Fourth story, chapter one. Follow-up to "It's Time". I just came up with this while I was sleeping (literally). I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
NOTE: This entire story has been rewritten with a new writing style. Although the plot is the same, there are a few new additions to it.
Satan was right about the birthday party. Kenny had a great time, even though he was lying in the hospital bed for pretty much all of it. Everyone showed up, got Kenny some gifts and Kyle wasn't angry at Kenny for what he had done. However, that only lasted until the doctors told him that he was using again. Kyle took him to his house, but now he was really pissed.
Kyle: Kenny, why did you do this? You swore to me you'd never use again!
Kenny: Kyle, I honestly don't have a good explanation beyond what I already apologized for. I saw you and Bebe and...
Kyle: And naturally, you start injecting yourself with God knows what.
"It was only one time..."
Kyle: Ken, I... I don't even know what to say.
"'I understand' would be a nice start..."
Kenny lowered his head in shame and didn't say anything for a while (for the same reason), but Kyle took it the wrong way.
Kyle: Hey, are you even listening to me?
Kenny: I am...
Kyle: Well then, say something!
"Exactly what am I supposed to say?"
Kenny: Kyle, nothing I say can even begin to explain how sorry I am for what I did. You have every right to be angry at me, but you gotta understand, I only did it because I missed you...
Kenny's answer just made Kyle angrier. His face was turning bright red, and not in a good way.
Kyle: Kenny, just shut the fuck up.
"Yup, definitely not the right thing to say."
Kyle: Look, just... go home. I'll meet you there in a while.
"That does not sound good. But I'd better do what he says. It's his house, after all."
Kenny: ...Alright, Kyle. I'll go. Promise you'll come by my house later?
Kyle: Promise.
Kenny: OK. Love you.
Kyle's anger dissipated a bit from that comment, but he was still pretty angry at Kenny.
Kyle: Love you too.
Kyle sounded like he was sure about that statement, which made Kenny relax. However, he needed to get home ASAP and hide his drugs again. For good.
Kenny passed by Ike in the hallway, who immediately went into Kyle's room to check on his big brother.
Ike: Hey, Kyle.
Kyle: Hey.
Ike: What was Kenny doing here?
Kyle: He...
Kyle was hesitant to tell Ike about what had happened. However, he figured that he would find out anyway; it was better if he heard it from him. Ike noticed that Kyle was wondering whether he should answer his question or not, so he didn't say anything and let Kyle make up his own mind.
Kyle: ...Kenny tried to kill himself. We had a... misunderstanding and he assumed the worst. In the end, he just... tried to end it all.
"Some misunderstanding..."
Ike: ...How are you doing?
Kyle: ...I'm fine.
Kyle was obviously lying, but he couldn't hold it for long and started crying on Ike's shoulder. Ike just put his arms around Kyle and gently patted his back while Kyle sobbed. He explained that Kenny was using again, and that he was afraid of what might happen if he didn't go to rehab. He also told him that what Kenny did was his fault. Although Ike thought his fear and guilt were unfounded, he still tried to (and succeeded in) comforting his brother. Nobody, not even Kenny, knew Kyle better than Ike. He knew just what to say to make him feel better.
Once he was done with the pep-talk, Kyle felt so relieved that he was smiling and laughing again.
Kenny rushed to his house and found the locked box exactly where he had left it. He decided to throw them in Stark's Pond, in case he tried to get to them again. He couldn't get his drugs from the bottom of a lake without a lot of expensive equipment. However, before he could do it, he had an unexpected visitor.
Ike: Hey, fag.
"How did he get here?"
Kenny: What do you want, Ike?
Ike: Just came by to see how you were doing.
Kenny: Of course you did.
Ike had honestly come by to check on Kenny. After Kyle told him about what he tried to do, he was very concerned for both Kenny and Kyle, but he knew Kenny wouldn't believe that, so he decided to lie.
Ike: OK, I didn't. I came here to tell you not to do something like that again. Kyle was really scared when you tried to kill yourself. I think he'd do it too, if you didn't make it.
Kenny: He wouldn't, trust me. Kyle's stronger than that.
"And apparently I'm not."
Ike: Sure. Whatever makes you happy. What do you have there?
Kenny: Just something I have to take care of.
Ike: I see. I'll leave you alone then.
"That kid is fucking creepy. How did he get in my room? ...Doesn't matter. Gotta focus. Dump these at the bottom of Stark's Pond, wait for Kyle and get myself checked into rehab. That's all that matters right now."
Kenny wished that he could do what he always did in these situations – kill himself and start over. However, he couldn't be sure that his soul would be able to escape hell this time, and Satan wouldn't let him out again. All that was left was the rehab clinic. Besides, if others could do it, so could he.
Kenny reluctantly dumped his drugs in the middle of Stark's Pond and went back home. Now all he had to do was wait for Kyle to take him to the rehab clinic, where he'd spend a month or so.
