Boy, that last chapter was lovely and happy, wasn't it? No, no it wasn't. Anyway, we're going back to Token today and maybe things won't be as emotional this time. But probably not. Anyway, here.
Chapter 13 – Token
When Token finally felt like rolling out of bed, he went over to Craig's house. Since Craig had lost Tweek, he knew he would understand how he felt about losing Nichole. Besides, it had been a few days since he left the house and he didn't want to worry his parents. And he wanted to see his friends again.
Token arrived at Craig's house in no time riding his bike. He knocked on the door and was rather annoyed when Clyde was the one who answered.
"What do you want?" he hissed, narrowing his eyes.
"I came to visit Craig," Token answered, struggling to keep his voice level, "He's my friend too, you know. You can't hog him to yourself."
Clyde's eyes grew narrower. "Craig's not really in the mood to receive visitors right now," he said, starting to close the door. Token quickly blocked him.
"I think that's more for Craig to decide," he growled, "Damn it, Clyde! He's my friend! I haven't seen him in a while! I'm coming in!"
Token then roughly pushed the door open and slipped into the house before Clyde could stop him. He didn't see Craig in the living room and decided he must be in his room. Ignoring Clyde's glares, he hurried up the steps to Craig's room. He knocked softly on the door before entering.
Craig was curled up on his bed, his eyes staring off into the distance. He didn't seem to notice that Token was there, and he didn't react when the dark-skinned boy went over to sit next to him on the bed. He seemed even more distant than usual, making Token wonder what had happened.
Token carefully leaned over and put a gentle hand on Craig's arm. Slowly, very slowly, Craig's eyes turned to look at him. His mouth opened, and he barely managed to rasp out, "Token." A sad smile came to Token's lips.
"Hey Craig," he greeted softly, "I haven't seen you in a couple of days. I was getting worried about you, buddy."
"I'm sorry," Craig rasped out. It sounded like he hadn't spoken in a quite a few hours, or maybe even a day or two. "I meant to call you after I saw the news about Nichole. I'm really sorry about that."
"It's all right," Token assured him, "I'm sure you were busy or something." He paused a moment before asking, "Are you all right? You seem um… more distant than usual."
With great difficulty, Craig slowly and achingly pushed himself up into a sitting position. He cast his sad eyes on Token. "I saw Tweek yesterday," he said, his voice almost a whisper. Token felt his body freeze up.
"What do you mean you saw him?" he asked, "Like, in a dream?" Craig shook his head.
"No," he replied, "Clyde and I went to a party last night. Clyde said it would help me get my mind off things. It was really crowded and there was music blaring. A-And I couldn't help but feel anxious about something. Then I turned around and I saw him! He was there! There were some people holding him and I tried to get him! B-But they dragged him away!"
Token took a step back as Craig got more and more frantic. He suddenly lunged forward and grabbed the front of Token's shirt. "Token!" he hissed, "I was so close! I almost had him back! I was just an inch away from having him back in my arms!"
Craig took a shuddering breath and collapsed on his bed. Token stared sadly down at him. His friend had covered his face with his hand, obviously not wanting Token to see the tears in his eyes. But he could still see the shudders running through his body. Token sat down and gently rubbed Craig's back.
"I'm so sorry, Craig," he murmured, "That must have been really hard." Craig didn't say anything as Token struggled to think of a way to make him feel better. "Um, well at least you know he's still alive. Did you manage to see who was holding him?"
"No," Craig muttered, "They were all in disguise. Plus, there were lights flashing and I couldn't see their faces very well." He let out a shuddering breath. "I failed him."
Before Token could say anything, Clyde brushed past him to be at Craig's side. He leaned down and murmured something in Craig's ear and Token desperately tried to hear what he was saying. After a moment, Clyde sat up again and Craig sat up with him.
"Can we just hang out somewhere for a while? I just need to take my mind off of everything for a bit," Craig requested. Token forced himself to smile.
"Of course, buddy," Token said, "Where ever you want to go and whatever you want to do we'll do it. You want to give Jimmy a call and see if he wants to hang out as well?"
A small smile came to Craig's face. "Yeah," he replied, "Invite Jimmy. He always manages to make things better."
Clyde nodded and pulled out his phone to call Jimmy while Token helped Craig to his feet. When the three of them got outside they saw Jimmy coming up the street. He smiled when he saw his friends.
"H-Hey fellas!" he called, "G-Glad ya wanted to socialize… glad you wanted to socialize… glad you wanted to hang out again! I-I was g-g-getting worried that you for-for-forgot about me!"
Token grinned at him. "Nah, we would never forget about you, man!" he assured him, "We've just been you know… going through things."
Jimmy nodded, apparently wise enough not to bring up the recent kidnappings. "So, what are w-w-we doing to-today?" he wondered.
"Whatever Craig wants to do," Clyde told him, "It's his turn to choose."
Craig shrugged a little. "I don't care," he said, "Let's just go somewhere. Anywhere."
