Painestar : So this was in fact WrestleMaina29 Weekend and that's why this wasn't up sooner! It's true, I'm totally a fan of fake wrestling. Which is why I had to make my werewolves do a little in the ring type action here and there, training hard for what's to come later. Hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for viewing and all the other sweet jazz.
Episode X
Kyle pulled off to the side of the road.
Kyle: "Did I really just leave her back there with those things?" He exhaled deeply and covered his face with his hands.
Star was running through the thick woods, gasping for air and repeatedly looking over her shoulder. Now she was being chased. Once into the field she ran towards Troy. He still held his head high and was swishing his tail, pacing slowly.
Star: "Troy!" She breathed heavily from all the action. "Troy, you didn't let him leave?!" She shouted.
Troy: "What did you want me to do? Tell him to stay?!" Star covered her forehead with her hand and slowed to a halt.
Star: "No, no. You're right, I'm sorry." The presence that had been chasing her was gone.
Troy: "It's okay. Let's go find him. He couldn't have gotten that far." They began to run, Troy trotting slowly so Star could keep up beside him. "What happened to the others?"
Star: "They chased Monty back into the forest."
Troy: "Isn't it something that we can never catch him?"
Star: "He's smart. God, poor Kyle. I had no intention of this happening. I'm supposed to be helping him not traumatizing him more than he already was."
Troy: "You didn't know this was going to happen."
Star: "But still, I feel like I'm putting everyone in danger." They reached the paved road. Star stopped to catch her breath. Troy's hooves made a clicking sound on the hard ground. That's something they don't hear often. They try and stay away from the road. There was a car approaching from the direction of South Park. "Shit Troy, hide!" Troy dove into the woods. Star was about to follow him whenever one of Monty's followers jumped directly onto the road, stopping her dead in her tracks. Speaking of being stopped dead in your tracks… The felis growled and slowly walked towards Star making her back up. The approaching car seemed to have no interest in slowing down or stopping. The big cat turned its head to look….but it was too late for him. Kyle's car rammed into him causing a huge speed-bump like reaction for the vehicle. That car was going to be fucked up somehow. "Oh my God! Kyle! Are you okay?" He opened his door. The car was making a loud hissing noise from the impact.
Kyle: "Am I okay? Are you okay?" She helped him out.
Star: "Yes I'm fine. But you-."
Kyle: "What the fuck are those things?!" Star opened her mouth to respond but Kyle spoke again. "Is that what's been terrorizing the city?!" Star knew how confused he must be. "Oh my God! Oh my God!" She was afraid he was about to have a nervous breakdown. "We have to call animal control right away!" He pulled out his phone.
Star: "No!" She shouted. He looked at her like she was crazy. "I mean, I've already called. They're-uh, on their way right now."
Kyle: "Are you sure?" He asked, his hands trembling.
Star: "Yes." She and Kyle went to the front of the car, Kyle was sort of cowering behind her.
Kyle: "Sh-should I run over it again? Just to make sure?" The feline was defiantly dead. A puddle of blood, under its body, began to grow and then seep down the slanted road.
Star: "No I think you got him. Warrior." She added, making him smile actually. "Good thing you came back and saved my ass."
Kyle: "I'm sorry I freaked out. I'm really glad you're okay though."
Star: "I'll be fine. Will you back your car up so I can get him off the road. I don't want anyone else getting hurt." That and hopefully no one would see him.
Kyle: "You can't move him. And I would be no help."
Star: "I have to try." Kyle obeyed his orders and backed the car up and then to the side of the road. He got out again and attempted to help Star move the oversized animal. She knew she couldn't move something of this size in her human form.
Kyle: "What are we gonna do?" Star whistled and Troy came to her aid. "Huh?" Troy sunk his teeth into the cat's tail and drug him off to the side of the road.
Star: "Good boy."
Kyle: "What the fuck? Do you train him to remove dead bodies off the road or something?"
Star: "No, he's just really smart." Kyle began to freak out again.
Kyle: "Oh God, oh God, when is the animal control coming? Are they on their way yet?"
