We stayed at the sub shop for a while as Ike began to tell me more about his side of Kyle's story.
"Well for a while after you left everything was normal. Then about a month later, Kyle got sent to that Jewish camp. When he got back, he hardly said a word. If he did, it was only after pestering him for a while, and even then it was just a simple, cold response. He even ditched a bunch of school." he paused staring at the table.
"I came home from school one day and he and my mom were yelling at each other. She wanted to know what was wrong with him, and he obviously didn't want to talk about it. So he was yelling at her, and I swear to god he was being straight up brutal. By the time he stormed out my mom was in tears, and you know what a tough bitch she is. Anyways, after a few weeks Stan and Kenny came over and talked to me. They said they checked out the camp and came up empty, so they wanted to know if I could help. I snuck them into the house one night, but I don't think Kyle was too happy about it, because they never tried to help him after that." he tapped his finger against the table as though to distract himself.
"So they gave up after how long?" I asked, feeling a burning anger in the pit of my stomach. This is really all Stan and Kenny's fault. I had a simple plan to seduce and conquer Kyle, but they couldn't care enough to keep him in good condition while I was gone. I clenched my jaw tightly.
"Two months, three maybe? I keep trying to convince them to keep them going, but, well, after the first year or two I think they had stopped thinking about him all together. You know I just keep thinking that the four of you always kept each other in balance, so if anyone could bring my brother back..." he trailed off, wincing. There was a long pause while I thought through all the new information. Suddenly my phone rang, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"What?" I ask as I bring the phone to my ear.
"Hey I printed off all the dates of football games and practices, so I'm headed back to your place."
"Alright, We'll meet you there." I reply before hanging up.
"Come on Ike, it's back to home base." As we walked down the road I turned to him.
"What do you think the odds are of us getting him to come to this thing?" I ask nearly worried. He's quiet for a long time.
"I don't know. But maybe you could bribe him? That might help." he suggested with a small laugh.
"Bribe him? With what?"
"He's got his vices, and if you offer to pay for it for him, he might be more willing to give it a shot." he explained sadly, still not looking at me directly.
"K, but what vices?" I start to notice actual concern in my voice, so I quickly add "I have to know what kind of money I'm putting down here." he's quiet until were almost to the apartment complex.
"Acid, ecstasy, mushrooms, weed, alcohol, honestly most anything." he says it so quickly that I barely hear it. I again feel my innards burn, and I clench my jaw tightly. Another minute of silence later, we see Kenny wave to us from the front step of my building.
"Hey Kenny. You finally on board?" Ike asks, crossing his arms.
"Yeah Kenny, it's about time." I add in. Kenny glares at Ike.
"Yeah, I am. Now that Cartman's here we actually have a chance. You know as well as I do that he won't listen to just me or Stan. If we have any shot at all, it has to be all of us." he explains, pouting slightly.
"Alright, come on, I need to get back to the drawing board." I push past Kenny and lead the two into the apartment.
"Fuck, dude." Ike says as he looks around the room. I roll my eyes, and continue to my room. I rip the notes out of Ike's notebook and tape them into Stan's section, making sure to note his reluctance to help. Then I move to Kyle's section, and begin listing briberies.
"Hey Kenny! Do you think you can get any of this stuff for me?" Kenny and Ike walk in from the other room, and the blond looks through the list.
"Yeah man. Its expensive though." he shrugs.
"Ok... So I can get my mom to get the booze for us, so if you can just get... Hm, we'll go with weed and mushrooms. That sound good Ike?" I ask as I circle the mentioned vices.
"Yeah, but you're going to want to buy quite a bit, just to be sure." he scratches his chin.
"When can you get it to me, Kenny?" I turn to him, and he just shrugs.
"I just need to talk to Craig, so whenever I can find him."
"Ok, call him up and get me a price estimate." I grin. This might seriously work. Kenny's quiet for a minute.
"Can I use your phone?"
"Goddamn it, Kinny. You poor piece of crap.." I mumble as I dig my cellphone out for him. He takes it into the next room.
"So once we get this stuff for him, what's next?" Ike asked. I continued studying the drawing board.
"Well I have to make him the offer." I muttered, tapping the pen against my leg.
"Ok. Well if he's at home, then he's locked in his room. My parents will be near by, so either I let you in through my window and hope Kyle opens his door, or just knock right on his window." he shrugs.
"How much do you want?" Kenny asks, peeking back into the room. I roll my eyes.
"Enough to bribe him, Kenny." I answer simply. He nods, stepping back out into the living room. He appears a minute later.
"Clyde's out dealing with a customer, but Bebe said she can sell it to us." Kenny shrugged.
"Ok, so how much?" I asked, making a 'hurry up' motion with my hand.
"Two hundred."
"Two hundred?! Goddamn, how the hell does your pov-ass afford to be a druggie?" I stare at Kenny as he blushes furiously.
"W-well I don't buy this much." he stutters before continuing.
"Anyways, come on, I told Bebe we'd be there soon." he gestures towards the door. I roll my eyes, but follow him and Ike out.