Chapter Text
The room was filled with the sounds of screams from a very pregnant woman. It was dark the only light coming from the few torches along the stone walls casting moving shadows over the room. Emi was squeezing the hand of her partner who was wearing a very worried look on his face. They had both prepared for this day but now that it was finally here he was panicking. What were you supposed to do when your partner was screaming in pain and crushing your hand with the power of a thousand suns? It was to his great relief when the healer walked into the room a light blue aura surrounding here causing the rooms color to shift to a slightly purplish hue. This was their first child and he was very worried for Emi. They had a whirlwind romance the past year instantly falling in love with each other. Every day had been better than the last up until the day she said she was pregnant and his world had dropped out from under him.
He had never told her his secret and he was afraid now it was to late. Looking down at her beautiful faces framed by bright red hair topped with fluffy fox ears. Her tails spread out underneath her spilling over the side of the bed. She was everything he had ever wanted and he was nothing like what she thought. Praying to every god and deity he could think of he only wanted her to survive the night. Then he would tell her everything. He watched as the healer moved her hands over Emi the blue aura seeping out and surrounding her. The screams subsided turning into soft whimpers though her breathing was still very ragged. Her eyes found his and he saw fear in them and it broke his heart instantly.
"There is something wrong we must hasten the birth or we will lose her." The healers voice was calm but he did not miss the hint of panic he could see in her eyes.
She began to chant in a language he did not know her aura turning to a deeper blue and flaring out to fill the room. Emi's breathing was becoming more shallow. Her hand that had been moments ago gripping his with incredible strength was now limp. In his desperation he called out to his kin for help and the room flashed with a bright white light throwing the healer back against the wall. When her vision returned she was in the room alone except for the small child left crying atop the bed where her patient was only moments ago.
*****
The click-clack sound of his skateboard was echoing into the early morning as he traveled along the boardwalk. The heat had yet to overtake the cool breeze from the ocean which he was very grateful of. He had deliveries to make and was hoping to have them done before the sun hit its peak for the day. Feeling the wind rush past him as he sped past arcades and shops just opening was one of his all time favorite feelings. Shifting his weight to the back of his board he came to a skidding stop in front of a slightly rundown burger joint just called "The Grill". Only locals ever visited as its appearance repelled the more upper class tourist that usually arrived in the summer. Stomping down to pop his board up into his hand he proceeded to walk to the rear entrance.
"Yo Scat wake up. I got your order!!" He shouted while also banging on the door.
It only took a moment for sounds to be heard on the other side. Locks clicked before the door was slowly pulled open revealing a skinny figure who some would easily mistake as an old man.
"Do you know what time it is Ed? Why do you always come here first? I know you have other orders.." Scats voice trailed off as he took the bag being handed to him.
"You know exactly why I do it. Its almost time to start opening up and if I didn't come to you first you wouldn't open until half the day was gone." Ed responded with a smug smile knowing that no one ever came here before the evening started.
"I hate you so much right now. Here take the money and bug someone else kid." He shoved the money in Ed's hand before slamming the door shut.
"I'm not a kid.." Ed mumbled to no one as he walked back to the boardwalk.
He was fifteen at least he thought that was what they told him at the boys home. Pushing that out of his mind Eddie made his way towards the shore homes off the boardwalk. Next stop was Mr. Peterson who he never actually saw. The directions were always open the mailbox with the four digit code and exchange the money inside for the bag. It was a pretty straight forward job and it was something he had been doing for about two years now. He would skateboard around the island and drop off or exchange the bags for money. Sometimes the people were there waiting while others were more like Mr. Peterson leaving instructions on where to leave it. After a couple of hours he had nothing more to deliver except for the large wad of cash burning a hole in his pocket. No matter how long he had been doing this he hated the next part. Meeting with his benefactors was unpleasant to say the least.
Walking up to the corner house with the board tucked under his arms Eddie took a deep breath. On the outside it looked like any other upscale shore home. There was a wrap around porch that took up most of the bottom portion of the home. Its roof was flat with a type of deck on top where you could just see the umbrella peeking over the side. Painted a sky blue with fancy Victorian accents in the window arches it would be a dream home except Eddie knew the people who lived there. It belonged to the Gargano family and he was on his way to meet the oldest son of Vincent Gargano who was rumored to be a high level mob boss. His son Donny was who had roped him into to making these deliveries years ago. At first he thought it was just a few older kids trying to look out for him. Help him get some extra money since living at the boys home meant he was essentially poor all the time. It took a couple months to find out what he was delivering and when he tried to back out he did not go to well. He still had the scar across his chest from them making a point. Sighing he walked up to the door and knocked.
