Chapter Text
Things have changed
Thought Kyle as he opens his locker and sees Stan and Kenny walking towards Stan's Locker and talking happily with their friends.
It was their first year as juniors, they just came back from summer vacation and even before school started Kyle had noticed the changes
At some point during sophomore year, Kyle noticed Stan and Kenny distancing themselves from the ground. It started with Stan one day suddenly not spending lunch with them anymore and would spend it with Wendy, Bebe, Tolkien, Nichole, and Clyde.
It was nothing weird at first, as Stan and Wendy were dating. It was normal that they would spend time together at school and outside of it.
But it was just them, Stan and Wendy.
Stan would still make time for them.
But after a few weeks, he stopped coming to their sleepovers and game nights, spending less time with them after school. Then he would spend less and less time with them at school, but he would still try and make time for Kyle.
And even then, it was just a few minutes.
It was just Kenny, Cartman and Kyle for a while, and they made it work, they missed Stan -Kyle and Kenny did at least, even though Cartman also did but would never admit it- but if he didn't want to spend time with them it was on him.
And things were good for a while.
Then a month before summer vacation Kenny started to distance himself -just like Stan- and spend more time with Stan and his friends now.
Unlike Stan, Kenny didn't do it gradually; one day he was with them eating junk food and playing video games and the next he's giving them excuses about being busy.
But they knew it was a lie
They still see him in the photos Stan Posted of his outings with his friends.
In the end It was just Kyle and Cartman now.
Kyle wasn't sure what it meant at the beginning. He half expected Cartman to also leave at any point, but it was now just him and Cartman. Friends? enemies? something in between?
At first he wasn't sure what his and Cartman relationship was, without Stan and Kenny it was just them, no one to buffer their fights, Kyle was ready to spend the vacations alone with no friends.
But a day after they saw Kenny with Stan and the other guys, Cartman showed up to Kyle's house just like they had planned the day before.
Just that now it would be just Kyle and Cartman
He wasn't sure at first, things were tense, fights would start about anything and everything, ending in screaming matches followed by silence from each end.
but weirdly enough neither of them ever left; even after fighting they would still come back to each other.
after spending time together just the two of them, during the summer, hanging out at the mall, playing video games, having sleepovers at each other's house or even just spending time together.
Kyle realized he wouldn't mind having Cartman as his only friend, even with the fighting and clashing, as long as they stayed together, they could handle this new school year.
Or so thought Kyle
But a week before school started, Cartman canceled their hangout, the video game nights, then their sleepover and then he stopped answering Kyle's texts
And now Kyle is alone at school waiting for the inevitable.
He sees Cartman walk in and Kyle immediately notices something isn't right with him.
he doesn't walk with the same confidence he always does. When he sees Kyle he averts his eyes.
Kyle just keeps looking at him waiting for Cartman to at least talk to him, to say something, anything but to just not ignore him.
Just as Cartman is about to walk past Kyle he looks up, they lock eyes for a second and when Kyle thinks he's about to walk up to him.
Suddenly Cartman looks at something past Kyle. Cartman makes a weird face at whatever hes looking at, A face that isn’t normal in cartman, it was almost like worrying? fear? whatever it was makes him walk away from Kyle.
Kyle sees him go, thinking what was that.
When he noticed Stan and his group also looking at Cartman, Stan and Kenny had a weird look in their eyes.
While they looked at Cartman with… pity?
The rest were looking at Cartman with anger and almost disgust. Did Cartman do something to them and Kyle didn't know?
Tired of it Kyle closes his locker rather hard bringing everyone's attention to him.
Stan jumped a little and looked over at Kyle with a smile forming on his lips as he walks towards to Kyle
He was tired
Tired of being left by his friends, he thought things would be different with Cartman.
And they were.
But something happened. Maybe he did something to them or they did something to him, and he wasn't sure whose fault it was or what even happened but he was sure of one thing.
He was on Cartman's side
“Hey kyl-” spoke Stan but Kyle just ignored him and walked towards his class, making sure to also ignore Kenny's eyes as he walked past him.
He knows they are all looking at him so while still not turning towards them Kyle raises his hand and gives them the middle finger.
-
Kyle is being ignored.
He already knew that but unlike Stan or Kenny that would at least have the decency to talk with Kyle when he confronted them when they left. Cartman was completely ignoring Kyle, going as far as evading Kyle's eyes, looking down his text book not even looking up once.
They had math class together and since the class started Kyle has tried everything to get Cartman to talk with him or even look at him
He went as far as making Marjorine change seats with him when Kyle sat next to him.
Kyle couldn't even concentrate the rest of the class, the second the bell ran he went straight towards Cartman but with speed he didn't know Cartman had. He bolted past Kyle and out of the door he was.
