Chapter 13

"Who are the Noble and the Wise? Will all our sins be justified?"

"I'm so worried about Kyle, he still hasn't come back since last night, he always comes back," Ike said in slight panic. He pushed his plate away, unable to eat; he was too worried about his brother.

"Ike, eat your food, not eating won't get him back quicker," Gerald ordered his son. Of course he too was worried about Kyle, but he needed to keep Ike going.

"But Papa..."

"He-he's right Ike. Besides, Kyle w-wouldn't want you to stop eating b-because of him. He'll be upset when he comes b-back if he found out you haven't been eating," Tweek said, trying to give Ike a convincing smile at his side.

"What do you think happened to him Tweek? He was sick and kept getting worse, what if something bad happened with his health?" Tweek bit his lip. Everything bad that he could possibly think to happen to Kyle had already went through his mind, he was the anxiety ridden freak after all...but he wasn't about to tell Ike any of that. Tweek didn't even sleep the night before without Kyle there. They were each other's security blanket.

"Ike, you ha-have to keep faith that Kyle is o-okay, it's what he would want." Ike leaned into Tweek with his head under his chin.

"I know Tweek, I'm just worried about him." Tweek pulled Ike close in security, he had made a promise to Kyle that when he wasn't around he would look after his family, but he didn't do this out of obligation to his friend. The Broflovski's had become his family too. Tweek was an only child, and his own parents sent him away because he was "different," but the Broflovski's did not judge him, and actually enjoyed his company. When it wasn't Kyle helping him with his workload, it was Mr. Broflovski or Ike, and he helped them. He considered them his family and liked to think they considered him family, but he was too shy to bring up such a conversation.

"Me too Ike,"

"You! Freak!" Everyone turned to a soldier storming through the cafeteria towards Tweek who had released Ike.

"Don't move and don't speak Ike," Tweek whispered as he stood in front of him, as if shielding him even though the soldier called out to Tweek.

"Come with me!" The soldier roughly grabbed Tweek by the upper arm, yanked him away down the aisle and out of the cafeteria. Ike was left behind with tears in his eyes.

"I can't lose two brothers,"

/

Tweek was thrown into a dimly lit room with a single chair that sat in the middle of it. The room was cold, damp, and smelled metallic, like blood. Tweek knew immediately this was a torture room, a room where the soldiers brought prisoners here to punish them; most of them died from the severity of their punishments. He did not even have to wonder about what he had done wrong, existing was enough to warrant punishment from the Nazis.

Even though there was a chair that he knew he should sit in, he remained standing. The soldiers would have to force him to sit, he was not just going to lie down and take it. The old Tweek would have because he had nothing to live for, nothing that was keeping him going. Absolutely nothing. But now he liked to think he had a new family, a new best friend who helped him get back the hope he'dnot had since Craig. And now there was Craig, the man he had loved for years and he returned those feelings. Tweek told himself that he would survive this war in hopes of a future with Craig. So giving up was no longer an option.

Tweek heard the metal door knob start to turn behind him and he readied himself for whatever torture they would bring into that room. But once the soldier stepped into the room and he closed the door behind him, Tweek nearly collapsed in relief. "Craig," he whispered with as much enthusiasm as he could, because he was sure there were soldiers just outside the door. Tweek did not hesitate to run into Craig's arms, locking his arms around his neck. Craig held him, held him so tight against his body that it was nearly suffocating, but Tweek didn't dare complain. They hadn't had a moment like this since the whipping.

"Tweek, I don't have much time," Craig whispered, pulling out of the embrace but still holding Tweek at arms length. Tweek understood and did not protest.

"Please tell me you're here to tell me something about Kyle. Is he okay? Please tell me you know something, anything. I don't want to have to face his family with no answers." All of this Tweek said in a panic, almost in hysterics; he had to be strong for Ike, but around Craig he was often able to lose his resolve.

"Tweek, Tweek calm down," Craig whispered caressing both of his cheeks. "Yes, I have news about Kyle." Tweek nodded in Craig's hands and tried to calm his erratic breathing so he could focus on the information Craig had for him. "Kyle collapsed during his lesson with Cartman. He had a doctor check him out and he had early stages of pneumonia." Tweek's eyes went wide in panic.

"What? Where is he now? Please don't tell me Cartman sent him away," but Craig shook his head and pushed some of Tweek's blonde hair behind his ear.

"No, Tweek. Actually Cartman is getting him better. He made sure the doctor gave him shots to get healthy again. He'll be at the Villa for a few days to recover, make sure you tell his family." Tweek let out a sigh of relief and melted into Craig's embrace once again and Craig enveloped him, cradling the back of his head with one hand and the other securely around his waist.

