The Other Side of Terror
Time was passing by slower than it ever has before. Ed's analog wrist watch reads 1:31pm, only 8 minutes have passed by then. The emergency vehicles had rolled up sirens blazing which was a pretty good response time.
Uniformed people ran around with the words EMT and paramedics written on their back. A lot of people had minor injuries as the car used a shop front as its cushion (Including the driver). The medical help was only alerted to the bloody carnage after screams spread like wildfire as the people saw it.
Ed sat on the curb 10 feet away from the destroyed corpse still in shock. When he removed the flesh hanging off of him he realized that it was some length of small intestine wrapped around him. He dry heaved as he cleaned a little of the blood off with the mildewy grass.
Quickly Ed was surrounded by 2 Emts and a paramedic. Flashing a small flashlight in his eyes a few times the paramedic that had a name tag that read Greer Maggie kept asking Ed a question that he missed a few times.
"Hey, hey, hello, is everything alright" The paramedic looked worried as she continued to examine Ed noticing his pupils are dilated, his skin seemed pale, he was also spacing out, all with a very fast heartbeat.
"Shit he's in shock, let's get him more comfortable and cleaned up."
Ed was having a hard time getting his words out as he quickly rambled his story out stuttering a few times. "And then they were gone, not even red mist or anything, just gone, I took a look to my left and there was, that." Ed finished By pointing at the gruesome scene in front of him.
Ed got most of the blood off him along with a new shirt thanks to the medics help, Ed was also instructed not to eat or drink anything right now as they went to look after other people.
With thoughts darker than he has ever had before he looked around for the rich guy. He was sitting in the back of an ambulance bed with a heavy blanket on him, multiple people gathered around and the word panic attack and shock were said loudly. He is now, instead of arrogant like in front of the people who helped, extremely sensitive and fallible.
Ed and maybe a few others realized that he was putting on a show for the police and medics, the people with some power and authority. 'He must be thinking he's getting out of this, well he's not as I'm a witness to what he's done and others are witness to his initial behavior, hes done.' Ed thought hopefully, but even that reality came crashing down as he saw the police officers that were interviewing the man walk away like all business had been concluded.
"Yeah, we'll see you in a couple at the hospital Mr. Denet you won't have to worry bout this much." It seemed to be a seasoned officer saying this right in the earshot of at least 10 people, but it only seemed like it was Ed who actually just understood the gravity of what the officer just said. He was letting this child killer, family destroyer go free of charge, and even worse than that the officer had a voice of reverence as he was proud he could help this monster.
No one even batted an eye at what this officer said all complacent in his actions, these people who Ed thought were good, actually didn't care. They were just in another day of their life only concerning themselves. Who cares about the family that got eviscerated, who cares about holding the man accountable, who cares about speaking up when you can stay silent and safe.
Getting up fast and furious Ed rushed a few feet to the center of the medical triage point and started a tirade pointing towards the now completely calm rich man, he even was smiling every now and then.
"MR. DENET." Getting everyone's attention and directly addressing the man by his last name Ed started yelling.
"WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO KILL AND WALK FREE, WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO BE COMFORTED BY THESE PEOPLE AFTER WHAT YOU JUST DID AND HOW YOU ACTED AFTER, YOU KNEW YOU HIT THAT FAMILY AND LITTLE GIRL YET YOU STILL DREW ALL THE ATTENTION ON YOURSELF AND IGNORED THE TRAGEDY YOU CREATED ACTING BELIGERENT AND ARROGANT. YOU SHOULD BE JAILED FOREVER OR PUT ON THE DEATH PENALTY, AND WHY ARE YOU ALL NOT CARING ABOUT WHO HE KILLED. Do you guys not see the corpses, and the carnage he has caused." Ed yelled loudly so everybody could hear him, getting quieter and quieter till he was speaking normally.
Ed was then approached by an officer, the same one who said that ridiculous statement about Denet. "You are causing a disturbance to the peace, please Mr Richello leave before we arrest you" Even though the officer's voice was hushed it was stern and threatening.
In Ed's head he knew this officer didn't have the right to arrest him as per the law but it didn't seem this officer cared. So what Ed did in his last effort of defiance without being arrested by this corrupted officer was say "I hope you remember this day because I definitely will."
Ed stormed away without even being all-cleared by an EMT or paramedic, as they were frozen not wanting to be involved in anything. Including the Paramedic named Greer who stood still gripping her fingers shut so tight she tore skin, but she couldn't say anything, she didn't have enough courage to do so.
Ed wasn't well as he stomped back home. He was frustrated beyond belief. He couldn't understand how horrible and cold the world could be. Thinking back to his hubris Ed felt absolutely ashamed. He barely knew what real horror was, objects moving by themselves by some unknown entity was scary and fun, but seeing what he's seen today has changed him.
The unknown horror he loves and the known physical horror that defeated him today are different sides of the same coin. You most likely can't have one without the other. If Ed goes by this line of thinking then will he be strong enough to unravel any mysterious, because real change requires real power.
Getting home Ed only had one objective, research.