THE LIVES AND LIES OF FIELDING CREEK

A/N:This story takes place in its own alternate universe, kind of like my stories Stan's Phobia or How the Darkness Sounds. It's not meant to be read as other stories that exist in my personal South Park timeline. Hope you enjoy.

IN THE BEGINNING

Kyle's POV

August 28th, 2018

The only thought that kept coming into my mind that day was how the hell did I wind up here? Of course I knew the specifics but the overall reasons for it made me shake my head in disbelief. All I wanted to do was to save my best friend and now… now I was in the same sticky situation he was in. To make matters worse I had no idea where Stan even was. The idea seemed flawless enough days ago. Fake an illness so They would have no choice but to take me to The Center. This was where Stan was, at least, that was what I came to believe. Maybe I shouldn't have talked things over with my other Floor mates. I knew Stan trusted the majority of them but still… the fact remained that he was the one that needed help and I was the only one that could follow through with doing just that. At least that's what I hoped.

I can remember my frustrations already as I woke up that Tuesday morning. Today was my mother's birthday and if things were back to the way they were months ago then perhaps I would have been celebrating with her and the rest of my family. Nothing big, Mom is not one to ask for too much attention on her birthday. But we would have gone out to eat for dinner, somewhere nice that's out of town. A nice dinner was always Mom's idea of a good birthday. Yet here I was, stuck at The Center. Away from my family just like so many other kids. Just how did I land myself in a situation I told myself I never would be in? To best answer that I have to take you to the beginning…

December 11th, 2017

It was a cold Monday morning and my nine-year-old self was currently walking down the halls with Stan, talking about the homework we had over the weekend.

"I think I did okay, he's not exactly grading us on artistic ability is he?" Stan spoke as he showed me a picture he drew of the landmark, Seven Falls. We had to draw a famous Colorado natural landmark and list ten facts about the landmark over the weekend.

"It looks fine to me. Better than what I did anyway," I said as I showed him my picture of the Arkansas River.

At that moment we looked over to see Fatass running (or jiggling- same thing) over our way.

"You guys! You guuyyssss!"

"What is it?" Stan asked.

Cartman stopped our way, hand on his knee for a few seconds to catch his breath. "You- you guys, it's sooo cool. Did you hear what's happening next year? Oh my god it's going to be totally sweet you guys."

"You're finally going to eat low-fat food?" I joked causing Stan to laugh.

"No fagbutts. And just because of that I'm not telling you anything."

Stan rolled his eyes. "Fine, what is it?"

"No, you'll just have to find out some other way. But once you do find out what's going on you're going to wish you had heard it from me first. Assholes." With that Cartman stuffed his backpack into his locker, slammed it shut, and walked off to Mr. Garrison's classroom.

Stan and I both shrugged at each other before doing the same. We both found out exactly what Cartman was talking about hours later at home from our parents. I couldn't help but notice the odd looks on Mom and Dad's faces as we sat around the dinner table that night.

"Um, is something up?" I finally had to ask.

Mom and Dad shared a look before Mom spoke up. "Well now that you mention it bubbe, a flyer came in the mail today that Dad and I found interesting. We figured you might too."

"A flyer? About what?"

Dad thought as he cut into his salmon. "Hmm, the flyer didn't say too much but it spoke of a new development being built not far from here called Fielding Creek. The area is designed for kids and well, here, you can read it…" he handed over a sheet of bright orange paper with black font throughout.

HEY KIDS! Ever wish you could have a break from your parents? Ever wish you could do what YOU wanted to do and your parents couldn't tell you no? Then you might be the perfect candidate to take up residence in the brand-new town of Fielding Creek! A town designed with kids in mind. Development begins this December and the town opens in February of 2018, just for YOU! More information to be given at participating schools in town. South Park Elementary: December 13th, Jr. High: December 14th, and High School: December 15th. Residence reserved for children ages 6 months-18 years. See you there!

(Special meeting for parents to take place at the Community Center on December 17th at 8 P.M.)

I frowned, feeling very confused at the flashy flyer. I slowly placed it on the table so we could all look at it.

"I don't understand what this is about. What's the point?"

Dad shrugged as he ate some more. "I guess you will find out more in a couple days. Couldn't hurt to see what they have to say, right?"