"Thank you."

"I wish I could do more." Tweek was in no way naïve, he had zero wishful thinking when it came to Craig in the concentration camp, so any little bit of information helped immensely and he was grateful. Tweek pulled off his chest only slightly enough to cup Craig's face in his boney hands.

"Just stay you, that's all I ask, Craig," Craig brought a hand up to caress Tweek's cheek.

"For you, always," and Tweek pulled Craig down for a kiss. The kiss was rushed, but lacked absolutely no passion. They clung to each other while they kissed, gripping the other with the knowledge that any embrace, any caress, any kiss could be their last. "Tweek," Craig whispered pulling out of the kiss, but still connected their foreheads. "You know that I have to-" Tweek nodded and then kissed the inside of Craig's palm.

"I know." Tweek saw Craig's bottom lip tremble, but Tweek only smiled. "It's okay Craig." Tweek stepped back away from Craig and faced down the Nazi he pretended to be.

"I'm sorry," and Craig punched him, punched him twice, three times, and each time Tweek cried out so the soldiers behind the doors would hear it. Tweek's nose was bleeding, and so was a scratch on his cheek, but when he saw Craig's bloody knuckles coming at him again he didn't know if it was his blood or Craig's. This time his fist collided with his stomach and he kneeled over, his chin coming to rest on Craig's shoulder as he cried out in massive pain. "I'm so sorry Tweek." Tweek could not respond for the wind had been knocked out of him, but yet he dug his fingers into Craig's arms as if to assure him he would forgive him, even though he knew this was so wrong. Just then the soldiers barged into the room, high on alert.

"Do you require assistance sir?" one asked, clearly wanting to get a piece of the action. Craig snarled and stood back from Tweek, allowing his body to fall to the floor with a loud thud.

"No, we're finished here, I thought the orders I gave you were to allow me to handle this alone?" Craig challenged turning towards the men, his voice loud with authority.

"Yes sir, but I-"

"A soldier must always follow orders of their superiors if they wish to move up in the ranks. Do not let that slip your mind again soldier." The addressing soldier stood straight and saluted Craig.

"Yes sir."

"Good, now get this freak out of my sight," and without protest, the two soldiers lifted Tweek just beneath his arms and dragged him from the room.

When Tweek and the soldiers were gone, Craig let out a broken scream, nearly a wail, grabbed the nearby chair and threw it against the wall. He sunk down where he stood. Craig stared at his bloody hands, the hands that he hurt Tweek with over and over. Just how much longer could he keep doing this? There was no justification, this wasn't love. How could it be? Tweek should never be able to forgive him, and he didn't deserve forgiveness. "I don't deserve you Tweek," and Craig released all his emotions, crying into his hands stained with Tweek's blood.

/

Over the course of the next few days, Cartman, reluctantly and with constant complaining, helped see to Kyle's needs to get him healthy as quickly as possible; they had lessons they needed to continue after all. He practically ordered that Kyle not move from his makeshift bed on the couch and he was the one who brought him food, got him water, rewet his cloth when he had a fever, which was only one time more since his last.

Dr. Wyatt returned later than expected, but when he returned he gave Kyle a check up and would administer the rest of his doses of antibiotics personally. He was recovering slowly, had he been in better health before he got sick he would have been able to recover much quicker, but he was so malnourished Dr. Wyatt said he had been surprised his immune system was working at all.

Aside from getting his body healthier, Cartman also tried to help Kyle's mind, his nightmares to be exact. He noticed very quickly that every time Kyle would fall asleep he would have nightmares and he just wasn't comfortable with seeing Kyle struggle.

He's a Jew, Eric, doesn't he deserve the nightmares?

Normally, yes, Cartman would agree, but not Kyle. He could admit, secretly, that Kyle did not deserve any of the nightmares that tortured him. Kyle was different, he saw him differently and he could not understand why. He shouldn't care that the Jew has nightmares, but he did and he wanted to help keep them at bay. Cartman had fallen victim to his own nightmares and he just didn't want Kyle to go through the same thing. Again, he could not understand why.

You know exactly why, Eric.

And so, each time that Kyle would fall asleep and Cartman would see the signs of a nightmare, he would go into his music room and play him something on the piano. He tried several different pieces, but he noticed that Moonlight Sonata calmed Kyle down the quickest and he seemed to sleep much better when he played that. So when Kyle slept, it was all he played for as long as he needed to; of course, after midnight Kyle was on his own because he needed his sleep.

