South Park: Dragging Me Down

Olive Branch

"We're here."

Kenny stood opposite Pip on the doormat and lowered the shopping bags. Pip knocked on the door and cautiously watched Kenny as he waited for it to open.

"So, are you gonna be okay now?" Kenny asked.

"Y-You really didn't have to help me..." Pip interjected, avoiding the question entirely. He felt really bad for making Kenny come all the way to his house with the shopping.

"Yes I did." Kenny replied. "You couldn't have managed this alone."

Pip gave him a tiny smile which dropped as soon as the front door was pulled open. He carried the shopping bags inside, dropped them in the hallway, then retrieved the rest. Once finished, he gave Kenny a shy smile.

"Thank you for... everything." he mumbled nervously. "I-"

"Pip!" a shriek came from behind him, causing him to rigidly seize up.

A scruffy looking woman turned up behind Pip, yanking him backwards by the shoulder. She had deep bags under her eyes, her hair was greasy, and her face was pulled into a sharp frown. "Never mind saying goodbye! Get this lot into the kitchen!"

"G-Goodbye Kenneth!" Pip swiftly called to him just as the woman slammed the front door in his face without even acknowledging his presence.

Kenny glared at the door. It wasn't fair that Pip was being treated this way. Kenny knew what physical, mental and emotional abuse felt like, but in his case his parents' actions were brought on by alcohol abuse. Pip's 'guardians' seemed perfectly lucid, making their actions even more abhorrent.

They liked hurting him for fun.

"What have I told you about talking to other kids?" could be heard from the opposite side of the door. "They don't like you, they're just using you!"

"I-I'm sorry." came the meek reply.

The shuffling and voices got quieter as Pip and his sister retreated to the kitchen, but Kenny remained glaring at the door.

He just HAD to get Pip out of that household.

~~~~~

The next day at school, Pip found himself being dragged down the corridor by Clyde and his friends. He'd been accosted after third period on the way to lunch, and no matter how hard he tried to pull away, the gang wouldn't let him go.

Clyde looped his hand around Pip's sore neck so casually it was though they were the best of friends. "So Frenchie, got any plans for tomorrow?"

Pip blinked. He didn't like where this was going. "Well, actually, I sort of-"

"No." Craig deadpanned, pulling at Pip's collar.

"N-No." Pip parroted.

"Good! Walk with me, bitch."

Clyde shoved Pip down the corridor. Pip stumbled but was caught by Token's loose arm which steadied him. Craig yanked him backwards, pulling him back to Clyde.

"It's my birthday on Tuesday. I've got a big house and pool party going on. Would love it if you could be there." Clyde grinned.

Pip paled and visibly tensed up. Clyde... had invited him to a... party?

Obvious trap.

Pip inwardly panicked as the group continued leading him away from the main school building. He didn't know where he was being taken, but figured they were walking him to the P.E department, which is where the Brit knew Clyde and his mates sometimes spent their lunches. Pip had been actively avoiding the gym coach after their last little session together but it seemed the bullies had other plans.