I looked back at the flyer then at my parents. "Are you guys planning on going to the parent meeting thing?"

"Of course Kyle," Mom spoke. "I am curious as to what this is just as you are. I bet anything that Sharon and Randy will be going too."

And that was that. We were all on the same page at that moment and we would be getting more information soon. Of course this new development/town thing was the hot topic on everyone's mind at school the next day.

"I dunno, it does sound kind of sweet but at the same time…weird," Stan was saying over lunch.

"You buttholes, this will be totally sweet. A place to get away from our stupid parents for once? Sign me up already," Cartman smiled.

December 13th soon arrived and at 10 o'clock that morning all us students were taken into the gym for an assembly to hopefully better understand just what was going on. I noticed a great big screen set up as well as some models of buildings and things set out on a table. After all us kids took a seat in the bleachers were we greeted by a couple new faces.

"Good morning children of South Park Elementary!" greeted a man with short blond hair. "My name is Nick and I am the head of development in the new town of Fielding Creek."

"And my name is Connie and I am the director of operations at Fielding Creek and today we are going to be going over this exciting new prospect! Who else is excited?"

There was a murmur of response.

Nick clicked a remote in his hand and a large image popped up on his screen of fancy golden gates with the words Fielding Creek over it. "Now I am sure the first question the majority of you youngsters have on your mind is: What exactly is Fielding Creek? Connie?" he smiled at his partner.

Connie faced us all with hands clasped in excitement. "When I think of Fielding Creek I think of opportunity. Opportunity for each one of you to be the very best person you can be. An opportunity to show everyone out there, whether it be your parents, friends, or peers just how smart and strong you are. To learn skills that you might not have gotten yet. To be able to go in with a certain idea of yourself but to come out much happier and able-minded than you were when you arrived. For you see, Fielding Creek is a special town developed with children in mind."

Stan and I shared a curious look as we listened to this lady speak.

"There's some weird catch, just wait," he whispered to me.

Nick began showing us more of his PowerPoint. "Here at Fielding Creek we have developed everything you kids will need to live a happy and healthy life. There are schools, clinics, a post office, grocery store, everything that exists already in this town now. Not to mention the huge houses that are being built where you will share with your fellow peers and friends during your time here. It will almost be like one big sleepover!" he clicked the next image to show images of what appeared to be one of these houses. "Each house will be three to four stories tall, have a massive kitchen, living area, bedrooms, and recreation room for everyone. It truly will be a fun place for you to spend time with your peers. Yes?"

At that moment the hand of a third-grader went up. "How many houses will there be?"

Nick and Connie shared a look before the man answered. "As of right now there will be ten houses. The actual room arrangements are explained in better detail in this pamphlet here which each one of you will take back home with you today." He held up a beige book the size of a comic book.

To my surprise Stan was the one that held up his hand next.

"Yes little boy?" Connie acknowledged him.

"I still don't understand this. Why would we want to do this? Live here? What's in it for us?"

Connie smiled brightly now. "I am so glad you asked that dear. That is the next topic I want to bring up. You see, Fielding Creek will be a town specifically developed for children ages one through eighteen. It's a town for kids run entirely by kids."

The gym buzzed around with excitement now and it took a couple minutes before Mr. Mackey could quiet us all down again.

"Yes, you heard me right. This town is a special opportunity to see just how well you will be able to run a town by yourselves without adult intervention. You will go to school, have job opportunities, get paid for those jobs… it's a chance to live life and do things your way without your parents to tell you otherwise."

"Wow, awesome," I smiled as I looked at Stan, the same look on his face.

I saw Wendy raise her hand next. "How long will we live there? Will we be able to go home if we wanted?"

Connie and Nick shared an odd look yet again. Connie placed a strand of her reddish hair behind her ear. "To tell you the truth this town will be treated like one big experiment. If you do decide that you want to take part in the Fielding Creek experience then you are agreeing that you will live there, away from home, for a duration of at least three months. And will be unable to go home until then. Only if the situation is dire enough or you get home sick you can return home. But you will be unable to partake in the experiment if you choose to leave."

"Quiet down now! Quiet down now, mmkay?" Mr. Mackey was tapping on a microphone as everyone in the gym began talking at once again.

