South Park: Dragging Me Down

Floodgates

It was a cold winter night. The wind was howling loudly and there was a barrage of snow knocking against the window.

At the far corner of the bar, Pip was sitting against the wall as he watched the extreme weather through the large glass window. It was sort of fascinating to him, but also a little scary at how overwhelming it looked.

A chorus of nasal laughter made him turn his head towards the dimly lit bar counter where his foster parents and the rest of the bar patrons were scattered, all laughing and joking as they cosumed more and more alcohol. They were chittering about all kinds of things, which had Pip feeling a little left out.

He sighed and rested his head against the window, continuing to watch the snow.

Pip couldn't help but feel as though he didn't belong. He didn't belong in the room, he didn't belong in the town of South Park and most importantly, he didn't belong in this world. He never seemed to be acknowledged by anyone, which he was used to, but he still desperately wanted to be recognized as a human being.

The little boy wished he had someone to talk to. Someone who would be nice to him and not put him down or say anything about his hair or looks or accent or voice. Someone who would unconditionally like him instead of hate him and call him names. Someone who would care about him and give him warm hugs.

Was it even normal for him to think that?

He'd honestly hoped to find these nice qualities in his adoptive parents, but it just wasn't their thing. They were friendly at first, but steadily grew more annoyed at the child and his problems at school. Pip just wanted to prove to them that he was a good child and would do anything they wanted him to do, but most of the time he would be brushed aside.

As well as this, he constantly felt on edge all the time, as if something was going to happen, and usually it did.

"Pip!"

Pip jumped and smashed his head against the wall, looking towards the approaching man with wide eyes, hoping he hadn't done anything wrong. The man's voice, although loud, seemed softer than usual.

"Pip, you have someone here to see you."

"I don't want to get adopted." Pip called out in his sleep, sounding so sad.

"Come on Pip, wake up." Doctor Thomas repeated, giving him a light nudge. "Philip."

Pip unconsciously shoved the doctor away before waking up and remembering where he was. He exhaled lightly.

Liam swept his coat down and cleared his throat, his startled eyes meeting Pip's. "I'm sorry to wake you, Pip, but you have some visitors."

Pip's heart fluttered in his chest and he sleepily turned over in his bed, hoping to see Kenny standing in the doorway. Instead he got a surprise which gave him several palpitations. A severe spike of anxiety shot through his body.

"Hey there, limey."

"H-Hello." Pip shuffled under his covers, pulling them over the top of him as a layer of protection. He was still feeling nervous as a result of his dream and he hoped the newcomers wouldn't hurt him.

Michael, Henrietta, and Pete strolled into the room, all looking a bit bored.

"Hi Pip."

"Hey."

"Hi."

Henrietta was holding a bouquet of black roses. She brought them close to Pip's face. "We got you these, or whatever." she huffed, throwing them down on his bedside table.