"W-What?" There's no way that's true. I loved my mom. I can barely remember her, but I know I loved her a lot. There's no way in hell that I killed her. No way in hell. I'd sooner have killed myself. There must be some kind of misunderstanding.
"You heard me. When you were four years old, you pushed your mother down the stairs, went mute from the guilt, repressed the memory, and were put in here. Everyone in South Park knows that."
"That's not true! I would never do such a thing!"
"Why else do you think everyone's so keen are so keen to get you arrested? Why else do you think that no matter how sane you are, you're staying in here for the rest of your life?"
"…"
"That's what I thought. Now get out of the way." The guy pushes me aside roughly and starts walking towards the cell room.
"Wait! What are you doing here? I mean, who breaks into a mental institution, for God's sake?"
"I'm here to get my son back. Now shut up!" The guy walks away, leaving me alone. I've never been more shocked in my life. There's no way … absolutely no way I killed my mom. I'm not like that. That asshole guy … is a liar. I hate liars.
"OH MY FUCKING GOD! TWEEK, WHAT DID YOU DO!" I turn to see a nurse screaming at me, staring at the two bodies behind me with wide eyes. Oh Lord, I forgot about the kid. He might be dying. And worse, the nurse thinks I killed both of them. Another nurse comes running. She freezes when she sees the bodies.
"W-What the hell happened?"
"This insane kid killed them! I knew we shouldn't have let him out, even once! He's a murderer! A killer!"
"No! I didn't kill them, it was-
*BANG*
Shit. Who'd that guy shoot now?
"What was that?" The nurse asks the second nurse.
"It was a gunshot! Some guy broke in with a gun. He said he's here to get his son back." I answer for the second nurse, still staring at the bodies. The first nurse covers her mouth.
"Oh God! Do you think it was that creepy father that kept calling every day and tried to convince us to release his son?"
"It might be. That guy was pretty scary. Tweek, did he shoot them, or did you kill them?"
"He killed them! What do I look like to you, a serial killer?" The nurses exchange looks.
"Look, whatever. We've got a murderer after a kid. Tweek, go to your father's office. Right now. And stay there!" The nurses run off to God knows where… probably security's office or something. I wonder, should I go to my Dad's office, or chase the killer?
…
Apologies nurse. Your orders have just been dis-o-beyed. I run down the hall towards the cell room. When I get there, I immediately notice a dead nurse; that was probably outside the cell room, guarding it. I inch around the blood, while covering my mouth and trying not to throw up. I enter the cell room quietly to not be noticed. I see the killer… I'm just gonna call him Bob. I see Bob in front of one of the cells, trying to break the glass gently, so that the vibration detectors don't go off. Good luck with that, Sherlock. Most of the kids are quivering in the corners of their cells, while others are under the covers of their beds. The really brave ones, like Bradley, are standing up, trying to see what's going on. I think the cell is the one to the left of Cartman's. Well, sorry Bob, but you're not gonna succeed in this.
"Give me something to hit him with…" I whisper to the kid in the first cell on the right, next to the door. He nods, gets a paper clip, opens his cell door and quietly gives me a metal baseball bat. A little extreme … but who cares? I'm gonna get to knock out a killer! That's like a dream come true. Apart from like marrying Craig. I asked this kid specifically because I know he's good at sneaking stuff in, like keys, weapons, and sometimes drugs. It's like his talent. I nod to him in thanks, hold the bat up, ready to swing it, and creep up behind Bob, who's totally concentrated on trying to break the glass.
"TAKE THIS, MOTHAFUCKA!" I scream as I bring the bat down on his head.
…
Crap. He's not knocked out. He's bleeding, and probably has a concussion, but he's not knocked out. He turns around to see his attacker and sees me, of course. He lunges at me. I hit him again with the bat, in self-defence, and hit him really hard in the ribs, probably breaking a few. That sure as hell doesn't stop him. He holds his gun up and shoots it, barely missing my arm. the bullet rips the fabric. Most of the kids gasp, including Cartman.
"HIT HIM WHERE IT HURTS MOST! DO IT!" Cartman yells to me. I wonder for a second, then realise what he means. I know I'm a guy too but … this is an emergency situation. I hit Bob with the bat in the nuts as hard as I can. So hard that he coughs up blood. He drops to his knees and glares up at me.
"Y-You'll pay for this, you little ass." I eye the bat in my hands, not sure what to do. Should I hit him in the head again, or wait for him to stand up? I don't wanna be the kind of guy that hits a man when he's down. Then again…
Just as I hold the bat up, ready to hit this freak in the head, planning to hopefully knock him out, Bob swipes his leg from under me, making me fall to the floor. As I fall, I drop the bat. It rolls about 5ft away. Crap, I'm gone.