"Donny, The kids here should I let him in?" was the only response Eddie got after knocking. He could hear a muffled reply followed by the locks clicking and the door opening.
He walked past the daily muscle that watched the door with no more then a cursory glance. Knowing the way he walked through the living area down a short hallway towards the kitchen. It was a large space with one wall taken up by a marble counter that was cut in the middle by the stove and sink. There was an island in the middle with a few stools around where he found Donny as always. It looked like every open space in the room had something on it be it old dirty dishes used food containers or empty bottles of beer. The smell that assaulted him was always hard to handle. He learned at a young age that his sense of smell was a lot stronger than most. Making his way to the island he took a seat across from Donny dropping the money onto the only clean surface in the room. Donny looked like your typical rich kid with wavy blonde frat boy hair and a muscular build. He was average height only a little taller than Eddies five foot nine. You could mistake him for any twenty something if it wasn't for that hollow look in his grey eyes. A look that only could come from a very dark place.
"You always do me proud kid. No issues today? Anyone hassle you?" he asked Eddie knowing that "anyone" meant the cops. He shook his head no in response.
Donny grabbed the money and slowly counted while Eddie sat with his head down eyes on the spot in front of him. After a few moments a small wad was pushed into his view which he quickly grabbed stuffing into his pocket. Knowing that his business for today was done he got up to leave only to be stopped by Donny reaching out to grab his wrist.
"Hold up there kid we're not done yet." The tone was one Eddie had not heard since the night he tried to back out and now he was scared.
"Oh don't look at me like that I am not going to hurt you. Sit down." As he sat down Donny gestured with his right hand and a girl Eddie hadn't even known was there handed him a small black case. "I have a special project for you. I need you to deliver this case on Friday to the address on this card." As he spoke he slid both the case and the card towards Eddie.
The case looked like what kids in the eighties would put their lunches in for school. He thought that was just his mind trying to overlook what could actually be inside. Eddie knew that he had spent the last couple of years delivering drugs to the locals on the island. He even knew which of his deliveries were drugs of the more dangerous variety by the manic and desperate looks of the ones snatching the bag from his hands. Shifting his attention to the card he picked it up only to see an address for what he knew was the very north tip of the island and as far as he remembered there was nothing out there.
"Look kid this one is easy alright. You take the case you drop it off at that address and when you get back I give you a thousand bucks." Donny said it so casually it took Eddie a moment to process the deal.
"A thousand bucks?? Are you serious?" He didn't realize he had shouted that until it bounced off the walls in the mostly silent room.
"Yea kid that's what I said. You have been working for us for awhile now and its time to move up to the big time. After this there will be more jobs with similar pay outs. So don't fuck this up. Got it?" Even though there was a smile on Donny's face Eddie knew that there was no room for error here.
"Alright Donny. No worries you know me I will get it done." He was able to get out in what he hoped sounded confident.
"Good now get out of here I got shit to do." With that Eddie practically ran out of the house before dropping his board and taking off down the street.
*****
Eddie headed straight to his little home away from home to stash the case before he had to deliver it later in the week. Walking down the ridiculously long beach after leaving the boardwalk behind Eddie couldn't help but be curious what was in the case. As his mind started to run through more and more wild ideas he forced himself to stop. There was one rule that was always enforced. "Do not open the package". It didn't matter if he knew what was in it or not you did not open anything. You were to deliver and take the money end of story. Up ahead he could see the old pier that was rarely ever used by anyone but the occasional fisher. It extended out into the ocean for what looked like almost half a mile to him. After decades of being battered by the winds and waves it was a testament to whoever built it that it was still standing. Of course there were missing planks all along it with others little more than slivers of bark but to him it was perfect. Making his way underneath he made his way towards the point that the pier stretched out from the beach. Just underneath the beginnings of the pier was an old drainage pipe that was meant to connect to a never built chemical plant.
