruptly planted herself right successivo to him.
"Eddy, hurry up!" Sarah demanded.
"Keep your camicia on, Sarah! For all our sakes."
Eddy pulled Jimmy to the bathroom and pushed his head down into the sink.
"Hold still." He detto and turned on the water.
With anything but a delicate touch, Eddy grabbed a chunk of bubbles and hair and began to maneuver it under the running liquid.
"Are te in for a surprise!" He gabbed. "This is my specialty. You’re gonna Amore the new look."
Skillfully, Eddy ran his fingers through Jimmy’s thick hair. He pulled on it and played with it, as if her were a hair-styling artist. In his pleasure, he hit a hard spot. His left fingers got caught in a knot of hair.
"Hey Jimmy. Did te know te got lumps on your head?" Eddy asked, tugging at it.
He ripped at the massive clump, trying to dislodge it. In his unneeded rush and frustration, Eddy managed to pull his fingers out. Unfortunately, the mass of hair came with it.
Jimmy let out a long, loud howl of pain. He pulled his head out of the sink and saw his "new look" in the mirror. There was now a bald spot on the left side of his head where the hair had been ripped out.
"My hair," He cried. "What have te done?"
"Eddy, te idiot!" Sarah growled viciously. "Look what te did to Jimmy!"
Eddy was too dumbfounded to talk. He stared at the large knotted mess in his hand.
"We’re leaving!" Sarah grabbed her friend. "Come on, Jimmy."
"Wait!" Eddy snapped back to reality. "What about my money?"
He chased after them, almost getting hit da the sliding door. Ed followed, hoping Sarah would not tattle on him to their mother.
"Curse my foreboding." Double D sighed.
He rose off the letto and followed along behind the others, knowing Eddy was soon going to need some help. Sonya stuck very close to him, like glue on his feet. He often tripped over her, until she was forced to walk several feet behind.
da the time they had caught up with Ed and Eddy, Sarah and Jimmy were already across the strada, via and Eddy was dashing after them in mad pursuit. He flew off the edge of the sidewalk and landed on the hard pavement in the road.
"Come back!" He yelled, scraping his nails on the rough surface. "You didn’t pay!"
"Uh, Eddy…" Edd sounded painfully nervous.
"What is it now?" Eddy asked testily, getting up.
"Car!" Edd stammered. "Car!"
"What?" Eddy looked around.
Brushing himself off, he turned to his right and saw a shiny, black car speeding toward him, and it showed no signs of slowing down.
"Eddy!" Screamed Edd. "Move your butt!"
Eddy colomba onto the grass, landing halfway on the sidewalk. He looked back out into the street, ignoring the laughter from Sarah and Jimmy. The dark vehicle approached the property, slowed, and stopped right in front of it.
"What’s the big idea?" Eddy demanded.
The windows of the car were as dark as the body. There was no way to see the driver. Even the rear windows were tinted.
"Come on!" Eddy stood up and banged on the glass.
Sonya rose up and looked over Edd’s shoulder. For reasons unknown, the car scared her, and she began to back toward the house.
The front window of the car lowered slowly, revealing an equally shadowy interior. The driver wasn’t much of a friendly face either. He was clothed in a midnight black suit, matching his car. His shiny, slick hair complimented his ebony trend.
"Whoa! A freak!" Eddy spoke loudly, fingering the car as he tried to get a decent look at the inside.
"Hands off!" Snapped the driver. "I’m here to deal with unfinished business."
"Business? What kind of business?" Eddy rested his arm on the window frame.
"I have not the time nor the place for your foolishness." He retorted sternly, gesturing Eddy away from the vehicle. "However, out of my own curiosity, I was wondering if te happened to see a young girl with long brown hair. She goes da the name of Sonya Daleb."
Eddy grinned. His scheming mind sensed an easy way to get money.
"That depends." He detto slyly. "Maybe I did, and maybe I didn’t. How much are te willing to pay me?"
"Eddy!" Edd interrupted. "This doesn’t look good to me. Let’s go!"
He pulled on his friend’s shirt, but to no avail. Money mattered most at the moment.
"So what do te say? For a measly fifty cents, I just may be able to get what you’re looking for." Eddy offered.
"You impertinent brat!" Shouted the man. "Your childish games annoy me intensely. There is no use in them for me. I must go. But if te do happen to find the one I seek, te can find me in my trailer."
With the press of the button and a inoltrare, avanti thrust on the stick shift, the window rolled upward and the car pulled forward. It turned around, shining in the setting sun, in the cul-de-sac and rode down the street. It took a left at the end of the lane and then disappeared from sight.
"I didn’t even get his name." Eddy said. "He was kinda cheap anyway… but, then again, money is money! Where’s Sonya?"
"Eddy!" Edd broke in. "That man in the car did not look right to me."
"Tell me about it. Did te see that suit he had on? Where did he get that thing? K-mart?"
"No, Eddy. I mean he looked suspicious."
"Who cares? He seemed willing to pay us. I say we take Sonya to him and collect our fee."
"Eddy, I’m ashamed! te act like she’s just some thing we use to make a profit. How could you?"
"Well, hey, don’t te want Jawbreakers, too?"
Edd refused to go any further on the subject. He turned away from Eddy and walked back to the house, where Sonya was standing in the doorway. Her face was a ghostly pale and her normal breathing pattern had shifted. Edd placed his hand on her shoulder and she looked at him.
"That’s the man. Donovan." She detto in a shaky voice. "He’s the one that killed my parents."
"You’ll find it in the deepest friendship
The kind te cherish all your life
And when te know how much it means
You’ve found that special thing
You’re flying without wings"
The houses along the strada, via had turned golden in the sunset. Up above, the sky was the same color, but it was mixed with bright oranges and reds, too. The thin purple clouds looked più like flat shapes painted on paper. Head unturned, Ed looked at them.
"Hey guys! That nube, nuvola looks like a bunny!" He laughed. "Over there! That one’s a chicken! And look! Buttered toast!"
"Very observant, Ed." Double D replied as Sonya clung to him.
"Edd, I don’t want to go where Donovan is!" She cried.
"You’re not going anywhere near him, right Eddy?"
"Of course not," Eddy replied, turning left down the road that led to the trailer park. "We’ll have someone else pose as Sonya to fool that guy and then we’ll get our money."
"I don’t know about this." Continued Edd, pushing Sonya away. "It doesn’t sound like he is very friendly."
"Quit worrying, Double D. All te have to do is act like Sonya. I’ll take the money from him and we’ll come back for te later."
"Me?!" Edd was aghast. "There is no way I am dressing up as a girl and performing in front of some killing freak!"
"Well I don’t think Ed would look too convincing!"
"No way, Eddy. No way."
"What about our money?"
"Some things are più important than money."
Eddy stopped after hearing this and looked at Edd. He was bewildered da the strange new behavior he was showing. But, whether o not he received help from him, he still wanted to get paid.
"Fine!" He said. "Ed and I will get the money! And all the Jawbreakers we buy will be ours!"
"I don’t care about the caramelle anymore! This is a little più serious than that! It isn’t worth risking your life for! Nothing is!"
"What’s wrong with you?" Eddy looked at him strangely. "You’re recitazione so irritable."
"Irritable?! te should see yourself!"
"Did te get your tongue stuck in your gap o something?"
Edd and Eddy’s asinine argument continued for quite some time. Their two friends, however, were busy with other activities. Ed was eagerly watching Sonya as she snuck up on Double D. He laughed in his imbecilic manner.
With her arm outstretched, Sonya touched Edd’s sock-like hat and pulled away quickly, incase he would turn and lash out at her. He never noticed though, so she proceeded to feel it once more.
"And another thing, Eddy," Edd continued. "You’re always bossing us around! Why do we have to do what te want to do?"
"Because I’m the brains of the outfit!" Retorted Eddy.
"You’re kidding, right? You’re the brains? I beg to differ!"
Senseless as the bickering was, it continued. But no matter how bad o loud it got, Ed could only laugh. Eddy soon found himself giggling also when he saw a small hand rise over the superiore, in alto of Double D’s head.
"What’s so funny?" Edd asked, still eager to argue.
Before Eddy could say anything, Sonya had grabbed the superiore, in alto of the black sockhat and pulled it off Edd’s head. Much to her surprise, he had been hiding più than what she expected. Happy with her cleverness, she began to tug on his sanguine shirt.
"Double D, your calzino is gone." Ed announced, as if no one knew.
Edd was not amused in the least. His already touchy mood had gone from bad to worse. With such ire and hostility, he turned and ripped his hat out of Sonya’s grasp and put it back on his head.
"Get away from me!" He snarled.