One morning, while Kyle was sleeping on the couch, Cartman was practicing the natural box set that Kyle had showed him just before he past out on him nights prior. In his opinion, he was god awful, but then again so was Kyle when he first started. That little piece of memory he would keep to himself. Kyle didn't need to know that he was the kid in the park who drove him to dance, after all what would it change? Absolutely nothing.

Dammit, he couldn't get this damn box thing down like he wanted. He couldn't keep his toes pointed, he couldn't move his feet the right way, and more times than not he would fall over his own feet because at the last second he would forget which way he was supposed to turn and panic. As much as he hated failure, he had to keep trying; his reputation depended on it.

Cartman reset the box and tried again. "You're practicing." Cartman nearly jumped out of his skin, he did not expect Kyle to suddenly speak up. He blushed from being caught off guard.

"Yes, Jew, I'm practicing. How will I get any better if I don't practice? You told me that." Kyle sat up on the couch and stretched.

"Yes but I didn't think you'd actually listen to me," Cartman faced away so Kyle wouldn't see his blush get even more ruddy.

"Well since you're awake Kahl, perhaps you could give me some pointers because I can't do any of this stupid dance." He was very irritated that he was such a failure and it was showing.

"Your posture has been flawless, you're top half moves seamlessly, but you're legs and feet definitely need some work." Cartman rolled his eyes.

"Tell me something I don't know, Jew! I said give me pointers, not state the obvious. That's what you're here for anyway so tell me how to fix it," Cartman didn't miss the eye roll Kyle gave him but decided to ignore it for now; he actually wasn't in the mood for a fight.

"For starters," Kyle stood from the couch to approach Cartman, but at the same time Clyde entered the room.

"Sir, the doctors are arriving." Cartman gave him a confused look.

"Doctors? For what?" Clyde sighed and shook his head.

"Did you even bother to read the telegram that came for you the other day?" And just like that the Commandant felt like a dumbass, but he wasn't about to say that out loud. Growling in the back of his throat, he walked over to his desk and rummaged around until he found the telegram Clyde had mentioned.

"Shit," Cartman snarled after reading the small paper.

"What did it say, sir?" Kyle asked from behind him, not moving from his place in front of the couch.

"Nothing, I'm needed in the yard. Stay here Jew." Luckily he already had on most of his uniform, even his boots, so he only needed to grab his over coat and hat. He walked over to grab his coat off the rack and started to put it on when a hand firmly, but gently, gripped his forearm.

"Sir, please, what's going on?" Cartman looked into Kyle's pleading eyes, begging to know what was about to happen in the camp. As much as Cartman wanted his hand to remain where it was on his arm, he shrugged it off and put on his coat.

"There will be a culling."

"Wh-what does that mean?!" Kyle asked in panic, so much in fact that Cartman was sure he already knew what it meant; but he still answered.

"The doctors that are here will examine the prisoners in the camp and anyone that doesn't seem fit enough, or healthy enough, will be sent away." The fact that Cartman felt sorrow rather than delight when he saw the blood drain from Kyle's cheeks angered him. No doubt he was worried about his family, but instead of laughing at him and wishing his family ill during this culling, he in fact almost felt apathetic. Shit, this Jew is making me weak.

"I need to get down there, I need to be with my family." Of course Cartman wasn't wrong in his thought process when it came to Kyle. Cartman rolled his eyes when Kyle tried to push past him to get to the front door and he shoved him back.

"You're not going anywhere Jew, you're staying right here. I don't have full faith that you'll pass the exam and I can't take any chances on losing the only ticket I have on dance lessons." He noticed Kyle's cheeks instantly heat up.

"Who cares about your damn lessons! I can't leave them down there alone!" Again he tried to get past Cartman, but he knew just how to use his bulk. Cartman pressed the palm of his hand square into Kyle's chest and shoved him against the wall.

"Okay Kahl, let's say you make it past me, go down there and stand with your family. What if one of them is chosen to leave? What will you do? Scream, cry, cause a scene that may get you killed? Do you want that Kahl? To be shot dead in front of your family? How could you help them if you're dead?" Not to mention me, but he wasn't about to say that because he needed to convince Kyle to stay up here. Their eyes locked for several passing moments, and because his palm was still pressed to Kyle's chest, he could feel his pounding heart beneath his hand. He could tell that Kyle was riled up and wanted nothing more than to shove the Commandant aside and run off, but he could also tell Kyle thought the points he made were valid. Finally Kyle hung his head in surrender and Cartman dropped his hand to his side.