Star: "Stop wiggin' out and get in the car. They aren't going to want us here when they arrive." She finally convinced Kyle that the animal control was on their way. After calming him down with some comforting words, Star then had to think about herself. Monty would be furious when he found one of his recruits dead. And she knew he would find him…dead.
XXX
Stan tapped his fingers on the desk at the pet shop. Why couldn't he concentrate on anything? Why would his thoughts always result in Kyle? He exhaled and ran his hands through his hair. The warming weather had caused him to lose the red poof ball hat for now. A few customers lingered around the store picking up hamsters and tapping the glass on the aquarium filled with turtles. Not that he cared. He stared off into space as he leaned down on his elbows. The bell chimed, meaning someone entered. But Stan didn't look up to see who it was. He was still lost in his thoughts.
Pip: "Ello again Stanly." Stan slowly let his eyes move over to meet Pip's.
Stan: "Uh, hey…dude."
Pip: "Boy, you look bloody awful."
Stan: "What do you want Pip?"
Pip: "Well, I thought I'd come by and see if you could point out any good jobs open in the area. Me and Gregory need jobs terribly bad."
Stan: "I don't get it. Why'd you want to move back?"
Pip: "Because this town was my new start when my parents passed on. Even back then in elementary, I was young and confused about my life, and sure everyone picked on me but at least it distracted me from the pain of losing my parents. I know your parents have fights and even split up for some time. Heck, even Eric doesn't have a dad but at least he has a mother. My foster parents never could measure up to my real parents." Stan felt like such a jerk. He sighed. Is he just going to keep hurting people like he hurt Kyle? "So when Gregory told me how his parents were letting him go and off the hook of being wealthy and worry free we decided to come back together and begin a brand new life. You understand now Stanly?" He knew Pip was aggravated talking about his parents but his voice remained calm. Pip was never mean to anyone and when people were rude to him, he could care less. How he did it? No one knows. It's hard to be that strong. Stan realized just how strong Pip was.
Stan: "Dude," He walked around from behind the counter and stood in front of Pip, placing his hands on his shoulders. "I'm sorry."
Pip: "It's quite alright Stanly. You don't look like you feel good anyway."
Stan: "No, I feel fine. Well actually I don't, ugh." He removed his hands from Pip's shoulders and placed one at his own hip and pinched the bridge of his nose with the other, groaning lightly.
Pip: "I'm really good at giving advice, If you need to talk about it-" He needed to talk about it, cutting Pip off in the middle of his sentence.
Stan: "I'm having strange feelings for a very close friend of mine." He retreated back behind the counter so he could sit down. Pip leaned against the desk this time. "I'm just…I don't know what to do."
Pip: "I'm guessing these feelings are not for Wendy?"
Stan: "Uh, no. I mean I'm dating Wendy now…I just, God, I don't know. She doesn't make me happy like," He stopped before saying Kyle's name. "Like that other person does. Not like she use to. It's like every day now she's pushing me away."
Pip: "Hmm. I don't think she's pushing you away. I think you might be pushing yourself away because you like this other person better. Why don't you just tell Wendy the truth and make yourself happy."
Stan: "It's just," He sighed. "Not that simple. There's more to it than what you know."
Pip: "You know I'm not one to start drama Stanly. You can tell me. I have a feeling that you've been keeping this locked up. It's not good for yourself." Stan looked around the store to make sure the customers were out of hearing range.
Stan: "I have to keep it locked up because the other person is a guy."
Pip: "So?"
Stan: "So?" He scoffed. "So, it's not right. I was brought up to be…"
Pip: "To be what?" But Stan only looked up into his eyes shortly before letting them fall to the floor. "What do you want, Stanly Marsh? To live a life of happiness or to feel trapped in a relationship where your feelings are fake?"
Stan: "I don't want to be gay." He whispered.
Pip: "Then don't look at it that way." He exhaled. "I don't." Stan looked up at him again.
Stan: "Pip…"
Pip: "In this day and age Stanly, it's not about what people label us. It's about learning to love what is best for us." Stan thought for a minute.
Stan: "That makes since, Pip." He smiled. "Thanks."
Pip: "No problem Stanly. Well I must be off. Still have a lot of places to apply at." He turned sharply.
