South Park: Dragging Me Down

Phantasmagoria

It's just... Pip.

"Get up."

A choked cough.

"I said get up you piece of shit!"

A mumbled apology.

"Fine. If you don't want to get up yourself, we'll get you up. Grab him, Craig!"

Wendy stopped in her tracks on hearing the mumbled commotion. Forgetting the scrumpled up note in her hand she'd been sent to deliver to Mrs Streibel, Wendy listened to the curious scuffle which sounded faint yet nearby.

Assuming it was coming from the larger art classroom next door, Wendy stopped by the door adjoining the two rooms. She peered through the door window, and to her surprise, she saw a group of her friends kicking and stomping on someone she couldn't see from the door.

With her hand hovering over the door handle, unsure whether to open it or not, Wendy watched as Craig, Clyde and Token beat the ever-loving shit out of the person she couldn't see, calling whoever it was some of the most awful names. Frozen in disbelief, Wendy found she couldn't do anything but stare like an idiot.

After a few more minutes of torturing the poor soul, the boys retreated and approached the door she was leaning against.

Seeing this, Wendy panicked and pivoted on the spot, moving away from the door. She tried to look busy as it was opened from the other side. Her friends greeted her cheerily.

"Hey Wends!"

"Hey Wendy."

"See you in next lesson, yeah?"

Wendy found her smile didn't quite meet her eyes. "Hi guys! Yeah, seeya."

The trio waved aimably and exited the classroom.

Wendy couldn't quite believe their sudden change in mood. They'd clearly just vented their frustrations on the unfortunate target now breathless on the floor next door.

She found herself drawn to the back classroom. She peered through the window to see the victim now struggling to stand up. Her eyes widened in sympathy.

Pip was using one of the large art tables to steady himself as he wobbled to his feet. He winced as a sudden pain shot through his abdomen and he cried out softly, momentarily losing his grip on the table. Once he'd recovered and was fully upright, he tested his arms and brought a shaky hand up to feel the damage done to his face, which was covered in a colourful array of bruises and paint.

Even from where she was standing, Wendy could see how downtrodden he was. It was really strange because it suddenly occurred to her that she'd only ever seen him smile, even after she'd watched him being mercilessly teased and taunted in the corridors.

But now he was looking so...

Hurt.

She watched as he slowly began to limp towards the side door. Pip stopped briefly and attempted to walk without his limp, but ended up falling back down on the floor in a heap, letting out a pathetic chirp as he landed on his shoulder.

Wendy frowned.

It shouldn't be just Pip!

~~~~~

"Come on, Wendy."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Do you trust me?"

"...yes."

"Then let's keep going!"

Wendy shook her head as Kenny lead her down the bland hospital corridor, pulling her by the arm as he walked at a brisk pace.