South Park: Dragging Me Down

Coping

"Master Pirrup, it's dinner time!"

A groan.

The nurse chuckled as she wheeled in the food cart, stopping just beside the teenager's bed. She then slid the food tray off the cart and onto his bedside table.

He didn't move from where he was hiding under his covers until the nurse pulled them off of his head. "Now don't be like that, Philip. It's time for you to eat."

"I'm not hungry..." came his depressed murmur. "I a-already ate a few hours ago..."

"Yes, that was your lunch. This is your dinner. Well technically dessert, seeing how you won't try anything other than tapioca or rice pudding..." she sighed. "Wouldn't you like to try something else?"

"No thank you..."

The nurse exhaled loudly and pulled the cart away from him. "As you wish, Pip."

Pip watched as she moved the trolley away from his bedside and waved goodbye.

As soon as the nurse left him alone, Pip let out a shaky breath and slowly pulled himself up in bed. His stomach gurgled at the enticing smell of the rice pudding yet despite how nice it smelt, he still felt nauseous. He'd been feeling the same way on and off again ever since he'd been rescued. He didn't like having to eat three meals a day. He wasn't used to it.

He dejectedly pulled the tray onto his lap and dipped the spoon into the pudding, swirling it around and playing with it rather than eating it.

Watching his movements from the doorway of his room was Doctor Thomas, who had stopped at the door during his patient rounds. He sighed as the forlorn figure poked his pudding with disinterest.

Liam turned away from the picture when he felt a hand on his shoulder. His superior was standing there, eyebrow raised.

"Is that the boy you told me about?"

"Yes, sir. Philip Pirrup. He goes by Pip."

"He's very small for his age."

Liam sighed. "I know. Worst case of abuse I've ever seen."

"Poor kid."

The duo watched as Pip struggled to take a few mouthfuls of his rice pudding. The teenager was trying his best not to heave as he swallowed small portions of pudding.

Feeling even more nauseous now that he'd eaten, Pip slid the tray back onto his bedside table and collapsed into his pillows, snuggling down into the bed. He hugged the spare pillow close to his chest and shut his eyes, trying to rest during the day so he wouldn't have any nightmares like he usually did at night.

"He's so precious." Thomas spoke quietly, still observing him. "Who would ever want to hurt a child - especially one as docile and shy as he is?"

"There are lots of sick people in this world, Liam."

"It's because of them that he has no trust in people. He won't let anyone near him. He hates being touched."

"Has he revealed much about his home life yet?" the older doctor asked.

"Bits, but I was told the majority of it by his friend Kenny McCormick."

"Kenny McCormick?"

"A boy in his class."

"I know the name. I believe he, his sister and brother were involved in an altercation with their parents a few months ago and brought in here."

"I see..."

"Are you going in?"

"I have to see a few more patients before my shift ends but I wanted to see him before I left." Thomas nodded.

"Very good." his superior gave him a nod of approval before walking off.

Liam watched the boy for a few more moments before returning to his rounds.

Pip, meanwhile, was allowing his mind to drift elsewhere. He couldn't stop thinking about everything that had happened over the past few months. The fact he was now off the streets and out of a toxic household made him feel extremely uneasy, yet, content. He found it hard to comprehend.

'I wonder if they know I'm here...' he thought aimlessly, wondering what the future would now hold for him. 'When they get let out, will they come and take me home?'

He shivered at the thought of reuniting with the two people who had made his life a living hell whilst growing up. Yet he also felt as though he couldn't live without them. It was his duty to provide for them. He knew he needed to be with them, but his heart told him he didn't want to be with them either. It was a very complex situation.

The most prominent thought penetrating his fragile mind was the question of when the hospital were going to kick him out. Surely they would get bored of looking after him. He was taking up a bed which could've been used to provide for someone with real problems. He didn't think he was worth that.

He shook his head and tried to push the intrusive thoughts aside, trying to remember what Mysterion had taught him to do. Shortly after he'd become friends with the vigilante, he had confided in the superhero about how anxious he'd often get and how he really struggled to relax, but Mysterion - well, Kenny, had helped him learn new tactics to keep the fears at bay.

He just had to keep himself occupied.

"Kenny..."

Pip's heart started aching again at the thought of his friend. He desperately wanted to see him again but didn't want to come across as too clingy. He knew in his heart that he was using Kenny as a coping mechanism but he just couldn't help it. Kenny was one of the first people to show any iota of kindness to Pip so naturally it made him grateful.

Pip sighed and hugged his pillow tightly.