Things are heating up now that Craig's been captured! With Craig in the kidnapper's house, how will the game change? Will Jackson be able to get close to Tweek with Craig there?
Also TRIGGER WARNING: There is a suicide attempt in this chapter. Stan feels really low at this point and feels he has nothing left. It's not until Token finds and talks to him that he starts to get better. If this is triggering to you, I recommend skipping past Stan's part, especially the first part.
Chapter 22 – Craig/Stan
The moment Mr. Johnston dragged Craig into the secret basement, he broke away from him and dashed over to his boyfriend. "TWEEK!" he cried, "TWEEK!"
Tweek slowly lifted his head, a look of disbelieving shock on his face. "Craig?" he breathed. He squeaked when Craig tackled him, wrapping his arms tightly around him and nuzzling his face into his neck.
"C-Craig! It's really you!" Tweek whispered, "You're here!"
"Of course I am!" Craig murmured, "I never stopped thinking about you for a moment! Every day I looked for you!"
"How very touching," Mr. Johnston huffed, "Now, stand up so I can shackle you."
Craig whipped his head around and glared at him, his eyes full of hatred and fury. "You even attempt to take me away from Tweek again and I'll break your wrist, old man," he hissed dangerously.
Mr. Johnston glared back but seemed to relent as he shackled Craig where he was. He muttered to himself as he left the room. Once he did, the room erupted into noise.
"Craig!" Kenny called, hugging his sister, "He caught you too?" Craig scoffed.
"I let myself get caught," he said, "That guy doesn't know who he's dealing with. He doesn't realize he's already been defeated."
"What do you mean?" Jason wondered.
"I don't want to say out loud in case he's listening," Craig replied, I don't know if he knows about Clyde, or if Clyde will even act, "But let's just say he's doomed."
The prisoners started chatting and Craig turned back to Tweek in his arms. He pressed him closer. "I don't care that we have to be here, as long as we're together again," Craig murmured, "I'm so happy to see you again."
Tweek's eyes suddenly watered and he burst into tears. Craig jumped slightly and he wrapped his arms around him. "Tweek, what's wrong?"
"I…! I-I c-can't see!" Tweek cried, "I can't see you!"
Craig frowned. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"I-I can't see," Tweek stuttered, "He's been doing w-weird experiments on us that effect each of us d-differently. A-And it made me blind."
Craig stared in horror at him. Then something clicked in his brain. "That's why he specifically kidnapped teens of different hair colors," he growled, "To run his sick experiments! Where does he get off thinking he can treat people that way?"
He was snapped out of his anger when Tweek tugged on his arm. "Craig," he whispered, "Are we really going to get out of here? A-Are we going to be saved?"
"Of course we are," Craig told him gently, "Stan and I were working together to solve this case. He knows everything I know." Well, nearly everything, but if Clyde has any decency left… "Our friends will come for us. I know it."
Tweek shivered in his arms. "Then this nightmare will be over," he breathed.
"Yes," Craig agreed. He pulled his boyfriend closer and suddenly thought of something. "Tweek, I've been meaning to tell you something I should've told you a long time ago. And I know here might not be the best place to do it, but I don't want to hold it off for another moment."
"Oh God, what's going on?" Tweek squeaked.
"Tweek," Craig said quietly, "I love you. I love you so much. And I'm so sorry I didn't tell you before all of this mess happened."
"C-Craig!" Tweek gasped. He snuggled himself against him. "I-I love you so much, Craig! Y-You make me so happy! Y-You fill me with hope! I love you!"
Around the room there was a soft sigh of "Aw's!" Craig startled slightly and looked around seeing nearly everyone staring at them with gentle smiles. He suddenly noticed Jimmy next to him and he leaned over, gently touching his hand. It was as if he then suddenly noticed everyone else around them, everyone who had been kidnapped, and his eyes filled with tears. He missed these people so much. How long had it been since he'd seen Kenny? Or Butters?
They were all staring at him with hope. Hope that they would be getting out soon. And Craig could only believe that Clyde and Stan and Token wouldn't let them down. The only one who hadn't seemed to react to anything at all since he got here was Kyle, who was curled up, with his head in his knees. Craig frowned.
"What happened to Kyle?" he whispered to Tweek.
"We don't know," he replied, "He showed up in a worse state than everyone else. The only one he spoke to was Kenny, but Kenny won't tell us what he said. I think… I think something awful happened to him before he was kidnapped… and it involved Cartman."
"Why Cartman?"
"Um, well, when Cartman was brought in, Kyle recoiled in horror at him," Tweek explained, "And that was the only thing he reacted to in days."
Thinking of Cartman suddenly reminded Craig of what Stan had told him about his friend's betrayal. How Cartman had somehow known about the kidnappings the whole time but didn't tell anyone.
It made his blood boil. And if he did something to Kyle? Then it was even worse.
"As soon as we get out of here I'm coming after you, fatass," Craig hissed under his breath.
…
Later that night, everyone was asleep, and Craig still had Tweek wrapped tight in his arms. Craig was keeping one eye open though. He didn't know what would happen while he was here. He wanted to be prepared for anything.
The sound of footsteps caught his ear and he looked up. He scowled when he saw Jackson carefully sneaking towards them.
"What do you want?" he hissed. Jackson stopped and glared.