Why they needed a pipe big enough for someone to walk into he would never know but was thankful all the less. Climbing inside he made his way about twenty feet in where it opened into a square box of a room that he guessed would of been some kind of overflow or filtering room. Now it was his little hideout. Over the years he had managed to get a small beat up mattress a foldable beach chair and a little table into the room without anyone noticing. It wasn't much but it was his and that was all that mattered to him. Lifting up the mattress he placed the case underneath of it before flopping down to mentally plan out the rest of his day. With the cash he now had he could possibly get himself some real food instead of the mush they served at the home. Except he needed to new wheels for his board or he would be walking everywhere soon.
With a sigh he got up grabbed his board and headed back out to the skate shop. It was only about a mile down the road from the hideout which was something he loved. No matter where on the island you were nothing was to far away that you couldn't walk there if you needed to. The shop itself was a nice little building that was done up to look like an old surf shack you would find on the beach. The front had racks of generic surf boards and bikes that the tourist could rent for far more than should be allowed. Inside the back wall was filled with skate decks and surf boards on tiny hooks. There was a large counter that went the length of the wall made of glass and filled with skate trucks, wheels, bearings, board wax, and everything you might need. The rest of the shop had clothing racks that held your typical tank tops and t-shirts with LBI stamped across them and other tourist trinkets. Eddie walked right up to the counter knowing what he needed.
"What's up old man I need a new set of wheels. Do you have any of the spitfire wheels that won't break my bank?" He asked the man behind the counter.
"Oh piss off kid I am not old. I am not even thirty yet." The man snapped back
"Come one Gus you have more gray hair than Gandalf did in Lord of the Rings."
"One of these days that mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble. You are just lucky I like you." Gus said not able to hide the smile on his face.
Eddie had been coming here for as long as he could remember and Gus was always behind the counter to help him out.
"Here you go Ed brand new formula four blue print wheels. Best you can get for all the skating around the island you do. Going to be forty bucks."
He pulled out the wad of cash from this morning and counted out the forty dollars handing it over to Gus. That left him with another twenty that he could use to get himself something to eat. Taking the wheels he moved over to the end of the counter and flipped his board over to change out his wheels. Pulling out his truck tool he started to unscrew the bolts while Gus was staring at him with a look he knew all to well. Here we go again.
"Are you still doing runs for the Garganos?" the man asked quietly
"You know I am Gus. It's not like I can just stop. You remember what happened when I did." He replied through gritted teeth. It was Gus he had run to that night after they had beat him. Not looking up from his board he missed the sad expression that crossed the man had.
"Ugh I know kid I know. I just wish you weren't mixed up with them. You should be out enjoying your summer you know? Being a kid." His California surfer accent had kicked in as he spoke which always made Eddie smile.
"I am not a kid anymore and haven't been for a long time. Growing up in a home and on the streets will do that to you." he could not keep the bitterness out of his voice. Gus was silent after that knowing that they had this conversation on many occasions and there was really nothing he could do. Eddie was stuck and that was just how life was. Finishing up with the wheels he tossed his old ones in the trash and turned to leave.
"Later Gus." He said without looking back
"Be safe kid." was all the man said though Eddie didn't hear it as he was already out the door.
Every time they had the conversation he found himself instantly angry. What did Gus know about anything? The man had grown up with parents who loved him. He had gone to school learned how to surf and skate then moved to the east coast to open his own shop to live the good life on the beach. What did he know about not being wanted? About having to scrape by on the charity of others? That was when he felt it a burning inside of him that he knew meant he needed to calm down. It was a feeling that scared him and only ever happened when he was feeling strong emotions be it anger sadness or even fear. Always starting out in his chest as a low heat. The longer he allowed the emotion to take over the hotter it would get until he felt like he was going to melt inside. Taking deep breaths and closing his eyes Eddie concentrated and clearing his mind. Over the years he had gotten pretty good at this out of desperation to stop this feeling from happening. After a few short minutes it was gone and he was able to breath normally once more. 'What is wrong with me' he thought to himself not for the first time.
It was getting close to late afternoon now so he decided it was time to head back to the boardwalk and grab something to eat. His stomach decided to make a low growling sound as if to let him know that was a good idea. Twenty minutes later he was sitting at a table outside a taco stand digging into some much needed sustenance while simultaneously trying to fend off the damned seagulls who thought any and all food on the boardwalk belonged to them. As he flailed one arm while using the other to quickly eat he heard a laugh from behind him. Turning his own face broke into a grin at seeing one of his only friends standing there.
"Hey Justin what's up? I thought you were still grounded after the whole Tracy thing." The boys parents had caught him in a very compromising position with his girlfriend a month ago and had grounded him indefinitely.
