South Park: One Shots

The Taste of Steel

Standalone Kenny
Warning: Main character death

11:57 pm

Leo: I missed you at school today Ken! Where were you?

Tears steadily streamed down the blond's face. His heart pounded, feeling like a songbird trapped in a cage, longing to be set free. His eyes stung as he typed out his farewell.

Kenny: I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't there today. I'm sorry I haven't been there when you've needed me. And I can't make it up to you. I love you Leo, I really do. And I'm so, so sorry that it ends like this. You've been an amazing friend, and an even better brother. I don't know what else to say apart from sorry. Please take care of Karen when I'm gone. She deserves more than this place.
I'm sorry.

Leo: What are you talking about?
Leo: Ken?
Leo: You're scaring me.
Leo: Pick up

He set his phone down on the hard concrete floor, his hands shaking and unable to hold steady.

He walked to Karen's room, the walls sloppily painted from when the two had decided to redecorate. Somehow, he managed a smile.

"Hey care bear."
"Kenny!" She clung to his neck, burrowing her head into his orange parka. She let go as she felt her brother's body jerk.
"What's wrong?"
"I love you Karen. Please, remember that I love you." He pulled her in close again, savouring her embrace.
"You're scaring me Kenny. What's going on?"
"You're going to live with Butters. You remember him?"
She giggles, "He's the one you called our brother! Kevin 2.0." Kenny smiled through his tears.
"That's right." He chewed on his bottom lip, pulling skin off and making it bleed. "So, so put your things in your bag."
"How long are we living there?"
We.
"For a while."
"What about mom and dad?"

Kenny grit his teeth.

They had died two months before.

~~~

His father, Stuart, had driven drunk, slamming into two other cars.

He was killed on impact, his mum, Carol, dying from the internal bleeding and bruising. She was in agony for the last day of her life, her body black and blue, covered in the vibrant contusions. She had multiple stitches in an attempt to stop the blood. But it was too little too late. Those final hours Butters came to cry with Kenny, Karen staying with the Stotch parents. Her last breath came all too soon. And just like that, Kenny was left to find for Karen.
Butters helped of course but Kenny often felt bad making the boy go to their dilapidated house while he worked.

~~~

"Ken?"

He shook himself out of the vivid memories, focusing once more on the matter at hand.
"They won't be going care bear."
"Why?" Her concern rang clear in her voice, her bottom lip jutting out as she held back tears. Kenny bit the inside of his cheek, trying to keep his composure for his sister. It was only when she tugged on his sleeve he realised he was crying.

"They're dead." She said in a small, timid voice.
"Aren't they?"

Their cries of sadness mingled together as their bodies pressed against each other, looking to find comfort in the others embrace. They didn't even think to pull apart.

"And I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I didn't want to upset you."
"Steven Stotch told me. He knew before you did."
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." A fresh wave of tears pricked in his dark blue eyes.

He pushed away the tears roughly, leaving a red welt on his cheeks. "I'll see you soon, okay?"
She looked up. "Okay." She sniffed and wiped her nose. "Okay." She began packing her few possessions, most of which Kenny had bought. Walking her to the door, Kenny gave her one last present. His phone.

"Ken. Really?"
"Really care bear. It's yours now."
"Won't you need it?" Shaking his head, he closed her small hands around it.
"Not anymore. I love you."
"I love you too! Thank you Kenny!" She clung to his hips, burying her face into his parka.

"I'll see you later Ken!"
"Goodbye care bear."

Walking away, she waved excitedly. She had no idea what was happening. He felt selfish in a way, but he didn't see any other way to fix things.

~~~

He knew Butters would try and come. So he made use of his time.

He went to Starks Pond, taking a gun from his father's old gun cabinet: a 9mm Ruger, the barrel a sleek matte black. He stuffed it in his back pocket, making his final trip to the familiar and fond Pond. In shame, he pulled up his hood and drew it closed.

He walked past the brightly coloured houses, a burning guilt building in his stomach.

The clouds above moved slowly but covered the once bright sunlight. Walking to the bench directly opposite the pond reeds, he pulled the small pistol out.

Shaking and gasping out breaths he placed the barrel to his cheek.

~~~

He took one last look at the dull world around him. The blue sky had faded to grey, the white crisp snow thawed to a sludge. The colour had drained from everything he once knew. From everything he once loved.

Choking back a sob, he moved the gun to his mouth.

Gulping back his fear, he squeezed the trigger. And it all went black.

~~~

He went to Heaven that time, his eyes becoming a light blue. He knew not of his original eye colour, for he had died too many times.

An angel came forward, seemingly floating above the very clouds they stood upon. Kenny held a hand up. "Not anymore." Walking directly past the ethereal being, he pulled open the heavy golden gates. "It's finally my time." He turned to look at the one who greeted him.

"Say hello to the sunrise for me. And, watch over Karen."

Not looking back anymore, he finally welcomed death's maw.

He finally knew what it was to be free.

00:39