(AN: Sorry about the delay guys. My computer was kind enough to get a virus yesterday so that's what I've been dealing with the past couple of days. Anyway I hope you like this chapter)
Disclaimer: Don't own South Park
Affliction
Chapter 8
Kyle
It's been an hour since Stan and I were brought to the hospital. I haven't heard any news on his condition. I'm not surprised. From what he's suffered, I figure it's going to be a long time before I hear anything. Mom and Dad arrived ten minutes after I called. They've been very supportive and I appreciate that. They didn't ask me any questions or for details. They didn't want to push me, which is good. I've been crying so much I haven't been able to get a word out.
My head is still buried in my hands. My mother has her arm around my shoulder which is comforting. My dad has been pacing the waiting room. I try hard to hold back the sobs, but it's impossible. Every time Stan's beaten body flashes in my mind, more sobs escape from my throat. I will never forgive myself if he doesn't make it.
"Kyle Broflovski?"
I lift my head. Two men stand in front of me. I recognize them as Detective Harris and Murphy. I remember working with them a few times when Stan, Kenny, Cartman and I played detectives all those years ago. "Y-yes?" I manage to choke out.
One of them sits down on the other side of me. "We understand you are the one who found the victim." Detective Harris says gently. "Are you able to tell us what happened?"
"I'm not sure he's ready for that," my mother says sternly, her arms till around me. My father stops pacing and comes over to us.
"No Moth-mother," I choke out. "It's okay. I c-can tell them."
My mother squeezes my shoulder in support. I take a deep breath and begin my story. "I l-left my house around 7:30 t-to meet Stan at his house. We w-were going to skip school and g-go to the police."
"Why were you going to the police?" my mother asks in surprise, glancing at my father as if he'd know. I'm relieved that they're not angry about us skipping school.
A fresh tear rolls down my face. "I figured out that he was being abused. Badly. I care so much for him. I couldn't stand it any longer. S-so I convinced him to go to the police with me.
I-I arrived at his house around 7:40. I r-rang the doorbell twice, b-but no answer. I h-had a bad feeling that something horrible happened, so I used the spare key under the welcome mat and let myself in.
I s-saw the china cabinet on the ground, glass and blood everywhere. I k-knew something bad happened to him so I called 911. T-then I found him in the b-basement. It was horrible," I choke on my last words, burying my head in my hands. Mom rubs my back soothingly.
"Does Stan have any enemies?" Detective Harris asks.
I wipe my face with my hand. I want Stan to have justice whether he makes it or not. If he pulls through I would be SO very happy. "His sister, Shelley," I whisper. "She's been beating the crap out of him for as long as I can remember."
"Why didn't you report the abuse sooner?" Detective Murphy asks me. "Why did you wait so long?"
"I wish I had!" I sob hysterically. "I wish I had reported the abuse YEARS ago! But I honestly didn't think she was hurting him that badly. I'm such a h-horrible best friend."
Mom rocks me back and forth. "No sweetheart," she says gently. "It's not your fault. You called 911 before you found him. You saved his life."
"If he survives." I mumble.
"Kyle, you can't give hope," my dad says, speaking for the first time since he and Mom got here.
Suddenly I remember the digital camera. I turn my attention back to the two detectives. "At Stan's house I left my bag there. Inside are several pictures of Stan's back and my digital camera. I snuck in his room the other night and took pictures. I needed evidence just in case he refused to go to the police with me."
The detectives nod. Before anybody can say anything else a hysterical voice breaks through the silence. "KYLE!"
We all look up. Stan's parents are hurrying over to me. "What happened?" Mr. Marsh demands. Mrs. Marsh is completely in tears just like me.
Before I can say anything, another voice breaks the silence. "Mr. and Mrs. Marsh?"
Standing right behind Stan's parents in a white lab coat and a chart in her hand is a young doctor with long brown hair and a serious expression on her face. "My name is Dr. Sara Joehnk."
Mr. Marsh clutches on tightly to Mrs. Marsh. "W-what happened to our son?" he stumbles.
"He was badly beaten and from what I can tell this has been going on for a long time. He suffered a concussion, five broken ribs, a fractured ankle, broken wrist, and countless lashes on his body from what looks like a whip. He lost more than half of his blood. If this young man didn't find him when he did, Stan would've drowned in his own blood."
I shudder as the image flashes in my mind. Stan's parents gasp. Mrs. Marsh sobs harder. "What are his chances?" I ask quietly, ignoring everybody's eyes on me.
