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Affliction
Chapter 10
Stan
I open my eyes slowly, pain vibrating from every inch of my body. Once the world stops spinning I am able to focus on my surroundings. The room is bright white. This is definitely not the basement. Where the hell am I? The last thing I remember is Shelley slashing my face with her whip.
My body is throbbing like hell. I feel as though I had been run over by a truck. I try to speak, but my mouth is block by some tubes. Air from the tubes fills up my lungs.
I look around. Machines are everywhere. Sitting next to me fast asleep is my best friend. He looks awful. His red hair is disheveled and has dark bags under his eyes. He looks like he hasn't eaten in weeks. I want to get his attention, but how am I going to do that?
Suddenly I notice something stroking my hand gently. My heart leaps in my throat feeling Kyle's touch. Using all the strength I have, I squeeze his hand as hard as I can.
Kyle's eyes fly open. He rubs the sleep out of his eyes adorably. If I didn't have those damn tubes in my mouth I would've smiled. He rubs his hand. I didn't think I squeezed that hard. At least I was able to get his attention. I wait patiently for him to notice me.
His green eyes meet my blue ones. "Stan! You're awake!" he cries happily. "How are you feeling?" I stare at him, trying to communicate with my eyes. He smiles at me. "I'm glad you made it."
Kyle reaches over and presses a small button by my bedside. Unconsciously I stroke his hand, which is still clutching onto mine tight. The fact that he's here makes me feel less pain, less scared. A woman with short black hair and dazzling green eyes comes into the room. "Olivia he woke up," Kyle says happily.
She smiles. "Is that so?"
The pretty woman comes over and makes notes on her clipboard. I tug on her sleeve then point at my mouth. I want to get the damn tubes out of me. "I think he wants to say something," Kyle says.
I sigh inwardly. Close enough. The woman pats my shoulder gently. "Don't worry, honey. You'll get those tubes our when you'll be able to breathe on your own. In the meantime I'll get you a whiteboard to write on."
A moment later, I'm propped up slightly, a small whiteboard in my lap. "Where am I?" I scribble on the board then show it to him.
"You're in the hospital," Kyle says quietly.
The hospital? That explains why I'm connected by tubes and machines are everywhere. And the lady with the clipboard mus be my nurse. I wipe away my previous question and replace it with a new one. "How did I get here?"
Kyle swallows hard. "I found you nearly beaten to death in your basement. So I called 911. It's amazing you're alive at all."
"How long have I been out?" I scribble.
"Almost a month."
Wow. Shelley really did hurt me bad then if I had to be placed in the hospital. I wonder where she is now, and at the same time I don't want to know. The fact that she might be still out there is scaring me to death. I'm about to write and ask Kyle when three people enter the room. My parents and the young nurse from before. My mother is crying. "Oh S-Stanley! You pulled t-through. It's a miracle!"
"How are you feeling, son?" my dad asks.
I roll my eyes. Why do people keep asking me that? I lying in a hospital bed attached to millions of machines How do they THINK I'm feeling? My mother grasps my hand. I notice Kyle isn't holding the other one anymore. "W-we're so sorry we d-didn't listen to y-you."
Anger builds up inside me. It's about damn time they realize I'm telling the truth! It only took until I was near death. I wrench my hand from her grip, ignoring the hurt look on her face. I scribble furiously on the whiteboard.
"You assholes! I've been telling you the truth for YEARS! Instead it took you until I was nearly beaten to death for you to finally believe me. I HATE you! Get the fuck out!"
Mom bursts into tears again. Dad looks at me sadly, then leads Mom out of the room. I feel angry and a little guilty at the same time. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kyle about to leave. I grab his arm.
He turns around. Tears are on his face. He probably thinks my outburst was directed towards him. Holding onto his arm, I scribble on the whiteboard. "Stay, please."
Kyle sits back down, tears on his face. "I'm sorry," I write. "That outburst wasn't directed towards you."
"But I'm guilty too. I was so stupid not doing anything about it for all these years. Because of my idiocy I almost lost you."
I squeeze his hand. I find that I'm not angry at him, because he saved my life. "You didn't lose me. If anything, you saved me." A tear rolls down my face as I remember how badly I've been treating him the past month. I don't deserve to have him as a best friend anymore, much less a lover. I want to tell him why I hurt him so much, but I don't want to risk his life just in case Shelley's still out there. Kyle must've read my mind.
"Don't worry, Stan. Shelley was found guilty on both assault and attempted murder. The judge sentenced her to 10 years in prison. She can't hurt you anymore."
Relief, glorious relief sweeps through me from head to toe. Shelley is in prison. She can't hurt me anymore. I'm finally safe. I close my eyes, feeling sleepy. My outburst has taken a lot of energy out of me. I need to rest and build my strength up again. I can apologize and tell Kyle the whole truth later.
Kyle must've noticed my lack of energy. He helps me lie down and tucks me in. "Sleep well, Stan. You're safe now. I'll be here when you wake up."
Kyle kisses my forehead, sending chills up and down my spine. For the first time since my birthday, I fall into a sleep free of worry and pain.
SKS
Kenny
We knock on the door to Stan's ICU room. After my horrible dream, Butters and I grabbed some real food. Now we're full and ready to visit our friends. Kyle looks up from a book. It looks like he's finally starting on the homework we brought for him. He grins widely at us. "Hey dudes."
"How is he doing?" I ask.
The atmosphere in the room is better than it has been since Stan's been brought in. The heart monitor is beeping steadily and the color is back in Stan's face. "He's fine," Kyle says happily. "He fell asleep an hour or so ago. He's getting his rest."
"Good," Butters says happily.
Though Kyle looks much happier, he still looks worn out. He'd most likely refuse, but I've go to try. "Kyle, you ought to go home and sleep for a couple of hours. Get something to eat. That way you'll be looking good for him when he wakes up again," I say, giving him a wink.
His freckled face flushes. "No. I can't leave Stan alone. I promised to be there when he wakes up. I want to keep him safe."
"Don't worry. He won't be alone. We'll stay with him until you come back. I promise." Since it's Friday, I don't have to worry about school tomorrow. I'm able to stay for as long as I need to.
Kyle starts to protest, but then his stomach rumbles. He smiles at us. "All right. I need a shower anyway. Promise you'll take good care of him?"
I hold my hand up to my head in the form of a salute. "I promise."
He smiles at us, puts down his book and leaves the room. The fact that Stan is alive and Kyle is finally going to take care of himself lifts a heavy burden off my shoulders. Everything is going to be all right.
KBK
"Gin," I say happily, laying my cards down. I grin evilly at my opponent. "Read 'em and weep."
Butters glances at my cards, then sighs. "Aww hamburgers. You beat me again."
I rub his head affectionately. "I can't help it that I'm good both in bed and in cards."
Butters blushes scarlet, and I notice he's looking past me. I follow his gaze. Stan's blue eyes are open. He's awake. I grin at him sheepishly. He must've heard what I just said. He's holding a whiteboard toward us. "Sick, dude. Is sex the only thing you think about?"
I grin. "Not always. But most of the time."
Stan rolls his eyes. He scribbles on his whiteboard then shows it again to us. "Where's Kyle?"
"He went home to get something to eat and take a shower, and I hope a couple of hours of sleep. Poor guy hasn't left the hospital since you've been brought in. I think he's trying to spruce himself up for you."
Stan looks sad all of a sudden. "He doesn't like me like that."
Butters and I exchange annoyed glances. "Here we go again," Butters mutters.
"If Kyle didn't love you he wouldn't have stayed by your bedside for 24/7. He sure as hell wouldn't have been holding your hand. It's obvious. He loves you!"
Stan still doesn't look convinced. I shake my head. Stan and Kyle are perfect for each other. They just need to get over themselves and make out already. I change the subject. "You need anything?"
"Besides getting out of the hospital? No. Thanks though."
I smile. "Okay, dude, but if you need anything let us know. We'll stick around until Kyle gets back."
"Thanks guys." Stan sits up a little straighter. He scribbles on the whiteboard. "In the meantime deal me in."
I grin and start dealing out the cards again.
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