Kyle stood there a few seconds in shock, he didn't expect that
“Oh hey Kyle did you-” spoke Marjorine
“Not now Marjs!” screamed Kyle without even looking at her and walking out of the classroom
Kyle won't give up, Cartman couldn't ignore him forever, they have more classes together, and there's the cafeteria, Cartman never misses lunch.
The week before summer vacation when Kenny left them, it was just Kyle and Cartman alone at a cafeteria table eating lunch in silence. It was awkward at first but by the end of it they were talking as if it had always been just the two of them.
Kyle was hoping not to have a repeat of those early silent days.
-
Cartman skipped all the classes he had with Kyle.
At first he thought Cartman left school but after asking Marjorine about it Cartman still went to his other classes.
He just skipped the ones he had with Kyle.
Frustrated, Kyle walked towards the cafeteria, everyone making way for Kyle as they all could sense his mood.
Walking through the cafeteria doors he looks around for Cartman. not seeing him but not giving up Kyle picks up two lunch trays and just skips the lunch like and walks up to the front of it -ignoring scott’s protest ,who was about to take his turn- he fills one of the trays up with double of everything and walks towards the far back lunch table and sits there alone, waiting for Cartman to show up, not even eating, he's so angry he can't even eat.
-
After almost half of the lunch hour gone waiting for Cartman, Kyle started picking at his food, not eating, he was more calm now but he still didn't have an appetite.
As he was about to give up he felt someone sit besides him.
Turning around quickly thinking that fatass finally decided to show up
“Cartm-” only to have his his hopes crushed when he see who was sitting there
“Hi Kyle” spoke Stan, smiling shyly and acting as if this was something normal, as if Stan didn't ignore him almost all of their sophomore year and all of the summer vacation, only talked to him on occasions outside of school or by text.
“What do you want” said Kyle turning his attention back to his food and ignoring Stan
Stan gulped, knowing he deserves the cold shoulder
“okey i know i haven't been the best super best friend” said Stan
Kyle rolled his eyes at that, they haven't even been friends in a long time
“but i need to tell you something and i need you to just trust me on this”
At the serious tone of Stan Kyle looks up, catching Stan's worried face, he thought that maybe it was something important, maybe it was about what happened to Cartman or to why he was avoiding him.
“You need to stay away from Cartman”
Kyle got up, leaving his food, not even caring about it.
“Wait, Kyle!” Stan followed Kyle
Just outside of the cafeteria Stan grabs Kyle's arm
“I’m serious Kyle, you have to stay away from him!, he’s dangerous”
Holding his arm with a strength Kyle doesn’t doesn't know where it comes from, he can't break free from Stan's hold.
“Stan if you don't stop this–”
“Stan?” Kyle was interrupted
It was Wendy, she was with Stan's friends, they all were looking at the scene, everyone had a look of confusion on their face, why would Stan be with Kyle after all.
Taking advantage of the momentary confusion Kyle breaks free from Stan's hold and walks away.
“Kyle!” Screamed Stan
Kyle just ignores him and keeps walking, there's still some time left before school it's over.
Cartman can't hide forever.
-
‘That Bastard!’
Thought Kyle as he walked home from school, or to be more precise as he walked towards Cartman's house.
Cartman had left school at some point, he didn't show up to any of the classes they had together, Cartman also didn't show up for the one he had without Kyle, it seems he didn't wanna risk Kyle confronting him so he just left.
But he can't hide from him any longer.
-
Knocking on the Cartmans residence door was met with silence.
“I Know you're there Cartman!, open up!” Screamed Kyle, he was getting angry by the minute, did Cartman really not come home?, where else could he be? Why would he go so far to hide from Kyle
Kyle thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening
“Oh, hi Kyle! How can I help you?”
“Hi Ms. Cartman, is Cartman home?” asked Kyle impatiently
“I'm sorry Kyle but it seems my Poopsikins isn't feeling well, he came back from school early and hasn't left his room since. not even for a snack” Ms. Cartman sounded worried as always when it comes to Cartman's well being.
Kyle frowned at hearing that. Cartman must have lied to his mom, what happened that got him evading Kyle like this?.
“Is there something you need to tell Eric? Maybe i can tell him for you” Asked Liane looking at Kyle with the same kind eyes as always
Not wanting to let his anger out on liane about her coward son Kyle decided to stop for today “Could you just tell him to answer my messages?”
“Of course and I'm sure Eric must miss his best friend, maybe you can visit him tomorrow if he's still not feeling well?”
“Sure, I'll see you later Ms. Cartman!” said Kyle loud enough as he turned his back to the dooor and walked towards his house.
He walked a few steps till he heard the door closed and turned around looking up at Cartman's room
And there it was
The curtains were closed but he saw Cartman's big ass shadow move not fast enough from the window.