Stan raised his hand again but Connie made a motion for him to lower it. "As for your question earlier about what is in it for you I have to say this: whoever is able to outlast his or her fellow peers and friends the longest and to the best ability at the end of the three months will win a prize."

Cartman's eyes lit up now. "Prize did she say?"

"Now I don't want to disclose what that prize is yet but I will tell you that it will be great. Something you will enjoy. Something your parents will enjoy as well. Something that truly will make you feel very good about yourself if you do win it in the end."

Cartman's hand shot up now and he spoke before Connie could acknowledge him. "Will the prize include money?"

Connie chuckled. "I'm not going to tell you what it is, that is for the special winner to find out in the end. Perhaps you will be that lucky child."

Cartman rubbed his hands together. I could already hear the dark thoughts he was scheming up in his mind. The assembly went on for another thirty minutes. After, all us kids were encouraged to take one of the beige booklets with us on our way out. Of course we all had our noses in them after school let out as we rode the bus home.

"Well? Do you think it's legit?" I asked around.

"Must be, there sure is a lot of stuff they put in here," Stan said as he thumbed through the booklet.

"It sounds almost too cool to be true," I frowned. "A chance to live somewhere without adult supervision for three months and we have a chance to win a big prize if we succeed?"

Butters was now looking through the booklet quickly. "Did you fellas see anything about when we can sign up by?"

Stan opened to the front page. "Says right here the last day we can enter is by December 30th. After that…. looks as if the initial process to get everyone settled in and such begins," he frowned as he read that page.

I looked over to my friends after glancing outside the frosty window of the bus. "So? Are you guys for sure going to enter?"

"Well duh," Cartman rolled his eyes.

Butters rubbed his hands together in a defeated way. "I mean I'm sure my parents are going to want me to go. I doubt I'd win but I know they'd want me to enter. A chance to- to better myself. Maybe I'll stop being such a little screw up if I go…"

"I am, that prize has me excited. It could be anything," Kenny mumbled.

Stan shrugged. "As long as nothing too crazy happens and there isn't some sort of catch. It could be pretty fun. I do wonder what the living arrangements will be. I mean if I'm forced to live with Shelley still then no way in hell am I signing up."

I rubbed my chin as I flipped towards the back under a section labeled: Home Life. "I doubt you will be dude. There isn't too much detail but it says here boys and girls will be living in separate housing and we'll also be separated by age. Damn, I wonder what they mean by that? I'd hate it if I can't spend much time with Ike…"

Stan was giving the pamphlet a hard look now. "I just really hope this isn't some sort of cult. I told myself already I learned my lesson after trying out fucking Scientology. Listen to this, on page three: 'Fielding Creek is a town designed to better each child and to allow him or her the chance to take charge of their own life. This means that the physical and mental health of each child is essential to a good outcome by the end of the three months. Upon each entry every child will be given mandatory physical, dental, and mental health evaluations before taking up residence. By month three each child will be reevaluated to see if either A) They made improvements to their own wellbeing, B) Their wellbeing decreased, or C) Stayed the same.' This will help in the overall process of choosing a winner. I dunno, that right there sounds kind of strange…"

Cartman was scoffing at this already as he leaned over the bus seat to Stan and I. "As usual something fucking amazing is taking place in town and the Jew and the Douche has to have a problem with it. Were you fucking asleep at the assembly? We get to run a town by ourselves. We get to get paid for jobs and shit. We get to do shit our way. Where the fuck do you see a problem with that?" he demanded.

I read this part in the book too. "Stan does have a point. Mandatory evaluations on everyone before and after this thing? That's hundreds of kids' information they could use for whatever reason."

"Guys, this thing is sweet. There's nothing else to it. Or are you all too chicken to be away from home for three months? Huh? Bawk-bawk-bawk!" Cartman squawked, flapping his arms like a chicken.

I slapped his arm to stop. "Shut the hell up fatass. I'm not chicken."

Stan was still looking at the booklet. "Same, I just want to make sure we aren't signing up for some weird cult thing or being sacrificed to some demons or whatever."

By December 17th everyone's decision about Fielding Creek was decided. All the parents went to the parent meeting at the Community Center and when our parents came back home to the Marsh house that night (Shelley was left in charge of us kids) they all had smiles on their faces.

