Thanks so much to reviewers of last chapter: Guest, cartoons22 and CelticQueen09. Admittdely, I haven't written this story in ages, and am a bit unsure of whether I should continue or just leave this chapter as a bittersweet ending. Anyways please read, review and tell me what you think, enjoy!.

Panting, Edd stumbled and winced as he rounded the corner, hoping to have finally evaded the other two once and for all. They just didn't understand, they were really caring friends but they'd never understand, he needed this. He wasn't like other guys, he panicked all the time, he was lonely all the time, and he was depressed all the time. Ever since that party when he was 12 he'd known what he needed to take the edge off, what he need to keep going and feel useful and wanted within the world.

Rounding another corner and entering a rather unkempt part of his hometown, Edd began to feel calmer, convinced he must have shook his friends off by now. He knew they only worried because of the bruises but it didn't hurt, not really, one injection and he'd be completely numb anyway...

Glancing around himself for one final check, Edd slowed and stopped at a particularly rundown looking house, the lights were out but he knew the person was in, he had to be.

Dusting himself off, checking his breath and trying his best not to visibly limp, Edd walked up the drive, stopping at the murky yellow door and ringing the doorbell. He waited, no response… Edd gave another ring, still no response. Beginning to panic, Edd began to ring continuously, his other hand twitching nervously. Suddenly lights turned on and shone through the windows, an angry voice muttering swear words could be heard as the owner walked to the front door.

Edd's breath quickened as he excitedly watched the door slam open with such force the hinges seemed near ready to come loose. "Do you have any idea how fucking late it is?!".

Edd bit his lip and looked at the floor, subconsciously rubbing his covered up tract strewn arm, "I-I'm sorry, I-I just, I missed you".

The male who'd answered smirked sarcastically "Missed me? You mean you missed this", the guy made a gesture with his hand as if holding a small needle.

Edd shifted slightly, "Please let me in, you know I'll do anything you want". The man continued to grin, "You know what I want".

Edd nodded hastily "And you know what I want, s-so we'd be even".

The guy glanced around outside before letting Edd through, "Come in then, I'll give you the stuff first, make you feel really good". Edd forced a smile as he stepped in, "Thank you". The guy raised a hand against Edd's bony back and gave a violent shove, "No problem girlfriend".

The Next Morning:

Eddy and Ed glanced up as Double D (Dressed in a black baggy hoodie he definitely hadn't had on yesterday) painfully shuffled into math class, handed the teacher a late excuse note from his 'parents' and walked over to his seat between Eddy and Ed.

Not bothering to acknowledge them he kept his head down, took his maths book out his bag and began to copy from the board.

Eddy pulled a face at Ed who shrugged back, not knowing what to say. Eddy checked to make sure the teacher wasn't watching before yelling in a hushed voice, "We spent three hours straight searching for you last night Sockhead, what the hell were you thinking?!".

Edd continued to write, "I merely was thinking of getting what 'I' needed, I apologise if you two don't understand, but that gives you and Ed absolutely no right to judge me".

Eddy and glared at Edd, "No right to… Fuck that shit D! Ed was terrified last night, you jumped out a two storey window, just so you could go get high!".

Edd stopped writing, quickly looking up to Eddy, "Don't say that in class someone might hear you!". Eddy stared for a minute, disgusted at the new cut lip and bruised cheek that now adorned his once sensible friend's face, "You know what? Maybe they should hear, maybe I should go tell the teacher right now, I might as well tell somebody cuz me and Ed sure can't help you!".

Edd looked away muttering, "Tell anyone and I'll run away".

Eddy sneered, "Yeah, sure, go run back to your dealer I'm sure he'd just 'love' to have some random stoner crash at his place!". Edd didn't answer and the three remained silent for the rest of class.

It was break after maths, Ed and Eddy followed Edd outside, managing to get an area away from other students so they could talk in private.

Edd raised his bruised face to them and forced a smile, "So, you fellows seen the new English room yet?".

Eddy shook his head "Don't change the subject D". Edd frowned, "My business is my business, you have no right to force me to stop if I don't want to".

Edd tried to walk away but was stopped by Ed stepping in front of him. Ed hadn't stopped whimpering like an injured dog since Edd had first limped into class and the idea of them splitting up as friends was more that he could bare. Ignoring what Eddy had told him, Ed shot forward and threw his arms around Edd, "Double D, the dark side is taking you, please don't go".

Edd froze up before letting out a sharp scream, causing many passing students to stop and stare. Edd seemed blind to the stares as he pulled and shoved at Ed's tight grip, "Let go of me, don't touch me, don't touch me, don't-". Double D broke down and began to quietly sob, Ed released his hold, looking confused and forlorn, "I'm sorry dee, I just-".

Double Dee continued to quietly cry, wrapping his arms around himself and leaning back against the stone wall behind him.

Eddy put a hand on Ed's shoulder "It's ok big guy". He turned to Edd, "Is this how you want it? How you want to feel for the rest of your life? Look at you you're a mess, why don't you want to stop".

Edd sniffled, "I do Eddy, this has gotten out of hand, I truly do want to stop". Eddy stared confused, "Then why-". Edd sighed, breaking Eddy off,

"I want to stop... I just can't".

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