Turning towards his house with a new resolution Kyle started thinking.
First Cartman ignores him out of nowhere just like Stan and Kenny. But unlike them Cartman didn't join the ‘popular’ kids group
Second, there were the looks they were giving Cartman, normally they would ignore him unless he did something, and he must have done something for them to look at him that way, but there was just something about it that makes Kyle believe this time it's not Cartman's fault whatever happened between them.
And lastly the way Stan acted at the cafeteria was not normal, he has never approached Kyle like that before, even less in a public space after he left their friend group, and the warning about Cartman? Not even after the stuff Cartman did to Kyle when they were younger did Stan ever warn him About Cartman like that.
‘As if Cartman would ever hurt him’ thought Kyle as he opens the door his house
There's only one person who has the answer to what could have happened.
He needs to talk with Stan.
-
Getting in touch with Stan was as hard as he remembered, after he distanced himself from Kyle he would text him from time to time, Kyle answers were always cut and dry, because early on when he tried to talk with or to hang out with Stan it was met with lies and excuses.
But now Stan isn't even answering his calls. He would go to his house but he knows by now that Stan wouldn't be there, he would probably be with his friends somewhere drinking and smoking but Kyle needs to speak with him in private.
Tracking him will be hard as everyday they change their parties location, Kyle will have to wait for one of Stan's friends to post a picture to their Instagram and go to whoever house they are in and try to get Stan Alone.
It will be a long day spend stalking others people Instagram
Great.
-
It was just his luck that for this night party to be at Tolkien's house, the furthest one from everyone else
It was a long walk and Kyle spent the whole time thinking on how to get Stan alone and what he will say to him.
As he got closer to the house he noticed something weird, besides Stan's and bebe's car the streets were empty, he got the impression that a lot of people were at these parties.
As he got closer he also noticed there was not music playing or even the sound of people talking that you would hear at a party.
Frowning, Kyle got his phone out to check Tolkien's profile, posted 40 minutes ago and yeah that was a photo of Tolkien and Kenny with drinks in their hands in Token's couch, he checked the caption ‘private party with the pack’
‘private?’ thought Kyle, maybe it would be easier to talk to Stan if he was just with his friends than in a full on party.
But that still doesn't explain the silence.
Kyle rings the doorbell
After a few seconds of no answer he does it again and again and again and then starts the knocking “hello!? Is anyone home!? Stan!?”
No answer
Not giving up Kyle decides to call Stan on his phone
Also no answer
Could they be on the back?
Not caring about looking like he was trying to break in, Kyle walked around Token's house to his garden. it was empty but inside the house the lights were on, he could see from the glass door bottles of beer on the table.
Did they leave for another place?
Deciding to ring up Stan once more, Before going back to stalking to find what place they are now Kyle hears a ring.
Close to the door of the garden that goes out to the forest Kyle notices something.
There were clothes on the ground. looking around before Jumping over the fence to check what was going on Kyle noticed The sound was coming from a pair of pants on the ground. They must be Stan's
Hanging up the call and the ringing stopped, yeah, definitely Stan's pants
It wasn't just Stan's clothes, by Just looking at them Kyle could guess who they belong to, He could never not recognize Kenny orange patch up parka.
And not just them but also the rest of their friends' clothes were just laying on the ground, Even the girls.
It was definitely weird. ‘Did they get drunk and go walking into the forest naked?’ thought Kyle, but he doubted Wendy or Nichole would do something like that.
Curiosity got the best of him and Kyle went out into the forest, he was just going to check really quickly not going too Deep.
He doesn't know why but Kyle got the feeling that something was out there, and maybe Stan and the others were in danger.
He is just going to check if Stan and Kenny were just walking around naked and drunk out in the forest. After making sure they were okay he will leave, they may not be friends anymore but that doesn't mean Kyle wants them to get hurt. Or even worse
Death
-
According to his phone it has been just 10 minutes since he's been walking but with the tall trees, shadows and only moonlight as his guide it feels like hours.
“If I don't find them in 10 more minutes I'm leaving” whispered Kyle as He keeps walking deeper into the forest.
He shouldn't go so deep, his mother has already given him a warning about sightings of wolves around the forest, but Kyle has lived his whole life in south park, played in the same forest as a kid and he has never seen one or an animal more dangerous than a raccoon.
As he goes deeper the forest is starting to look darker and darker, thick branches hiding the moonlight making it almost impossible to see.
Kyle brings his hand to his pocket about to take his phone out to light his way when he hears laughter.
Confused for a moment think he is imagining things he heard again.
He follows the voice.
As he walked towards the sound, peeking his head behind a tree and some thick bushes he sees it, well
Sees them
It was Kenny, dancing naked in the middle of a clearing playing, but he was not alone
Kenny was Surrounded by wolves.