"Yea well they finally let me out this morning. I am supposed to meet up with Tracy in a few at the park want to come?" Justin asked. They had known each other since first grade having been in the same class every year afterwards. He was the only person who didn't make fun of Eddie for living in the boys home which to be honest was just the local church and he was the only one living there. Justin was a bit shorter than Eddie and slightly rounder having not outgrown his baby fat yet. His hair was a dark red resting on his head like a brilo pad.
"Sure why not. I just finished eating and I could use to get away from these damn birds." He replied getting up and grabbing his board. "Did you bring you board with you?"
"Nope you know I hate that thing. Still can't believe you talked me into buying the thing. Whenever I step on it I am on my ass ten seconds later." He replied with a playful shove.
"You are not that bad. Plus how are you going to get better if you never bring it with you?"
"Yeah Yeah let's go. I haven't seen Tracy in weeks and its killing me."
"Oh you poor poor boy. Missing your little girlfriend." Eddie said while making kissing noises. Which earned him another shove and a smile from his friend.
"Shut up. You are just jealous. Oh and Rebecca is supposed to be with her today." Justin said
"Well what are you waiting for man lets go?"
Rebecca was a girl he had a crush on for years and everyone knew it. He knew he stood no chance considering his circumstances but he would never pass up an opportunity to be around her. As they headed towards the park they caught up on what the other had been doing for the past month and eventually the conversation came back around to his side job like it always did.
"You know if we go to my dad you would be safe and could get out?" Justin said. His dad was the local sheriff and knew exactly who the Garganos were and what they were about.
"It wouldn't work. I have no proof they are doing anything at all except taking money I give them. I pickup the deliveries from a lackey who would gladly go to jail for the family. They are untouchable or your dad would have gotten them on something already."
"I just hate knowing you are doing it. Its not safe and I worry one day you won't come back from one of your runs." His friend said with sincere concern in his voice.
"Look I get that you worry, but it is fine. I have a set number of runs and it helps me out with money in the long run. Plus it's not like I have a choice. So can we just forget about it and have some fun today?" Eddie asked giving Justin his best puppy dog eyes.
"Ugh fine just stop looking at me like that its creepy." Justin replied with a laugh.
It wasn't long that the park was in sight and to Eddies dismay it was very busy today. He prided himself on keeping to himself and that was much easier when he avoided people. Then he caught a glimpse of Rebecca which immediately brightened up his mood. His pace had sped up which he hoped Justin thought was just him trying to keep up with his friend who was currently sprinting towards Tracy. He smiled at the two of them as they always struck him as the high school sweet heart types that would love each other forever. Tracy was the same height as Justin with waist length golden blonde hair and a slim cheerleader figure. Eddie really only had eyes for her friend though. Rebecca stood off to the side with an exasperated look on her porcelain skinned face. How she was so perfect he could not understand. Her hair was a beautiful deep red that would lighten as she spent more time in the sun. It was matched with green eyes which and full lips. Eddie could go on for hours about her and had just realized he was staring at her again luckily she hadn't noticed.
"Hey there Becca. Been awhile since I have seen you. How are things?" He tried to sound nonchalant and wasn't sure he had succeeded. She turned those eyes he loved on him with a look that was more annoyed than anything else. Of course Eddie was oblivious to this fact.
"Great not only do I get to watch my best friend lower herself with this neanderthal I am expected to entertain his friend again." Tracy and Justin had finally come up for air.
"C'mon Rebecca don't be like that we are here to have fun." Tracy scolded her friend.
"So what do you guys want to do? We could hit the beach go for a swim?" Justin suggested.
"We didn't wear our suits today so that is a no go. Hmmm want to watch a movie?" Tracy responded. Rebecca was getting obviously more annoyed with each passing second. Eddie took a shot in the dark.
"You guys want to chill at my hideout? I think I might have some booze stashed we could share." He was rewarded with a raising of an eyebrow from the only one of the three that mattered and his insides flipped. After a bit of discussion everyone agreed and he led them all down the boardwalk and across the beach to the abandoned pier. As they all stepped into the drain pipe he couldn't help but smirk as he watched Rebecca try not to touch anything.
"Pretty cool little place you have here man. How come I never knew about this?" Justin asked.
"I don't never came up I guess. This is where I go to get away from everything and you know I like to be alone.." His words trailed off as he shrugged.
