Chap.16
Hey guys, hope you are well. Have had time to think and I think I finally have everything where I want with this story. At this point, I'm far from done. What I mean is that I have a beginning, middle, and end that I have written out (in summary of course) set in stone. I also plan on making a version that fixes all the grammar mistakes as well as tweeks some of the details to the story. Nothing major though. I plan on doing this a little after the story is completed and it will come with a little surprise at the end(to say the very least ;)). Anywhale(..yes whale), I hope you all enjoy the chapter and would consider critiquing and reviewing below.
Kenny could feel heat. He was in a dark space with no light. He moved left. Then he moved right hoping to be able to grab or feel something around him. He felt nothing. The one thing he did feel was the fact that he may have been floating.
As Kenny managed to move himself into a position he felt comfortable in, he looked up to see a pair of orange glowing eyes with black slits looking at him. He simply looked right back. Kenny never feared death. He found no reason to do so now.
The eyes closed and Kenny swolled his own and readied his mind for what was yet to come.
Just then, a bright light caught Kenny's eye. He looked back and turned around to see a silhouette. It was a girl, she appeared to be in a dress. Kenny squinted his eyes so he could make out more detail. He would recognize this girl with brown hair any day of the week. It was Heidi.
She had tears running down her cheeks and she looked straight at Kenny. Kenny couldn't tell if Heidi's dress was white or if it was just the light.
"Heidi?"Kenny questioned
Heidi turned around and began to walk away.
"Heidi! Wait!"Kenny shouted
Kenny felt breathless. He would say the words and feel the air to make the sound. But no words would come out.
Along with Heidi, the light disappeared. Kenny was once again left in the dark with nothing around.
Kenny felt something pull on his collar and begin to drag him up. Kenny prepared his arms to stop the force from pulling but his limbs went numb. He tried with all his night to move his limbs but to no avail.
The force was pulling him up at a rapid speed. Kenny tread barely able to look up due to the effects of gravity. It looked like he was underwater and that he was rushing towards the surface. He could only imagine the impact.
And right before he could hit the surface, Kenny awoke.
He took a deep exhale before looking around to see that he was laying in his bed. He had forgotten to take off his jacket, leaving him in a hot sweat.
"That was fucking crazy."Kenny said to himself.
Kenny got out of bed and took off his jacket. He then turned to look out his window and found that South Park was covered in the haze of twilight. Kenny smiled at it himself.
It doesn't matter what time of year it was, Kenny's favorite time of day was twilight. Not because he liked being the romantic love interest to vampires of werewolves, but because it repainted an ambiguity of the night that was to come. Kenny would often appreciate the way the sky looked around twilight. The way that only a few stars hung in the sky. The last relents of light of the sun that had hidden behind the horizon. It just seems like a perfect balance. A perfect stillness.
Just then, Kenny had remembered something. His little sister was home unchecked. She may have gotten lonely since he had gone to nap.
Kenny opened his door to see a light on in his kitchen. Kenny followed it to find his little sister once again snacking on pop tarts.
"Hey, Kare."Kenny said
"Hey Kenny. Are you feeling better?"Karen responded
Kenny approached the table before responding.
"Ya, for the most part. I've got a slight headache but I think water, food, and maybe a shower would be able to cure that."Kenny said
"Alright…"Karen responded
Truthfully, Kenny couldn't tell if he was hungry or if he was still a little sick from his escapades. Kenny went with the former to not worry his sister.
"Thanks for helping me home today."
"No problem. But I don't do much compared to your lover."Karen said jokingly
Kenny facepalmed. But, he only covered half of his face to reveal a smile.
He then walked towards his sister and put a hand on her head. He then moved to the fridge to pick something out. There wasn't much. He decided to go with the fast food in a greasy, brown bag. Leftover probably from mom or dad.
Kenny proceeded to eat and hang out with his sister for the rest of the night. Kenny knew he screwed up yesterday and had yet to truly make up for it so he took advantage of the time he had with Karen.
Not long after finishing their food, Kenny decided it would be best if they played a board game or something of the like. Karen agreed with her brother and they opened up their old edition of monopoly.
Kenny went with the top hat. Karen chose to be a car. The game started off with Kenny actually making smart marketing moves and him debiting Karen into jail.
But, Kenny had underestimated Karen's economic skills. She ended taking back the game with what little properties she had. Soon, Kenny found himself in jail while Karen had conquered the board and now had a true monopoly.
"Damn, you whooped my ass Kare."Kenny said
Karen fanned herself with the wad of Monopoly money.