It was five of them, two wolves were… playing?. With Kenny, doing circles around him, it looks like they were trying to make him fall.
The others were just watching, almost as if expecting something to happen.
Kyle was about to turn around and call the police, the firefighters, animal control, just anyone to get Kenny out of there.
Before he could he heard the rustling of leaves, freezing for a second he slowly turned around and there just a few steps in front of him was a wolf.
A black wolf with blue eyes. Even in this situation he couldn't stop himself from thinking how human those eyes looked.
And how wolves don't have blue eyes.
“Stan! Is that you?”
Kenny's voice almost made Kyle jump out of his hiding spot, from behind the tree Kenny couldn't see him.
The black wolf looked towards Kenny's direction, like it was him Kenny was calling for and not Stan.
The black wolf walked towards the bushes but not before looking back at Kyle, almost as if wanting to tell him something. The wolf's eyes were scarily smart and it was creeping Kyle out.
The second the wolf stepped out of the bushes and into the clearing Kyle heard Kenny's voice clear as day.
“There you are Stan! What took you so long dude?”
Maybe Kenny wasn't just drunk but also high, thought Kyle.
even though he sounded scarily sober.
“Come on bro I've been waiting for you”
Kyle decides to peek and sees Kenny kneeling on one knee while scratching the face of the same black wolf, he was acting way too comfortable with a wild animal.
Suddenly one of the wolves that was laying under a tree gets up and takes a few steps toward Kenny and growls in Kennys direction. almost like reprimanding him.
“Yeah yeah I'll hurry up, no need to get all grumpy alpha” spoke Kenny as he got up and walked towards the center of the clearing, bathing in the moonlight and stretching his back.
Kyle didn't know what he was doing.
He gave a look at the black wolf and noticed it was looking in Kyle's direction, he could swear it was even slightly pointing at Kenny with his snout, like telling him to watch. But watch what?
He didn't need to wonder for long as he heard it more than saw it.
The sound of Bones breaking.
One second Kenny was standing there stretching enjoying the moonlight, the next he was on the ground, hands and knees on the ground, Kyle could see how his back was deforming, his spine was stretching and bending, it looked like his Bones were rearranging inside his body. Almost like they were about to burst out.
It was a bizarre view, Kyle was frozen in place unable to look away, the fear and the worry for Kenny the only thing keeping him there and not running away or running towards Kenny to help him.
He can't even feel his own heart beating fast in his chest, all his concentration was on Kenny.
Who was now growing hair all over his body, his face contorting into a monster, his legs and arms changing, slowly he was starting to look like… like a dog?... No
A wolf.
After what felt like the longest hours of his life -that later on Kyle will learn it was only minutes- there, instead of Kenny, stood a wolf. a dirty blonde wolf.
Suddenly a howl broke Kyle out of whatever spell he was in.
Howling it was the same wolf Kenny referred to as alpha.
It didn't take long for the rest of the wolves to follow the alpha's howl, Kenny was the last one to follow.
When Kenny stopped howling the alpha got up and started running -thanks to god- the opposite direction of where Kyle was hiding.
The rest followed suit, one by one took off running but the black wolf and Kenny.
No
Stan and Kenny were the last one, Stan turning towards Kyle's direction and locking eyes with him, Kenny playfully hitting Stan's side with his body and pointing with his snout towards the direction the rest went.
Giving Kyle one Last look Stan took off running with Kenny following behind.
Kyle just stood there, still looking at the same spot the wol- Stan, was just a second ago.
Suddenly he remembered something.
Tolkien's house, the garden, the clothes on the ground, and if Stan and Kenny were… wolves. Then that means the other wolves he saw were…
Kyle leaned against the tree, slowly going down until he was sitting on the ground, back to the tree, knees to his chest trying to process all of this.
But in his mind there was only one question.
The reason why he came here, why he walked so deep into the forest, why he went looking for Stan and why he didn't go back home when he didn't find him.
What does Cartman have to do with this?
-
After sitting on the ground leaning against a three trying to process that werewolf were real and that his ex-friends were one for what felt like hours, Kyle got up and ran home, all the way to his house he ran,
He felt like someone was watching him, but he never dared to look back.
When he arrived home panting and covered in dirt and leaves he space out during his mother's scolding for getting home so late, he just remembered falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
But he woke up again in the middle of the night because of a dream about being chased by wolves.
He realized he went to bed wearing the same clothes he had in the forest. After taking the clothes off and going for a shower he couldn't go back to sleep. He spent the whole time in bed just thinking about what he saw.
About Stan.
About Kenny.
About his classmates also being werewolves.
And most importantly about Cartman.