"Well Eric, do you still want to take up residence at this new town?" Ms. Cartman asked her son when everyone stepped inside.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Cartman cheered, spilling the Coke he was drinking onto the carpet.

"How about you Stanley? And Shelley? Is this something you'd like to take part in?" Mrs. Marsh asked her kids.

"I dunno. I really don't want to be forced to live in a house with only her as company," Stan thumbed over to his sister.

"Well from what we were told you won't have to worry about that son," Mr. Marsh grinned. "Boys and girls will be living in separate houses."

"Then sign me up already," Shelley groaned. "Anything to get a break from this stupid family."

Mom and Dad turned to Ike and I now. "Boys? Do you want to live in Fielding Creek?" Mom asked.

Ike looked up from the car he was playing with, frowning. He got up and stood next to me. "I want Kyle…"

I had a hand on my brother's shoulder now. "You'll be okay Ike. I'll look after you."

Ike held up his car now to our parents. "I take… red car with me."

Dad placed his hands on his knees as he lowered down to look at him. "Yes, you can take your favorite toys with you Ike. And like Kyle said, he will be there with you the entire time. This will be a great big fun adventure for all of you."

"So you guys were all convinced this will be a good thing? Like, you didn't get any weird vibes from the meeting?" Stan asked, now sitting down with the popcorn us guys had been snacking on before our parents walked in.

Mr. Marsh looked at the other parents before turning to his son. "No, you kids have nothing to fret over."

Stan rubbed his arm. "Then what's with the mandatory health checks?"

Mr. Marsh chuckled now. "Stanley that's nothing. Nothing more to it than what they said in this little guy here"- he held up the beige booklet. "It's just a way to see which one of you kids has the best grip over your own life and wellbeing at the end of the three months. Either you improve yourselves, you stay the same, or you suck at taking care of yourselves and loose. Simple."

Stan sighed but didn't say anything. I knew he had fair points to be skeptical, especially after being a part of Scientology not too long ago. He never was sued by anyone of the 'religion' but he did spend some time after doing a little research on cults and made the promise he would never be a part of a group again if it had cult-like vibes. I know he had reason to worry a little if our personal information from the health checks would later be used against us but I still wanted to be a part of this 'experiment'. Us kids had done a lot of crazy things in our short lives. Stan, Cartman, Kenny, Butters, and I have been through many situations most adults wouldn't dream of and so far we had come out all right. Surely we would all be okay if we helped run a town with other kids. If anything we would be safer, in an environment without much distraction or temptation to leave. It would just be us doing the best that each of us could do to show our parents that they had done a good job so far in raising us. I guess.

I was just worried about my brother Ike. Stan and everyone were old enough to appreciate time away from our parents and knew some skills we could apply to running our own life for a little while. Ike, not so much. All he knew was kindergarten and home. Yes he was smart, the only three-just-turned-four-year-old in kindergarten, but he was still the smallest and youngest kid there. He still needed reminders to clean his bottom after he used the toilet and still couldn't tie his own shoes. I could do all I could to help him but what were the chances he would actually make it the three months away from home?

"Did they tell you anything about the prize?" Butters's voice interrupted my thoughts.

Again, the parents stole odd looks at each other.

"The prize isn't what's important now Butters. The important thing is that you win it. Otherwise you will be grounded when you come back home," Mr. Stotch sternly pointed a finger at his son.

"Oh geez," Butters frowned, rubbing his hands together.

Minutes later everyone began to disperse to go home.

"Goodness, it's already past ten? Stanley, go upstairs and get ready for bed. It's past your bedtime," Mrs. Marsh told her son, pointing up the staircase before she went into the kitchen.

Stan rolled his eyes as he got to his feet. I grinned and gripped his shoulder.

"Just think dude, soon you can set your own bedtime. You can do whatever the hell you want," I reminded him.