Stan: "Uh, hold on dude." Stan reached under the counter and pulled out two applications. "I don't know if we are hiring really. But it wouldn't hurt to fill it out anyway. Marilyn and I don't talk much. I think I'm here more than her actually." He smiled before pushing the apps toward him. Marilyn being the owner of the pet shop.
Pip: "I really appreciate it. I'll bring these back pronto." Pip turned again but before pushing the door open he looked back at Stan one more time. "Think about what I said. I think you and Kyle are really cute together. Just so you know." Stan's face grew warm. He hadn't mentioned Kyle's name one time to him. Was he really that tore up over him that it was obvious who it was? But Stan didn't have time to respond before Pip was out of the pet shop and passing by the glass window where he waved at Stan. Stan just stared at him as he passed with his mouth hung open.
"Excuse me?" It was an older woman that Stan had never seen before.
Stan: "Oh, uh, yes ma'am?" She held a little white kitten that was making biscuits on her collared shirt.
"How much are adoption fees?" She put the kitten on the counter implying that she really didn't care how much the fees were and that she was going to adopt anyway. Stan smiled, like he always did when someone made an adoption but this time the smile was different. Perhaps he felt like a dark cloud had been lifted from over his head. Maybe he had a chance to work things out with Kyle and repair the horrible mistake he'd now realized he had made. As he talked the lady through the process of paper work and shots he still couldn't get a single phrase out of his head. Thanks for the support, encouragement, and confidence, Pip.
XXX
Star sat a glass of cold water in front of Kyle. He was so persistent.
Kyle: "They'll notify us when everything's taken care of right?"
Star: "There's nothing to notify us about. I simply told them about the animals and they said they'd come out and take care of it." She had to admit she felt a bit bad lying to him but it was calming him to hear that something was being done.
Kyle: "How did you get away?" He hadn't touched his water, his eyes fixed on the table. "And those wolves. They're like a mutation or something."
Star: "Please drink." He threw a little fit as he flopped his hand down on the table and slowly reached for the glass, not caring if she'd answered his question or not. He took a couple of drinks. Star stood up. "This way."
Kyle: "Oh God. I'm not sure if I can take on anything else you have to show me today." He flinched when she snapped around to look at him making him sink further down into the chair like he was about to be put in time out or something. Star pulled him up by his arm. "Ow, easy." He said even though he was smiling. He jerked his arm away and Star rolled her eyes. She took him down the dark hallway all the way to the end where a single door was. It was creepy. What hasn't been creepy today though? She opened the door which creaked eerily. It only added to the situation. But when she flicked the light on, everything creepy went away. It was like an art studio. "Oh wow." She stepped aside to let him walk around and view the paintings. The paintings weren't dark but there were some that were a bit confusing to Kyle. There were plenty of horses and owls, beautify drawn. "Did you paint all of these?" He touched one of the paintings.
Star: "Not all of them." She stepped inside and took the current painting that was on the art stand down and put a new piece of large, blank white paper up. "My family contributes too." She picked up a paint brush. "Do you want to?" In some way Kyle felt kind of honored to be given the opportunity to add to the collection of art. He walked to her and took the brush gently in his hand.
Kyle: "I'm not much of an artist." He looked sad.
Star: "Here." They sat together so close that their legs touched but neither of them were bothered from it. "I'll help you get started." She wrapped her hand around his and made long strokes at first and then made a crescent moon in the corner. "You got it." Kyle became confident and dipped the brush into some more paint and began to free hand what ever was on his mind. Star seemed entranced by his imagination as they sat in silence for a good ten minutes. Kyle pulled the brush away and scrunched up his nose.
Kyle: "Well that looks like shit." Star giggled.
Star: "No it doesn't." She looked contently at his work. "You've drawn where I took you today. Here's the dragon flies and frogs." She pointed in a particular spot on the paper. Kyle was surprised she could actually tell what it was. "And the pond, and the misty waterfall."
Kyle: "You must have experience trying to determine what drawings are."
Star: "I do. Blaine can't draw worth a damn." Kyle laughed.
Kyle: "The brother I assume?"
Star: "Yeah. You'll remember him when you see him." Star then wished she hadn't of said anything. Maybe she jinxed them. The front door slammed making Kyle jump and then there was a lot of commotion. "It's okay, come on." She went out first with Kyle closely behind her.