Not a word was spoken da anyone else. They stood Frozen with surprise at Edd’s sudden outburst of anger.
"I detto get away from me!" He repeated, lifting his hand as if he were going to strike her.
Sonya backed away from him, the expression on her face was that of a dog beaten with a leather belt. Her cuore sank like a lead balloon. She looked to the others for solace.
"Hey settle down, Double D." Eddy said. "She didn’t do anything."
"Shut up!" Edd yelled irately.
Unable to comprehend the abnormal behavior of her friend, Sonya could only think to do what she was told. She departed, running with a heavy heart, from the group. She paid no attention to where she was going.
"So, impossible as it may seem
You’ve got to fight for every dream
‘Cause who’s to know which one te let go
Would have made te complete"
Tormented with hurt feelings and tired legs, Sonya ceased her running. She stood, hunched over her knees and gasped for air. Though she hadn’t run far, it felt like she had sprinted a mile, and her broken cuore didn’t help much. Too tired even to cry, Sonya collapsed on the ground behind a large trailer. Her breathing was heavy and deep, and for the moment, that was all she could do. Breathe and stare straight ahead. Lying on her side on nothing but gravel wasn’t very comfortable, but all Sonya’s mental anguish blocked out thoughts of discomfort and physical pain.
It may as well have been hours that she stayed there, for that’s what it felt like. Every minuto was an eternity. Every secondo was ten times for agony and sadness. Wallowing in self-pity and depression got one nowhere though. Sonya knew this and she also knew that getting upset over such an ordeal was virtually pointless.
Pieces of rock and dust clung to her skin as she lifted herself off the ground. She brushed them away slowly and looked back toward the street. Edd and Eddy were still fighting and Ed was trying to figure out what was going on. Sonya glared at them, feeling as though she had been duped after being so loyal, especially to Edd. No matter though. It wasn’t the first time it had happened. Solving the problem was all a matter of moving on to the successivo town.
After getting up on them, Sonya found her legs to be quite wobbly. Her body was still drained. She needed to rest, but wouldn’t allow herself to do so. Staggering she tried to hold herself up da forcing her arm against the side of a trailer. No use. She was too weak to keep herself upright and fell to the ground once more.
Frustratingly, Sonya slammed her fist into the side of the vehicle. She did this several times, trying to compensate for her exhaustion. What she failed to realize, though, was that she had attracted some attention. A large, dark shadow fell over her, and only when it covered her entirely did she notice it.
A strong surge of adrenaline rushed through Sonya’s veins. Her cuore was racing and her hands trembled violently as she stared up at the body before her. She was trapped up against the side of the trailer with no place to go.
Edd, sick of arguing, sat sullenly on the curb. He began to regret some of the things he had said, even to Sonya. Though she plagued him with annoyances, she had been too nice to him. He couldn’t just let her go.
"What have I done?" Edd asked himself out loud. "Why did I say all those things to her? How could I do that?"
"Yeah it was pretty stupid." Eddy agreed. "I guess she won’t want to play at your house anymore."
Edd leaned inoltrare, avanti and rested his chin on his hand. He felt like a heel after having been so hostile toward his friends, and it was all he could think about. Nothing else phased him. His Frozen state of mind remained unaware of anything in the outside world, until he heard a bloodcurdling scream emanate from the entrance of the trailer park.
"Well, for me it’s waking up beside you
To watch the sunrise on your face
To know that I can say I Amore you
In any give time o place"
She was awakened da an uproar of clicks. The strange noise had pulled her out of unconsciousness, and she began to study her surroundings.
Her body had been tossed into a corner in a small room, furnished with pisello green carpeting, abhorrent furniture, and multiple holes in the bacheca behind her. Lining each hold, and covering most of the wall, was a reddish-brown stain. It reeked of smoke and blood.
Terrified, Sonya frantically began to cerca for an exit. She wasn’t sure where she was, but didn’t want to stay long enough to find out. Her eyes rapidly scanned the entire room for a door, and so continued the clicking.
The fonte of the sound came from the middle of the room. There, a tall man with a dark aura stood loading a small, black handgun. His gaze shifted toward Sonya, and he smiled.
A sharp Arrow of fear pierced Sonya’s heart. She backed herself farther into the corner, her sweaty hands slipping on the wall. Her entire body began to shake as Donovan approached.
"I had a feeling te were around here," He said, turning his gun and studying its smooth, black barrel. "You were with those boys, weren’t you?"
Sonya didn’t answer him. She just stared, bug-eyed, at the weapon he held so openly.
"Were you? Answer me!" He demanded.
Hesitating, beads of sweat began to form on Sonya’s forehead. She was unsure if telling Donovan about Edd and the others was a good idea, but she was too afraid to do otherwise.
"Yes, I was." Her voice was as shaky as herself.
"I knew it." Donovan lightly tapped the gun’s trigger. "Well I’ll take care of them later."
"No! They didn’t do anything!"
"You need not worry about it," He replied. "You’ll be dead da then."
Growing tired of the girl, Donovan extended his right arm and pointed the handgun at her head. Sonya immediately panicked. Her body tensed up and scenes of past events began to play in her mind. immagini of her parents’ merciless slaughter flashed before her eyes, and her life began to slip away as the gunshot sounded.
Loud was the painful scream that followed, but it was not from Sonya. As she lifted the lids of her eyes to see, there in front of her was the hero dressed in crimson. Black hat and all.
"Edd!" She cried.
As fate would have it, there he stood. His left sleeve now bore a hole where the bullet ripped away pieces of cloth and flesh. All down his arm were ruddy streaks of the blood he shed for another.
"You again?" Donovan growled.
Edd returned the angry stare with one of his own. For once, he knew no fear. Even as Donovan aimed his gun toward him, he refused to back down.
"Go to hell!" He shouted and applied pressure to the trigger.
Like a cyclone ripping through an open valley, Edd surged inoltrare, avanti and knocked the gun out of Donovan’s hand. However, he was not fast enough to dodge the impending rage of his enemy and received a hard blow to the jaw.
Edd stumbled backwards, trying to keep himself from falling. But Donovan flew at him and pounded him again. He continued to strike repetitively, each hit harder and più devastating than the last. Excessive amounts of blood disembogued from Edd’s mouth and nose. His intentions were still strong, but he was inevitably going to lose the battle. He was not strong enough to fight off someone larger than himself, and he tried miserably to get away. Donovan kept him down. Wrapping his hands around Edd’s neck he began to strangle him to death.
"Let him go!" Sonya shouted, holding up the gun that she now had possession of.
Donovan released Edd and moved away from him. He held up his hands, signaling that he would surrender. Sonya wrapped her fingers around the trigger, as if she might pull it. She knew in her heart, though, that she would never be able to do so. She wouldn’t allow herself to kill.
"What are te waiting for?" Donovan asked, sensing she was afraid. "Aren’t te going to shoot me?"
Sonya hesitated a moment, deciding a plan of action. She would never be able to let the bullet fly. Instead, she would make sure no one could use the weapon. As hard as she could, she threw the gun at the window. The glass shattered and fell to the floor in a shimmering cascade.
Satisfied with her choice, Sonya crawled over to Edd’s resting place on the floor. She lifted his bloodstained head and rested it on her lap. Looking down at his face, she smiled and wished he would look back at her.
"Edd," She detto softly. "Edd."
It was as if an Angel was whispering to him. Edd was almost too far-gone to even breathe, and yet, hearing his angel’s voice renewed his strength. He opened his eyes, despite the fact that the lids stuck tightly with the gluey blood that had dried around them.
Upon seeing Sonya’s face smiling down at him, Edd suddenly felt better. Though weak, he returned the gesture as best he could, but he could only pull his lips back far enough to reveal a few teeth and his gap. Sonya laughed.
"Very touching," Donovan sneered. "Too bad it has to end. te see, I’ve come prepared."
Reaching into his right pocket, the diabolical murderer pulled out another gun, similar to the one that had been tossed out the window. He then aimed it at his prey, laughing in a dark and ominous tone.
"How convenient. It’s like killing two birds with one stone." He said, slipping his index finger around the trigger.
Panicking, Sonya looked back down at Edd for a solution, but he knew not what to do. His expression was somber and his eyes had already begun to look glazed, as if he might die within moments. He tried to smile one last time, but couldn’t force it. All strength had left his body. He fell limp and his head dropped to one side.
A river of tears seeped from Sonya’s eyes. No longer could she orso the torture. She leaned inoltrare, avanti over Edd’s body, buried her face in his chest, and waited for her turn.
