Disclaimer: I do not own South Park or any of its characters.

Author's Note: I am putting a trigger warning for this chapter. I hate spoilers so I won't say what I'm warning you for, but just know it can be anything from abuse to murder. So please be careful when reading! Thank you to my wonderful Beta Reader Ohsa!

It had only been a month since school had started and Cartman was burnt out, to say the least. Between his jobs and school he could hardly find time for sleep and it was taking its toll.

Should've stayed home. He thought as he sluggishly made his way to fourth period.

They were to begin dissecting frogs today and Cartman was far from excited. A few weeks ago he would've been thrilled, but now he hardly had the energy to stand, let alone keep a scalpel steady. He just wanted to go home and sleep, but this assignment would have a huge impact on his grade and he couldn't miss it if he wanted to graduate on time. There was no room for failure.

So here he was, eye-bags and all, awaiting instruction. Craig and Clyde were right next to him and strangely keeping to themselves. They kept whispering to each other and giving him sideways glances. Occasionally there was a chuckle from Clyde. Other than that he couldn't hear what the two were saying. Nor did he have the energy to care.

You're in sleep debt he passively thought

The boy stared off into space as the teacher began instruction. He couldn't bring himself to focus, but he did catch the teacher saying they'd only be viewing the frogs today, not cutting them open.

"Thank god" he mumbled.

He gave the frog a quick once over. It was about 4 inches long and green with brown spots all along its body. If it weren't dead it'd be cute. The creature stunk, but that was to be expected. Apparently not everyone felt the same, because all throughout the class there were complaints about the smell. As if that'd change anything.

Don't take anatomy if you can't handle gross shit. He thought with an eye roll.

30 minutes into class he stopped inspecting the frog. He knew enough about the lab to get by when the real dissecting began tomorrow. The real problem would be getting enough rest to function. He stared at his phone for the remainder of class just trying to stay awake. As it got closer to lunch the chatter around him got louder and louder as students focus got lower and lower. Cartman closed his eyes for just a moment.

He didn't hear the bell ring. For a moment he had fallen asleep. He woke when his mind told him the room was eerily quiet. He opened his eyes to see that only the teacher and him remained in the room.

The sleepy brunette stood up and hauled his all too heavy backpack over his shoulder. He stumbled forward as he made his way out of the classroom. Cartman briefly glanced at his teacher, she appeared to be grading papers.

On his way to his bathroom hang-out he felt someone staring at him. He turned his head to see Craig across the hall staring him down. The hairs on the back of his neck begin to prickle.

Is he waiting for me? Cartman thought, suddenly much more alert.

Right before he could turn around and head the other direction he heard footsteps behind him and two strong arms wrapped around his torso.

Cartman's hands were instantly on his surprise assailant, grappling at the thick wrists holding him in place. He looked behind him, his eyes quickly traveling up to see Clyde smiling back at him. With his broad shoulders, athletic build, and 6'1 height he easily lifted the much shorter boy and held him in wasn't good. Clyde rarely got physical, he mostly stuck to taunts.

The pudgy brunette turned his head towards Craig as he silently stalked forward and began to struggle in Clyde's strong grasp. Cartman's legs dangled about a foot above the ground and he repeatedly tried to kick his way out of his hold, but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't break free.

How the hell is he this strong? Cartman thought in a panic.

Before he knew it Craig was inches from him, his piercing, steel blue eyes inspecting Cartman's frame. He looked inexplicably angry, more than usual. Normally he'd at least have a smirk on his face, but this time was...different. The brunettes eyes carefully began traveling up and down his tormentor's body, searching for some sort of explanation for this new behavior. His heart began to race when he noticed a fresh bruise along Craig's jaw.

Oh...Oh no. The asshole must've gotten into a fight he realized

The brunettes head was jerked upward by a strong, forceful hand and he was suddenly making eye contact with the angry, much taller boy. Cartman winced in pain, he was positive that if Craig squeezed any harder his jaw would crack.

"What're you looking at?" Craig growled.

"N-nothing!" The boy nervously chewed his lip.

He did his best not to make eye contact with the intimidating giant and noticed him fumbling with something in his left pocket. His eyebrows were drawn up in worry as he saw Craig glance at Clyde. In response the jock tightened his grip on Cartman who let out a pained whine.

Craig's right hand squeezed the small boy's jaw roughly, forcing his mouth open as he pulled a frog out of his pocket. Cartman's eyes widened in alarm and he renewed his struggles as he connected the dots. He started screaming the best he could for help, attempting to break out of the two bullies grasp, but between the two of them he couldn't even move his head, let alone actually get away.

Neither of them seemed to care about the screaming boy or getting caught as Craig brought the dead creature closer to the struggling boy's mouth. The boy began to cry in desperation as Craig tauntingly rubbed the dead frog against his lips. Just as he was going to force the frog into Cartman's mouth, he was jerked away by two firm hands on his shoulders. He gasped in surprise as he landed flat on his ass. Fat tears rolled down the sobbing boy's cheeks as he saw Kyle standing above a very angry Craig, his piercing green eyes taking in the scene.

"You could kill him that way." He quietly spoke. Craig got off the ground silently and stood, "And? Why do you care?" He slowly

spit out.

Kyle quickly looked at Cartman then glared at Craig. "I'm not into watching someone get poisoned. Regardless of who they are," he paused and addressed Clyde,"Let him go."

The jock turned to Craig unsure what to do, but him and Kyle were back to passing each other heated glares. Somehow Kyle's shorter 5'10 form looked more intimidating than Craig's much taller 6'0 form. Finally Craig spoke, clearly very annoyed.

"Tch. Let him go Clyde," he whispered, balling his fist angrily.