Goodbye everyone.
*BANG*
Jesus, that … that really hurts. I knew it would be painful, but … not this bad. Jesus Christ. As I thought, he just shot me right below the heart. I scream in pain, which isn't surprising. Most of the kids, who were hiding in corners, covering their eyes, see that I've been shot and scream as well. Shit. How are the nurses and staff not hearing all this? It's ridiculous. Man, at this rate, I'll probably bleed to death before help even gets here. And I'm sure as hell that none of the patients are gonna help. Except maybe Cartman. He's cool enough. Wait…
"Cartman!" I yell weakly, as loud as I possibly can in this state.
"What?"
"Hit the walls! Hit the walls you idiot!" Cartman ohes, nods and does as I say. Sure enough, after a few seconds, the alarm goes off. Thank God.
"You little brat! What'd you do!" Bob shrieks at Cartman, with his back turned to me. The fool. Seeing it's my chance, I stand up shakily, take a few steps, grab the bat, and hit Bob on the back of the head as hard as I can, this time knocking him to the floor, successfully knocking him unconscious. I drop to my knees, panting. The bat makes a big 'thunk' as it lands on the floor next to me. It's not exactly easy hitting someone with a heavy metal bat when you've just been shot in the chest.
Soon afterwards, the security come running in. They probably weren't expecting to be met with the sight of an unconscious guy with a gun, a kid shot in the chest (with a metal bat lying next to him), and the rest of the patients shaking in their cells. One of them grabs me for not being handcuffed, but then notices I'm bleeding from my chest.
"Whoa! What happened to you?" I glare at him. Does it really matter? I'm bleeding either way.
"What d'ya thinkhappened? He shot me!" I hiss, clutching my wound in pain. God it hurts so much.
"Oh shit! Guys, we need to get him treated, pronto!"
…
Great. I think I'm losing consciousness. Like Bob. Everything's getting blurry. I can hear faintly one of the security saying they're losing me. Oh no. Am I dying?
Part of me wants to die. After all, if what Bob said is true, I killed my mom.
"Guys! Guys! He's waking up!"
"Oh my God! Is he okay?"
"How the hell should I know?" What now? I open my eyes and sit up, flinching as my gunshot wound stings. Craig sees I'm definitely awake and puts his arms around me. I silently cheer at the touch. I look past Craig's shoulder and see Ruby, Cartman, Kenny, Butters, Stan, Kyle, and even Bradley.
"Tweek, you can't do that to me, man. I practically crapped my pants when I heard you'd been shot by some psycho. It was even worse than when I heard you'd attempted suicide." What? I've sorta forgotten what happened…
"…What happened again?" I ask quietly, feeling dizzy, probably from painkillers.
"You forgot?" I nod slowly. "Some psycho broke into the institute with a gun, wanting to free his son or something. Apparently he'd killed his wife in front of the kid, so the kid was sent there because he was mentally scarred, and the dude lost it and tried to get his son back by breaking in."
"Yeah, don't you remember, Tweek? You totally kicked his ass and knocked him out with a baseball bat!" I smile, suddenly remembering what happened.
"Yeah. It wasn't easy though. Especially since I got shot."
"It's a good thing the fatass set off the alarm, or else you would've bled to death." Kenny says. I remember my manners and nod in gratitude to Cartman. I notice his right hand's bandaged.
"What happened to your hand?" Cartman looks at his hand, as if he forgot himself.
"… It got cut when I broke the glass on my wall, by banging on it so hard." I waver, feeling guilty.
"Sorry man." I notice Cartman's in normal clothes, and not in the white clothes all patients have to wear.
"You've been released, Cartman?"
"Yeah. My … sentence, I guess you could call it, is over." But then…
"How long have I been out?"
"A week." Craig says, still not letting go of me. Not that I have a problem with it. Jeez, Craig must've been really worried. I hear someone clearing their throat gruffly. Craig immediately pulls away from me, looking annoyed. I understand why. Dad just walked in and saw us. He gestured for all the boys to leave, leaving only me, Craig, Dad and Ruby.
"Are you feeling alright, Tweek?"
"…I've been better."
"I'm sure you have." Dad smiles solemnly, looking slightly stressed about something.
"That guy was really screwed up, huh? I can't believe you knocked him out! He must've made you really pissed or something." Craig laughs at his own joke. I remember what … Bob … said to me. I … killed my mom. I cough and cover my mouth, eyes wide. Craig sees my distressed face, making his smile disappear. He grabs my shoulder.
