South Park: Dragging Me Down

Chapter 94

"I'm sorry you had to see that."

Mysterion gazed at his friend walking beside him, his mind lost in thought. He'd been quiet for the majority of their walk to the hospital, dwelling on what had happened.

"Hey, I've got your back." he reassured the Brit. "I can't blame you for standing up for yourself."

"I- yeah." Pip replied, mind still buzzing. In all honesty he couldn't believe he'd actually stood up for himself. He'd actually defended himself against the bullies.

Why hadn't he ever done this before?

"Are you feeling any better?" the vigilante asked, concerned for him.

"I am now, thank you." Pip squeezed out. "And I-I'm sorry for running away. I got scared."

"It was because of that old couple, wasn't it?"

Pip tensed up and slowly nodded his head, not wanting to lie to him. "It... was. I know them. They... they saved me when I was at my lowest point. You see, after I got kicked out I didn't really know where to go. I aimlessly wandered around for what seemed like days, then passed out in their apple field, and that's where they found me. They fed me and gave me money and were actually... nice to me. For a moment I thought- well, I thought-" he lowered his head, "I-It was just nice to be in a house with two people who seemed to- ...care about me, you know? Actually wanted me there." he wrapped his arms around himself. "I've never had that before. It was nice, but I was still scared."

"I understand. Why were you scared?"

"I-I'm just... not used to it. It freaked me out. I ran away from them because I didn't want to drag them down or make them have to deal with my problems. I'm just a problem child. They didn't deserve any of that."

"Pip-"

"But still, I hope they're okay..."

Mysterion exhaled softly and took Pip by the arm, walking him in the right direction of the hospital as he was too preoccupied to focus on where he was going. When Pip snapped out of his thoughts and found the vigilante hanging onto him, he suddenly stopped.

"M-Maybe this isn't a good idea after all." Pip pulled up, turning away from the hero.

"Pip, you have to go back." Mysterion stated. "You're still unwell."

"I just- I don't know. I really feel like I shouldn't, but I also feel like I should."

"Why's that?"

Pip deflated. "I'm constantly thinking about things in a way that I never have before so I'm just a little concerned for... myself, maybe? Being at the hospital makes those memories grow stronger." he sighed, leaning against the vigilante's arm. "Oh, I don't know. I just feel... ridiculous."

Mysterion shook his head. He slowly encircled his arms around Pip's slight frame.

Pip went rigid, anxiously looking up into the dark eyes of the hero. "W-What are you doing?" he stammered.
"Hugging you."

"Why?"

"Because I felt you needed it."

"O-Oh." Pip winced, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.

"You're stronger than you think, you know, and I'm proud of you."

"You're... proud of me?" Pip blinked.

"You're self-realizing now. You're growing accustomed to the fact you don't have to do what other people tell you, and you actually have the freedom to make your own choices. You're accepting your emotions, and the way you're feeling. You can make your own decisions based on what you want, but are still showing empathy with regards to how your decisions will make others feel." Mysterion explained. "So like I say, I'm proud of you."