"Hey, I know, why don't we go by that burger place? Get something to eat?" Token suggested, "I know I haven't eaten yet."
"I c-c-could go for a b-b-burger," Jimmy agreed.
The four of them slowly walked towards the burger shop, with Jimmy chatting the whole way to keep the mood light. Even if it didn't do much, Token appreciated the effort.
The Burger Joint was a restaurant that opened a few years ago right next to Raisons. It was a popular place for teens and pre-teens to hang out and eat a delicious burger. It was also probably one of the only places in South Park that actually had any quality, so young people flocked to it, including Token and his friends.
Unusually the place was rather empty when the four friends arrived. Ordinarily the entire room was packed with teens. But probably due to the recent kidnappings there was barely anyone there. Token tried to stop himself from feeling so down and hopeless. He put on his best ordinary smile.
"So, where do you guys want to sit?" he asked.
"I d-d-don't know," Jimmy replied in a sarcastic sort of way, "It's j-just so c-c-crowded today, we'll be l-l-lucky if we g-get a table!"
Clyde snickered at his comment and led the group over to an empty table. Token took a glance around and saw that the only other people here were the goths and a small group of girls. They were talking quietly in their groups, as if they were worried that the kidnapper was nearby and might use their gossip to kidnap them or something.
"I'm thinking of signing up to continue my classes," Token commented after the waiter took their drink order, "I don't want to fall behind in school, you know?"
"I'll probably do the same," Craig said, "Maybe doing some busy work will help me take my mind off of everything." Token nodded in agreement and tried not to glare when Clyde put his hand on top of Craig's.
"W-We should all d-do it," Jimmy suggested, "After all, there's s-safety in num… there's safety in num… we'll be safer that way." The others quietly agreed.
"Are any of you guys going to go to the dance?" Token wondered, "I'm not really sure if I am. I wanted to go with Nichole, but you know…"
"Yeah," Craig nodded in understanding, "I'm still on the fence about it. Again, it might help me take my mind off of things, but on the other hand I know it's going to be really depressing." Clyde gently rubbed the top of his hand.
"I'll prob-probably go," Jimmy replied, "Maybe I c-c-could help cheer everyone up."
Token grinned. "I'll definitely go if you're there, Jimmy," he said, "Just try not to make too many racists jokes."
"I make no promises," Jimmy said with a grin.
When their food arrived they ate in silence. Munching on his burger, Token glanced up and saw that one of the TVs on the wall was turned to the news. The newscaster was talking about how the police still had no leads on the kidnapper. Token sighed.
"I really wish we had better police," he muttered, "I can't believe that they still haven't discovered any leads yet."
"Yeah," Clyde agreed lowly, swirling a fry around in his pool of ketchup, "You'd think it would be obvious by now." Token gave him a strange look.
"And why is that?" he questioned. Clyde looked up, a bit startled, as if he hadn't realized he had spoken out loud.
"B-Because so many teens have been kidnapped," he answered quickly, "No one could possibly pull off that many kidnappings without leaving behind some sort of evidence. I mean, we found out a few leads and we don't even work for the police."
"Right," Token said slowly. None of them said anything else as they continued eating their meals. But Token couldn't stop his mind from swarming with thoughts. Did Clyde know more about the kidnappings than he was letting on? When he had spoken it sort of sounded as though he knew who it was or something.
Before he could let his thoughts wander anymore, he suddenly heard Jimmy gasp beside him. Startled, he looked over at his friend and saw that he was staring at the TV. He looked up and immediately knew what was wrong.
The words "Breaking News" was scrolling across the screen as camera crews filmed a spot near the park where police tape was being put up. The TV's volume was too low to hear exactly what was happening, but news feed at the bottom told them exactly what had happened.
Right there in bold letters. "14-Year-Old Timothy Burch Kidnapped Near Stark's Pond." Token felt his heart drop in his chest. Timmy was Jimmy's best friend. They hardly went anywhere without each other unless Jimmy was hanging out with Craig and the others. How could anyone be so heartless as to kidnap a handicapped kid?
"Jimmy," Token said quietly, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder, "I'm so sorry."
"N-No…" Jimmy whispered, "N-Not T-Timmy. Not him! A-A-Anybody b-but him!" There were tears coming to his eyes, and Token had never seen Jimmy look so devastated. He felt his own heart breaking just looking at him.
Before Craig or Clyde could try to console him, Jimmy stood up. "I h-have to g-go," he muttered. He picked up his crutches and slowly hobbled out of the building. Token sadly watched him leave.
"God, what's happening to this town?" he wondered, "How could anyone do this? Can't this kidnapper see how miserable he's making everyone?"
Token didn't want to bring everything down, but it was just so frustrating to him. To him it felt like the police just weren't trying hard enough. This was the biggest thing to happen to South Park in years. Shouldn't the local government be doing everything in its power to try to solve it?