Stan smiled slightly back but didn't say anything. He waved me good-bye and went up the stairs. At that moment Dad steered me out so we could go home. By the next day it appeared as if the majority of parents in town had agreed to send their kids to Fielding Creek. I liked to think all the kids going there had a say in it and were the ones that asked their parents if they could go. I didn't want to think there were some parents out there signing their kids up if they didn't want to attend. Of course there were going to be families like that but still... I had a feeling the adults in town knew what was at stake prize-wise so they wanted to make sure they had a shot in claiming said prize. I asked Mom and Dad what it was and what else they were told at the big parent meeting the other night but they didn't tell me anything. They had both been busy filling out forms on Ike and I since that day and had sent them to the mayor's office where a couple spokespeople had set up a little booth to collect every entry form as well as convince others that might still be unsure about this thing.

The information I did gather from the official booklet was that any child that did enter would automatically be allowed in. The booklet went into detail how the more kids living in the town the better. It meant it could function more like a normal town if more people lived there. It meant there would be more jobs available and more chances for everyone to help each other out to run the town. At this point I really wanted to find out what kind of job I would be assigned but I was told that would be one of the last things that would be assigned. Before that each of us kids would fill out forms of our own where we would answer questions about ourselves plus we would be given mini-interviews with other spokespeople of the development so our overall personalities and abilities could be assessed to better place us in a particular job. But those would be a little later. First up on the list was the start of the health checks. According to the schedule in the booklet Health Screenings for children ages 8-11 would be on January 2nd at 9 A.M. and go on long into the day and would take place in the large conference rooms of a business plaza in town.

As I stood in line with what seemed like nearly two hundred other kids close to my age I kept looking around to see if I could spot Stan but couldn't find him in the crowd, but since I looked to be one of the first kids in the line I decided I would wait around after until my friend showed up. I had told him the night before I'd wait up for him if I was seen before he was. I wanted to simply text him but at this point Stan's parents hadn't given him a phone yet. And so I waited behind a kid slightly older than me before it was my turn. A nurse escorted me down where makeshift cubicles were set up in the conference room, each with a privacy screening.

"In here dear," spoke the nurse and pushed me inside one near the end of the row. I stood in what appeared to be a normal looking doctor's office but at the same time it hardly looked like one. There were only two chairs there, a scale, and a little table on wheels. Suddenly the curtain opened and in walked a slightly older man with a small smile. He shook my hand and introduced himself as Dr. Hekert.

"Do you have your form with you son?" Dr. Hekert asked me.

"Oh, right." I handed over a form to him which my parents had filled out that had my information on it such as full name, birth date, and the fact that I was diabetic.

The older man nodded as he took it from me. "Thank-you. Now, this should be very quick young man. I'm just going to check your vitals, weight, and take a tiny blood sample and you'll be free to go. How does that sound?"

I could already hear in my mind what Stan's response to this would be as soon as he met up with me later.

"See Kyle? It's a way to keep track on us. If they have blood samples of us they have our DNA ready at their disposal."

But I honestly was feeling okay with the kid town thing still and knew at this stage of the game such information was simply to see if any of us would improve ourselves or not in the end. So I agreed to what this doctor said and he went away with my physical and I was out of the room in less than ten minutes, a few new things filled out on my form from the doctor. I waited around outside and twenty minutes later Cartman turned up. We waited over another hour until we finally saw Stan walk our way near the back of the office building.

"So? What do you guys think so far?" I asked them.

Stan was frowning as he held up his right hand where a Band-Aid was over his ring finger. "See Kyle? I told you- this is all just a way for them to get a hold of our DNA. If they have our blood on hand then they"-

"Dude, Stan, I really don't think that's it. They just need initial information on us before anything. How else will they know if we improve or not?"

Stan huffed. I guess I didn't see it as a big fuss, maybe it's because I am so used to finger pricks and such since I'm diabetic but I wanted to remain hopeful about everything right now.

"What the hell is up with this fucking sheet though?" Cartman shook his medical form in front of his face. "There's weird colored dots and shit on here."

I rolled my eyes. "If you bothered to read dumbass it tells you. Let's see… I have a yellow dot next to my name as well as a green one…"

"I do too," Stan looked at his name.

"I have a red dot. What does that mean?" Cartman asked.

I looked to the back of the paper where it explained each dot. "Yellow dots mean 'child has pre-existing condition upon arrival.' Guess they mean my diabetes and your asthma dude."

"Oh," Stan said.

"Green dots mean 'child is of a healthy BMI upon arrival.' So I'm at a normal height and weight ratio for my age as are you Stan. Red dots mean 'child is either over-weight or obese upon arrival.'"