"You," he growled, "I knew kidnapping you was a bad idea. You're not going to let me have any fun, are you?"
Craig smirked at him. "Of course not," he sneered, "Ruining your fun is fun for me." Then he suddenly frowned. "Let me guess, you were going to beat up Tweek again, weren't you?"
Jackson said nothing.
"I'm not going to let you hurt him," Craig warned, "As long as I'm here, I won't let you near him."
"I could kill you," Jackson threatened, "There's nothing stopping me from taking a knife to your God damn throat. My dad already has all the test subjects he needs. Tell me why I shouldn't."
"Because hiding a murder is much harder than hiding a kidnapping," Craig pointed out, "Because the moment you kill me, you've gone from accomplice to murderer. You'll have to get rid of my body and any evidence. And will you be able to live with the guilt and paranoia?"
Jackson's glare deepened. "I hate you so fucking much," he growled.
"Feeling's mutual," Craig jeered as Jackson stormed off.
A moment past before Craig felt Tweek move by his side. "Is Jackson gone?" Tweek asked nervously. Craig smiled softly.
"Don't worry. He's gone," he told the blond, "I won't let him hurt you anymore."
Tweek was silent as he stared sightlessly into the dark. Craig frowned.
"What's wrong, my love?" he whispered. Tweek shivered.
"I have to tell you something," Tweek muttered, "Something about what Jackson has been doing to me…"
…
Stan had nothing left now. Just when they thought they had solved the mystery, Craig went missing. It had to be because he knew something. Why else would he have told him and Token to meet at the burger joint and then disappear so suddenly? But it was frustrating. Craig was their last hope of seeing their friends again. Craig knew what was going on.
And now he was gone.
With a sigh, Stan walked along the empty streets, hands in pockets, staring at the ground. He didn't care anymore. Let the kidnapper come and take him. Then at least he would be reunited with his friends and girlfriend. But of course it wouldn't happen. Because life never worked out for him like that. When he wanted something to happen it didn't and when he didn't want something to happen it did. Story of his life.
Stan didn't even realize he was heading towards the river that led to Stark's Pond. Perhaps his heart was telling him something. So he followed his feet to the river.
He came across a bridge that stretched over the river. The river and the bridge weren't that big, but the river was fast-moving. Stan stared down at the water, a blank look on his face. This. This was his salvation. This was how he could get away from it all. He could end all the pain right now.
Stan carefully climbed on top of the railing. He stared down at the river that would carry him away, and he could escape from this Hell.
But before he could move an inch, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Stan!"
He turned around and saw Token running towards him, desperately waving his arms. He didn't move as Token approached, and he didn't get down.
A moment later, Token was in front of him, panting for air. He bent over, clutching his knees, and catching his breath before speaking.
"Stan, what are you doing?" he asked, worry clear in his voice. Stan tried to keep his own voice level.
"I can't do this anymore, Token," he replied, "I'm at the end of my rope. Craig's gone. Everyone's gone. There's nothing left."
"That's not true!" Token argued, "We can still do this!"
"Do what, Token?" Stan snapped, and he felt tears pricking the edge of his eyes, "Every time we get somewhere someone else goes missing! Whoever it is, they're always one step ahead of us! Why did we ever think we could do this? We're just a bunch of stupid teenagers! We're not cops! We're not detectives! It was all hopeless from the start!"
Token was silent for a long time, staring down at the ground. Neither of them moved. Then he sighed.
"So what? You're just going to give up?" he asked, "After all this you're just going to quit? We're so close, Stan. I know we are. We just have to look back on everything, rethink everything. Besides, what if we freed everyone, and you weren't there?"
Tears spilled down Stan's cheeks before he stepped down from the bridge and collapsed in Token's arms. Token wrapped his arms around him and gently rubbed his back.
"I just don't know what to do," Stan sobbed, "It's so hard when you've lost everything."
"I know," Token murmured, "It's hard on me too. But we can do this Stan. We can't give up. We have to do this for everyone who's missing. For Craig."
Stan took a shuddering breath. It was several moments before he was able to speak again. "Y-You're right, Token," he whispered, "Of course you're right. I'm sorry."
"No, you don't have to apologize," Token assured him, "Your feelings are perfectly valid."
They stood there hugging for a few minutes longer before Token pulled away. "Come on," he said, "Let's go back to my house. We can have something to eat and we'll go over everything we know about the kidnapper."
Stan gave him a sad smile. "Thanks Token," he replied. With a pat on the back, Token gently led Stan away from the bridge, not letting him stop to look back.
…
The night was quiet. There was a stillness in the air, as if the world was waiting for something to happen. Crickets and other insects chirped throughout the town, unaware of what was transpiring. A man was anxious. His prisoners were hopeful. And outside that prison, there was one person who could bring an end to everything.
And he was awake, staring at the wall, guilt and sadness pouring over him in waves. No one knew what the morning would bring.
That's the end of that chapter. Sorry for making you wait, but have I mentioned how hard this story is to write? I've never written anything this heavy before and it'll probably be sometime before I do again. But thanks for sticking with me for so long! Please leave a comment and look forward to the next chapter!
Also, would like to thank my beta reader/best friend Fluxit Aqua et Sanguine for looking over this chapter for me! Now that we're in the end game, I want these chapters to be perfect and she and my sister are a huge help!