What does Cartman have to do with this? Did he also find out their secret and was being threatened into silence? Would they hurt Cartman if he told someone? Did they think he would tell Kyle? Did they tell him to stay away from him? Would they hurt him?
So many questions and no way to answer them. And the only person that has the answer is currently doing everything he can to avoid him.
And then there was Stan warning about Cartman being dangerous.
He didn't say it to just keep him away from Cartman.
No.
He told Kyle Cartman was dangerous like Cartman would hurt him.
But Cartman would never hurt Kyle
He is sure of that.
-
Kyle didn't sleep.
Spending the whole time thinking what to do he came to the same conclusion he had yesterday.
He needs to talk with Stan.
But this time he wouldn't wait for him like last time, this time he has to catch Stan alone at school, and there's only one place where he can do that.
The bathroom.
He has some classes with Stan but he also shares it with at least one of his friends, there's not a class where its just them, there's always one of Stan’s friends with them and they always sit close to Stan, there's no way Kyle could get close enough to talk or even slip a note to him without them noticing.
So his only option is catching Stan in the school bathroom alone which is not an easy task.
He tried the first and the second period, camping in front of the bathroom closest to Stan’s classes.
And during lunch he didn't dare follow him in case Stan would try to just ignore him like Cartman.
This was his last chance, he already skipped almost all his classes trying to catch Stan.
He was hiding behind the Lockers having a look out towards Stan's classroom waiting for him to leave and almost in cue after hours of waiting the doors open and Stan walks out.
Kyle waits a few seconds as Stan walks towards the bathroom before following, the hallway was deserted as everyone was in class.
As he sees Stan go into the bathroom Kyle makes a move.
What he didn't expect was Stan laying against the wall, arms crossed smiling as Kyle entered the bathroom. He looks like he was waiting for Kyle.
That made Kyle angry.
“How did you know?”
Stan smiled “i could see you hiding all day and i heard you walking towards the bathroom”
“How?...”
Stan smirked as he said “let's say my senses have never been sharper”
He looked relaxed and rested unlike Kyle who didn't get too much sleep thinking about what he saw last night and what does it had to do with Cartman.
Stan, mistaking his silence as permission to talk he spoke
Bringing his hands up like trying to look as harmless as possible or like trying to calm a wild animal -as if Kyle was the animal here- Stan slowly approaches Kyle “look, i know what you saw last night must have been scary but i will explain it to you”
Why does Stan look so… happy?
Kyle didn't understand
“This will be awesome dude! now that you know it will be like old times we can spend time together and all of us can-”
“Stan!” Screamed Kyle stopping Stan's rant about what he doesn't know.
he hasn't even said it out right what he is, what Kenny and the rest are but he's already making plans about Kyle’s future.
Plans about Kyle that didn't include his opinion at all.
And that made him even angrier.
Kyle closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He brought a hand to his temple, massaging it a little trying to prevent the incoming headache.
He opened his eyes again and walked closer to Stan.
“First i need you to say what i saw” Kyle's eyes had a determined look while Stan was looking at him almost funny as if Kyle was joking with him.
“Come on dude, is there a need to say it? I know you saw Kenny and you must have recognized me”
“Stan” warned Kyle
Stan let out a sigh
“Yes dude I'm a werewolf” said Stan rolling his eyes, as if he was saying something so obvious and silly and not just giving Kyle the answer he's been looking for since last night, something that keep him awake for most of the night ”Kenny is a werewolf everyone in our friend group is one, but now that you know it will be awesome!. And maybe this time Bebe will let you in!”
Kyle didn't understand him
Why was Stan acting so happy right now when Kyle was trying his hardest to understand this. Kyle didn’t get it. After all, he just discovered that what he thought were fantasy creatures were real. but Stan was acting as if admitting that he's one of those creatures, a werewolf, was nothing. As if Kyle should get over it already.
But he can't, he still needs answers about Cartman.
Kyle was about to ask just that but something about what Stan said stood out to him
“This time?” Asked Kyle “what do you mean this time? and what does Bebe has anything to do with this?” he crossed his arms trying to look as imposing as he could “Stan i need you to explain me everything”
This time it was Kyle who approached Stan
He now got more questions that answers
Stan scratches his head, he looks guilty. maybe he realized he said more than he should. but it was too late to take it back. Besides, Kyle already found out their biggest secret, it doesn't matter if he tells him the rest. right? -after all, now he will be part of it-
“Well… you know how in a wolf pack there's an alpha? Like the boss of us wolves”
Kyle raised an eyebrows but nodded, he remembers Kenny calling a wolf alpha last night
“Well that's Bebe for us, remember that summer she left for Washington with her parents? Well she got bitten there and when she came back she started forming her pack!”
Kyle remembers
It was the same year Stan started to distance himself
“Then what? She started picking people to turn into werewolves?”