"Ay! What the hell?" Cartman spat as Stan and I laughed.

"What do you weigh then? Two-hundred pounds?" Stan smiled.

"Shut the hell up hippie!"

I couldn't help myself- I ripped Cartman's sheet out of his hands to look. And laughed some more with Stan.

"Wow dude! According to this, you are in the 98th percentile with a BMI of 24. Let's see… yeah, at 4'3" you being 91 lbs. is considered obese. This means you are fatter than 98 percent of other boys your age!"

"Hey shut the fuck up both of you!" Cartman tore the paper from me now.

Days later on January 8th was the Dental Screenings for children ages 8-11 and took place in the large parking lot of the Community Center. I couldn't help but note how many other dentists from neighboring towns volunteered their time to do this thing today since South Park only has six dental offices around. I stood in line behind some kids that cold morning. To the left and right of me were two equally long lines, all three lines waiting in front of three mobile Dental Vans called Smile Express! There were also some men standing guard near them. I poked my head out, once again searching for Stan. I guess you can't help but do shit like that when you're best friends with someone. You always have to know what the other person is doing and what they're thinking. I then noticed the back of a familiar red and blue poofball hat, about ten or so kids in front of me.

"Psst! Stan! Hey, Stan!" I hissed his way.

The head turned around and Stan looked back. I couldn't help but smile his way. "Meet you in the back after, okay?" I mouthed even if he probably couldn't hear me. But since we are best friends he understood what I was saying and nodded before looking towards the front again.

At that moment a man dressed in a dark blue suit pulled out a megaphone to hush all of us kids. "Attention! Attention now!" he called, a hard look upon his face. "I have some important words that I need to announce before we begin today. Each van here is situated with two chairs each; one dentist per chair which means you will be going in two at a time. If the dentist that examines you finds nothing of concern you will exit the van to your right and you are free to enjoy the rest of your day. However if something is found to be of concern you will be given a dark green stamp on your forms you have in your hands there and exit to your left where you will be sent to the Community Center. There you will wait to have said problem fixed before you can continue on with your day. Understood?"

I couldn't help but notice the men standing guard in front of each van. As if they were ordered to shoot any kid that might try given them trouble although I didn't see any guns. Even though he was in front of me I still felt the apprehension off of Stan. If last week didn't make him feel like a person on display to be forced into something so personal today certainly would. And so I waited and waited. Indeed there were a couple scuffles as that first hour went by when two kids tried to sneak off to the right to go home but instead were forced to go to the direction of the Community Center. And since there seemed to be constant movement of kids going in and out of the Smile Express! Vans and of the guards escorting them to the proper line I never noticed when it was Stan's turn. Finally I went into the van after having stood in line for over an hour.

Inside were two normal dental chairs facing the opposite sides of the van with a small sink on either side. One was occupied by some unknown girl so I went to the empty one. A kind-faced man by the name of Dr. Yu greeted me and went to examine my teeth. The process lasted five or so minutes before he asked for my information form. He scribbled something on it and patted my back.

"All looks good Kyle. You're free to go."

"Sweet," I smiled and hopped out the chair so he could get ready for the next kid.

I walked out to the right of the van (thankfully with no problem by the guards) to wait for Stan. I waited behind the Community Center near the dumpster for him but he didn't show up. At least not for another two hours. Thankfully I had my phone to occupy myself with but I still felt annoyed when his presence finally graced mine.

"Finally! Dude, it's nearly four o'clock, where the hell were you?"

Stan was glaring at me as he held out his information form. "I had the smallest of fucking cavities. I had to get it filled just now. But of course the Community Center is packed already with all these other kids that need shit done too. So I had to wait forever to be seen again. Still, it was the smallest cavity," he held up his thumb and first finger together. "It didn't take long to be fixed but c'mon… there was barely anything wrong."

"Sorry dude. But hey, this is all worth it. We're so close to being in charge of our own lives for once," I said gleefully.

Stan sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I hope so. I just want to pack my bags and go already."