"Where is the booze you said was here? I am going to need it if I am going to get away how dirty this place is."
"My apologies princess but it's not dirty it's lived in there is a difference." This caused a laugh to escape Tracy as he bent behind his mattress to pull out the bottle of black label he had been tipped with from a customer last month. Passing it around they each took a swig in silence the only sound the gasp and grimace of teenagers drinking hard liquor for the first time. Slowly they all relaxed and started talking about how their summers had been.
"We took a trip to France only just getting back earlier this week. It was beautiful there and the food was amazing." Rebecca was saying. It always amazed him how someone with such a privileged life was talking to him let alone hanging out. He really would have to thank Justin for hitting it off with Tracy. They all met at the private high school they attend. It was due to Justins parents being a sheriff and a doctor that he was able to go as well. Eddie on the other hand attended the public school and only when he felt like it.
"That must have been nice. We just had family down from New York and spent the days on the beach. Though it would have been better if my boyfriend could have joined me." Tracy said with a small smirk.
"Hey its not my fault my dad is a hard ass. You are looking he allowed me out of the house at all." Justin said with mock anger. Eddie was just laying back enjoying the company for once.
"What about you Ed? What have you been up to this summer." He was surprised to see that it was Rebecca who had asked.
"Well uhm I kind of have a job that I do most of the time. When I am not doing that I try to spend my time here. The church is nice and all but it is just a place to sleep its not home. You guys are pretty lucky to have families." Staring off at the ceiling he knew that he had just brought the mood in the whole room down if the silence meant anything.
"Hey what's this?" Rebecca asked the room.
Sitting up he saw what she was holding with just enough time to watch her open the black case from Donny.
"Noo wait!!" he shouted causing three heads to snap in his direction as he angrily snatched the case out of her hands. "That is not yours. You can't just go opening things that don't belong to you." His tone was harsh but he didn't care. He was screwed now. You never open the package and whoever he delivered this to was going to know.
"Shit Shit Shit!!!" Without looking he slammed the case closed noticing that it no longer latched properly causing a groan to escape his lips as he collapsed back to his bed.
"What the hell man? It is just a box get over yourself." Shouted Rebecca whom finally gathered herself from the initial shock of being yelled at. "Lets get out of here Tracy."
She stood up without looking back causing Tracy to scramble to her feet to follow her. Eddie turned to what he knew was his only friend to see a conflicted look in his eyes. With a sigh he nodded his head in the direction of the entrance smiling.
"I'm sorry I ruined the hang out. Go after your girlfriend. Ill be around like I always am."
"Thanks man. Sorry about Becca you know how she can be."
"Oh I do and I am pretty sure I just ruined any chance I would have had with her."
"Its cute that you thought you had a chance at all." Justin said with a laugh before darting out of the room as Eddie threw a pillow at him.
What was he going to do now? The delivery had to made tomorrow. He resigned himself to deliver it as is and if the person asked he would just simply tell the truth. Not like they saw anything anyways. I mean what could they do? Just asking that question in his mind gave him a chill that ran up his spine. Was he really that stupid that he would tempt fate like that? Eddie curled up on the mattress deciding that he wasn't going back to the church tonight. Drifting off to sleep he didn't notice that the burning feeling was starting to stir deep within him again.
*****
Eddie had woke up sticky with sweat having spent the night in his concrete tomb of a room. Stepping out into the morning breeze was a blessing how it instantly chilled his skin. He had his board in one hand and the case in the other. Resigning himself to just get this over with he headed off to the north end of the island. The sound of his board clicking over each slab of sidewalk was soothing to him. He decided to just enjoy the wind as it rushed by him carrying the smell of the ocean. The farther along the island he went the more rural it became. Once you ventured far enough away from the center where all the tourist attractions were you started to hit the normal neighborhoods. Starting with the more high end rich homes all the way down to the small modular houses at the tip.
Looking down at the card then back to the building in front of him Eddie was not sure if he was at the right place. Looming over him was what looked to be some kind of abandoned warehouse that looked as if it once was a boat repair shop. Donny told him to drop the package off but didn't say anything about picking up any money. Was that on purpose? He always told him to get the money after the delivery why not this time. Should he just leave it? It was this Eddie lost in his head trying to make a decision that was shocked when a voice broke the morning silence in front of him."
"Good Morning young man. Can I help you?" The voice was that of a woman and it caused him to physically jump back dropping his board. "Oh dear I didn't mean to scare you. Are you alright?"