The doctor hesitates, but I stare at her defiantly, desperate for an answer. She sighs. "Not good. His condition is unstable. He has approximately 24-48 hours"
A fresh tear rolls down my face as I accept the painful truth. Stan is going to die. It's all my fault. I notice that the detectives have led the Marshes to another corner. I turn my attention back to the doctor. She's looking at me sympathetically. She probably knows how much he means to me. I swallow the lump in my throat. "C-can I see him?"
She nods. "I'll get you fresh clothes since yours is covered in blood, then I'll show you where to go."
I had forgotten that I was still covered in blood-his blood. It doesn't matter now. The only thing that matters is seeing my best friend.
SKS
Ten minutes later, I'm in Stan's room in the ICU with my parents wearing hospital clothes. I refuse to leave Stan's side ever again. I'm sitting in a chair, next to his hospital bed, his IVed hand in my own. I can't help but stare at him.
Stan is lying there hooked up to several machines. A ventilator is breathing for him. His body is lying on the bed completely bandaged up. His face is swollen, purple, yet chalky white. He has bandages on his face where Shelley whipped him. The heart monitor is beeping so slowly that I keep thinking he's dead. He's barely hanging on.
"Kyle, honey, your father and I will be in the cafeteria. You want us to bring you anything?" My mother asks. I bet she just can't stand being in the room any longer. I don't blame her.
I shake my head. Once my parents are gone I reach over and stroke Stan's pale face gently. My thoughts are running through me like a fast river. I wish I was in his place instead. I'd rather die than see him suffer so much. I close my eyes, not wanting to look at his pale form anymore. "I'm sorry, Stan," I whisper. "I should've gone to the police years ago. I could've prevented this from happening. This is all my fault and I don't blame you if you never forgive me. All I ask is that you come back. I need you so badly. I'm begging you. Please don't leave me!"
I fall into an uneasy sleep, hoping with all my heart that he will be awake when I come back from the land of haunting dreams
Kenny
I'm sitting in Spanish class bored out of my mind. Ms. Yamen is going on and on about what I think is pronouns. I don't really give a rat's ass. By the way she teaches, I doubt I'm going to pass anyway. I outline the light blue heart on my paper. Inside the heart are the initials BS.
I glance over at my blonde boyfriend to find he's staring at me. I grin at him and give him a wink. A blush appears on his face. I want to tackle him to the ground and have my way with him right now. I guess you know what I'll be doing after school.
"MISTER McCormick! MISTER Stotch!" Ms. Yamen's annoying voice says. Oh great. She's going to yell at us. "Principal Simmons wants to see you two in his office. NOW!"
Goddamnit! Now we have to go to the principal's office. Butters and I rise from our seats and walk out of the room together. "Aw why did you have to get me into trouble, Kenny," Butters whines. "My parents are going to ground me!"
I roll my eyes. I throw an arm over his shoulders and pull him closer to me. "Don't worry Butter-ball. Even if they do ground you, I'll still love you."
"Aww shucks. I love you too."
We enter the principal's office. Right off the bat I can tell something is very wrong. Both of our parents are here along with a detective. Principal Simmons gives us a reassuring smile. "Come in boys. You're not in trouble. Detective Harris has a few questions about your friend, Stan."
From the look on everybody's faces, I can tell something bad has happened. We sit down uneasily, knowing that we're not going to like what we're about to hear. "What happened?" I demand shrilly.
I feel my dad's hand on my shoulder in support. The detective sighs wearily. "He was found nearly beaten to death in his basement this morning."
"Oh my God," I whisper. My heart is thudding against my chest. I knew Kyle shouldn't have waited to go to the police. At the same time he's my friend too. I should've done something to prevent this "Is he okay?" I manage to choke out.
"The doctor doesn't think so. He's in critical condition at the hospital."
"Oh shit," I mumble under my breath.
"Do you have any idea who would do this to him?" the detective asks us.
"His sister, Shelley," I answer without hesitation. "We've seen her beat the crap out of him before. We didn't know how bad it was until Kyle showed us pictures of his back."
I glance at Butters. He has stayed silent the whole time, tears running down his face. I don't blame him. I'm having a hard time holding my back. Since our parents know about our relationship, I feel no shame in grabbing Butters' hand and squeezing it tightly. I think about Kyle. He must be losing it right now.
"C-can we see him?" Butters asks, speaking for the first time since we've been called into the office.
Our parents nod solemnly. We hurry out of the school and towards the hospital. I know that Stan and Kyle are going to need all the support they can get.
Thanks for reading. Please review :)