The set scene. The black tarps. A moment sunk. His eyes widened.

"What--"

Eridan didn't give him the moment to make deeper utterances -- the taser was in his back, the electricity swarming through his clothing, into his spine. Edward toppled forward, his yells reduced to gasps, his jerking, abrupt limbs shaking without his permission. Eridan was overwhelming, over-prepared. Overpowering.

And the question haunting his lips transformed from what to why before the chloroform flushed his veins. Darkness descended as consciousness was muffled.

When he awoke, it was gradually, possibly an hour or two or three later. Eddie attempted to focus his eyes, needed to wiggle his fingers and toes.