Blood in the Water

Chapter Sixteen

It was a few days before Christmas break when Edd got the first hint of trouble. Over the last few days the hairs on the back of his neck were raised whenever he was at school, and sometimes when he wasn't. He always felt like he was being watched, though there was never much to see. He scanned the areas as he passed between classes, but there were so many people that it was hard to tell if anyone in particular was staring at him.

He slipped between the people of the crowded halls, frowning as he went. It wasn't uncommon for him to frown, of course, but this time he had a reason. Perhaps he was just being paranoid.

But then it happened. At first he thought it was accidental, a stray collision in the hallway, shoulder-to-shoulder that drew Edd's attention. He was tall and wide, an athlete. His eyes were piercing and he flashed Eddward a malicious smile, "Sorry." He said and then he was gone.

That should have been the end of it but there was something unnerving about the fellow. Something about his eyes and his hair... Eddward would never admit that something was eating at him but this was different. Suddenly whenever he looked up as he felt that eerie sensation of being watched he would lock eyes with the strange young man.

He was always nearby.

He shared three of Edd's classes. During one he leaned over to the girl who sat next to him, "Who is that man?" Edd asked while pointing.

The girl was more shocked that Eddward was speaking to her, but she stumbled over her words, "Oh, um. That's Stephen." She said, "Why?"

He shook his head and returned to his work without another word.

During lunch that day Edd grabbed at Eddy's arm as they made their way towards their usual table. The shorter teen looked up with a disgruntled frown, "What's up sockhead?"

"First off: Refrain from calling me that." Edd stated firmly, "Second, I need you to do me a favor Eddy. I need you to pull someone's records for me, and do so quietly if you will." He pulled out a piece of paper which he had written the man's name, the class they shared and the period number, "I beseech you, do not tell anyone about this."

Eddy was obviously skeptical, "What's with all the hush hush?" he asked.

"Just...if you value our friendship, if you truly want a way to apologize to me, do this." It was a steep price for something so simple but if it would help assuage Edd's newfound paranoia then so be it.

Eddy took the paper, put it in his pocket and walked off. Edd turned and made his way in a different direction, though not before he caught sight of a pair of amber eyes. He swiftly ducked into his physics classroom, and remained there.

The next morning Edd tracked Eddy down once more as lunch was starting. The whole school was buzzing as it was the Thursday before they would be released. He stopped his friend in the hallway, "Here..." he started reaching for his backpack.

"Wait," Edd pulled him aside, then into his physics class. His teacher looked at them, but he never questioned Edd and so just let it be. "Alright, what did you find?"

Eddy rolled his eyes, "Sheesh, what has you in such a panic?" he asked, pulling a beaten up folder out of his bag, "Alright, I didn't know exactly what you wanted so I just grabbed everything I could." He pulled out a rather large stack of papers and handed them out, "If there's something you want to know about the guy, it's here. Can I go now?"

Edd nodded, taking the papers, "Yes, thank you Eddy."

Edd took the papers and went to go sit at the back of the class before he began to go through them. Eddy had pulled a surprising amount of information including school records, health records, several psychology reports. He would have to ask his friend how he even had access to get all of it.