"W-What's wrong, Tweek? You look so pale…" I shove him away and get out of the bed, running to a door. I open it and see a toilet. Thank you God. I run in, followed by Craig
"Tweek, what's wro-
I interrupt Craig by throwing up, for the first time in three years. Craig stares wide eyed, definitely not expecting me do that. Too bad for him, 'cause I'm puking my guts out. I can't bear the fact that I may have taken my own mom's life. I feel someone touching me, and turn to see Craig patting my back, avoiding eye contact. I cough and inhale deeply, turning to Craig and smiling.
"I'm alright now. Sorry if I scared you, Craig." I rub my temples, puffing slightly.
"…Tweek … what the hell did that guy say to you…?" I look at Craig helplessly. I can't lie to him … but I don't want him to know I might have killed someone … when I was only four years old. I eventually shake my head at Craig, giving him an answer that says I won't tell him. Craig takes my hand and pulls me out of the room, to where Dad and Ruby are still standing, looking a mix of confused and freaked out. I look away, towards the wall, to avoid eye contact. I really don't want to be asked questions right now.
"Tweek, answer me. What happened with that psycho?" I shake my head again, while rubbing my eyes to prevent crying. That's the last thing I'd ever want to do in front of Craig. I'd look like such a wimp. I hear Dad speak.
"Ruby, go get Tweek some coffee. Ask a nurse to help you. Go on." I hear some pattering on the floor, then the door opening and closing, meaning Ruby's left. I take my hands away from my eyes, still avoiding eye contact with Craig and Dad.
"… Please tell me, Tweek." My eyes wander over next to me, to see Craig looking at me pleadingly. That's not like him at all. Craig's meant to be stoic, quiet, and not care what's going on. That's what he was like when I first met him. Either it's my imagination, or he's changed dramatically.
"… He … he told me why everyone in South Park knows about me…"
"Tweek, I told you. I've never heard anyone speak about you in particular. I've never even heard anyone mention your name, apart from the people who've met you." Liar.
"That's a lie. Everyone in South Park knows me because … because I …" I gag and cover my mouth, trying to prevent myself from puking again.
"What? What is it?"
"Because I killed my mom!" I immediately start crying after I say it. Craig's jaw drops open and Dad stiffens.
"What?"
"When I was four, I purposely pushed my mom down the stairs, killing her. That's why I've never been able to leave the institution."
"That's … Dad, that's not true, right?" Craig asks our Dad hopefully.
"Of course not."
"But the way the guy told me … was so adamant…"
"Tweek, I swear to God, you did not kill your mom. Your father told me himself."
"… I don't believe you …" Dad sighs and pulls something out of his pocket. An envelope…?
"I hoped I wouldn't have to show you this until you're older … but … here. It might help you." He hands me the envelope with an impassive look. I immediately tear open the envelope and pull out a letter. It says 'TO TWEEK TWEAK' on the top.
"Have you read it?" Dad shakes his head.
"Where did you find it?"
"Craig found it in a drawer in your dad's room."
I unfold the piece of paper and start to read the contents.
To my beloved son, Tweek Tweak,
You should only be reading this if I have somehow died and left you alone. I wrote this because I wanted you to know the truth. You should know by now that many people in South Park know you as the child that murdered his mother. The truth is, you didn't kill your mother. She killed herself. Your mother and I were never really in love with each other. In fact, the only reason we stayed together is because you were born. Despite not loving each other, we both loved you to death, so we decided to stay married so you wouldn't have to live a life with divorced parents.
Shortly after you turned two, I began cheating on your mother. I think she knew, but decided not to do anything about it. You always saw me coming home with strange women, while your mother was at work, but you were too young to realise what was going on. One day, your mother came home from work early to take care of you because you were sick. I didn't know, so I ended up coming home with a woman. Your mother heard us and came running to see who I was with. She stopped at the top of the stairs when she saw me and the lady. You came running after her to see what was wrong. You stopped behind her to prevent yourself from pushing her down the stairs. I still don't know the reason she did it, but when she saw you behind her, she purposely jumped down the stairs, breaking her neck and killing herself.
The lady I was with was immediately convinced that you pushed her, not by accident, and went running to the police. I was so shocked by the sudden death, and felt so guilty that I was probably the reason your mom killed herself, that I betrayed you and told the police that you indeed pushed her down the stairs. You were quarantined and asked if you'd pushed her. You were too young to understand the situation, so I easily convinced you to say yes, without the cops knowing. You went mute soon afterwards, so I took you to a doctor. The police kept an eye on you at all times, so they saw. When the police and I found out you had anxiety and shaking, we used that as an excuse to lock you up in the institute forever.