"It’s little things that only I know
Those are the things that make te mine
And it’s like flying without wings
‘Cause you’re my special thing
I’m flying without wings"
Upon the cold, hard ground fell a raindrop. Many più soon followed. They began to run into each other and formed small puddles. The constant liquid movement stirred up dirt and pieces of rock, creating a sloppy, muddy mixture.
In the distance, sirens sounded. They got louder and louder. A red light, spinning erratically, flashed its glow across the landscape. From the road came a large fleet of cop cars. They pulled into the trailer park and parked in front of one of the house-like vehicles.
Proudly riding atop the lead car was Mr. Bigmouth himself, sporting a megaphone, which he so cleverly wielded. Holding the unnecessary instrument, he yelled into the smaller end.
"This is the police! te are under arrest! Come out with your hands up!"
Nobody really paid any attention to him. One da one, each policeman and woman began to emerge from their car. They surrounded the targeted trailer, ready for who and whatever would come out of it.
"I don’t get it," Eddy said, putting down his megaphone. "Can’t they hear me in there?"
"Maybe they have wax in their ears!" Ed shouted, messing with the radio in one of the cars.
"Yeah, and you’ve got wax in your head."
Eddy jumped down and ran up to the door of the trailer.
"Hey!" He yelled into the megaphone. "Are te in there? I detto come out!"
Once again, there was no reply. Some of the cops began to laugh.
"Hello? Hello!" Eddy continued. "Lights on, nobody’s home!"
Irate and tired of waiting, he pushed open the door. There before his surprised eyes, in the middle of the room, was Sonya, Edd, and Donovan. Sonya lay crouched over Edd, still alive and trembling with fear.
"I’m almost too afraid to ask." Eddy said, his eyes as wide as cena plates.
"Get out of here!" Snarled Donovan, turning the gun toward him.
Screaming and flailing about frantically, Eddy threw his megaphone at Donovan and covered his head. The large, volume-increasing device flew across the room and smacked into the killer’s weapon hand, causing him to flinch and drop his gun. Abruptly after hearing the gripes of pain, Eddy looked up at what he had done. He was quite pleased with himself and stated his opinion very dogmatically.
"I guess I’m too smart for you, Donny boy!" He smiled.
Cleared of any danger, a brigade of cops pushed past Eddy and into the room. Each one was armed with a fucile and they stood, barrels pointed at Donovan, in a fixed position.
"Freeze!" Boomed a deep voice almost as loud as Eddy’s.
Donovan made no attempt to go after his fallen weapon. He looked over at Sonya, and then back at the police. There was nowhere to go and no other choice. Without speaking a word, he held out his hands in surrender. A corpulento, birra di malto man in uniform moved up and slapped a pair of shiny, silvery handcuffs on him.
"Let’s go!" He ordered, shoving Donovan toward the exit.
Several cops followed, but one stayed to help Eddy up.
"I guess I showed him who is boss!" Eddy boasted.
"Sure te did," detto the cop.
He stood up and walked up to Sonya. His shadow poured over her, and she looked up to see his smiling, yet concerned, face.
"Are te all right, young lady?" He asked politely.
She blinked twice and then looked back down at Edd.
"Oh, I see." The cop continued. "Don’t move, I’ll go call for an ambulance."
He departed quickly, leaving Sonya hanging over Edd. Eddy noticed his friend wasn’t moving and went over to see.
"Double D?" He called, but there was no answer.
Bending down, Eddy grabbed Edd’s arm and shook it. Again, no answer o reaction. Sonya began to cry.
"Come on, Double D. Get up!" He said.
At that moment, Ed burst into the room. He had heard the news and was deeply hurt.
"Double D! Double D!" He cried. "Don’t die, Double D!"
He grabbed his friend’s limp body and hugged it tightly.
"Say something!" He begged.
But their lifeless companion had nothing to give. He stirred not once as Ed laid him back down on the floor.
"Double D," He sobbed. "I can’t believe…"
Ed didn’t finish. He and the others could only look at their Lost comrade. They didn’t speak for several minutes, until Eddy noticed something.
"Hey, look!" He shouted, pointing at Double D. "I thought I saw him…"
"What?" Asked Sonya.
Eddy laid his ear against Edd’s chest. Sure enough, there was a heartbeat.
"He’s still alive! Double D is still alive!" He cried happily.
"Yay!" Ed bellowed joyfully, embracing Eddy and Sonya in a large group hug.
"Let go!" Eddy squirmed.
Ed released them and Sonya began to shake Double D.
"Wake up!" She said.
For a moment, there was nothing but still and quiet. Then, in an astounding leap from the brink of death, Edd slowly opened his eyes.
"Double D!" Ed yelled. "You’re not dead!"
Double D just smiled and let his lids fall halfway over his eyes.
"Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy." He yawned.
Words could not describe the relief and the joy Ed, Eddy, and Sonya felt to have their beloved friend back. They watched as he began to drift off the sleep. Outside, a new siren sounded. The ambulanza and its crew had arrived. Ed and Eddy rushed out to greet them. Sonya hugged Edd, pulling him closer to her.
"They’re here now," She detto softly. "It’s over."
Holding him tightly in her arms, she bent down and kissed his cheek. Edd smiled at this, eyes closed and breathing deep and slow as if he were already asleep. With all the energy he could find in his body, he slipped his hand into hers and, in a faint whisper, spoke the words: "I Amore you".
"And in this place I long to be
You’ll be where it ends
I’m flying without wings
And that’s the joy te bring
I’m flying without wings"
One thing that makes it all complete
You’ll find it in the strangest places
Places te never knew it could be"
The newly risen sun was shining down upon the houses in the seemingly tranquil cul-de-sac. Looks often prove to be deceiving, though.
Edd stepped out into the daylight, making sure that he didn’t soil his nice, clean clothes. There was no sign of his inane friends, yet. That was good. Maybe he would have a few hours of silence. Unfortunately, his hopes of a peaceful morning went down the drain as Ed and Eddy came dashing up the road toward him. Eddy seemed particularly excited over something, and Ed was just as dopey as ever. They slammed into him and, with lightning fast speed, the loudmouth of the bunch began ranting about his latest plan.
"I just got the greatest idea!" He bellowed.
As he rambled on erratically, Edd tried to tune him out. He could hear talking, but didn’t understand what was said. He began to develop a headache.
"So what do te think, Double D?" Eddy asked. "All we need to do is get some rope and hook Ed up to the old sled in my garage. The kids will pay big bucks to be driven around the neighborhood!"
"Just call me Mister Ed!" Ed chuckled in his normal, dippy manner.
"I don’t feel like it, Eddy," Replied Edd. "Not today."
He slowly began to walk away from the group. His saturnine mood left his Friends puzzled.
"What’s with him?" Eddy furrowed his brow.
"An mela, apple a giorno keeps the doctor away!" Ed announced drolly.
Their comrade wasn’t listening to the pointless conversation that had formed. His mind was wandering. He was oblivious to everything around him. The increasing temperature as the sun rose above the horizon, the filthy mud puddles on the road ahead, and even Eddy’s loud, beckoning calls were all unnoticed. Edd felt sick and weak, as if he should be bedridden.
He ventured past the homes in the cul-de-sac and onto the beaten and less-traveled path. The path led him to a small conservation area behind the neighborhood. In the middle was a pond. Here, Edd could recall memories of the giorno Eddy planned to use the location as a waterpark, and Ed as the main attraction. But, eventually, thoughts of this faded from his mind and he returned to that ill and empty feeling. There was something missing in his life, o at least something he didn’t do.
"What is going on?" He thought out loud. "Could I have forgotten something?"
It was at that moment that he looked down at himself and saw the mud draped over his shoes.
"Oh no!" He cried hysterically. "I’m filthy!"
Struggling miserably to rid himself of the messy predicament, Edd tried wiping the mud off. That only made his hands dirty.
"No! Off!" He commanded, as if the earthen slop was alive.
With all his fumbling around he soon found to be off key with his equilibrium. In just moments, he was on the ground and dirtier than ever.
"Oh, the uncleanness of it all!" He moaned.
Rising off the accursed floor of green, Edd noticed that his situation was worse than he thought.
"Just look at these erba stains!" He complained. "They’ll never come out."
During his time of fussing over his soiled clothes, a clamor arose from the thicket. The noise startled Edd, but did not leave him unnerved. He knew exactly what the sound was and who was making it.
"All right, Eddy. I know you’re in there." He detto sternly. "Quit mocking me and come out."
The noise stopped, but no one showed up. What a cute time to play hide-and-seek, Edd thought. Little did he know, it wasn’t whom he expected. As he moved closer to the fonte of the sound, he became even tenser. The sudden uproar with following silence made him nervous.
"Eddy?" He questioned hopefully. "Are te in there?"