"Okay, champ."Kenny said
Karen smiled and giggled as she rubbed in her victory. It was about 8:30 on a Monday and it only seems that Karen and Kenny are home.
"Did anyone come home when I was asleep?"
Karen put a finger to her chin.
"Ya, dad came home. but he passed not long after. And Kevin came home as well but left to go hang out with his friends. And mom is still at work."Karen said
"Alright."Kenny responded
"Wanna play another game?"Karen asked
Kenny took a second to think. As much as liked getting smacked around in monopoly, the game could get boring. He really wished he had something more for her. The board games could be fun, but they were all just boards and pieces.
What Kenny really wanted to get Karen was into was video games. It could mean endless hours of fun and variety. He was even putting a bit of his City Wok towards a Nintendo Switch(™). It doesn't require a Tv and they could play together. And she would have a way to entertain herself when he was away.
But until he managed to obtain a console, Kenny would just have to suck it up and play board games to keep Karen smiling.
"Ummm, do you think we could play something else?"Kenny replied
"Sure."Karen said
The Mccormick siblings decided to play a connect four. The set was missing most of the yellow checkers so the games went quick.
After about 45 minutes of playing, Karen began to yawn. Her eyes began to sink and she had to fight to stay awake. Kenny guessed that her taking care of him made Karen tired.
"Alright bud, I think it's time we put it away for the night."Kenny said
"Okay."Karen said
After putting the game away, Kenny helped his sister up and held her hand to lead her to her bedroom. Once they got there, he sat her down. Karen layed on her side. Normally, Karen would wear her pajamas but she was too tired to put them on. And Kenny wasn't gonna make her. He decided putting a blanket on her would be best.
Kenny then placed a hand on her head as he went to sit next to her.
"Goodnight Kare..Love you."
Karen rolled up to look up at her brother.
"Love you too Kenny, Goodnight."
Karen closed her eyes. Kenny got up from the bed and smiled. He went to turn off her light and went to close her door. Kenny took one last peek around his sisters room and looked back at a sleeping Karen. Kenny softly smiled. He proceeded to close her door.
After closing the door, Kenny felt a little bit of relief come off his shoulders. Kenny hated that. The fact that hanging out with his sister was getting something of his conscience made him feel like that. He loved his little sister and would do anything for her. And he never wants to make her needs feel like a chore. Kenny blames the alcohol. Or maybe the fact that his way of rearing maybe more taxing on himself than he thought.
Kenny's mind hopped over from Karen to Mysterion. He was Karen's guardian angel after all. Even still, he preferred to regularly be Mysterion so he could maintain a schedule. Most criminals have no schedule, so he just needed to find a balance. And if put time into other things, even time to recover from a high, he would lose that balance.
Kenny began to walk into his room when he heard a door open. He looked into the hallway to see Kevin entering the house. Kenny was in a good mood so he figured the least he could do was say hello.
"Hey man."Kenny said as he waved to Kevin
"Sup."Kevin responded as he made his way down the hallway.
Unlike his younger brother, Kevin didn't look like he was in a talking mood.
Kevin proceeded to open the door to his and Karen's room. Kenny looked back to his brother.
"Karen just went to sleep so.."
Kevin scoffed a bit.
"Okay man."Kevin responded
Kenny had a lot of questions to ask so many people. From as to why Butters has not ran away yet or as to why Cartman is so fat. But within the top few questions he had, Kenny had many for his brother.
"Where do you go and what are you doing? Why can't we talk like we used to? What the hell happened to you?"
Again and again, these questions would etch into Kennys head. And again and again, he would imagine the worst.
Kenny had know choice but to shake these thoughts out and focus on becoming mysterion. He didn't like to mesh his own personal thoughts while he was out on the job.
Kenny suited up. First his jumpsuit and then his hood. Then his shoes and gloves. Kenny finishes by putting his utility belt. Kenny opens his dresser and looks at a 9mm. Kenny kept it just in case. Kenny normally let the law have its way with the bad men(and women) he stopped. The law allowed some of these individuals a second chance. He knew some then we're just misguided individuals that needed help like his parents.
However, some people can't be reasoned with, even by the law. And if the situation ever needs it, such as the endangering of innocence, Kenny would do what he would have to stop them from hurting people. Even if that meant ending the life of someone that was misguided.
After getting suited up, Kenny leapt out his window. He headed over to the side of the house that allowed him to peek into Karen's room.
Kenny peaked into his sisters to see Karen sleeping comfortably. He was happy to see that Kevin didn't do anything to disturb her. Kenny looked slightly to his left to see Kevin flipping him off. Kenny just rolled his eyes and leapt down from the window sill.