Almost immediately after you left, I realised what I did was so insanely wrong. I begged and begged for you to be released, but the staff and police didn't believe that you were innocent. They eventually softened and let you come home with me last year. I realised how much you still meant to me, and how much I regretted what I did when you were four.
So, bottom line is, no matter what anyone says, you did not kill your mom. I hope this letter will help prove your innocence, I hope Dr Tucker will do a better job of taking care of you than I did, and I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me for what happened.
From your honestly loving father, Richard Tweak. XXX
I drop the letter and continue crying from earlier. Craig watches me, looking sympathetic.
"What … what did it say?"
"… Th-That I didn't kill my mom… she killed herself."
"Oh, thank God!" Craig puts a hand on his chest and sighs in relief. Dad… no, Mr Tucker stares at him for actually believing that I might've killed my mom. The doors opens, and Ruby walks in, carefully balancing a cup of coffee in her hands.
… That stuff … killed my dad.
"Here you go, Twe-
"NOOOOOO! GET IT AWAY FROM ME!" I hit the cup out of Ruby's hands with my arm, resulting in it spilling all over Craig.
"AH, FUCKING HELL!" Craig paces in a small circle, cringing in pain.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Tweek?" Mr Tucker asks me, trying to calm his son down in annoyance. I point at the shattered cup on the floor, trembling.
"That stuff killed my dad!"
"Tweek, one cup won't kill you. And what about your addiction?" I don't give a crap about my addiction. I never wanna drink that stuff again. I don't wanna end up with the same fate as my father.
"I don't give a fuck! I'm never gonna drink that stuff again!" All three of them stare at me.
"So you've gotten rid of your addiction?"
"… I … I guess you could say that…"
And, in a way, it's all thanks to Craig.
I sigh after my adoptive family finally leaves. I mean, I like them and all, but I just want to sleep. I got shot in the chest after all.
"Finally, some peace and quiet. I thought you guys would never stop talking." A voice says from behind the curtain next to me. I jump at the sound. I didn't think anyone's in the room apart from me.
"Whoa! Who are you? You scared the shit out of me." I pull the curtain away and see the kid that I thought was dead earlier. That same kid that had a fight with me in the cafeteria that time.
"Oh. It's you…" I remark grimly. I can't exactly say I've forgiven him for what he said to me that time. Especially since none of it is true.
"Why the harsh voice?" Like he doesn't know.
"…Our last encounter wasn't exactly chirpy." I answer, glaring slightly. I'm not one to hold a grudge, but…
"Yeah, sorry about that. I was a little harsh. At least I had plenty of time to think about it in that padded cell." Holy crap.
"… You were in a padded cell the whole time?"
"Yup. Just as I got released, some guy decided to be a dick and shoot me as well as the nurse."
"Yeah, I found you."
"Oh. So you were the voice I was hearing?"
"I suppose."
"…"
"So the nurse died?" I eventually ask.
"Yeah, I heard she did. In fact I heard two did." We both chuckled evilly while looking at the ground, secretly thanking Satan. We're not that merciless or anything, but kids like us consider nurses to be the biggest enemy in this world.
…
"…Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you lie about that stuff? About the kids in South Park knowing about me. I know the adults all know about me, but the kids don't."
"What I said was true. The kids in the elementary school all talk about you. I heard it myself."
"That's a lie. Craig told me-
"First of all, you shouldn't be so gullible like that. Craig's not God. He doesn't know everything, and he does lie. Don't just believe stuff he says just because you like him."
"…You know about that?"
"Dude, all the patients know. Anyway, second of all, Craig wasn't actually lying about that. He never hears people talk about you because he's special." Man, I hate that word so much.
"Special?"
"Well, at first, everyone knew his dad works at the institution, so they tried not to talk bad about the hospital. They didn't really know about you then. But then, when Craig came to school one day and wouldn't stop talking about you, a few kids went home and asked their parents about you. They told them that you pushed your mom down the stairs-
"I didn't!"
"I know that now. They told them you pushed your mom down the stairs, but the kids lied and spread all kinds of rumours around the school that you were a twisted serial killer or something. They made sure Craig didn't hear, since he likes you so much. That's why Craig told you that."
"What about Cartman? He said he didn't hear anything."
"Yeah, but Cartman's an idiot."
"Oh yeah. So… how do you know all this?"
"I'd rather not say."
"…What?"
"Let's just say there's nothing legal involved. Just drop it."
"A-Alright…" God, I feel so sleepy. The painkillers they gave me an hour ago are insanely strong. Just as I'm about to drift off, I hear the sound of the door opening next to me. Craig walks in, looking distraught. I would say hi, but the drugs are really getting to me.
"Hey Tweek."