"Kyle should be here any minute now..."
Carol: Kenny! Your friend Kyle is here!
"Speak of the angel."
Kenny: Alright! Thanks, mom!
Kyle: Are you ready to go, Ken?
Kenny: Yeah. What did you tell my mom about this?
"Nothing. She's your mom."
Kyle: Nothing. I didn't know what I should tell her, so I just kept quiet. What are you gonna tell Tweek's dad?
Kenny: No idea. We gotta think of something good, so I won't get fired. We don't have to worry about my parents, though. We just gotta tell our friends not to come here looking for me.
Kyle: How about... you saw Cartman get shot so now you're taking a short trip?
Kenny: I don't think a month qualifies as short...
Kyle: Why do you think it'll take a month?
Kenny: I'm just trying to think ahead. It's something you taught me.
Kenny and Kyle smiled at each other for a brief moment before they resumed their conversation.
Kyle: Or you could just ask for a break. You've been working there almost for a year now. I think Tweek's dad will understand.
Kenny: You think so?
Kyle: Sure.
Kenny: Alright, I'll call him.
"Alright, just gotta call him really quick..."
Richard: Hello?
Kenny: Hello, Mr. Tweak? This is Kenny.
Richard: Ah, Kenny, hello. How are you doing?
Kenny: Fine, fine. How are you?
Richard: Well, business is slow, but it's not too bad.
Kenny: Listen, Mr. Tweak, I've worked there for almost a whole year, right?
Richard: Yes.
"A sigh. That's not a good sign."
Kenny: And I've never been late or anything, right?
Richard: Right.
Kenny: I was wondering if I could get some time off. Maybe like... a month or so?
Richard: I guess that's okay... Can I just ask why you want to take some time off?
Kenny: Oh, just gonna take some personal time from everything, gather my thoughts and stuff.
Richard: Alright then. I hope you enjoy it.
Kenny: Thanks, Mr. Tweak.
Richard: You're welcome, Kenny.
With that, Kenny put down the phone and started packing.
Kyle: What did he say?
Kenny: He said yes. Are you gonna help me with packing or not?
Kyle: Sure.
Kenny didn't have much to pack, and Kyle knew it. The only things he could bring with him were his clothes and a small diary that he had never used. However, it wasn't about what Kenny was taking. It was about knowing that Kyle was there for him.
Kyle: All done. We should go now. It's a long way to the rehab clinic, and it's getting late.
Kenny: Alright... Hey, Kyle?
Kyle: Yeah?
Kenny: Thanks for being here.
Kyle's face turned bright red almost instantly, which caught Kenny by surprise. He had never seen anyone's face change that quickly.
Kyle: I'll always be here for you, Ken.
"I hope you're right about that... I know what I'd do if you left me, and I'm scared of that."
After an arduous car ride, the boys had finally arrived at the rehab clinic. Kenny had never imagined himself coming to one of these. He knew this was going to hurt a lot, but he had to do it. Not for himself, but for Kyle. It was clear that he was suffering because of Kenny's situation.
Kenny: Kyle?
Kyle: Hm?
Kenny: Listen, I'm gonna be okay. It's gonna take a while, but I'll come out okay in the end. I just need you to promise me something.
Kyle: What?
Kenny: It's not gonna be "Kenny comes in, Kenny comes out and he's fine". It's gonna hurt. And I'm not gonna be at my best, both physically and mentally, while I'm in the detox phase, so you gotta promise me you won't visit. I don't... want you to see me like that.
Kyle: ...You're afraid of what you might do or say?
Kenny: Yes.
Kyle: Alright, Ken. I understand.
Kenny: Thanks, Kyle... I'm gonna miss you.
Kyle: I'm gonna miss you too.
Kenny and Kyle hugged and cried in each others' arms. They know they won't see each other for a long time, but it has to be done. Kenny quickly wiped his tears and stopped hugging Kyle. He knew that staying would just make things more difficult.
Kenny: I gotta go. I'll try to call you whenever I can.
Kyle: Promise?
Kenny: Promise.
Kyle gave Kenny a short kiss and let him out of the car. Kenny was frightened by the very sight of the rehab clinic, which didn't go unnoticed by Kyle. Kenny got his bag out of the car and started walking towards the entrance.
"I guess I'll find out just how strong I am."
A/N: This next section is Kenny's diary, which he wrote while he was in the clinic. Obviously I'm not gonna write every single day, merely an overview of the time he spent here. I don't know what detox is like, or how long it takes, so I used my imagination along with the first episode of the sixth season of "House, MD". The dates are in the format "DD/MM/YYYY". I hope you like it.
