ᏚᎪNᏩᏚᏌᎬ

Chapter 3

"Wait Leo-!" Leonard closed the door on Edmund, he shut his mouth frowning, and sighed sitting in fear. He began to feel cold, rubbing his hands to warm them up. Why was it so cold all of the sudden? It was in the middle of a very hot summer, and suddenly the heat decided to drop to freezing.. It felt cold enough to snow... Was it cold before? It didn't feel cold until Leonard left. It was a small chill then, but now it was freezing.
The sudden stop of the carriage, and the mystery glop of red on the window scared Edmund out of his wits. He needed protection... And that was when Edmund's eyes flicked over to Leonard's cane, and he swiftly grabbed it holding it tight death grip. If any bastard tried to come in and hurt him, they'd get a bloody nose. So, he sat in the cold carriage, watching his breath slip from his mouth, and a violent shiver met him. "Damn.." He whispered.
He was freezing, and wishing Leonard would hurry before his fears got the best of him... And he'd begin... Assuming things...He felt as though his hands would freeze to his friend's cane... That would make an interesting tale to tell. In fact this scenario was like a story. A horror story.... Edmund's thoughts trailed back to the idea of Leonard being murdered in the middle of night.
He looked out the window in silence but couldn't help focusing on the sickly red liquid, still freshly dripping. Was it really... Blood...? He shook away the thought and looked past it, trying to see if Leonard was close by, but the red blob won, disturbing him, and causing him to quickly pull the curtain over the window. He couldn't help but feel a strong amount of lingering terror.
He shakily sighed, and laid back in his seat. He closed his eyes, and relaxed. Another violent shiver... It seemed colder now.

Leonard was taking too long.

Something must have happened.

He frowned in fear. "Oh god." He whispered, fog coming up from his mouth due to the cold. He had to see if he was okay, the thought of hiding in fear when his best friend was in trouble was very wrong to him.
He hesitantly reached for the door handle, and touched the metal. It was ice cold, and caused him to sharply draw back his hand. Edmund bit his lip, and grabbed the handle, slowly opening the carriage door "...Leo...?" He asked, it was like a whisper. He licked his chapped lips, and let out another shaky puff of air, trying again. "Leonard?" He asked louder. After a long silence he slowly peaked his head over the door, and Leonard wasn't anywhere to be seen.
His heart beat grew faster and he looked around "Leonard?!" He called out again, panic reached his voice. Edmund then had a better idea. The fool was messing with him. Yeah.... Yeah! That has to be it... It must be.. "I'm not afraid to bash your damn brains in!!!" He called out, his eyes still darted around, peering into the dark. "If you scare me I swear..." He muttered lifting Leonard's cane. Edmund feebly stepped out of the carriage, walking out a bit further staring wide eyed into the dark.
There was faint whimpering like sounds in a close by alley way. Edmund thought of a dog when he heard it, so thats what he assumed it was. "Hello? Puppy?" He asked shakily. Then whistled shakily from fear and cold, in hopes of calling over a scraggily old stray dog. The hopeful idea that a happy puppy would be there rather then something frightening, encouraged Edmund to walk closer.
But that was not what was in store for Edmund. A groan came from the ally way, calling Edmund's name, causing him to flinch, and lift the cane in defense, ready to swing. "Who's there?! Who are you?! Leo?!" He asked the dark. The groan became louder, the voice was strained with pain. "Edmund...?" The voice rasped. Then it all became clear.
Edmund felt his heart begin to race again, and he took off into the alley "Leo?!" He cried out as he ran, seeing seeing dark figure laying against the wall. It was Leonard, only a faint outline of yellow light from the lamppost in the distance hit him. But Edmund could see it was in fact Leonard. He was sweating heavily, he looked dazed. Almost as if he was... Swooning. A look of exhausted pleasure rested on his face as the fog from the cold showed his moist breath. Edmund kneeled down a little, "Leo...? Are you okay...?" He asked softly.
Leonard turned his head to look at him, and when he opened his mouth, a strand of dark thick liquid left it. Edmund froze. Was that what he thought it was. He stared at the black gunk, then quickly picked him up, grunting loudly. He was weaker then Leonard, so lifting him was no easy task. But he needed to see. He stood and rushed to the lamppost. Then his fears were confirmed. In fact much worse then expected.

Edmund stared at the black liquid, foaming and gleaming against his dear friend's mutilated neck.
As he carried him closer to the light, it began to show its true red tint.

Blood.

It covered Leonard's neck, tinted his teeth and lips, he exhaled the fleshy sent into Edmund's face as he was carried, it tainted the white collar of his dress shirt with ugly splatters, and dampened his coat. He was a complete blood bath.
Edmund trembled, His eyes widened, his jaw slowly dropped, his eye brows creased together, and he uttered out a weak cry. He quickly set him down on the ground. He had no idea what he should do, he placed his hand on the wound, causing Leonard's face to scrunch up in pain. "Sorry.. Sorry..." Edmund whispered, trying to stop the bleeding. "You'll be okay... It'll be okay Leo.." He shook. He couldn't stay calm, he was far too terrified. Fear had consumed him. Leonard was clearly dying. Edmund couldn't help but feel tears bubble up in his eyes, then spill down his cheeks. He moved his hand off Leonard's neck, looking at the blood on his hand, then back at his panting friend.
"I'm going to die...." Leonard whispered, "I want to die..." He shit his eyes. Edmund took Leonard's face into his hands, "N-No Leo! You gotta hold on!" He waited for a response but got none in return. He squeezed his face tighter. "C-C'mon buddy... Shit... HELP!!!! SOMEONE!!!" He called out in panic. His friend was dying.
"HELP!!!!!"
his dearest and only friend.
"SOMEBODY HELP US PLEASE!!!"
And no one could save him.
"Leonard... L-Leonard what do I do... Wh-what do I d-do.." He sobbed "HELP!!!!!"
Leonard gripped Edmund's collar pulling him "Edmund... Edmund..." He whispered, grabbing the attention of his curly haired friend. His grip became tighter. "No pain.." He whispered "..... No pain....." his eyes began fluttering, and his hand slid off his collar. Edmund went to say something, till Leonard loudly coughed out blood. Edmund screamed and cried for help... But when he looked back at his friend, he was gone. Edmund cried out, looking down at the dead body in terror. "HELP!!!! SOMEONE HELP!!!" He screamed, calling for someone. Anyone.