Blaine: "I don't understand how he get's away every single fucking time."
Lenne: "Maybe you just suck at hunting."
Blaine: "Oh, I wasn't aware this was my fault." Natalya was being smushed between a very angry Blaine and Lenne as she tried desperately to prevent them from lashing out at each other.
Natalya: "Nghhh-stop it!" They didn't relent to her pleas.
Lenne: "You started this. Like always, you have to provoke them to hit you so you can fight. That's why they run and get away!" Blaine released a dark and demonic like growl.
Star: "Hey, hey, hey!" She yelled, pulling Natalya out from her crushing fate and forced Blaine backwards with an arm across his chest. She whispered to him but Kyle couldn't hear what was said. He just noticed Blaine turn his head to look him up and down. Kyle heard him mumble something that he swears sounded like 'He's too thin anyway'.
Natalya: "Hey Kyle." She said almost dazed as she leaned close to his shoulder.
Kyle: "Oh, um, hey." Blaine had this almost insanely jealous look come over him as Natalya tried to flirt with Kyle.
Natalya: "I'm glad you're feeling better. We were so worried." Star knew Blaine was welling with anger and jealously.
Star: "Okay." She pushed Blaine away from the group and ordered him to go away somewhere. "Nat, please take care of him."
Natalya: "Oh okay." She touched Kyle's arm giving him goose bumps. "See you later." And she walked past, leaving Kyle with the thought that maybe there was some sort of sick incest going on here. Star referred to them all as family but the look in Blaine's eyes wasn't the look you get when your sis is dating an asshole but the look of someone hurting inside and not coming out clean.
Kyle: "Yeah, later." He responded. Lenne sighed and crossed her arms.
Star: "We'll talk about this later." She felt Kyle move closer to her, afraid Blaine would come back into the room. "Do you want me to take you home? Or would you like to paint some more?"
Kyle: "It is starting to get late now. I better get home. I defiantly don't want to see those things at nighttime." Lenne and Star exchanged looks of worry before Star led him outside. Star wanted to drive him home again. She had to visit Butters anyway. She still hadn't seen him since she'd come back. "I'm okay to drive, really."
Star: "Just let me." She had to pry the keys away from him which she was finally able to do. He groaned, finally giving up and went to the passenger side. He got in and sat there crossing his arms and pouting. "Poor baby." She teased making him giggle.
XXX
Butters was very impatient when it came to people not responding to his text messages. He'd been blowing up Kyle's phone but he couldn't understand why Kyle couldn't at least just tell him he was busy or something. Then he'd stop worrying. He received nothing. After dropping Kyle off yet again, Star managed to get away with some excuse that someone in town would take her home. She arrived at Butters' house but preferred to use the window. She had a very unsettling feeling with his parents, like they somehow knew her secret because they were parents. Parents know everything. She climbed the tree and to his window where she tapped gently. Butters looked up from his books he was still studying. He smiled brightly and hurried to open the window.
Butters: "Gee wiz, I was wondering if you'd come back." He hugged her. She wasn't really sure about hugging him back. She seemed confused about affection.
Star: "I'm sorry. I had a situation to attend to."
Butters: "I'm glad you're back now." She was too but she didn't say that out loud. He pulled away and looked up at her. "I went to your house…while you were away. Kenny took me. I hope it was alright. He doesn't…uh, know." He swallowed. "And I saw Blaine's injuries. And Lenne and I talked." She didn't seem angry, she was actually very pleased to hear that Blaine kept his cool.
Star: "So you know where I've been."
Butters: "No. Well Blaine said you were probably looking for whoever did that to him."
Star: "He's was probably right."
Butters: "What happened?" He was deeply concerned that maybe Star had a dark side he hadn't seen.
Star: "I gave him what he deserved."
Butter: "You didn't…" Butters didn't want to say the word kill.
Star: "Kill him?" She began to pace around the room. Butters gasped softly. He didn't dare argue with her on the subject of killing. But almost as though she could read his mind she spoke. "Don't get me wrong, I regret it. I acted completely out of anger." She exhaled, her teeth clenched. "I've only made matters worse because Sasha, the other wolf, got away."