Left again with no reply, Edd was scared. But, his curiosity was greater than his fear. Extending forth a trembling hand he pulled apart the branches of a nearby bush. His surprised reaction at the sight of the mystery eavesdropper was massive. He screamed and fell, once more, to the ground. His unmoving enemy could not figure out what was wrong with him though.
"Stay away from me!" Edd cried, curling his body into a ball.
"Are te okay?" Asked the stranger. "You aren’t afraid of me are you?"
Edd felt ashamed and insulted. He really was afraid. But, of what was he afraid of was the question. Lying on the earth floor with his body twisted into the fetal position wasn’t going to get him any answers. So, boldly, he stood up to face his fear. Much to his embarrassment, what had frightened him was nothing più than a girl.
"Hello Edd," She smiled. "Or should I say, Double D?"
Edd stepped back in astonishment.
"You know my name? But, how? Who are you?"
"My name is Sonya," She replied simply. "I have been watching te for a few days now."
"Really?" Edd was intrigued. "Are te new here? Where do te live?"
"I live wherever I can find Cibo and shelter."
She stood up making her full body visible, and Edd noticed her clothes. They were handmade from dead erba and leaves. Her body was caked with layers of filth and her thin, long, brown hair was a knotted mess.
"Sonya, where do te live, seriously?" Edd asked, backing away a bit.
"My house was in Hidden Valley."
"What? That’s over sixty miles from here! Where is the rest of your family?"
Sonya looked down at her feet and bit her lip nervously.
"I don’t want to talk about it." She spoke quietly.
Edd found this to be very perplexing. A little jungle girl, miles away from her home, and whom didn’t want to Converse about her parents. Perhaps they were divorced, Edd thought. He decided it was best not to ask.
"So, I take it te have no place to stay." He said.
Sonya scuffed her feet along the dirt. She kept from making eye contact with him. She was too shy to say anything more, and Edd could sense this. Forgetting all about his muddy clothes, about staying clean, and about the fact that Sonya was a girl, he placed his hand on her shoulder, led her out into the street, and then into his home.
"Here te are," Edd announced, mostrare his guest the bathroom. "I suggest te use it to clean up. Take a doccia and wash your hair. It needs it."
Sonya looked into the room with the tiled floor and stainless steel fixtures. The tub was positioned at the farthest point from the door, up against the back wall. The sink was just opposite of that, and the toilet sat with its back against the left wall. It had been a while since Sonya had been in a room like this. She felt as though she might do something wrong. She didn’t want that to happen.
"Well, I’ll leave te to it." Edd walked down the hall to his room.
Sonya felt alone once again, but she finally had a chance to clean up and didn’t want to just let it go. She closed the bathroom door and began to undress. The floor felt icy cold to her feet, but she ignored it and tossed her handmade outfit into a corner.
"I hope I can figure this out." She detto to herself as she examined the knobs in the shower.
On either side there was a fat, circular knob. In the middle was a handle that stuck out from the bacheca and hung down. Sonya turned the knob closest to her. Abruptly, a mass of water poured out of the faucet. It splashed and swirled at the bottom of the tub and slipped down into the drain. She had turned on the water but did not know how to turn on the doccia o what the temperature. There was only one way to find out, though, so with a cautious hand, Sonya reached inoltrare, avanti and touched the water. It was hot.
"Ow!" She flinched.
She pulled herself away from the scalding liquid. And, even after she did, she could still feel it burning. It only lasted for a moment though and she reached over superiore, in alto of the spigot and turned the other spherical knob. This way it would balance out the temperature. The plan worked. The water became much più fresco, dispositivo di raffreddamento and, when Sonya felt it, it was lukewarm. Perfect. She twisted the handle in the middle to see what it would do.
The water stopped. No più came out of the faucet, and Sonya began to wonder if she had messed something up. Her domanda was answered when a gurgling sounded from inside the walls and a downpour of water droplets came from above.
"I did it!" Sonya detto to herself, feeling proud.
Confidently, she stepped into the shower. How wonderful it felt to have the soft, warm water glide across her dirty skin and through her hair. Upon looking down at the bottom of the tub, she could see all the dried mud from her body slide off and wash down the drain. It was simply marvelous. And, after she had worked the soap into a lather, it got even better. Sonya didn’t go easy on herself, though. She scrubbed as roughly as she could until every speck of dirt was gone.
Next, she washed her hair. The shampoo residing on the shelves in Edd’s doccia were foreign to her, but she wasn’t picky. Sonya literally dumped half the bottle onto her head and rubbed it around, tearing out frail strands and dirt clods. Her long brown hair wasn’t quite as dark anymore with the mud gone from it.
During her uplifting cleaning experience, Sonya accidentally hit the showerhead, detaching it from its hold. She did not know about detachable nozzles though and began to panic. She feared she had ruined it. Fumbling and flailing wildly, Sonya tried to keep it from dropping to the floor, and when she noticed it was attached to an extension, she became even più distressed.
"Oh no!" She cried. "I must have pulled it out of the wall!"
She felt even guiltier now. The first nice stranger she had ever met had invited her into his home, and she was taking it apart. The wet, slippery nozzle would not cooperate. Every time Sonya grabbed it, it slid out of her hands. Eventually, all her sliding around took her for a ride. She Lost her balance and went tumbling to the floor. The impact sounded all over the entire upstairs of the house, startling Edd. Without thinking, he rushed into the bathroom.
"What is going on in here?" He demanded, panting.
Sonya’s eyes grew wide with surprise as she tried to cover herself up. Edd, embarrassed, slapped his hand over his face.
"Use the towel!" He shouted. "Cover yourself!"
Sonya pulled a towel off the bar above the toilet. Rushing, she wrapped it around her drenched body. She then sat there on the floor, trying to get her bearings straight.
"Edd," She began. "I think I broke your bathtub."
"What?" Edd uncovered his eyes and looked around. "Where?"
"The spraying part. I pulled it out of the wall."
Edd examined the situation. The nozzle, hooked to its extension, was lying at the bottom of the tub, still squirting out water. Edd picked it up, put it back in the bracket, and turned off the spigot.
"Sonya," He spoke in a serious tone as he turned and faced her. "You didn’t break anything. The showerhead is detachable. All te did was make a mess of water on the floor."
Sonya looked down, feeling somewhat guilty. She didn’t say anything.
"Well, help me clean up this mess. Then we can find something for te to put on."
Edd took another towel off the rack and began to soak up the water from the cold tile floor. Sonya wanted to help, but didn’t have another towel to use. She just watched the careful and ever precise cleaning methods of Double D.
"I guess there are no più towels," He said, looking back up at her. "Just wait until I’m done then."
Sonya would not take it. She felt bad for what she did.
"Edd, I’m sorry." She cried remorsefully. "I didn’t mean to make a mess and cause so much trouble."
He stopped soaking up the liquid and looked up at her. She had that awful, sad stare in her eyes. Edd, as neat and perfect as everything had to be for him, couldn’t bring himself to scold her.
"No trouble at all." He replied, and finished cleaning up.
Dressed in clothes bigger than she was, Sonya was practically swimming. After having cleaned the water mess in the washroom, Edd gave her a camicia and a pair of shorts of his to wear. Clothing in boys’ sizes, though, weren’t exactly the right size for a girl.
"Do those feel all right on you?" Asked Edd.
"Yes I am fine." Sonya replied, searching the content of his bedroom.
She took interest in the small potted cactus he had on a table. Carefully, she touched it and felt its sharp, stiff needles. Edd noticed what she was doing and went nuts.
"Stop it!" He commanded. "Don’t touch Jim!"
Sonya backed off and Edd tried to comfort his plant.
"He’s traumatized!" He yelled indignantly.
"Sorry." Sonya shrugged, wondering what the big deal was.
"Well, anyway," Edd started, putting Jim down. "I set up that cot over there for you. I guess you’ll have to stay here until we find out where your parents are."
Sonya didn’t reply. She looked somewhat hurt and upset. Edd tried not to notice, though, and went into his closet to change. He wore, of course, his full body suit pajamas with bright white bunny slippers.
"I hope te don’t mind my habit of going to sleep early." He said, walking lightfoot to his bed.
There were no complaints o any kind of reactions made from Sonya. She was sad, and her cuore had turned a pale stone gray.
"Are te feeling well?" Edd questioned.
She didn’t even make eye contact. With her head turned, she rested the beaten sack of flesh she called her body on the narrow, collapsible bed. Edd could only watch her as he slipped under his own blankets. And then, there was silence. No one detto anything for a while, and Edd couldn’t stand it. He had to find out something.
"Sonya," He said, breaking the silence. "What happened to your family? Did te run away? Don’t te even care?"