Kenny made his way towards downtown. He considered changing his route so he could avoid getting distracted by a potential interaction with a girl with a red beanie. But, he might as well. And seeing her wasn't anything taxing to Kenny. Even as Mysterion.
Kenny followed his normal route out of instinct. He went down the normal alley and up the normal ladder. After getting to the rooftop he began to vault from roof to roof. He may have fallen once or twice. Hopefully nobody saw that. Kenny would choose to blame this on the fact that he was still recovering from his high experience.
As he traversed each rooftop, he kept an eye out for onlookers. Kenny began to become careless and try some of his superhero skills out and try doing some parkour. He was actually doing a good job vaulting around.
As Kenny continued to pretend to be a badass, he noticed a figure in the distance staring at the night sky. As he got closer he noticed the details of the person.
It was Heidi.
Kenny felt like he was seeing her in slow motion. Like the world and time had stopped just to see her.
Kenny shook off his thoughts and decided to approach the girl. He had already interacted with her before. And Kenny still needed to make up for what he had put Heidi through the night before as well as at school. Heidi also seemed to enjoy her interactions with Mysterion so maybe this would be a little treat for her.
Kenny loved in her directions and approached her from behind. After remembering their first interaction, Kenny decided that it would be best if he came from the side, that way she didn't make any sudden movements and potentially fall off the roof.
"I thought you I told you to stay away from ledges."Mysterion said
Heidi turned her head in surprise. She looked to find Mysterion with his arms folded and a smirk on his face.
Heidi smiled at Kenny.
"Hello Myst."Heidi replied
Kenny blushed a bit. Luckily, his good and mask covered it up. That name still made Kenny feel a certain way.
"Since you're here with me, I assume you're not busy. Have a seat."Heidi said as she gestured her hand to the spot next to her.
"Sure."Kenny said in his gruff voice.
Kenny took a seat next to Heidi. Kenny tuned to peak at Heidi's face and how the street lights reflected in it. It made her look almost like a divine being. And as someone who had seen his fair share of divine beings, Kenny could say that it wasn't that much of a stretch that Heidi could be one.
Kenny hadn't noticed how long and kind of awkward it was. It wasn't the kind of situation where they could just casually chat like they were at school. Heidi decided to break the tension and speak first.
"So Myst, have you been up to anything?"Heidi asked
"What the Fuck am I suppose to say"Kenny thought to himself. He figured that he would just have to do some basic stuff. Kenny loathed that as his situation with Heidi was more complex and developed then that.
"Ya know, just hero stuff. How about you?"Kenny asked
"Well ummm...lll...not to give lame response but mainly just stuff here at the restaurant and school."Heidi responded
Kenny had forgotten they were on the roof of her family restaurant. Then Kenny was scared that the conversation was gonna go silent and awkward agin when Heidi spoke.
"But recently, there's been...changes."Heidi added
"How so...if you don't mind me asking."Mysterion asked
Heidi brought her knees to her chest.
"Well I've recently had someone come into my life. They've helped get through a lot and I couldn't be anymore thankful. But…"Heidi said
Kenny turned to look at Heidi. Had he done something to upset her?
"But what?"Mysterion questioned
"I don't think I've been able to help them...if anything, I've done nothing but hurt him."
Kenny was shocked. Sure, there had been some trouble with Cartman. And there was the thing with Kyle. But none of that had any lasting effect as Kenny had worked it out with Kyle. And he didn't give a rats ass about Cartman.
"Hurt him?"Mysterion said
"Ya, I mean. He was probably in a better place both socially and physically. And now, at least since I've been around, he gets all...messed up."
Kenny didn't see it that way. He had been getting sick and dealing with cartman's shit since he was young. And immortality was something he just got used to. He still needed to figure out the truth to that though. That's something not even Heidi could mend.
"And seeing them get all...messed up...it well, it hurts me. It hurts so much that I can't even imagine how much it hurts them. And I'm just so useless."Heidi followed up with tears developing in her eyes.
Kenny noticed this and decided to take action. He was a hero after all. And sometimes that meant just being there for someone.
Mysterion grabbed Heidi's hand.
"You're not useless nor are you a hindrance. The fact that it bothers you is more than good enough. Sometimes people have their own issues. And the only way they overcome their issues is by helping others with their issues."Mysterion said
"But what if-
"But nothing. If they are there for you, that's probably enough for them. Why? Because you're a good person Heidi. Genuinely good. You've proven that tonight by having empathy. And that's something even a hero like myself forgets."