He startled Craig and Clyde when he suddenly slammed his fists down on the table. "Gah! It's just so stupid and frustrating!" he exclaimed, "Surly someone must know something! There has to be something they're overlooking!"
Craig let out a small sigh. "I know how you feel," he murmured, "Stan, Kyle, Clyde, and I have been trying so hard to find out anything, and we've barely got a lead. I just can't believe that there's nothing else the police can do."
"I'm sorry, Craig," Token muttered, "We were supposed to help you get your mind off things, but if anything it's gotten worse."
"It's ok," Craig replied quietly, "I knew it wasn't going to work anyway. Nothing ever helps." He rested his head in his arms as Token and Clyde stared at him sadly. Clyde leaned over and quietly spoke to Craig in a voice too low for Token to hear.
Token stared at Clyde and not for the first time wondered if there was something he wasn't telling his friends.
…
The three of them walked home in silence as the sky started to grow dark. When they got to Craig's house, Clyde was about to follow him inside, but Craig stopped him.
"I'm sorry guys," he said in a low voice, "I know you're just trying to make me feel better, but right now I really just want to be left alone. I'll call you both tomorrow." With that, he quietly shut the door behind him.
With a sigh, Token turned and started walking down the pathway to the sidewalk. A moment later he heard Clyde follow him.
Good, Token thought, I need to have a word with him.
When they got to the sidewalk Token whipped around to face Clyde, who looked rather startled. Token gave him a slight glare.
"All right, Clyde, what do you know about the kidnapper?" he demanded.
Clyde looked baffled. "I don't know what you're talking about," he insisted, "I only know as much as anyone else does."
"That's bullshit, Clyde, and you know it!" Token hissed, "I think you know more than you're willing to say." Clyde glared dangerously at him.
"Are you accusing me of something?" he growled, taking a step forward.
"I think you know who the kidnapper is," Token accused, "I think you've been lying to Craig and deceiving him because for some twisted reason you think that'll make him like you. Am I right, Clyde?"
Clyde was silent for a moment as he glared daggers at Token. He looked as though he might explode at any moment. "You'd better watch what you say, Token," he warned in low voice, "That mouth of yours could get you into trouble."
"How can you stand there and not feel guilty about yourself?" Token wondered, "Seven people have been kidnapped, Clyde! You could fix all of this right now! Can't you see how much everyone is suffering? Have you no conscious?"
"Stop accusing me of things you can't prove, Token!" Clyde spat at him, "You're making me angry!" Token scoffed at him.
"Oh sorry I hurt your sensitive little pride!" he taunted, "I can't help that I'm right and you can't accept it!"
Hissing with anger, Clyde marched forward and grabbed Token by the collar of his shirt. The two of them glared with all their hatred at each other. Token refused to let Clyde get off easy. He would make sure he knew what he was doing was wrong.
"I'm warning you, Clyde," Token advised, "You're going to make things worse for yourself if you don't come clean soon! Craig will never forgive you!"
"Craig doesn't have to know about anything," Clyde countered, "And he never will. Because you can't prove anything, Token. So, you'd better stay out of my way."
With that, Clyde shoved Token away and marched off to his own house. Token leered after him, rage burning in his eyes.
"Fine, Clyde," Token muttered under his breath, "If that's how you want to do this then fine. Don't blame me when everything crashes down around you, with no way to dig yourself back out."
…
Token found himself lounging under a tree at Stark's Pond the next day. It was a little hard to be here since there was police tape where Timmy had been kidnapped, but Token was restless and he couldn't let himself sit inside all day. He had made sure there was plenty of people around before picking a spot to sit down. Just because he was mad didn't mean he had to be careless. He was even in full view of the road, so people driving by could see him as well.
He had a book with him. It was one of Nichole's favorite books, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares. He had promised her he would read it and tell her what he thought. Though thinking of Nichole made him sad, but he thought maybe getting wrapped up in some silly magical pants for a while would help take his mind off of things. Besides, it helped him hold onto the hope that Nichole would be found.
After all, he had to tell her what he thought of the book.
He had just gotten to chapter four when he heard someone running and looked up. He was rather surprised to see Craig run to a nearby bench and sit down. He was breathing hard and looked like he was in distress. He stared out at the water with blank eyes.
Token closed his book and was about to get up to ask him if he was all right but stopped when he saw Clyde coming towards him. He sat back down and receded into the shadow of the tree. What was Clyde doing here? He watched as Clyde walked over and sat down next to Craig. They spoke in low voices and Token desperately wished he could hear what they were saying. What were they talking about?
He leaned forward a bit to try to hear what they were saying, but it was no use. He saw Craig lift his head and look at Clyde. And then what happened next completely shocked Token to his core.
Ugh, finally done with this chapter. Sorry it took so long. Next one is going to be with Clyde. I will make sure to have Stan and Kyle in it, though since it's been a while since either of them had a chapter. But don't worry, after the next chapter the chapter after that is a Kyle chapter. Anyway, who's going to get kidnapped next? And what did Token see?