She detto nothing at first. It was as if she couldn’t hear, but she could and she turned herself toward Edd to let him know that.
"Yes," She replied, giving in to his persistence. "I did run away, but it was not from my parents."
Edd found this strange. He lifted up the back of his sock-like hat and scratched his head.
"A long time ago, when I was about seven, my parents died." Sonya buried her face in her pillow.
"Died?" Edd leaned over the edge of the bed. "How did they die?"
"They were killed!" Sonya cried, her muffled voice barely audible.
"Oh…" Edd shrank back in fear from her angered tone.
He did not ask any più questions, and Sonya did not say anymore about her past. They just lied there, staring at each other as if they were trying to figure out what the other was thinking. Eventually, they both turned over and fell asleep.
"Some find it in the face of their children
Some find it in their lover’s eyes
Who can deny the joy it brings
When you’ve found that special thing
You’re flying without wings"
Edd found himself caught in a wonderful dream. He was flying among the clouds without a care in the world. For once, he was not worried about anything. Suddenly, from a bright light up ahead, there appeared a longhaired woman caped in white. She was an angel, with a caring and familiar face. Edd was in love. He swore he heard her call his name, but then he woke up. His eyes snapped open and there, straddling his legs and leaning over him, was Sonya.
"What are te doing?!" He screamed.
Sonya abruptly backed off and scooted to the end of the bed. Edd sat up, looking as though he was going to strangle her. But there was no way he would ever be able to mostra aggression so, placid as he was, he threw back the covers and sauntered over to the closet.
"Edd, what are we going to do?" Sonya asked excitedly, leaping after him.
"I am getting dressed," Edd replied. "Make yourself scarce until I have finished."
The world outside in the cul-de-sac was very different from what Sonya had ever known. She was used to the trees and foliage, the erba and ground, and the all-natural environments. The houses in the neighborhood struck her as a newfound oddity, not to mention the people that emerged from them.
"Where are we going, Edd?" Sonya asked, making sure to stay close to him.
"You’re going to meet my other two friends. If te plan to reside here it might help if we all can get along."
The two of them walked along the sidewalk down the street. Sonya had no idea where she was being taken o what she would find when she got there. Her trust in Edd was huge, and it continued to grow as she followed him blindly. She was very fond of the boy.
They passed da a house with a sharp peaked roof. It stood there, quiet and as plain as the erba growing in the cracks of the sidewalk. All except for the young boy in the bright red cap. He was outside in the driveway playing with a basketball. He immediately stopped when he saw Edd.
"Hey dork!" He shouted jauntily.
Sonya didn’t like his attitude. She was immediately alert. The hair along the back of her neck stood straight up, like that of an angered wolf.
"Who is that?" She asked.
"That’s Kevin," Edd sighed. "Ignore him."
He resumed walking with Sonya trailing behind. Kevin, however, was not satisfied. He thrived on taunting others, especially those who would never fight back. Laughing, he began to walk across the road toward Edd.
"I’m talking to you, dork!" He sneered mockingly. "Where’s your two friends? In the loony bin?"
Edd, no matter how downtrodden he became, would never even attempt to defy those that claimed power over him. But there was someone who wouldn’t stand for it. His guardian Angel in disguise.
"What’s with you?" Sonya asked threateningly. "Do te have a problem with Edd? Anything te find wrong with him te can take up with me."
Kevin was dumbfounded. No one had ever stood up to him before, especially in the defense of another. He was speechless, and Edd was equally surprised.
"Let’s settle our differences." Sonya clenched her fist.
Her eyes narrowed, but never moved away from Kevin. The icy stare she gave him pierced is mind and left him feeling weak and scared. He could do nothing.
"Come on," She growled challengingly. "Fight me!"
Kevin, sweat falling off his forehead profusely, backed away from her. All his strength and courage was suddenly gone. He stumbled backwards over the edge of the sidewalk, and then turned and ran. Not once did he look back.
"Get going, coward." Sonya smiled.
Edd fell back against the fence, grateful, yet scared. The quiet and troubled one he had offered refuge had suddenly revealed another side to her personality. And it proved to be quite vicious. Thoughts of her selfless act were soon blown over as a clamorous wind rose up and got louder. Ed and Eddy were coming, and just in time, too. The situation begged for a lighter side.
"Some find it sharing every morning
Some in their solitary lives
You’ll find it in the words of others
A simple line can make te laugh o cry"
"Hey!" Bellowed an already loud voice. "What’s happenin’, Double D?"
"Nothing new," Edd answered, glancing over at Sonya, who was occupied with examining the two strangers.
She stood on tiptoe and looked over the superiore, in alto of Eddy’s head, which she was already taller than to begin with. He noticed her curiosity and became somewhat offended.
"Hey, one side!" He shouted.
"Careful, Eddy." Edd warned. "She’s a lot tougher than te think. Even I’m surprised. She chased Kevin away."
"No way!" Eddy was excited and amused. "You mean she beat up Kevin?"
"Well, not exactly. But te should have seen it! She had him running so fast he almost fell flat on his face!"
"This is great!" Eddy was seeing dollar signs. "Do te think she could beat up Sarah? The kids would pay us big money to see that!"
"Eddy," Double D said. "As much as we admire your benevolence, I fear it would be too strenuous of an ordeal to have Sonya eradicate the neighborhood of all its annoyances."
"That’s an even better idea!" Eddy yelled haughtily. "I’m glad I thought of it!"
Sonya, forced to stand amidst all the noise, was totally clueless. She shifted her gaze across the suburbs of pesca, peach Creek. Her mind was off somewhere drifting in the clouds. It was not wandering aimlessly, though. She was thinking off Edd and his friends. Her bubble of reveries popped, however, when Eddy took hold of her shoulders and shook her.
"Wake up! We’ve got work to do!" He announced.
"Would te like coffee with your eggs?" Ed chuckled dumbly.
"Eddy are te sure this is a good idea? It sounds unsanitary." Double D cringed at the thought of getting dirty.
"Don’t worry!" Eddy said. "It’s perfectly safe. We’ll get everyone to come to our salon and I will be the stylist since I am the best at it."
He took a step back on the pavement and looked at Sonya.
"Who dressed you? Double D? You’re wearing the exact same thing he is."
"These are his clothes," Sonya said.
"Why are te wearing his clothes?"
"I didn’t really have any. He gave me these and let me stay at his house."
Eddy hesitated a moment, and then fell onto the ground with laughter. His loud voice echoed inside Edd’s ears while he tried to cover up his embarrassment.
"You stayed at his house?" Eddy rallied. "What were te doing? Making out? Invite me to the wedding, okay?"
"Eddy as hilarious as te would like to think that te are, your inane jesting is becoming quite annoying." Edd replied, feeling perturbed.
Loudmouth had no ears to hear anything he did not want to. His spacey thoughts of money making had taken control of him. There was no stopping it. In a diviso, spalato secondo he was moving his feet, making a mad dash for his house. The calling of the coins and caramelle were speaking to him.
"Where is he going?" Sonya asked.
"To try and ruin our lives," Edd sighed. "Oh bane of our existence!"
"Yes I am!" Ed interrupted.
The three of them reluctantly followed their comrade, knowing there was no other choice. Perhaps fortune would smile upon their unlucky lives. It was highly unlikely though. Blind faith in Eddy was truly an unwise choice. It made for an interesting experience though, so it was worth the stress and pain. As long as it was sanitary, no one had any problem with it. Double D would always be sure that the proper precautions were taken.
Upon entering Eddy’s humble abode, they found the little schemer setting up for their successivo plan that would, hopefully, win them the money to buy Jawbreakers. Though Sonya had no interest in caramelle o getting rich. She only wanted to be around Edd.
"What are we doing now?" She asked.
"We’re humoring Eddy," Edd replied.
Rambunctious as he was, Eddy didn’t seem quite himself that day. His plan wasn’t as stupid o farfetched as the rest. It seemed eerily similar to his sauna idea, though.
"Eddy I sense we are reliving one of your many scams," Double D said.
"Yeah, sure." Eddy paid him no mind. "Help me find più chairs."
"Wait. Let’s stop and think about what we’re doing first."
Eddy ceased in his searched, turned, and stared at Edd.
"I don’t have until successivo Christmas, Double D." He retorted in a huffy manner.
"Is Santa coming?" Ed asked hopefully.
No one answered his simple-minded question. Edd was fretting over what would inevitable come, Edd was "busy", and Sonya was scrutinizing the various objects in the room. The lava lamp caught her interest and she began to watch the hot, colorful oil change shape.
"Why don’t te guys go find some saps, I mean, customers to come to my salon." Eddy ordered.