“I mean… yeah, kinda? The first one was Wendy, then Clyde and Tolkien then he bit Nichole so Wendy asked for me so she could bite me too”
Stan closed the distance between him and Kyle, bringing his hand to Kyle's shoulder “and trust me, i tried talking to Bebe so you could be part of it too but for some reason she was adamant that you couldn't be part of her pack” Stan looked at Kyle with pity, like he was feeling bad Kyle wasn't good enough for Bebe's pack.
He hated Stan for that
“But now that you know the secret she has no option but to let you in, it will be just like the old times, you, me and Kenny the band is back together, and even cooler now! Isn't it exciting!”
It was not
He didn't show it but Kyle was more Scared than anything.
Stan already has these plans about him, acting as if him leaving Kyle and Cartman, leaving years of friendship behind, like it was nothing, like it has never happened.
Acting as if they were still friends.
“What about Cartman”
Kyle finally asked the question that started all of this, what made him walk into the forest that night, what made him follow Stan into the bathroom, not even thinking for a second what could happen being alone with a werewolf.
That made Stan halt
“Cartman? What about him?” Asked Stan confused averting Kyle's eyes
He knew something and Kyle was sure of that.
“Yes, Cartman, you said it will be just like the old times but what about Cartman? He's also my friend” he brushed Stan hand of his shoulder and took a step back
“Kyle… you know that Cartman is… well, you know, and I'm also your friend” Stan took a few steps forward but for every step Stan took Kyle took one back.
Stan gives up and just takes a few steps back giving Kyle space
“Are you? Because unlike you Cartman didn't abandon me with not explanation and started to ignoring me at school not even acknowledging me unless we were alone or by text”
Okey, Cartman did all of that but Kyle wasn't telling Stan that
Stan gulped, he didn't spoke so Kyle continue
“Did Bebe tell you to leave all your friends? Did she threaten you or something? Did she also make Kenny leave? Made you two suddenly forget about your other two friends? Friends you had since kindergarten?” This time he walked towards Stan, getting in his Face making him look into Kyle's eyes
“Tell me. Stan, did she maybe threaten to hurt me or Cartman if you told us her little secret?”
Was Kyle taking his frustration of being abandoned by Cartman on Stan? Maybe, was he telling Stan all the things he wanted to say ever since the day he lied to them to hang out with Bebe's pack? Totally
“No! She didn't, she wouldn't…” Stan tried to defend Bebe but he didn't sound so sure about his answer.
“Listen after Wendy got the okay from Bebe she told me the truth and i just…” he took a step back, he looked like he wanted to run from Kyle, as if Kyle was the dangerous one here.
“you don't understand, being a wolf, being in a pack, going from being a nobody to hanging out with the popular kids, going to parties, spending time in the mall i felt seen, i wasn't just a loser spending his Friday night on a basement playing video games” he winced as he said that, realizing that kyle, is in fact a loser spending his Friday night on a basement playing video games, and so did Stan a few years back.
“What I'm trying to say is, you can be part of it too, we just need to talk to Bebe and I'm sure she will let you into her pack”
Stan was looking at Kyle with excitement, already assuming Kyle would say yes.
But he's not stupid
“No”
Stan’s face quickly changes from being happy and sure of everything to one of confusion.
“No? What do you mean no? Like not right now? should we go after class?”
Kyle signed “no, as in never, Stan, i don't want to be a werewolf, even less be part of Bebe's pack, I'm not a charity case, I don't need you to put in a good word for me, and even if she didn't say no the first time and you asked me, the answer would have still been no”
Now Stan was looking at Kyle like he was crazy
“But Kyle! Think about it! This is a one in a lifetime opportunity, if you say no now there may not be another chance” Stan was panicking, he really didn't thought about the possibility of Kyle saying no
He didn’t even have to give it a second thought
“No” Kyle gave Stan a look, looking at his ex best friend, trying to find the boy he used to know, the one that would do anything for his friends, the one that would never Abandon them.
He didn't find him
“If it means leaving my friends behind and acting as if they don't exist I don't think i would regret my choice”
Kyle stood firm, looking Stan straight in the eyes, letting him know he was not bluffing, letting him know that he meant every word.
Stan was looking sad now, like it hurts him knowing that Kyle didn't choose him, and this new ‘better’ life Stan was promising him.
Why would Kyle say no?
What could possibly be stopping him? Isn't this the best thing ever? And Stan and Kenny are part of Bebe's pack if Kyle accepted, things would go back to how they used to. But better, all of them back together, all of Kyle's friends in one place, hanging out and having fun,
Doesn’t Kyle miss that?
‘Doesn't he miss his friends?’ thought Stan, but something seemed to click in his head.