"You made me a promise sir." Kyle was looking away, but Cartman was watching him intently. He was testing the Commandant, to see if he would keep his word to keep his family safe per their agreement, he just hoped it wouldn't have to come to that. He could see that Kyle was very worried, perhaps even terrified when it came to the uncertain fate of his family. Unfortunately Cartman could not sympathize. Nonetheless they did make an agreement.

Cartman looked away from Kyle and finished putting on his coat. "You may think I'm a monster Kahl, but even a monster like me keeps his word. I don't break promises Kahl," and he left before he had the chance to hear Kyle say anything.

/

"Thank you," is what he would have heard, but he practically ran away before Kyle could even form the words and even though he was gone, he still said them. Kyle did not trust the Nazi commander to follow through with his promise, not one bit. But what choice did he have? Whether he liked it or not, Cartman was right. What could Kyle possibly do to save his family without getting himself killed in the process? Kyle was not afraid of dying, but afraid of what he would leave behind. So right now, he would have to trust in Cartman as much as his heart told him he shouldn't.

Maybe he should try to trust him to keep his promise, he did help get him healthier when he collapsed from pneumonia. He didn't just help him, he took care of Kyle. Cartman could have easily have had Clyde, or even Craig take care of Kyle, but the Commandant did it himself. Why? Kyle's eyes drifted to the couch where his pillow and blanket were laid out. "…a monster like me…" The words replayed over and over in Kyle's head. Early on Kyle knew the word "monster" bothered the Commandant, he was transparent with his reactions when Kyle said it. But as the days past Kyle found himself questioning if Cartman really was the monster he so often called him and believed him to be. Would a monster take care of him, a Jew, even if his reasons were selfish? Would he have even included his parents well-being in the agreement if he was such a monster?

Why was Kyle even considering all of this? He was a Nazi who has killed innocents. The fact that he took care of Kyle meant nothing. He was a murderer and a monster. It was that simple and he needed to stop overthinking it.

He finally looked away from the couch when commotion from outside caught his attention. It's already started?! With a racing heart Kyle ran to the window to see what was going on. There was a single row of doctors lined up horizontally, each one holding a clipboard. Kyle quickly noticed that Dr. Wyatt was not among the doctors in the yard, so any hope that he had that the doctor who helped him would help his family was shattered. Just to the side of the doctors was Commandant Cartman, and Lieutenant Craig; surrounding the crowd were countless soldiers which was a clear sign there was no room for escape. Kyle searched the crowd until he found his family, happy to see the three of them were standing together. Please don't take them. Please. Kyle silently prayed while it began.

The doctors had the men and boys strip down to only their undergarments and they inspected their bodies. Kyle didn't realize how emaciated everyone had become, he could practically count a whole ribcage from as far away as he was. When we get out of this Ike I'm going to let you eat all the ice cream you want after bedtime. I don't care what Mama says. He watched the doctors examine the prisoners, if anyone had a rash or even a blemish, they were sent to the opposite side of the yard. Kyle's stomach dropped and he swallowed saliva. That side means they won't be back. Kyle prayed more when the doctors examined his father, his brother, and Tweek. The doctors noted Tweek's bruised face and abdomen but didn't think it worthy enough to send away; he supposed Nazi brutality didn't warrant someone to be taken away. Kyle made a mental note to find out what happened to his best friend. When the doctors moved on from his family he let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. Good. That's good. They'll be okay. They're safe.

Or so Kyle thought.

The doctors then had the prisoners run, run around the yard. They are testing their strength to see if they can still work! Kyle's panic returned just like that and his eyes were glued to his family. Ike and Tweek were running fine, sluggish, but fine. His father however, was lagging behind and nearly falling over. He saw Tweek slow down to help his father, but saw him push Tweek off with a shake of his head. Dammit Papa, let him help you. Tweek tried again, but his father stumbled to his knees. "Papa, get up!" Kyle cried from the window even though no one could hear him. A doctor came into the crowd, shoved Tweek aside and grabbed Gerald by the arm and started to practically drag him towards the front of the crowd. "No! No! Papa! Papa! No please no!" Kyle was screaming, he was crying, banging and hitting the window. "Help him please! You said you'd protect him!" Kyle screamed at the Commandant, not caring that his pleas would go unheard. Instead of moving towards his father and the doctor, he saw Cartman and Craig part ways into the crowd, moving away from Gerald. "You promised fatass! You promised you'd keep him safe!" Kyle was hysterical when he dropped to his knees, still banging his palm on the window. There were hot tears streaming down his face from anger, despair, fear, and panic. Cartman was breaking his promise, he was going to let his father get taken and he'd never see him again.