It made me happy to know that Stan was finally beginning to get excited about Fielding Creek, and as the days went by his excitement grew. Not long after the initial health checks did an official date come out as to when Fielding Creek would open: February 5th. The final phase of the process would occur on January 15th, personal interviews to asset possible job placements and our overall personality and mental health. Interviews took place for children in the age group of 8-11 once again and at the Community Center. This time the process took place in the private rooms in the center so as to not have outside sources interfere with anything. I was taken into one of the rooms where two individuals representing Fielding Creek greeted me. I forget their names, only that it was a man and woman. After asking for my name and age they went into the actual interview.

"Now Kyle, the first question we have is possibly the most important: do you want to work during your time at Fielding Creek?" asked the man.

"What? What do you mean? I thought jobs were mandatory," I looked at the two.

"Well it is up to a certain age," explained the woman. "However it is optional in your age group. You see, jobs can begin to be handed out at age eight in town and at that point it is indeed your choice if you would like one."

"Oh. Well yeah, I would like one if possible," I said earnestly.

"Great," the man smiled and wrote something down in his folder.

"Now Kyle, what is a job you would like to have when you grow up?" asked the woman.

I frowned in thought, rubbing my chin. "Hmm… well I do like science and math. Maybe some sort of scientist. Or maybe a doctor. My best friend told me before I'd make a good doctor and well, I do take his opinion over anyone else's," I said truthfully.

The two adults in front of my nodded and scribbled away in their notes.

"Do you yourself see a future as a doctor? Why do you think your friend thinks this of you?" asked the woman.

"Well like I said, I'm good at science and stuff. Honestly I'm good at every subject in school. I guess you could say I'm the 'smart kid' in my group," I put up air quotes. "I also really like to help people. Sometimes… well, I might take it too far and I might create a bigger problem if I do something for someone else but it's who I am."

"So you like being with people? Would you consider yourself a people person?" asked the man.

"Yeah, guess so."

"That's good, that's good," nodded the man. "Now Kyle. What are your favorite activities outside of school?"

"I like to play video games, read, play basketball and football."

"Would you consider yourself particularly good at any of those things?"

I couldn't help but sigh. "Not really. I mean, I'm good at reading of course. I can read at an eighth grade level. I'm also really good at video games. But sports-wise I don't have much talent. They're fun but that's about it." I already knew when these people talked to Stan they would be impressed with his abilities at sports which would no doubt push him into a job completely opposite of mine. Once we were done talking about my interests we went into talking about my family. I was surprised for a second as to why they wanted to know but I figured it had to do with the whole 'mental health' image they needed to get of me. I told them I loved my parents and brother and went on for another minute to talk about my relationship with Ike.

"I take my role as older brother pretty seriously," I explained. "I can still remember when I was younger how much I would beg my parents for a sibling. Now that I have one I want to make sure my brother grows up in a good way. Make sure I can be a good influence on him and have him know he can go to me for anything."

The woman smiled as she wrote this down. "So this ties into your sense of wanting to help others, am I right?"

I shrug. "Sure, I guess. I am kind of the emotional support for others, mainly my best friend."

The man frowned as he looked my way. "This 'best friend' you keep bringing up… well, you keep bringing him up. Do you share something special with him or her? How long have you known them?"

"Sorry, can't help it sometimes. Honestly we're just as close as brothers. Been friends since preschool. We hang out all the time, know everything about each other. I- I don't know if that matters or not in the end with this," I waved my hands in the air. "But we kind of have already talked about what would happen if the both of us are tied for first place to claim the prize in the end. What would you guys do about that?"

The man and woman shared a glance before looking at my direction.

"That's very sweet," smiled the woman. "Unfortunately I don't think that is a possibility. But we do take best friends into account with the town. We can see if we can't group you together with your best friend for certain things like your dorm or activities in town."

"What is his name?" asked the man.

"Stan Marsh," I answered.

"Okay. And his age?"

"He's nine like me."

The interview went on for another ten minutes before the man asked me if I had any pending questions. Of course I did.

"You say that those eight and above can get jobs… what about my younger brother then? And other kids his age? How will they be taken care of if they're too young to work?"

"Good question Kyle," nodded the woman and wrote something down. "You see, children under the age of eight will be looked after by the older children of the town. Some of the jobs available to teenage children is to help look after the youngest members. And since they are indeed too young to work that means their needs, such as food and clothing, will be provided by official members of The Center."

