South Park: Dragging Me Down

Flow

Mysterion saw a short figure staggering down the streets. He watched as he struggled into the alley, obviously unaware he had company.

Pip dragged himself back into the dark, dreaded alleyway that he called home. He sighed and mulled over the events of the day. They had been pretty awful; especially the numerous beatings he had suffered at break, lunch and after school by the numerous students who hated him.

The teenager stumbled over to his cardboard fortress and collapsed onto his knees just short of his box haven, scraping them against the hard gravel of the floor. He remained in a kneeling position for a few moments, panting lightly before he had the strength to stand back up again. Using the alley wall as support, he clambered over to the largest cardboard box. He attempted to sit down inside it, but his knees crumpled at the last second, causing him to fall flat on his face instead, completely crushing the box.

Mysterion's eyes widened as the boy remained on his front, not moving another inch. He jumped down from his perch and inspected the unconscious Brit. His clammy face was littered with cuts and bruises.

"Pip?"

He gently shook him but the Brit didn't stir. He tried again, a little more violently, but still Pip did not wake up. He took Pip's arm and tried feeling for a pulse. There was nothing.

"Shit!"

Mysterion leant over his classmate and desperately listened for a heartbeat, but all that greeted him was silence.

Pip was dead.

~~~~~

Kenny woke abruptly and let out a distressed cry, his heart racing in his chest. His violent outburst woke up the sleeping Brit in his lap whose eyes widened like saucers, jumping at the aggressive movement. The two made wild eye contact in the midst of their joint panic.

Kenny calmed himself down and let out a deep breath, holding a hand on Pip's chest. "Fucking hell."

"I-Is something the matter?" queried a nervous Pip.

"Nah, it's nothing. Just had a shitty dream."

"W-Was it about me?"

Kenny lowered his head. "Yeah."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"What was it about?"

"I... I didn't get to you in time and you... died."

"Oh..."

"But it was just a nightmare. A shitty ass dream."

"I have those all the time." Pip admitted, sitting himself up and sliding into the space next to his friend. He was seemingly calm considering the nightmare's content. "Since I was little. I-I'm kinda used to them now."

"What are yours about?"

"Memories, usually. Sometimes things that happened during the day repeat themselves. Or things that I always wanted and could never get. Or I just don't dream about anything. It depends."

"You dream about memories?"

"Y-Yeah. From different periods of my life. I wish I could just forget everything..."

Kenny held a hand on his shoulder. "I know it's not easy. Nothing's been easy for you. I just wish someone could have helped you sooner."

"I-It's okay." Pip smiled. "You've helped me more than you know, and for that I am eternally grateful. You're like, one of the coolest people in the world... but you still... like me. Even though I'm a loser."