I do apologize, I am assuming some of you were confused as to why Karkat was abused by his mom in the last chapter.

(backstory...) Karkat's dad left them, before this story took place. His mom has been getting more and more depressed over the course of the past few chapters, even though it was not shown. She thinks that it was Karkat's fault, even though he did nothing of the sort. She is just sad and drunk and needs something to take her anger out on. In the past chapter, she was drunk and stays that way over the night. Karkat is upset about his dad leaving, but not nearly as his mom.

I'm sorry about not making and sense, but I hope this cleared it up! (Sorry this is short...)

The next morning Karkat was jerked out of his sleep by the shrill vibrate of his phone.

"S-Sollux?" He stuttered, looking at the contact. Oh thank gog, he'll know what to do. "Hello?"

"Hey KK."

"What do you want, fuckass?" He snarled, flinching a bit as his words seared his throat.
"Can I not call without a reathon?"

"Nope, now give me your reason before I hang up."

"John and Dave were wondering if we wanted to go to thith thitty amuthment park with them."

"Ok, I have to uh… Ask my mom, I'll call you back."

"Thure…" Sollux was left listening to silence as Karkat ran out to ask.

"Mom?"

"Yes sweetie?" She smiled at him, all of last night's attack forgotten.

"C-can I go hang out with some friends today?" Karkat stuttered, flinching slightly when she raised her hand to pat her hair.

"Of course you can!" She laughed, "Just remember what I said last night!" She flashed him a large, toothy grin before turning back to whatever she was doing.

"Yeah…" He backup out of the room, making a mad dash for the bathroom.

He slammed the door shut behind him and started water for a shower.

He stepped in, the water scorching spots on his back, his chest, his arms.

"Fuck!" He turned the water down, sighing as it cooled his damaged skin.

His hands were red and sore from all of last night's fighting and bruises were starting to blossom up and down his body.

He finished washing up and got out, wrapping a towel around him. His head felt heavier than usual, as if it was made of lead, and the throbbing headache he had didn't help one bit.

He took a side glance in the mirror, dark eyes widening as he took in the sight.

He neck was a sickly purple color, he could hardly speak. His hands ghosted over the spot as he choked on his own words.

Karkat ran back to his room and called Sollux, "Hey."

"Ith that a yeth?"

"Well she didn't say no."

"Then we'll come and get you, Dave ith driving."

"Fuck, that asshole douche is coming too?"

"Yeah… I told you that earlier…" Sollux muttered.

"Oh." Karkat ran a hand through his hair, not wanting to deal with the 'coolkid' right now.

"Tho then we'll thee you in like, twenty minuteth." Sollux hung up.

Karkat ran over to his dresser, trying to find something that would cover up his bruises.

This will do… Karkat thought, he pulled out a black turtle neck and grey jeans. Perfect.