"Wait, what's The Center?"

The man and woman glanced at each other before they both chuckled.

"Oh how silly of me! I sometimes forget that the majority of you kids don't know about The Center. Just as well, you'll find out more about that when you move into town. The Center is the main building that runs the town."

"But I thought"-

"Yes, kids will run the town. However there still needs to be a separate…base if you want to call it. That supplies necessities for the town. Security monitors in town get fed to The Center so adults that work there will be aware of any trouble. The Center also provides electricity, water, gas. All those things to help power the town so that no one needs to worry about such things. We thought having children be in charge of their own power supply would be a bit much to handle," explained the woman.

"Say Kyle, you like science, don't you?" asked the man.

"Yeah."

"Well think of The Center as the mitochondria. The main house that controls the rest of the cell body. Trust us, no one older than eighteen will be seen in town. In fact, The Center is located miles away from town," smiled the man.

"Okay then," I shrugged.

With only three days left to go the town of South Park was abuzz with the thought of all us kids heading off to live on our own for a little while. It was a Friday and a school day, although no one was paying attention in Mr. Garrison's class, nor any other class in town. I wish we could say it was because we would soon be away from school for three months but unfortunately school was still a requirement when we were to move to our new town. I wasn't sure how our new schooling would go but was curious nonetheless. No one could do anything but talk of Fielding Creek during recess that day. A big group of us guys sat around the trees to discuss things.

"Everyone all packed up?" I asked around.

"I've been packed for weeks," Cartman boasted.

"Mostly," Stan answered. "My grandparents from California are stopping by later today. In fact, I'm sure their plane just landed," he glanced at his watch. "My grandpa said he has a special present he wants to give me personally before I go."

"Do you guys really think things will be okay? That we're really able to handle livin' on our own?" Butters asked around, slightly worried.

"I think we'll be okay. We've all done some crazy shit in our short lives. We can handle living in a town by ourselves," Token reassured the blond boy.

"Things did get screwed up pretty quickly when we ran a town last time. We were divided and sacrificing other kids and it had only been a week without our parents," Stan noted, talking of the time us kids had our parents taken away by police after accusing them of falsely 'molestering' us. Things went chaotic fast. But there seemed to be more order and structure this time around, I felt good about everything.

"Imagine winning the prize. I hope it's money. Or chicks or some shit," Kenny said as an afterthought.

Tweek was twitching as usual and pulling at his shirt. "Gah! But what if something bad happens to us? What if we get hit by a car or- or get AIDS?"

Stan sighed with an eye roll. "Dude, Tweek, mellow out. I was told that there will be a health office in town. And anything that's serious will be treated at The Center. Actual doctors are standing by there in case there is an emergency in town. We'll be fine."

Honestly, I think Stan and I were both feeling confident at this point. Any questions or concerns were answered either by officials or written in the beige booklet. We were able to live life how we wanted for a little while. We would earn money for jobs and use that money for goods. Just like any normal town. There was adequate housing, school, grocery store, health office, library, swimming pool, park, bookstore, toy store… all the things a kid could want or need. We could speak to our parents either with phone calls or live video. We had internet and constant electricity. I couldn't find any faults in Fielding Creek. Not yet anyway. How quickly things changed. How I wish I could turn back time and warn myself about the town. How I wish I could tell our parents what they had signed us up for. At the very least I wish I could have told Stan not to be his own hero five days ago. Then maybe I wouldn't be sitting here in The Center. Waiting and waiting…

Hello again readers! I'm back again with another original South Park story. After wrapping up Prisoner of The Mind I knew the next thing I wanted to work on was another chapter story. This idea came to mind fairly quickly. I am pretty certain that the only character's point-of-view I will write in will be Kyle's. As much as I love Stan there's something really enjoyable writing in Kyle's POV. Other chapters will be in my own POV. I still have a story left to finish for Welcome to the Marsh House. Hopefully I can finish that up soon. I also really hope to complete Sharon's letter for my story These Words on Paper soon. It's honestly tough to get into that mind-set for obvious reasons. Anyway, hope you are looking forward to this new story. Please do leave a review, it makes my day. Thanks a ton.

Lots of love: Rose, March 1, 2020