Kyle's friends
Kyle's friend
“Is this because of Cartman?” asked Stan. Just now he seems to realize how Kyle was defending Cartman early on.
Stan never thought Kyle and Cartman would be that close, he thought they just hung out because there was no one else.
“I told you he was dangerous, you shouldn't be friends with him”
That brought Kyle back to the main topic, the reason this discussion even happened
“And what do you mean by that?” Kyle asked “I'm sure you and your pack did something to him, he's been acting weird and I wasn't sure why but i saw the way you all looked at him and then your warning in the cafeteria”
Kyle was back on Stan's face, this time he will get his answer
“Did he also find out your secret and you threaten him into silence? Did he do something to you and your friends? Tell me Stan!”
Kyle was at his his wits ends
He learned a lot today, finding out your friends left you just because you are not popular enough for them is one thing but Stan thinking that even for a second Kyle would accept his offer as if nothing happened made him angry.
“No! Nothing like that- well, I mean, kinda?, listen Cartman, he… he's not… human anymore…”
Even after learning werewolf were real and they are closer than he thought.
This is by far the most shocking News Kyle as receive
“What do you mean by that? Is he also a werewolf? Did you guys turn him into a werewolf? Then why is he being excluded?”
Just when he thought they were almost done with this talk Stan drops what is the biggest bomb.
Cartman is not human? Was he a werewolf now? Was that the reason why he was ignoring Kyle?
“We did but, It was an accident!” Stan quickly added “listen first you need to know something about werewolf, when we are newly bitten it's hard controlling it, you are more animal than man, and i need you to understand it was no one's fault, well maybe Cartman's but!-”
“Stan! Just say it already” interrupted Kyle
“It was Kenny” said Stan quickly
“Kenny? Kenny bit Cartman? Did he attack him?!” Now Kyle was worried, Cartman got attacked by a werewolf and that dumbass didn't tell him?!, what if he was seriously hurt? When Kyle thinks about it, Cartman seemed fine -at least physically- the last time he saw him, he didn’t look hurt. did he get bitten the day he didn't show up to their weekly sleepover? Could a bite be healed in that amount of time? was he hiding it?.
“No! Well. kinda?” Stan was making Kyle angry by the second with his indecisiveness
“Did he or did he not Stan!” Screamed Kyle
“Look, Cartman went to visit Kenny two weeks ago, but Kenny was still learning to control himself. I promise it is not as bad as it sounds and you get used to it quickly, but the early days? It can be dangerous, specially with the upcoming full moon, and Cartman caught Kenny at a bad time, and Kenny… he… he bit Cartman”
It feels like Kyle hadn't had a break since this conversation started.
Not only Stan and Kenny but now Cartman too was a werewolf.
Something isn't right about this
“Wait but why is he alone? Why isn't he part of Bebe's Pack? Isn't he a werewolf like the rest of you? Shouldn't you help him?”
“Well… Bebe, she's the alpha, she decides who's in and who's out, and Cartman doesn't exactly meet the standard. You know how he is, it would have never worked out”
Kyle couldn't believe what he was hearing. Cartman Must be going through this alone but what Kyle didn't understand is why he didn't tell him. Did he think Kyle would reject him like Stan and Kenny did? Was he not his friend?.
He thought they were friends now after everything they went through.
maybe he was wrong.
But he won’t give up Cartman like that.
“But there's also the other thing… Cartman, he doesn't smell right” Stan was looking at Kyle as expecting this explanation to be enough
“Meaning?” Asked Kyle raising an eyebrow
“You remember what I said earlier about senses being Sharper? Well, werewolf have better everything, better hearing, better sight and specially a better sense of smell, that how we recognize each other, everyone has an unique scent and werewolf scent is different than the scent of humans'' explained Stan “and after Cartman was bitten the pack went to check on him, to at least tell him what to expect and to not look for us, but when we saw him we noticed he didn't smell like a wolf so we just left him after giving him a warning, we don't know what he is. this is why i told you Cartman is dangerous, the bite turned him into something we don't know about”
Stan was looking and Kyle with worry in his eyes, worried about Kyle's safety.
But after hearing everything Kyle could only think about one thing
“Let me get this straight, after accidentally attacking Cartman and turning him into something you don't even know, you not only refuse to help him but also left him alone to figure out things on his own, knowing that even if he isn’t a werewolf, that for the first weeks he won't be able to control whatever he is and is a danger to people around him and himself”
Stan seemed to realize how it looked from an outside perspective. He didn't look to have something to say in his defense and that was all Kyle needed.
“Goodbye Stan, nice talk” said Kyle turning around and walking towards the door”
“No! Kyle, wait, I swear it’s not like that, just liste-” Stan tried to explain but was interrupted by the door of the bathroom opening.