Butters: "May-maybe she just won't ever come back." He spat out quickly.
Star: "I can almost feel… her planning something. I know she'll come back for me. And…" There was an and… "And I'm afraid for you. Because she's seen you. She saw me, protecting you when Remington was trying to get close to you. I hate that I couldn't have thought of this before I acted. I feel so stupid." Tears welled in her eyes as she looked to the floor.
Butters: "You won't let her hurt me." She looked up at him, making some of the tears fall straight to the floor. "I know."
Star: "I…" She began, wiping away some of the tears. "I thought at first that maybe it might be better if I stopped coming around but…I can't do that. I have to know that you're safe." Butters felt well protect now hearing this. He was begging to feel a bit sick to his stomach on the thoughts of someone coming after him. "I'm sorry, if-if this sounds awkward or stupid. But Natalya," She wiped her cheeks again. "…Said that this could be normal. That I feel like I need a…" She didn't like to say it but she did with a grimace on her face. "Master." Butters listened to her, hypnotized. "Is that sick?" All he could do was shake his head no. "We still know very little about our species. Finding clues, anything to learn more and more about ourselves. We just don't exist in this world. Hell, I've even Googled werewolves, shape shifting, possession, demons…"
Butters: "Why not angels?" He interrupted. She laughed and shook her head, placing her hands on her hips.
Star: "Angels aren't killers. They are innocent and kind, like you."
Butters: "You could of let me drown?" She stopped downing herself to listen to him. "Or um, freeze to death." She crossed her arms and Butters prayed he hadn't crossed a line somewhere. "But you risked your own life by jumping into the water to save me."
Star: "My body heat is intense. I knew I would heat up faster than you." Butters groaned and put a hand on his forehead since she didn't understand. He raised his voice a few notches which surprised Star.
Butters: "No! What I'm trying to tell you is that you're an angel to me!" And then his voice calmed and he took a deep breath, falling back and sitting on the bed. "Think about it. Angels are guardians. And angels protect the one's that are innocent. Your family…and me. What about all of the innocent people in the cities that have disappeared?" There was a moment of pure silence. They could hear the tv downstairs. Star had nothing to say back. Nothing more to say about how horrible she is. She only shrugged and then smiled.
Star: "You're right." Butters knew she finally understood. She fell to her knees in front of him and pushed a hand through his chicken feather like hair, making it stand up even more. "I promise, I will never let anything happen to you." And then she hugged him around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her. "You want to see Kenny?" Butters' smile turned to a frown.
Butters: "I can't. I'm having company tomorrow and so my parents won't let me do anything else today."
Star: "That's pretty gay." He gave her a mean look. "Oh sorry."
Butters: "It's okay. I get picked on enough for it." Star stood and went to the window peering out after hearing the dogs next door go crazy over something.
Star: "I don't see how. There are a lot of same sex couples in this town."
Butters: "Really? I thought it was just me and Kenny and then Tweek and Craig. Craig was a surprise though. I kinda think he only likes Tweek, like if it wasn't for Tweek he would still like girls, or something." She watched a house cat run from the fence and into another neighbor's backyard. She felt relieved it was just a little cat. "But Tweek says he's really a sweetheart and spoils him. And that he only plays a tough guy around Token and Clyde…oh Clyde?" She looked over her shoulder since he said Clyde twice. "Star?" Then she turned her body to face him. "W-why do you not, you know, have a boyfriend?"
Star: "Drama. Pain. I could go on and on."
Butters: "Not all guys are bad though."
Star: "I just don't trust a relationship. I can't….I just can't."
Butters: "You're afraid."
Star: "I'm afraid," She paused looking out the window again. "Of falling in love and then…having him taken away from me."
Butters: "What do you mean?"
Star: "I'm a werewolf. Anything could happen. 'He' could be found out by my enemies, or what if snapped and accidentally bit him. I would never want this kind of fate for anyone."
Butters: "You think you will ever," He bumped his knuckles together nervously. "Snap with me?" She shook her head roughly.
Star: "No. That's different. Relationships are stressful and only for so long can one body take enough betrayal before they just snap." She held out her hand to the space beside her.
Butters: "I'm not sure I understand." She sighed and looked back at him smiling.
Star: "I'm not sure I do either."
Butters: "So like, you remember um, that guy you danced with the night we went to the club?"
Star: "I think so. We talked briefly." She remembered the terrifying phone call she got from Lenne about Remington and Sasha invading their home.
Butters: "Well uh, he thinks you're hot stuff."
Star: "What?"
Butters: "I mean he thinks really cute."
Star: "Oh. Well that's nice of him." She turned around again, missing the point of Clyde altogether. Butters had to mentally slap himself in the face.
Butters: "Well uh, there's more, he wants to like…take you to dinner." He made that up.
Star: "Are you saying that little punk thinks he can out eat me or something?" Butters snickered, trying to get his mind out of the gutter.
Butters: "No, no, no. He wants to do something nice for you-" He stopped himself before his dirty thoughts went any further. "He just really freakin' likes you, silly."
Star: "You mean like how I like you?"
Butters: "No. Different like, more like-like." She rolled her eyes.
Star: "So you're setting me up?"
Butters: "Technically you set yourself up by showing off your dancing skills in front of him."
Star: "He doesn't like me…because he doesn't know me."
Butters: "Well he wants to get to know you." She shook her head.
Star: "I can't get too many people involved."
Butters: "He doesn't have to know. Believe me, I don't know if he'd figure it out if you wrote it down for him."
Star: "Oh okay, you're setting me up with a dummy?"
Butters: "No." Butters wasn't going to let her get out of this. "I just want you to meet him. If you absolutely can't stand his guts then I won't make you see him again. Please. I just think you guys have similarities."
Star: "And what's that?"
Butters: "He's been done wrong in the past as well. And doesn't like a lot of girls around here and the ones he actually gives a chance treat him real bad. He might be ditsy sometimes but it's just how he is. It's what makes him Clyde. And," He giggled. "He is like really cute when he's like all shy and everything. You should of seen him yesterday, I know he had butterflies thinking about you."
Star: "He has that feeling for me?"
Butters: "Yep. It's the same feeling I get when I'm around Kenny. I swear us being apart like this has only made us closer. The moments we share together…and the amount of time I do get to see him, mean the world to me. Even though," He took a deep breath. "I never feel like I'll ever be good enough for him." He hung his head, sadly.
Star: "Don't think like that."
Butters: "Sometimes I think Kenny would be happier if he were with someone who he could see everyday. Someone that wasn't a prisoner in their home. Sorry," He sobbed lightly, thinking of he and Kenny no longer together. "Getting off topic." He rubbed his eyes.
Star: "No, it's alright. I understand." She lifted his head up with her finger. "Don't you think Clyde would be happier with someone that didn't turn into a monster? Someone who has been imprisoned by a curse that is unchangeable?" He didn't know what to say.
Butters: "I think…everyone deservers a chance at happiness. If its true love…it will work."
Star: "Then what are you worried about?"
Butters: "I always will have that thought in the back of my mind." Neither of them spoke for a few moments. She could tell how hard he was trying to get her to see Clyde again. After all he was only trying to help. What could it hurt? It's not like much could happen in one date. She sighed.
Star: "This weekend." She lifted the window again sat on it about to climb out. Butters' face was still stained with a few tears but his face had lit up at his accomplishment. "So, the day after tomorrow?" He nodded. She got out and stood on the roof for a second before turning back to him. "This totally makes me your bitch?" He only laughed lightly before watching her jump to the earth. She stumbled over at first and then regained her balance before disappearing around the corner of the house. Butters rested his head against the still open window, feeling the gentle summer breeze enter his room and trying to chase away haunting thoughts and bloodcurdling nightmares that he refused to let enter his dreams tonight.
XXX
There had always been a picture of Stan and Kyle together that was propped against the lamp at his bedside. It was Kyle's favorite. His best memory of him and his super best friend. But now, he wanted to be strong. No longer would he punish himself for being in love with the wrong person. Before Kyle could drift off to sleep had to get rid of the picture. He took a good long look at it one last time before laying it facedown and tucking it in the bottom drawer of his dresser. Stan altogether began to slowly fade away.
