Brainwashed Hatred

Chapter 18

Everyone stared at Craig in silence, uncertain of how to respond. Uncertain of what they should do next. Finally, Mysterion spoke, though not the way they expected:

"Craig, what happened to Code?"

With the whole commotion involving Noah, it had taken the silence for Mysterion, or anyone, really, to notice that the other cage was empty. At the sound of the question, everyone else turned their attention to the cage as well.

"Code?" Craig glanced at the cage. "He disappeared. It was as if he was collapsing on himself. It happened after you and Butters left."

"Oh..." Mysterion went over to the cage and peered inside and around it, obviously confused. "So like Star Wars? Or something?"

"Kinda? He was like a super intelligent AI, so he had to have been smart enough to have multiple... but that is only to say if he survived long enough to do so." He burnt out the cigarette on the table, letting out a small sigh before looking over at CC. He had noticed her injury before, but hadn't decided to question it until then.

"CC, who hurt your arm? It looks painful, you should have it bandaged." He was already moving to the nearby shelf and grabbing a fresh roll. He didn't go to her, though; he didn't want to push her.

"Who else..." Her eyes were hard, but her voice was barely more than a whisper.

Craig held up his hands and gave a sympathetic look. "Sorry, I didn't... It's been a long few days..."

"No, I'm sorry..." CC let go of Noah, who moved away from the cage door, and turned towards Craig. "You didn't need to see me like that."

"Don't worry about it, CC.  After everything that has happened, I couldn't blame you even if I wanted to." He finally walked over to her, gently wrapping up her arm. She stayed completely still as he worked, a small smile forming on her face. When he finished, he looked up at her. "Everything is getting out of hand. All the crime, it still hasn't stopped, even with Code gone. Everyone is either too far gone, or.... god, or worse."

CC nodded before standing up and walking over to Butters and Mysterion. She placed her hand on Butters' shoulder, who stared sadly down at Noah. "Butters?" She asked softly.

"He remembers nothing, nothing at all. All the destruction, all the... bodies... nothing."

Craig said nothing as the three stood huddled together, himself still crouched down by the cage. He was starting to lose it, the madness mixing with his lack of sleep. He knew he had to keep calm though; Tweek was only a floor above him. If he lost it, he didn't know what he would do. Just as the thought came and went, Tweek appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Craig stood slowly and walked over to him. "Are you alright, Tweek?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine, I was just worried about everyone. It got so quiet..." Tweek took Craig's hand lightly. "Everything is alright, right?"

Before Craig could respond, Butters spoke up. "Noah, please remember! It's me, Professor Chaos! You have to remember!"

Noah narrowed his eyes at Butters. "I don't know who the hell you are. If you all want to kill me so badly, then why don't you go ahead and do it. Kill me."

Mysterion grimaced, holding Butters tighter. His hand went to his gun, but he hesitated, remembering what happened the last time he used it. When he shot Code. Suddenly, before he could react, the gun left his belt. But he hadn't-

Time seemed to stop as Butters' pulled the trigger. As Noah slumped over in the cage, Butters dropped the gun and fell to his knees. He covered his face as he began to cry. 

"Butters..." Mysterion stared in shock at Noah's lifeless body, unsure of what to do. CC fell to her knees and hugged Butters, whispering softly to him. Mysterion turned to Craig and Tweek, who stood motionless near the stairs.

"Noah was... not responsible for what happened. That much is clear." Craig stated, his grip tightening on Tweek's hand. "The one responsible for everything is Code."

"If only we understood just what the hell IS happening..." Mysterion muttered, turning his attention back to Butters.

Both prisoners, both shot. But as far as they were concerned, only one was truly dead, and truly the villain.