Mysterion wiped the tear about to go down Heidi's cheek to prevent from seeing her cry. Kenny couldn't bear making her cry.
"You're more of a hero than I am Heidi. So please, don't ever think you're useless. You mean more than you can imagine to people."Kenny finished
A single tear ran down Heidi's cheek as she stared at Mysterion. She then cracked a smile and began to giggle.
"You always know what to say Myst. Thank you."Heidi said as he put a hand on Kenny's shoulder.
Heidi then moved her hand towards Kenny's face. The moment it made contact with his cheek, Kenny's veiled face began to heat up.
Kenny could feel his heart racing. He couldn't get the thoughts out of his head.
"She looks amazing. Even when she's vulnerable like this...Should I..no...that would be wrong...but she's so amazing..but wouldn't I just be taking advantage of her?"Kenny thought to himself.
With some hesitation, Kenny removed Heidi's hands from his shoulder and face. He'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy the contact. But he didn't want to risk the chance of Heidi getting to close and unveiling his identity.
Kenny smiled back at Heidi.
"No problem."Kenny replied
Kenny let go of Heidi's hands and stood up.
"Although I'm not as great as you, I'm still a hero so I'm gonna go do that."Mysterion said
"Alright."Heidi replied as she got up as well.
Kenny began to turn away until she felt something tug his cape. Kenny was really into the cape look and wanted to change his look. But, he hadn't gotten around to it.
He turned to have Heidi give him a hug.
"Be safe out there hero."Heidi said
Kenny's body was on unexpected affection overload.
"Uuu thanks."Kenny responded
Heidi broke the hug. Kenny smiled and turned away.
"Wait!"Heidi said aloud
"Not this shit again."Kenny mumbled
He turned to see Heidi with her head down.
"What if your wrong and I am just useless."Heidi said
Kenny developed a small grin and put his hands on his hips.
"Well, not to toot my own horn but I'm never wrong. You could say it's my super power."Mysterion said
Heidi giggled.
"Alright Myst."Heidi responded
"Keep your head up. I'll see you around."Kenny said before leaving.
Kenny probably should have made sure Heidi got down off the roof safely. But he knew Heidi was capable.
Kenny began to make his way to the police station when thoughts began to run through his head.
Was he in love with Heidi? Is this what being in love truly felt like. Kenny had been in relationships before but there was something different about this. Tammy and Kelly were great but it was always kind of a doer of the moment thing. Kenny and Tammy were just trailer trash and could empathize with one another. But their relationship didn't go past that with the exception of a blow job that indirectly killed him. Kelley was also a nice girl but the distance always seemed to be too much of an obstacle. It also seemed very situational considering they had a large probability of dying in the amazon rainforest. But Heidi, she had interests that Kenny would never suspect. And they were always able to talk to one another with no issue. They didn't have a grade level or distance keeping them separated. And the way they were able to connect, Kenny had never that with any girl before. But, Heidi just wasn't any girl.
Kenny kept thinking about his memories with Heidi. From the time he first showed concern to Heidi's mental state, To the kiss she gave him on his cheek.
From the random, goofy debates they would have in class, To her helping through his sickness last night. Every memory meant so much. She meant so much.
"Fuck.."Kenny thought to himself.
His only answer to this situation was that Kenny McCormick was in love with Heidi Turner.
The memories kept going through his head and became more and more specific from the way she smiled and laughed to the way she conveyed her concern. Kenny really couldn't get her out of his head.
He began to remember her on the drive home when something else crossed his mind. He remembered looking at the rear view mirror to see Wendy's face of shock when Cartman brought up something about a kiss.
Kenny then became confused and thought about such a situation occurring. He was pretty sure he would remember Cartman kissing Wendy. That would have broken the fabric of reality.
And Wendy wasn't the type of girl to lose her composure. Especially against the likes of Cartman. Kenny may have not known her as well as Wendy like any of his friends, but she was widely known for being damn near unbreakable. And for her to lose composure was surprising. Especially against the likes of Cartman.
It kind of reminded Kenny of his reaction to Craig's truths. Did it connect to that?
Kenny would have no choice. He would have to question Wendy Testaburger.
Well folks another one for the books. I'm not gonna lie, I got a little distracted while writing this chapter so that's why it took me a little while to get it out. I hope you all enjoyed and appreciate all of y'all for reviews and comments. And even if you're just reading, I'm more than grateful and am happy that you are reading the story. I hope you all would consider reviewing and critiquing down below. I hope you all have a good(or night based on where you live.