South Park: Dragging Me Down

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Pip rolled off the sofa chair and woke with a start.

His head was immediately upright and alert, looking around for any signs of threats. Seeing none, he let out a little sigh and sat upright, wincing as his tender rear came into contact with the bottom of the chair. He rubbed his aching back and peered around innocently.

Did he finish the homework already?

Seeing the finished papers on the table, Pip gathered and folded them into his bag, then stared at the emptiness of the library.

Despite everything, he felt content.

"Pip?"

Pip seized up before realizing it was the librarian. He gave her a little wave.

She walked over to him with a smile. "I haven't see you for a few days. Have you been unwell?"

Pip shook his head.

"Is everything okay at home?" came the follow up question. Like everyone else, she thought he still lived with the couple who fostered him.

But home... The fuzzy feeling of belonging still made him smile. "Y-Yes, miss." he croaked, forgetting he hadn't spoken for a few days. He cleared his throat.

"Good. You've had no more troubles with those bullies, I hope?"

Pip gave her a strained smile. They'd actually caught up with him that morning and were threatening to beat him up after school because he'd been away for a few days. "No, miss."

"I'm glad to hear it. You always know you can stay up here if you want to. Get away from it all."

"Thank you." Pip quietly replied, wobbling to his feet.

"You off then?"

"I... yes."

"Hope you have a good rest of the day then, Pip." she smiled and went back to her work.

Pip dizzily bowed and left the library.

~~~~~

A little later that day, his good mood had completely evaporated.

Pip let out a little cry as he was slammed against the school wall, coughing a little as the force knocked the wind out of him. He coughed and was dropped onto his knees, where he felt a dead weight tread on his neck. He winced.

"Where you been, Pirrup?" Clyde asked, casually pressing his foot against the Brit's neck.

"Yeah, you didn't even tell us you had plans to stay off school!"

"I'm sorry." came his small reply, causing jeers amongst the group.

"I'm sorry!" Token mocked, "You're so pathetic, honestly. Man up."

Pip bit his tongue.

Giving him a few punches for good measure, the bullies picked him up by his arms and dragged him behind the back of the school shed.

"Hey, do you think we should lock him inside? Craig casually asked, causing Pip to tremble in fear.

"Haha, I'd love to do that but we don't have a key."

"We could break in?"

"Nah, too much effort. Just tie him to that tree over there where the druggies usually hang out."

Pip couldn't help but gasp and tried to claw away from where his bullies were dragging him.

"Stop that." Clyde gave him a whack across the cheek. "This is your own fault so quit making it difficult."