South Park: Dragging Me Down

Struggles

Mysterion woke up to the sound of a violent coughing fit. Lifting his stiff neck from its uncomfortable position on the bed, the vigilante looked up to see Pip hunched over, hands covering his mouth as he attempted to muffle the sharp coughs bursting from his lips.

The coughing seemed unstoppable at first, but after a few moments, it came to a halt. Knowing he'd woken up his friend, a guilty Pip slowly moved his head upright, revealing red, watering eyes.

Before Mysterion could ask him how he was feeling, he saw an alarming sight on Pip's cupped hands - speckles of blood. Within seconds, the hero had jumped to his feet and yanked the communication cord to signal the doctor and let him know he was needed.

"I-I'm sorry, I- I didn't want to wake you." Pip whimpered, his throat hoarse. "I-It's nothing, I'm fine."

"Like hell you are." Mysterion bellowed, hand cupping Pip's tense shoulder. "How long have you been coughing?"

"About thirty-" Pip broke off into another coughing fit, a splurge of blood flying out of his mouth and onto the white bed sheets. He doubled over again as the coughing became more intense.

Mysterion was becoming more and more alarmed, feeling completely helpless. Fortunately, Doctor Thomas soon arrived, hurrying into the room.

"Pip!" Liam cried, rushing over to the bed. "Calm down, take it easy, kiddo. Try to breathe."

Pip's coughing eventually calmed a little and soon came to a stop. The Brit was shaking and apologizing profusely for making a mess of the bed and his hands.

"Hey, it's okay! You're fine, you're fine!" Thomas consoled him, gesturing for Mysterion to pour him some water. The vigilante passed his friend some tissues and then the glass of water.

Pip sipped the water and winced as a coppery taste filled his mouth.

"What do you think's the matter with him, Doctor?" Mysterion asked, watching as Liam used his stethoscope on Pip's chest.

"His initial symptoms show he may be suffering from a bout of bronchitis." he replied, holding a hand on Pip's clammy forehead to feel his blazing temperature. "Yes, that seems the most likely-"

Pip started coughing again. He thrust his glass of water back to Mysterion to prevent him from spilling it, then cupped his mouth again. He stopped coughing and held his hands up to his eyes, wiping his tears away. "I-I'm sorry." he whispered. "I-I don't know what's wrong with me..."

"Hey, you don't have to talk if it hurts your throat." Liam comforted him. "And don't blame yourself for being sick. I'm not surprised considering... what you've been through. I suggest you drink plenty of water and get lots of rest."

"B-But it's so hard to rest..." Pip admitted softly.

"What do you mean, Pip?"

Pip's head dipped down and he anxiously clasped his fingers. "It's sort of like... m-my body won't switch off." he explained. "Even when I'm sleeping."

"You haven't been sleeping properly?" Mysterion asked.

"I-I guess. I-It's been like that for a while now. M-My body won't relax a-and I can't sleep properly. I'll close my eyes and stuff but I'm still aware of being awake, if that makes sense?"

"How long has it been like that?"

"L-Like a month, maybe?" Pip shivered.

Mysterion frowned. He knew exactly what Pip was experiencing because he'd occasionally felt it himself as Kenny. When sleeping his body was often tense and on guard in case of an attack. Mysterion suspected it was the same with Pip. He'd probably been woken up during the different stages of sleep by his abusers and was now the reason he couldn't relax.