"…Shouldn't you be getting home?" Craig shakes his head and sits on a chair next to my bed, still looking distressed.
"What's wrong?" Craig stands up again, really suddenly.
"Nothing. Gotta go." He turns and walks outside again. I watch him tiredly. I hear voices behind the door. I think its Ruby and Craig. Though, with how drowsy I am, it could be anyone.
"DAMMIT CRAIG! GET BACK OUT THERE! DON'T WIMP OUT! DO IT LIKE A MAN!"
"B-But what if-
"THERE IS NO 'WHAT IF'! Now fucking do it!" There's a side of Ruby I never wanna know.
"Hey again." Craig says as he walks in again, trying to look happier, though he fails. So sad.
"What d'ya want, Craig?" I ask in a soft voice, looking bored. Craig sits down again awkwardly.
"… Can I hold your hand?"
"Mmhm." I'm wondering why he wants to do that. I would ask, but I'm almost too exhausted to speak.
There's a long silence. It's a pretty weird sight, when you think about it. Me lying in a hospital bed, fighting not to fall asleep, while Craig holds my left hand, thinking about God knows what, with a dejected expression. It must look really queer. My eyes travel to my right, to make sure the other kid's asleep, and not watching us. He is.
"… Hey…" Craig says out of nowhere, in an almost dark voice. I look over to Craig, to show him I'm listening. Barely.
"… Do you … like anyone …?" Whoa. Where'd that come from? I know what he means, but I decide to play dumb, so he doesn't get suspicious.
"Yeah, I like lots of people. I like Ruby. I like you. I like Cartman. I like-
"No. Not … not that way… I meant … romantically…" I flinch. Why the hell would Craig want to know that? Wait, what if…
"…Craig … loves… me? That way?"
"Uh huh! Craig doesn't want to accept it though. That's why Craig's been so 'uncomfortable' with Tweek. And Craig can't sleep because Craig never stops thinking about Tweek."
… Ruby's right and Craig likes me back. That way.
…
Nah. He's straight. Everyone knows that. Ruby's paranoid anyway.
"Yeah, I do like someone that way. A lot." Craig stiffens, pretty much crushing my hand.
"…W-Who is she?" He just had to assume it's a girl.
"… They're … a guy …" Judging by his face, Craig's not that surprised. I thought he'd be shocked by my answer.
"…Who are they?" Like hell I'm gonna tell him.
"… Well, I can't tell you. But you … know them well."
"… Cartman?"
"No. Too dumb."
"… Kenny?"
"No. Too asshole-ish."
"… Bradley?"
"He's my best friend, Craig."
"But you don't like him, right?"
"… No."
"Butters?"
"No. Too … happy."
"… Kyle?"
"No… nothing really wrong with him though. But no."
"Stan?"
"He's straight. And stop guessing. Even if you name the correct person, I won't say yes."
"… Even if I guess it's me?" …Wow, this is awkward. Just avoid eye contact, avoid eye contact. I'll have to lie. I'm not risking losing this guy.
"PAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YEAH RIGHT! YOU'RE MY FRIEND! NOT MY LOVE!" I sit up, point, and laugh at Craig. I regret it when I see the hurt look on Craig's face. I lay back down and once again avoid eye contact.
"Yeah … yeah… thank God. I'm not gay so…" He smiles and laughs, looking totally normal.
"…O-Oh. You aren't?"
"Haha! Of course not! I still like Milly. I've been begging her to come back to me."
"Haha! What a dumbass I am." We both laugh at each other for a pretty long time. I, of course, fake laugh. Craig's is real though, which hurts a lot. What a wimp I am. Being upset just because the guy I like doesn't feel the same way. How childish.
"I … I've gotta go. Ruby's … waiting." Craig gets up and quickly walks to the door, where Ruby's obviously waiting for him outside. Almost immediately after he walks out, I hear her start shouting at him.
"WELL? WHAT DID TWEEK SAY?" I hear Craig mumble something.
"CRAIG'S A WIMP! GET BACK OUT THERE! GO!"
"Kids! What's wrong?"
"Nothing." – "Nothing." They both say.
"…You two need help. Good thing I'm a psychologist. Now come on, it's almost dusk. Your mother's gonna murder me."
"But Dad! Craig needs to say something to Tweek."
"What is it?"
"That Craig lo-
"IT'S NOTHING. LET'S GO!" I hear the sound of footsteps running away, followed by two sets of normal ones.
I'm not as stupid as I used to be. By now, I definitely know Craig probably just has a crush on me. It's just a crush though. Not serious, romantic feelings like mine are. He's just confused.
There's no chance for us.
It's like God's deliberately screwing me.