Sweet Dreams

Part 17

As Kenny walked to that old lab he grumbled at how rocky the trail was, and how difficult it was to even get there. Though his complaints stopped when he reached that old iron gate, propped open enough to let someone through. He walked up to it and looked at the looming building on the other side, Cartman's words echoing in his mind. As much as he would love to doubt Butters would hurt him, he truly didn't know anymore. Reaching down, he felt the cold blade in his parka pocket. He really didn't want to hurt Butters, but if it came down to it, he might have to.

With a deep breath, he walked through the gate, and up to the lab.

It was clear no one had been here in quite a while, the wet smell of mold, and rotting wood surrounded him the moment he stepped foot into the building. He pulled up his parka over his nose, and continued on.

Each room was filled with similar objects, broken containment tanks, lab tables covered in broken glass, and old scattered notes. With every room he passed through, he realized he didn't know which one Butters had wanted to meet him in. He grumbled as he thought about that, he might've just wandered this place for nothing. He turned around and went to walk back to the front door when something caught his eye. Walking over to it he felt his heart pound. Discarded on a lab table was a tattered leather bound book simply labeled, "The Cult''. He picked it up and flipped through the pages, stopping on one. It showed an image that he vaguely recognized. The pictures showed a group of people sitting in a large room all around a book. He furrowed his brows as he tried to pinpoint why this image made him feel like he knew it.

"Kenny?" a voice asked from behind him.

Kenny jumped and spun around, spotting Butters. He was standing in the doorway to the room, his arms crossed as he shivered a bit.

"Jesus Christ Butters you scared the hell out of me." Kenny said

"Oh, I'm sorry Ken, but I'm a little happy you agreed to meet with me." Butters said, stepping into the room.

Kenny noticed that Butters had been crying, his cheeks red, and eyes puffy. He felt a pang of guilt as he realized he had probably been the reason he had cried.

"Did you think I wouldn't?" Kenny asked.

"A little bit, you weren't at Stan's when I woke up and you didn't answer a handful of your texts so I was worried you were mad at me." Butters said.

"Yeah sorry I had a nightmare and just needed to get out." Kenny said, biting his tongue as he lied to Butters.

"Nightmare?" Butters asked, a concerned look spreading across his face.

"Yeah, I have nightmares about my death's sometimes." Kenny said.

That wasn't entirely inaccurate. When he was younger he used to have horrible nightmares about his deaths. Though over the years they have begun to affect him less and he's gotten used to it.

"Oh, I didn't know that. I'm sorry Kenny." Butters said.

"It's nothing, but I'm sorry I worried you." Kenny replied.

"It's okay, I understand. But you know you can always come to me right?" Butters said, smiling softly.

A pain went through Kenny's chest as he heard that. He knew it wasn't true and it hurt.

"Yeah I know." Kenny said, tears burning his eyes.

"Kenny, are you okay?" Butters asked, stepping towards him.

Kenny looked up at him, his heart pounding, he couldn't do this. God he couldn't hate him, he couldn't stay angry. But he had to, right? Butters lied to him, hurt him, and in the end was anything between them true? Could Kenny lie and force himself to pretend everything is okay just for his own sake?

"I don't know. God I don't fucking know. Nothing is right. I can't feel anything but pain right now and I can't fix it." Kenny said tears falling down his cheeks.

Butters walked towards him and hugged him, "God Kenny, I am so sorry. I didn't notice you were hurting this much."

Kenny didn't say anything and just hugged Butters crying into his shoulder. As Kenny cried Butters quietly spoke to him telling him it was okay. Kenny didn't know if this was good or not but he honestly didn't care.

"I love you Leo." Kenny whispered.

Butters gently kissed his cheek, "I love you too Ken. But I am so sorry."

"Sorry?" Kenny asked, confused.

Just as Kenny pulled back a bit he felt a soft pinch in his neck. Stumbling back he fell onto the floor. Looking up at Butters he saw a syringe in the boy's hand.

"Butters?" Kenny asked shakily.

Butters looked at him, tears falling, "I am so sorry Kenny. I have to do this. To save you. To save us."

Kenny went to stand up but suddenly realizing his body felt heavy, everything began to look fuzzy. He fell onto his chest and looked at Butters. Just as he went to say something his vision went black and he passed out. 

(( A/N: Sorry for the short part but I finally have motivation to write again. I also want to say a big thank you! You guys have given this motivation back. Seeing your comments and seeing how you like this story has made me want to continue it! So thank you guys so much! Please enjoy the rest of the story because there is certainly more to come!))