"Your salon?" Double D looked at him.
"Hey, it was my idea. Now go get someone. And make sure they’re willing to pay!"
Having nothing better to do and no alternate option, Edd walked out through the open glass door in Eddy’s room with Sonya following at his heels. da this he felt somewhat encumbered, but did not let it bother him too much.
Luckily, two unsuspecting persons were outside right across the street. The cerca for a willing customer would not trouble them longer. And this particular couple was totally unaware o any unpleasantness that might descend upon them. They were too busy playing and conversing.
"Brace yourself," Edd warned. "I have no idea why I am even going through with this, but if something goes wrong I want te to run. Run, and never look back."
Sonya didn’t quite understand, but she wasn’t really listening either. Her attention was focused on the living figures across the street. They were automatically a threat in her mind. She pushed in front of Edd in an attempt to defend him. Her long shadow hung over the two and it got darker as then drew nearer to them. One, a small one with an odd metal fixture around his head, looked up and his eyes grew wide with fear.
"Ah! Sarah!" He cried.
"Jimmy?" The girl looked at her friend. "What’s wrong?"
She turned her red-haired head and looked up at the dark shape that stood before her. Edd, nervous as ever, poked his head out from behind Sonya’s body and grinned at the girl.
"H-hello Sarah." He stuttered. "Do te want to come to our salon?"
"No!" Sarah snapped. "Me and Jimmy are playing with our dollies. Right, Jimmy?"
"A salon?" Jimmy perked up when he heard the word. "I’ll come!"
"But, Jimmy!" Sarah whined. "What about our game?"
"Later," Jimmy stood up and walked over to Edd. "I’ve got a data with the hairdresser."
The three walked off, leaving Sarah alone in the midst of all her toys. Suddenly, she was jealous. A visit to the salon wasn’t such a bad idea anymore.
"Wait for me, Jimmy!" She cried, chasing after them.
Needless to say, Eddy wasn’t pleased with Sarah’s presence. He threw himself into one of his loudmouth rages. Edd tried to calm him.
"Eddy, please! Restrain yourself!" He was unheard.
"Of all people, te invited her!" Eddy barked.
"Shut up, Eddy!" Sarah barked back. "I came with Jimmy! He wants his hair done, so do it o we’re leaving!"
In truth, Eddy really wanted her to leave. But he wanted money più and so agreed to serve them.
"All right," He groaned. "Sit in the chair."
"Goody!" Jimmy chimed with delight.
In such a childish, fairy-like way, he skipped over to the small wooden chair and aligned his rear with the edges of the seat. Sarah plopped down on the bed, keeping a close eye on what Ed and Eddy did to her friend.
"Yo, Double D!" Called a bossy voice. "Go get some shampoo."
Edd signed, rolled his eyes, and stood up. He made no attempt to sposta any faster than he desired. Eddy was impatient though.
"Come on! Come on!" He snapped his fingers.
"Haste makes waste." Edd replied neutrally, giving Eddy the bottle.
"No time!"
Eddy grabbed the shampoo and dumped nearly all of it onto Jimmy’s head. Ed was dato the job of scrubbing his hair and he did so with no complaints.
"Wash your hair. Wash your hair." He sang.
Jimmy loved the treatment. He smiled and closed his eyes. Edd, having done his job, sat on the edge of the bed. Sonya abruptly planted herself right successivo to him.
"Eddy, hurry up!" Sarah demanded.
"Keep your camicia on, Sarah! For all our sakes."
Eddy pulled Jimmy to the bathroom and pushed his head down into the sink.
"Hold still." He detto and turned on the water.
With anything but a delicate touch, Eddy grabbed a chunk of bubbles and hair and began to maneuver it under the running liquid.
"Are te in for a surprise!" He gabbed. "This is my specialty. You’re gonna Amore the new look."
Skillfully, Eddy ran his fingers through Jimmy’s thick hair. He pulled on it and played with it, as if her were a hair-styling artist. In his pleasure, he hit a hard spot. His left fingers got caught in a knot of hair.
"Hey Jimmy. Did te know te got lumps on your head?" Eddy asked, tugging at it.
He ripped at the massive clump, trying to dislodge it. In his unneeded rush and frustration, Eddy managed to pull his fingers out. Unfortunately, the mass of hair came with it.
Jimmy let out a long, loud howl of pain. He pulled his head out of the sink and saw his "new look" in the mirror. There was now a bald spot on the left side of his head where the hair had been ripped out.
"My hair," He cried. "What have te done?"
"Eddy, te idiot!" Sarah growled viciously. "Look what te did to Jimmy!"
Eddy was too dumbfounded to talk. He stared at the large knotted mess in his hand.
"We’re leaving!" Sarah grabbed her friend. "Come on, Jimmy."
"Wait!" Eddy snapped back to reality. "What about my money?"
He chased after them, almost getting hit da the sliding door. Ed followed, hoping Sarah would not tattle on him to their mother.
"Curse my foreboding." Double D sighed.
He rose off the letto and followed along behind the others, knowing Eddy was soon going to need some help. Sonya stuck very close to him, like glue on his feet. He often tripped over her, until she was forced to walk several feet behind.
da the time they had caught up with Ed and Eddy, Sarah and Jimmy were already across the strada, via and Eddy was dashing after them in mad pursuit. He flew off the edge of the sidewalk and landed on the hard pavement in the road.
"Come back!" He yelled, scraping his nails on the rough surface. "You didn’t pay!"
"Uh, Eddy…" Edd sounded painfully nervous.
"What is it now?" Eddy asked testily, getting up.
"Car!" Edd stammered. "Car!"
"What?" Eddy looked around.
Brushing himself off, he turned to his right and saw a shiny, black car speeding toward him, and it showed no signs of slowing down.
"Eddy!" Screamed Edd. "Move your butt!"
Eddy colomba onto the grass, landing halfway on the sidewalk. He looked back out into the street, ignoring the laughter from Sarah and Jimmy. The dark vehicle approached the property, slowed, and stopped right in front of it.
"What’s the big idea?" Eddy demanded.
The windows of the car were as dark as the body. There was no way to see the driver. Even the rear windows were tinted.
"Come on!" Eddy stood up and banged on the glass.
Sonya rose up and looked over Edd’s shoulder. For reasons unknown, the car scared her, and she began to back toward the house.
The front window of the car lowered slowly, revealing an equally shadowy interior. The driver wasn’t much of a friendly face either. He was clothed in a midnight black suit, matching his car. His shiny, slick hair complimented his ebony trend.
"Whoa! A freak!" Eddy spoke loudly, fingering the car as he tried to get a decent look at the inside.
"Hands off!" Snapped the driver. "I’m here to deal with unfinished business."
"Business? What kind of business?" Eddy rested his arm on the window frame.
"I have not the time nor the place for your foolishness." He retorted sternly, gesturing Eddy away from the vehicle. "However, out of my own curiosity, I was wondering if te happened to see a young girl with long brown hair. She goes da the name of Sonya Daleb."
Eddy grinned. His scheming mind sensed an easy way to get money.
"That depends." He detto slyly. "Maybe I did, and maybe I didn’t. How much are te willing to pay me?"
"Eddy!" Edd interrupted. "This doesn’t look good to me. Let’s go!"
He pulled on his friend’s shirt, but to no avail. Money mattered most at the moment.
"So what do te say? For a measly fifty cents, I just may be able to get what you’re looking for." Eddy offered.
"You impertinent brat!" Shouted the man. "Your childish games annoy me intensely. There is no use in them for me. I must go. But if te do happen to find the one I seek, te can find me in my trailer."
With the press of the button and a inoltrare, avanti thrust on the stick shift, the window rolled upward and the car pulled forward. It turned around, shining in the setting sun, in the cul-de-sac and rode down the street. It took a left at the end of the lane and then disappeared from sight.
"I didn’t even get his name." Eddy said. "He was kinda cheap anyway… but, then again, money is money! Where’s Sonya?"
"Eddy!" Edd broke in. "That man in the car did not look right to me."
"Tell me about it. Did te see that suit he had on? Where did he get that thing? K-mart?"
"No, Eddy. I mean he looked suspicious."
"Who cares? He seemed willing to pay us. I say we take Sonya to him and collect our fee."
"Eddy, I’m ashamed! te act like she’s just some thing we use to make a profit. How could you?"
"Well, hey, don’t te want Jawbreakers, too?"
Edd refused to go any further on the subject. He turned away from Eddy and walked back to the house, where Sonya was standing in the doorway. Her face was a ghostly pale and her normal breathing pattern had shifted. Edd placed his hand on her shoulder and she looked at him.