Just as he was lowering his head to give in to his despair, gunshots suddenly went off in the yard. Kyle looked up just in time to see Craig lowering his gun and he quickly looked for the Commandant. When he found him he saw Cartman raise his gun in the air and fired off a few rounds. Pandemonium instantly broke out. The prisoners were running in every direction, running into each other and even the doctors were being thrown around the hectic crowd, that included the doctor who was taking Gerald. But Kyle wasn't watching the spooked crowd, his eyes were on the Commandant as he made his way through the crowd, shoving anyone in his way. Kyle's eyes went wide when he saw Cartman grab his father and drag him through the crowd towards the back; no one was paying him any mind because Craig was shouting orders to contain the chaotic crowd.

Kyle lost sight of them when they had moved past the sight of the window. Where was he taking him? Did he really just create a diversion and save his father? Would he ever see his father again? All of this and much more was floating around in his head, his anxiety was his worst enemy right now.

"Kyle!" Kyle's heart stopped and his legs became jelly as relief washed over him. He hadn't heard the front door open down the hall, nor did he hear anyone come in, but there in the doorway to the living room was his father; safe and sound.

"Papa!" Kyle shouted and ran into his father's arms, and they encircled each other. His father was okay, he was here with Kyle. Kyle cried into his father's shoulder while they held each other, praying he would never have that scare of being separated again. "I don't understand, what happened?" Kyle asked when he pulled away, wiping at the tears on his face.

"I thought you Jews took pride in how smart you all are," Commandant Cartman said as he stepped into the room behind Gerald. Kyle hadn't even noticed him. "It's very simple Kahl, I kept my promise,"

"Promise? Kyle what is he talking about?" Gerald asked. Kyle may have told his family that he was giving the Commandant dance lessons, but he didn't tell anyone but Tweek that in return Cartman would protect his family.

"It's nothing Papa, I was so scared," Kyle admitted and returned to his father's embrace. Gerald let it go, smiled and kissed his son's red curls.

"I'm here my son, I'm glad to hear and see that you are feeling better," Gerald turned his head towards Cartman. "Thank you for helping my son."

/

Cartman blushed from Gerald's gratitude but played it off as anger, which wouldn't be a total lie. Cartman just saved his life, but yet he was more thankful and concerned that Kyle was okay?

That's what family does Eric.

Cartman bit his lip and rolled his neck, refusing to acknowledge Gerald's comment. "To ensure that this won't happen again, I have decided to allow your father to stay here and work. God knows Clyde could use the help, especially cooking. Do you know how to cook?"

"Yes! Yes, Papa is a great cook! Whatever you want he can make I'm sure," Kyle said rapidly in place of his father, not out of worry, but out of happiness.

"I do know my way around a kitchen, sir," Gerald said politely. Cartman nodded, pleased with his answer.

"Good, and make sure this place is dusted every day. I hate sneezing because of dust, I want everything to shine. Do I make myself clear?" Gerald nodded again.

"Perfectly sir,"

"Clyde! Get in here you asshole!" A moment later Clyde walked out.

"What?" Clyde snapped and Cartman groaned deep in his throat.

"Excuse meh?" Clyde rolled his eyes.

"Yes sir?"

"Please show Mr. Broflovski to the room downstairs and help him get settled."

"Yes sir, follow me please, Mr. Broflovski." Gerald hugged Kyle one last time, thanked the Commandant again and followed Clyde out of the room.

When they were gone silence stretched across the room like a rubber band, an awkward silence that Cartman detested. Kyle was eyeing Cartman, a look that he didn't exactly understand and didn't want to try and figure out. Finally, while avoiding Kyle's gaze, he decided to speak. "See Kahl, I told you I'm not-" and before he could stop him, Kyle threw his arms around Cartman's neck and hugged him.

Cartman froze, his heart rate increased dramatically and he didn't know if he was terrified or confused; both was his best bet. Kyle was hugging him, willingly hugging him.

"No you're not, you're not a monster Cartman." Cartman's eyes widened and he nearly came apart. For years he secretly longed for someone to say those words, and coming from Kyle they meant so much more than he could ever relay. "Thank you, thank you for saving him," Kyle whispered into Cartman's shoulder, still embracing him.

Hug him back Eric.

But he couldn't. There were thousands of reasons why he couldn't, but the main reason was fear. Even though he couldn't return Kyle's hug, he could blissfully admit that he enjoyed it. Kyle's words, and his hug actually made him-happy and he found that he wasn't opposed to more hugs in the future.