Cold Lust

14: Gott Hilf Mir

~~.FLASHBACK.~~

----20th June 2009------

The sun shined bright, brighter than any day recorded. Leaves faltered down and waved the sombre-yellow rays of the white star above, which also faltered behind the yellow-gray stripes of the clouds above. Only at a peaceful pathway in the middle of everything walked none other than Rose, her hair down in a wolf-cut like any other day.  Only then she saw a silhouette at a small children's park, which should have been devoid of any visitors. A boy no older than fourteen, dressed in a black hooded jacket—bushy brown hair and pale skin was seen, doing what seems to be bullying a girl no older than him—perhaps even younger. She lay there rolled up as the boy placed his foot on her, calling her names and whatnot.

"You like that, dickhead!? Is this what you're into?" said the boy, taunting the poor girl with a wide grin. "Look at you! You're really into older men, aren't ya?"

Lifting his foot from her after a while, he walked away before bumping into Rose. Her eyes were the embodiment of disappointment, where he did not know how to react to such a meeting.

"Edd, what the hell were you doing?" She shot out as Eddy tried to turn away and run. "Why aren't you at home already? It's getting late."

Eddy stopped and turned back, his eyes widened with horror. "I... I uh-"

"If bullying girls a grade below you makes you tough then go for it, I guess," Rose helped the young girl get on her feet, her eyes a fall of tears. "...but I told you already not to roam around the streets till evening!"

"I was distracted," Eddy replied, his voice sorrowful. "I'm sorry for hitting her, p... please forgive me, sis."

She sighed. "Alright... come here," Rose gestured towards him "Let's go somewhere for a while."

Leaving the little girl alone at the park, they arrive at a nearby coffee shop not far from here. Rose ruffled Eddy's fluffy hair as they got to the entrance, due to his short stature all those years ago. The atmosphere around the coffee should bustled around them as they get seated at a quiet corner, far from which anyone suspicious could spot them at.

"What's been going on with you lately?" Rose began, her concern unwavering. "I've been looking for you all day!"

Eddy shifted uncomfortably, trying not to meet her eyes. "I... I don't know, honestly." he answered.

"What you mean don't know!?"

Eddy moved his gaze down the floor, the guilt inside him evident. "The smell of cigarettes won't go out the house since mom left for work," Eddy replied, his voice trembling. "So I just... went for a walk, I guess."

Rose's softened her tone for the time being. "...Then how come I saw you bullying some girl probably in fifth grade?"

His voice distorted even more. "She was y... young."

"So? What did she do to deserve that!?"

Eddy moved his gaze towards the window beside him. "I mean, she did nothing wrong..." he murmured. "I... It's just I like older women bette-"

Rose let out a groan of disappointment before he could finish. "My god... how many times do I have to say that this is unhealthy for you!?" she retorted, her discontentment evident. "And what even kind of excuse is that!?"

Eddy's expression was now evident, largely different from his smug and delinquent self. "I... I don't know."

"I'm not saying you should only date women younger than you," she continued. "But you have to cut down on this obsession, please! It's not healthy for you, Edd."