"That’s the man. Donovan." She detto in a shaky voice. "He’s the one that killed my parents."
"You’ll find it in the deepest friendship
The kind te cherish all your life
And when te know how much it means
You’ve found that special thing
You’re flying without wings"
The houses along the strada, via had turned golden in the sunset. Up above, the sky was the same color, but it was mixed with bright oranges and reds, too. The thin purple clouds looked più like flat shapes painted on paper. Head unturned, Ed looked at them.
"Hey guys! That nube, nuvola looks like a bunny!" He laughed. "Over there! That one’s a chicken! And look! Buttered toast!"
"Very observant, Ed." Double D replied as Sonya clung to him.
"Edd, I don’t want to go where Donovan is!" She cried.
"You’re not going anywhere near him, right Eddy?"
"Of course not," Eddy replied, turning left down the road that led to the trailer park. "We’ll have someone else pose as Sonya to fool that guy and then we’ll get our money."
"I don’t know about this." Continued Edd, pushing Sonya away. "It doesn’t sound like he is very friendly."
"Quit worrying, Double D. All te have to do is act like Sonya. I’ll take the money from him and we’ll come back for te later."
"Me?!" Edd was aghast. "There is no way I am dressing up as a girl and performing in front of some killing freak!"
"Well I don’t think Ed would look too convincing!"
"No way, Eddy. No way."
"What about our money?"
"Some things are più important than money."
Eddy stopped after hearing this and looked at Edd. He was bewildered da the strange new behavior he was showing. But, whether o not he received help from him, he still wanted to get paid.
"Fine!" He said. "Ed and I will get the money! And all the Jawbreakers we buy will be ours!"
"I don’t care about the caramelle anymore! This is a little più serious than that! It isn’t worth risking your life for! Nothing is!"
"What’s wrong with you?" Eddy looked at him strangely. "You’re recitazione so irritable."
"Irritable?! te should see yourself!"
"Did te get your tongue stuck in your gap o something?"
Edd and Eddy’s asinine argument continued for quite some time. Their two friends, however, were busy with other activities. Ed was eagerly watching Sonya as she snuck up on Double D. He laughed in his imbecilic manner.
With her arm outstretched, Sonya touched Edd’s sock-like hat and pulled away quickly, incase he would turn and lash out at her. He never noticed though, so she proceeded to feel it once more.
"And another thing, Eddy," Edd continued. "You’re always bossing us around! Why do we have to do what te want to do?"
"Because I’m the brains of the outfit!" Retorted Eddy.
"You’re kidding, right? You’re the brains? I beg to differ!"
Senseless as the bickering was, it continued. But no matter how bad o loud it got, Ed could only laugh. Eddy soon found himself giggling also when he saw a small hand rise over the superiore, in alto of Double D’s head.
"What’s so funny?" Edd asked, still eager to argue.
Before Eddy could say anything, Sonya had grabbed the superiore, in alto of the black sockhat and pulled it off Edd’s head. Much to her surprise, he had been hiding più than what she expected. Happy with her cleverness, she began to tug on his sanguine shirt.
"Double D, your calzino is gone." Ed announced, as if no one knew.
Edd was not amused in the least. His already touchy mood had gone from bad to worse. With such ire and hostility, he turned and ripped his hat out of Sonya’s grasp and put it back on his head.
"Get away from me!" He snarled.
Not a word was spoken da anyone else. They stood Frozen with surprise at Edd’s sudden outburst of anger.
"I detto get away from me!" He repeated, lifting his hand as if he were going to strike her.
Sonya backed away from him, the expression on her face was that of a dog beaten with a leather belt. Her cuore sank like a lead balloon. She looked to the others for solace.
"Hey settle down, Double D." Eddy said. "She didn’t do anything."
"Shut up!" Edd yelled irately.
Unable to comprehend the abnormal behavior of her friend, Sonya could only think to do what she was told. She departed, running with a heavy heart, from the group. She paid no attention to where she was going.
"So, impossible as it may seem
You’ve got to fight for every dream
‘Cause who’s to know which one te let go
Would have made te complete"
Tormented with hurt feelings and tired legs, Sonya ceased her running. She stood, hunched over her knees and gasped for air. Though she hadn’t run far, it felt like she had sprinted a mile, and her broken cuore didn’t help much. Too tired even to cry, Sonya collapsed on the ground behind a large trailer. Her breathing was heavy and deep, and for the moment, that was all she could do. Breathe and stare straight ahead. Lying on her side on nothing but gravel wasn’t very comfortable, but all Sonya’s mental anguish blocked out thoughts of discomfort and physical pain.
It may as well have been hours that she stayed there, for that’s what it felt like. Every minuto was an eternity. Every secondo was ten times for agony and sadness. Wallowing in self-pity and depression got one nowhere though. Sonya knew this and she also knew that getting upset over such an ordeal was virtually pointless.
Pieces of rock and dust clung to her skin as she lifted herself off the ground. She brushed them away slowly and looked back toward the street. Edd and Eddy were still fighting and Ed was trying to figure out what was going on. Sonya glared at them, feeling as though she had been duped after being so loyal, especially to Edd. No matter though. It wasn’t the first time it had happened. Solving the problem was all a matter of moving on to the successivo town.
After getting up on them, Sonya found her legs to be quite wobbly. Her body was still drained. She needed to rest, but wouldn’t allow herself to do so. Staggering she tried to hold herself up da forcing her arm against the side of a trailer. No use. She was too weak to keep herself upright and fell to the ground once more.
Frustratingly, Sonya slammed her fist into the side of the vehicle. She did this several times, trying to compensate for her exhaustion. What she failed to realize, though, was that she had attracted some attention. A large, dark shadow fell over her, and only when it covered her entirely did she notice it.
A strong surge of adrenaline rushed through Sonya’s veins. Her cuore was racing and her hands trembled violently as she stared up at the body before her. She was trapped up against the side of the trailer with no place to go.
Edd, sick of arguing, sat sullenly on the curb. He began to regret some of the things he had said, even to Sonya. Though she plagued him with annoyances, she had been too nice to him. He couldn’t just let her go.
"What have I done?" Edd asked himself out loud. "Why did I say all those things to her? How could I do that?"
"Yeah it was pretty stupid." Eddy agreed. "I guess she won’t want to play at your house anymore."
Edd leaned inoltrare, avanti and rested his chin on his hand. He felt like a heel after having been so hostile toward his friends, and it was all he could think about. Nothing else phased him. His Frozen state of mind remained unaware of anything in the outside world, until he heard a bloodcurdling scream emanate from the entrance of the trailer park.
"Well, for me it’s waking up beside you
To watch the sunrise on your face
To know that I can say I Amore you
In any give time o place"
She was awakened da an uproar of clicks. The strange noise had pulled her out of unconsciousness, and she began to study her surroundings.
Her body had been tossed into a corner in a small room, furnished with pisello green carpeting, abhorrent furniture, and multiple holes in the bacheca behind her. Lining each hold, and covering most of the wall, was a reddish-brown stain. It reeked of smoke and blood.
Terrified, Sonya frantically began to cerca for an exit. She wasn’t sure where she was, but didn’t want to stay long enough to find out. Her eyes rapidly scanned the entire room for a door, and so continued the clicking.
The fonte of the sound came from the middle of the room. There, a tall man with a dark aura stood loading a small, black handgun. His gaze shifted toward Sonya, and he smiled.
A sharp Arrow of fear pierced Sonya’s heart. She backed herself farther into the corner, her sweaty hands slipping on the wall. Her entire body began to shake as Donovan approached.
"I had a feeling te were around here," He said, turning his gun and studying its smooth, black barrel. "You were with those boys, weren’t you?"
Sonya didn’t answer him. She just stared, bug-eyed, at the weapon he held so openly.
"Were you? Answer me!" He demanded.
Hesitating, beads of sweat began to form on Sonya’s forehead. She was unsure if telling Donovan about Edd and the others was a good idea, but she was too afraid to do otherwise.
"Yes, I was." Her voice was as shaky as herself.
"I knew it." Donovan lightly tapped the gun’s trigger. "Well I’ll take care of them later."
"No! They didn’t do anything!"
"You need not worry about it," He replied. "You’ll be dead da then."
Growing tired of the girl, Donovan extended his right arm and pointed the handgun at her head. Sonya immediately panicked. Her body tensed up and scenes of past events began to play in her mind. immagini of her parents’ merciless slaughter flashed before her eyes, and her life began to slip away as the gunshot sounded.
Loud was the painful scream that followed, but it was not from Sonya. As she lifted the lids of her eyes to see, there in front of her was the hero dressed in crimson. Black hat and all.