Cartman collapsed onto his knees as he was released and rubbed his eyes in an attempt to make it look like he wasn't just crying. He felt Kyle standing over him and finally looked up to see that both Craig and Clyde were gone. The curly haired boy's expression was unreadable as he looked down at the brunette's teary-eyed, shaking form. His stern gaze made the already upset boy shrink in on himself.

"No thank you?" Kyle questioned.

"Oh! Uh.." the boy paused as he scrambled to his feet,"Thank you" he rubbed his knuckles together nervously.

The lean redhead surveyed Cartman once more before turning around and heading to the cafeteria. He got a few feet away before he stopped and turned his head back towards the brunette.

"Aren't you coming?"

"W-what?" the boy stuttered.

"To lunch with me. If you're left alone now they might just come back."

The brunette chewed his lip in thought and stared at the floor,"I don't really eat

lunch...," he trailed off,"...especially in the cafeteria."

Kyle slowly walked back towards the shorter male until he was standing right in front of him. He chose his words carefully.

"You're still upset about last year," he said,"I'm not the one who made you piss yourself."

Cartman stepped back at that, beginning to feel angry,"You didn't help either." he countered,"So excuse me if I'm a bit wary of your sudden kindness."

Kyle's cheeks flushed,"I helped just now." he said indignantly, voice rising.

The brunette thought about that for a moment and grew more cautious. Kyle did help just now, but he hasn't helped him in years, no one has. It was an unspoken rule.

"Why? What're you planning?" Cartman took another step back

"I'm not 'planning' anything Cartman. He could've killed you with that stunt

just now and I couldn't watch that. Besides," his voice grew quiet,"You've changed."

"Changed? I haven't-" Kyle cut him off.

"You have! You're different now; you almost seem," the taller boy searched for the word before finally settling,"broken."

Cartman stared at him silently, still distrustful and hating that he was right. Kyle sighed and continued.

"Look, I'm not saying we can suddenly be friends again, but it's a possibility." he looked Cartman up and down,"Plus you look like you could use a meal. You've lost a lot of weight."

I wish he thought.

He checked his phone. There were 10 minutes left before class. He wouldn't eat, he was too embarrassed to eat in front of people. But he decided to go with Kyle. The thought of being friends again was too tempting.

"Ok... Let's go." he chewed his lip again

Kyle nodded and the nervous brunette stepped forward and began walking towards the cafeteria with him. When Kyle entered with Cartman, they were greeted by confused looks and whispering. The boy subconsciously stood closer to the green-eyed male, quickly beginning to feel overwhelmed by all the attention. Upon reaching Stan's table Kyle explained the situation. His peers reluctantly tolerated the barely chubby brunettes presence.

The remainder of lunch consisted of awkward stares and Kyle trying to make conversation as Cartman hovered by the table. He was ready to flee at any sign of danger. Across the room he could see Craig glaring at him. Kyle must've noticed, because he stood up for the rest of lunch, effectively blocking their view of each other. For the rest of the day the short male wasn't bothered, only glared at.

Craig's POV

Craig went home later than usual that day. He had already dreaded going home and now he was pissed at Kyle for getting in the way of his stress relief. He wanted to scream or hit something, someone to be more specific. But now it looked like he may need to find a new punching bag if Kyle got in the way again.

Fucking bitch, he thought as he kicked a can down the sidewalk.

He'd barely opened the door when he was screamed at.

"Craig," his father shouted, drawling his name out,"Get your ass in here now!"

The raven haired boy internally cringed, Now what?

He made his way to the living room. His father was on the couch flipping through TV channels, beside him was a nearly empty bottle of Jack Daniel's.

"Yes?"

His father didn't even look away from the TV when he spoke,

"Did anyone ask about your face?"

"No." He said dully.

"Good. I don't want any phone calls. Understand?"

"Yes." he felt his anger spark back up, but kept it under control.

For a minute no words were spoken between the two, but he knew better than to just leave. He had to wait for permission. He nervously chewed the inside of his lip as the silence dragged on.

"Your sisters been in the bathroom for nearly an hour. Go get her, she's wasting the god damn hot water." he barked.

Craig was instantly on his feet, glad to leave his father's presence. His sister usually took long showers, their dad only cared when they were short on cash. He climbed up the stairs and knocked on the bathroom door.

"Tricia, dad wants you out of the shower." he shouted.

He waited for a reply and was greeted by silence. He sighed, getting a little worried. She was only silent when she was upset. Craig internally cursed, wondering if their father hurt her. Craig rarely gave him the opportunity, but he wasn't always there to protect her.

"Tricia?" he knocked a little louder, he was met with more silence.

"Tricia if you don't answer I'm kicking this damn door down!" he couldn't keep the edge out of his voice.

He waited for an answer for a full minute,"I'm coming in!" he shouted.

He felt fear settle in the pit of his stomach, a thousand scenario's running through his head. Craig backed up a few feet, then without hesitation kicked the door. It took a few tries, but finally the door burst open with a loud crack. He rushed into the bathroom only to trip and crash to the ground. Confused he looked back to see what had caused the fall.

The boy let out a shriek and crawled backwards until his back hit the bathtub. His sister was naked on the floor with blood pooling around her body. Craig grabbed at his hair, pulling at it as he took in the scene before him. The mirror was broken and there were shards of glass surrounding her pale body. She had deep gashes along both her wrists and her lips were nearly blue.

After a moment he scrambled towards his sister. He ripped at his shirt and applied the now destroyed fabric to her wounds and started screaming for his dad's help. When he realized he wouldn't be getting a reply he pulled his phone. He vaguely realized he was smearing blood all over the screen as he dialed 911.

A few minutes later paramedics were rushing into his house. They quickly took his place beside her, he briefly noticed his dad demanding to know what was going on. He felt time slow down as their movements lost their urgency. He knew it was too late before they even said it.