22/03/2021
I just got here and I'm scared. The nurses are nice and they assure me there's nothing to be scared of, but that doesn't make me feel any better. I found out Tweek is also here, getting over his addiction to coffee. He's my new roommate. I told him not to tell his dad I'm in here, because he'll fire me. This should make things more interesting.
24/03/2021
It's been two days since I last used. I can feel my hands shaking and it's getting hard to focus. They gave me some medication to deal with that, but it's almost useless. Tweek, on the other hand, stopped shaking so much and is finding it easier to focus on things, although he's getting stressed out over the lack of coffee. I called Kyle today. He sounded pretty sad over not being able to visit me. I assured him everything was going well.
27/03/2021
Day five. Tweek has been complaining night after night about the underpants gnomes. I told him not to worry and to try to sleep, but that just makes him more nervous. I think the coffee was actually helping his stress. I've been shaking more often and I can barely focus on anything. I've also been throwing up a lot, but that's also to be expected. The medication isn't helping at all now.
I wanted to call Kyle but I couldn't. My hands were shaking so much so I couldn't dial the phone.
30/03/2021
It's been over a week now, and I finally stopped throwing up. Now I've started seeing things. I know they're not real, but I don't know how much longer I can handle it. I haven't been able to dial a simple phone, so no Kyle, and Tweek's been driving me nuts with the underpants gnomes. He hasn't stopped complaining for a single day.
Butters visited me today. He told me Kyle was waiting for me, and offered to get Kyle here, but I told him not to. I don't want Kyle to see me like this.
03/05/2021
It's been too long, and I don't feel any better. In fact, I feel worse. The food here started tasting like crap and my stomach hurts whenever I eat it.
Cartman says I should kill myself. He says that at least then, even if I didn't come back, the pain would be gone. I don't know how he knows about my power, but I think he might be right.
I got Tweek to dial the phone for me. I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. Kyle sounded pretty worried, and the fact that I sounded like shit didn't help much. I lied and told him I was feeling fine. I don't know if he believed me.
Tweek stopped complaining about the underpants gnomes. Now he says there's unicorns around the clinic and they won't let us leave until we get better. I don't know if he's right, but I've been seeing a lot of strange things too.
08/05/2021
I've stopped seeing Cartman. I can't believe I actually thought he was real, even after seeing him get shot in the head. The pain is less intense, and focusing is becoming easier.
Tweek is also feeling much better. He no longer talks about unicorns, underpants gnomes or any other crazy shit. We're both getting better.
Butters came over again today. He said I looked much healthier, and asked me again if I wanted to get Kyle here. I told him no. I haven't recovered completely.
15/05/2021
The pain is completely gone, and I can focus as well as I did before. My hands are no longer shaking.
Group therapy is not as boring as I thought. It feels good to talk to other people about stuff like this.
Tweek doesn't think group therapy is a good idea, though. It seems he was always paranoid, the coffee just made him louder about it.
I called Kyle today. He said I sounded much better, and wanted to see me. I told him to wait, as I should be out of here any day now.
18/05/2021
I feel as I did before I started using, but the doctors say I should stay here a few more days, just in case. I want to get out of here as soon as possible, but only if I'm 100% sure I'm better.
I called Kyle again. I told him what the doctors said, and he was very happy.
Tweek is a lot better now. He's pretty much the same as before, just less twitchy and he can handle stress much better. The doctors say he should leave here tomorrow. I'll be alone, but just for a few days.
30/05/2021
Yesterday the doctors gave the green light to let me go. I've been clean for over a month, and I hope I'll stay that way for the rest of my life. Kyle should be here tonight. I can't wait.
Doctor: Still writing in your diary?
Kenny: Yeah. Last thing before I leave.
Doctor: Well, I just came here to tell you that your friend Kyle is here to pick you up. He's right outside.
Kenny: Thanks for telling me.
"Kyle's here to take me home. Finally. I didn't know people actually cried with joy."
Kenny: Kyle!
Kyle: Ken! I missed you...
Kenny: I know. I missed you too... I'm sorry I didn't call more often, but it was hard to dial with my hands shaking.
Kyle: That's okay. We should... go now. I don't think my mom will like it if I'm gone for too long.
Kenny: You did tell her where you were going right?
Kyle: Not exactly... I don't want her to know that my boyfriend was using. She'd kill us.
Kenny: True. Then we should go.
Kyle: Come on, I'll carry your stuff.
Kyle puts his hand on Kenny's, and they smile at each other. The boys walked out holding hands.
"I can't believe he waited so long for me, even after everything I did. I love him so much."
That's chapter one. I hope the diary sequence wasn't too long or too boring and that it was accurate. Once again, I have no idea what it's like so I just used my imagination and (limited) knowledge of biology.
As for why I changed the expression "Speak of the devil" to "Speak of the angel", well, it's Kenny and he's in love with Kyle. He'd think "angel" before "devil".
Chapter two is under way. I don't know what it'll be called yet.