"Edd!" She cried.
As fate would have it, there he stood. His left sleeve now bore a hole where the bullet ripped away pieces of cloth and flesh. All down his arm were ruddy streaks of the blood he shed for another.
"You again?" Donovan growled.
Edd returned the angry stare with one of his own. For once, he knew no fear. Even as Donovan aimed his gun toward him, he refused to back down.
"Go to hell!" He shouted and applied pressure to the trigger.
Like a cyclone ripping through an open valley, Edd surged inoltrare, avanti and knocked the gun out of Donovan’s hand. However, he was not fast enough to dodge the impending rage of his enemy and received a hard blow to the jaw.
Edd stumbled backwards, trying to keep himself from falling. But Donovan flew at him and pounded him again. He continued to strike repetitively, each hit harder and più devastating than the last. Excessive amounts of blood disembogued from Edd’s mouth and nose. His intentions were still strong, but he was inevitably going to lose the battle. He was not strong enough to fight off someone larger than himself, and he tried miserably to get away. Donovan kept him down. Wrapping his hands around Edd’s neck he began to strangle him to death.
"Let him go!" Sonya shouted, holding up the gun that she now had possession of.
Donovan released Edd and moved away from him. He held up his hands, signaling that he would surrender. Sonya wrapped her fingers around the trigger, as if she might pull it. She knew in her heart, though, that she would never be able to do so. She wouldn’t allow herself to kill.
"What are te waiting for?" Donovan asked, sensing she was afraid. "Aren’t te going to shoot me?"
Sonya hesitated a moment, deciding a plan of action. She would never be able to let the bullet fly. Instead, she would make sure no one could use the weapon. As hard as she could, she threw the gun at the window. The glass shattered and fell to the floor in a shimmering cascade.
Satisfied with her choice, Sonya crawled over to Edd’s resting place on the floor. She lifted his bloodstained head and rested it on her lap. Looking down at his face, she smiled and wished he would look back at her.
"Edd," She detto softly. "Edd."
It was as if an Angel was whispering to him. Edd was almost too far-gone to even breathe, and yet, hearing his angel’s voice renewed his strength. He opened his eyes, despite the fact that the lids stuck tightly with the gluey blood that had dried around them.
Upon seeing Sonya’s face smiling down at him, Edd suddenly felt better. Though weak, he returned the gesture as best he could, but he could only pull his lips back far enough to reveal a few teeth and his gap. Sonya laughed.
"Very touching," Donovan sneered. "Too bad it has to end. te see, I’ve come prepared."
Reaching into his right pocket, the diabolical murderer pulled out another gun, similar to the one that had been tossed out the window. He then aimed it at his prey, laughing in a dark and ominous tone.
"How convenient. It’s like killing two birds with one stone." He said, slipping his index finger around the trigger.
Panicking, Sonya looked back down at Edd for a solution, but he knew not what to do. His expression was somber and his eyes had already begun to look glazed, as if he might die within moments. He tried to smile one last time, but couldn’t force it. All strength had left his body. He fell limp and his head dropped to one side.
A river of tears seeped from Sonya’s eyes. No longer could she orso the torture. She leaned inoltrare, avanti over Edd’s body, buried her face in his chest, and waited for her turn.
"It’s little things that only I know
Those are the things that make te mine
And it’s like flying without wings
‘Cause you’re my special thing
I’m flying without wings"
Upon the cold, hard ground fell a raindrop. Many più soon followed. They began to run into each other and formed small puddles. The constant liquid movement stirred up dirt and pieces of rock, creating a sloppy, muddy mixture.
In the distance, sirens sounded. They got louder and louder. A red light, spinning erratically, flashed its glow across the landscape. From the road came a large fleet of cop cars. They pulled into the trailer park and parked in front of one of the house-like vehicles.
Proudly riding atop the lead car was Mr. Bigmouth himself, sporting a megaphone, which he so cleverly wielded. Holding the unnecessary instrument, he yelled into the smaller end.
"This is the police! te are under arrest! Come out with your hands up!"
Nobody really paid any attention to him. One da one, each policeman and woman began to emerge from their car. They surrounded the targeted trailer, ready for who and whatever would come out of it.
"I don’t get it," Eddy said, putting down his megaphone. "Can’t they hear me in there?"
"Maybe they have wax in their ears!" Ed shouted, messing with the radio in one of the cars.
"Yeah, and you’ve got wax in your head."
Eddy jumped down and ran up to the door of the trailer.
"Hey!" He yelled into the megaphone. "Are te in there? I detto come out!"
Once again, there was no reply. Some of the cops began to laugh.
"Hello? Hello!" Eddy continued. "Lights on, nobody’s home!"
Irate and tired of waiting, he pushed open the door. There before his surprised eyes, in the middle of the room, was Sonya, Edd, and Donovan. Sonya lay crouched over Edd, still alive and trembling with fear.
"I’m almost too afraid to ask." Eddy said, his eyes as wide as cena plates.
"Get out of here!" Snarled Donovan, turning the gun toward him.
Screaming and flailing about frantically, Eddy threw his megaphone at Donovan and covered his head. The large, volume-increasing device flew across the room and smacked into the killer’s weapon hand, causing him to flinch and drop his gun. Abruptly after hearing the gripes of pain, Eddy looked up at what he had done. He was quite pleased with himself and stated his opinion very dogmatically.
"I guess I’m too smart for you, Donny boy!" He smiled.
Cleared of any danger, a brigade of cops pushed past Eddy and into the room. Each one was armed with a fucile and they stood, barrels pointed at Donovan, in a fixed position.
"Freeze!" Boomed a deep voice almost as loud as Eddy’s.
Donovan made no attempt to go after his fallen weapon. He looked over at Sonya, and then back at the police. There was nowhere to go and no other choice. Without speaking a word, he held out his hands in surrender. A corpulento, birra di malto man in uniform moved up and slapped a pair of shiny, silvery handcuffs on him.
"Let’s go!" He ordered, shoving Donovan toward the exit.
Several cops followed, but one stayed to help Eddy up.
"I guess I showed him who is boss!" Eddy boasted.
"Sure te did," detto the cop.
He stood up and walked up to Sonya. His shadow poured over her, and she looked up to see his smiling, yet concerned, face.
"Are te all right, young lady?" He asked politely.
She blinked twice and then looked back down at Edd.
"Oh, I see." The cop continued. "Don’t move, I’ll go call for an ambulance."
He departed quickly, leaving Sonya hanging over Edd. Eddy noticed his friend wasn’t moving and went over to see.
"Double D?" He called, but there was no answer.
Bending down, Eddy grabbed Edd’s arm and shook it. Again, no answer o reaction. Sonya began to cry.
"Come on, Double D. Get up!" He said.
At that moment, Ed burst into the room. He had heard the news and was deeply hurt.
"Double D! Double D!" He cried. "Don’t die, Double D!"
He grabbed his friend’s limp body and hugged it tightly.
"Say something!" He begged.
But their lifeless companion had nothing to give. He stirred not once as Ed laid him back down on the floor.
"Double D," He sobbed. "I can’t believe…"
Ed didn’t finish. He and the others could only look at their Lost comrade. They didn’t speak for several minutes, until Eddy noticed something.
"Hey, look!" He shouted, pointing at Double D. "I thought I saw him…"
"What?" Asked Sonya.
Eddy laid his ear against Edd’s chest. Sure enough, there was a heartbeat.
"He’s still alive! Double D is still alive!" He cried happily.
"Yay!" Ed bellowed joyfully, embracing Eddy and Sonya in a large group hug.
"Let go!" Eddy squirmed.
Ed released them and Sonya began to shake Double D.
"Wake up!" She said.
For a moment, there was nothing but still and quiet. Then, in an astounding leap from the brink of death, Edd slowly opened his eyes.
"Double D!" Ed yelled. "You’re not dead!"
Double D just smiled and let his lids fall halfway over his eyes.
"Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy." He yawned.
Words could not describe the relief and the joy Ed, Eddy, and Sonya felt to have their beloved friend back. They watched as he began to drift off the sleep. Outside, a new siren sounded. The ambulanza and its crew had arrived. Ed and Eddy rushed out to greet them. Sonya hugged Edd, pulling him closer to her.
"They’re here now," She detto softly. "It’s over."
Holding him tightly in her arms, she bent down and kissed his cheek. Edd smiled at this, eyes closed and breathing deep and slow as if he were already asleep. With all the energy he could find in his body, he slipped his hand into hers and, in a faint whisper, spoke the words: "I Amore you".
"And in this place I long to be
You’ll be where it ends
I’m flying without wings
And that’s the joy te bring
I’m flying without wings"