"Oh yes ma'am. I'm fine. I have a delivery and I wasn't sure if this was the right place or not." He was just now realizing that he did not know where this woman had appeared from. Once moment it was him and his thoughts and the next she was standing only a few feet away from him. Was he that caught up in his head? Taking a closer look he saw that the woman looked to be older maybe late forties if he had to guess. What was the most striking was that her hair was pure white almost blindingly with the sun reflecting off of it.
"I was expecting something." As she said that he reached into his pocket to pull out the card Donny had given him.
"This is where I am supposed to go." He handed the card over and he saw her face light up. It was unsettling to look at but he could not put his finger on why that was.
"You are in the right place. I have been waiting for so long to get my hands on this particular specimen." There was the desperation that he was used to hearing in the voice of the usual addicts he delivered to. He handed over the case with his fingers crossed that she didn't notice the clasp. Of course the universe hated him and she instantly went to open the case only to find the lid already slightly ajar. Her expression changed once more with her brows furrowing coupled with a scowl taking over her mouth.
"You opened it? I was told that this would not happen? Did you see what was inside?" There was a frantic plea in her voice as she looked into his eyes.
"No a friend of mine opened it on accident. None of us looked inside. I took it from her and immediately closed it without looking at it. I know the rules. I'm sorry." Her face softened before she responded.
"No worries young man everyone makes mistakes. Well run along now I am sure you have better things to do." He sighed with relief before turning and picking up his board.
"Thank you ma'am. Have a great day." He turned to look at her as he said bye only to catch a final look at her eyes that were now a black void of nothing. Her hand was raised and stretched out towards him. What frightened him was the black haze that was surrounding said hand. The woman said something in some kind of guttural language and then the darkness took over.
*****
"Make sure he is strapped down."
"Yes Mistress"
"Good Good. Is the spell circle completed?"
"Yes Mistress"
"Let us begin than."
Something was buzzing in his ear and he did not know what it was. No not a buzzing it is a voice but it was speaking something he did not understand. The voice was getting louder and now he recognized it as the woman with the black case. Eddie worked up the courage to open his eyes immediately thinking he should not have. He found that he was strapped to a table of some kind surrounded by people in deep purple robes. Counting 6 people not including the woman he could not process what was going on.
"What are you doing? Let me go!!!" He struggled against the ropes only causing them to tighten even more. A sharp blow to his jaw was the only response he got from his outburst. Taken in the room he saw that it was rather small with large stones making up the walls. It was lit up in a purple light that was coming from below him. Now everyone in the room had joined into the chanting which made him start to panic.
The woman was still holding the black case which was now open in front of her. There was a similar purple light coming from inside the box and it pulsed with the light from below him. Reaching in the woman pulled out a syringe that held a swirling liquid that was giving off an unnatural glow. His panic spiked coupling with his fear. The burning that he felt sprang forth inside his chest stronger than ever before. There was no getting his breathing under control and he was not sure that he really wanted. Suddenly the chanting hit a peak. The syringe was now being pressed against his arm as his heart raced. The heat was unbearable this was it he was going to die. Something broke inside of him he felt it. A cracking sensation just under his ribs was audible to his ears. Instantly the heat he had always felt burned hotter and more fierce than ever before. With a roar from somewhere deep within him the fire exploded out.
Slowly he started to be able to feel his body again. First it was his fingers and toes before it slowly spread to the rest of him. He put a hand on his head taking a comical minute before realizing that he was no longer tied down. Sitting up with a groan as sharp pains shot through him he took a look at the room. It was a disaster. All the people that had been surrounding him including the woman were all laying in still heaps against the walls. It looked as if a bomb had gone off and he was at the center of it. He had to get out of here. He needed to get back to Donny. He would fix this. Right? He knew it didn't matter he would have to get back there one way or another.
Getting to his feet he scrambled out of the room quickly hoping that no one else was between him and the exit. Running down the corridor then up a set of stairs he burst out into the shell of the abandoned warehouse from when he first arrived. The sun was still up if a little higher in the sky then it had been. That meant he was only down there for a few hours if that. Looking down he expected his clothes to be singed or burnt off but was pleasantly surprised to find there was no damage. While he was inspected himself something caught his eye. His shadow looked a little funny. What was coming out of his back? Twisting to look at what he could of his back Eddie couldn't help but break out in hysterical laughter. When did he grow tails?