It was Clyde
“Hey, Kyle! My man!” Kyle Rolled his eyes at that “did you and Stan already talk? Are you ready for your new life? It will be awesome dude! After some time you will fit right in”
Kyle arched and eyebrow and looked back at Stan
Stan looked away, ashamed.
So that's why he was so sure about Bebe accepting Kyle in the pack.
He already talked about it with her.
“Sorry Clyde, but I'm not planning on joining your cool kids gang” Kyle just tried to walk past him but Clyde took Kyle's wrist, stopping him From leaving
“Wow Kyle you can't say no dude, this is a golden opportunity to stop being a loser, maybe you just need to talk with Bebe” Kyle tried his best to break free from Clyde's grip but now he realized he can't win against werewolf strength.
Clyde started dragging Kyle out of the bathroom
“Clyde if you don't let me go” Kyle brought his hand to his Jean's pocket. Stan saw him Grabbing something.
Clyde just laughed at Kyle's threats “or what dude?”
“Or this”
Stan just saw Kyle take out something shiny from his pocket, he was worried for a second that Kyle would take out a knife but after seeing it he realized it was a…
A Spoon?
a really shiny Spoon
“Wait, is that a-”
Before Stan could ask what Kyle was trying to do. Kyle brought the spoon to the back of the hand Clyde was holding his wrist with.
The reaction was immediate
Clyde's hand started to burn at the contact with the spoon, dropping Kyle's hand instantly at the pain.
In all honesty Kyle wasn't sure if it would even do something. He has seen the movies, and just yesterday he would have thought they were nothing but fantasy movies.
but if werewolves were real then there must be some truth in them. And there was one thing in common in every werewolf movie.
One of their most common weakness is silver
It was just yesterday that he learned they were real so he wasn't sure how effective silver is against them, or if it even worked. So he brought a spoon from his mother's silverware just in case.
What he didn't expect was for it to work so well.
Quickly leaving the bathroom before Clyde could recover Kyle darted towards the school exit. Leaving Clyde in the bathroom crying while holding his hand and Stan trying to help him.
Now there's only one thing left.
Talking to Cartman.
-
Kyle walked towards Cartman's house, not even caring about the rest of the school day -it was almost over anyway-
After spending most of the summer in Cartman's house Kyle knew that round this time Ms. Cartman was out buying groceries.
So right now Cartman was alone at home
He was at the front door, not even caring about the doorbell. Kyle started knocking at door with his fist
“I know you're here Cartman. open the door!” Screamed Kyle -He didn't care if the neighborhood hears him, they are probably use to it with them fighting all the time.-
After no answer from Cartman Kyle started to kick the door.
He was angry, angry at Stan, at Kenny, at Bebe and her stupid pack.
“Stan told me everything! Just open the door and talk to me!”
And most of all, he was angry at Cartman for keeping silent about this and not asking Kyle for help. For trying to go through this alone without the help of his friend.
He hit the door harder one last time before giving up.
He walked a few steps back and saw Cartman's window. He can see that fatass shadow there trying to hide and failing to do it.
He acted like he was leaving, walked a few minutes towards his house before taking a turn, he cycled his neighbor House, walking through the garden, jumping the fence, and walking through bushes before he was back at the front of Cartman's residence.
This time he went towards the back of the house, taking the ladder Cartman used to get into his room and moving it under Cartman's window.
Just as he was in front of the window about to open it, Cartman was already there opening it for him taking Kyle by the shoulders and dragging him inside.
All while screaming at him
“What are you doing?! Are you crazy! What if you fell and broke something?!”
Kyle rolled his eyes “oh please, you do it all the time when you sneak into my room” said Kyle as he gets inside the room with the help of Cartman.
Now safe inside his room Cartman took a step back from Kyle.
They just stood there in front of the other, looking into their faces, it felt like months since they saw each other when it has been in fact just a week.
They were looking at each other as if they were trying to memorize the sight in front of them.
Kyle took the first step, getting closer to Cartman.
Cartman's eyes widen at Kyle fast approach, for a second he thought Kyle would hug him or something
Just as Cartman opens his arms not sure what to expect, eyes sparkling with anticipation. Taking that extra step to be closer to Kyle.
And then….
And then kyle punches Cartman in the gut
“Khal! What the fuck!” Screamed Cartman as he drops to the floor in pain holding his stomach “i should have know to never let my guard down with a jew” wailed Cartman in pain
“That was for ignoring me and not telling me what happened to you!”
from the floor, Cartman just gave Kyle a murderous look.
But he was smiling as he got up.
Which also got Kyle smiling.
And for a moment things seem to get back to normal. until Cartman realizes what was going on. A frown appeared on his face as he looked at Kyle.
“You need to leave,” Said Cartman, turning towards his bed and getting inside his blanket. Ignoring Kyle once again.
“What!?” