South Park: Dragging Me Down

Exit

"Philip, it's dinner time!"

Pip groaned and shuffled down in his bed, covering himself in his blankets in hope they'd protect him from the entering doctor.

Liam strode into the room and grinned when he saw what Pip was up to. "Now come on Philip, it's time for dinner."

"I'm not hungry." Pip muttered childishly from under his covers.

"Come on Pip, you know you've got to eat something." Doctor Thomas smiled with encouragement, wheeling in the cart given to him by the nurse in charge of delivering food.

"Will you... eat with me?"

"Pip, I'm on duty. I can't."

Pip pouted, wriggled up in bed and took the tray off the doctor. On it was a small dish of rice pudding with a gloop of strawberry sauce topping it. The Brit inquisitively peered at the pudding. "Oh?"

"What's the matter?" the doctor asked as he returned the cart to his nurse.

"There's a... red thing on it?"

Liam walked back over to him. "Red thing? Do you mean the sauce?"

"I-Is that what it is? I didn't think red sauce went on pudding." Pip poked it with his spoon. "Wouldn't ketchup taste odd?"

The doctor found his heart aching at the boy's naivety. He was so innocent and hardly knew a thing about the world, especially when it came down to food. "It's not ketchup, it's strawberry sauce." he gently corrected.

"Oh." Pip blushed. "Sorry."

"It's fine, kiddo. The cook added it today. Try it! See what you think."

Pip nodded. He scooped some of the sauce onto his spoon and tucked it in his mouth, tasting it. "This is... nice. It's really sweet."

"I'm glad you like it!"

Pip smiled and began eating. Once he'd finished, he had a drink of his water and hiccuped. He lowered his arms and rested them on top of the covers.

"I-I'm done."

"Well done, Pip!" Liam removed his bowl. "You're doing so well."

Pip reddened and lowered his head. He couldn't help but feel a bit like a toddler when he was complimented for finishing his food. It wasn't Doctor Thomas' fault. He just wasn't used to being supported in this manner.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Um, full."

"I meant generally."

"O-Oh! Um... well... achey and sore, but not as bad as I was before? Everything seems to be healing up... which is good, I think." he replied, feeling as though he was answering wrong.

"Good good. I wanted another scan of your ribs to check they're healing okay, so I'll send you to Doctor Miller in a little while."

"Y-Yes sir."

Liam nodded. "I've got to do the rest of my rounds but I'll be back to see you later, alright?"

"Yes doctor."

Liam patted the boy's head and left the room.

A few hours later, Pip was called for his scan. He slid out of bed and wobbled to his feet, feeling extremely stiff and sore. He exited his room and headed for the x-ray room, curiously looking around the hospital corridors as he memorized his surroundings. The more familiar he was with them, the more he felt safe.

He moved into a quiet bit of the corridor overspill where the elevators were located and pressed the arrow button to summon the nearest available. As he waited, he peered back through the corridor. He was just minding his business when he thought he heard a voice he recognized. He paused, leaving his spot to find the source. The feeble teenager limped his way back to the main corridor and peered his head through the doorway.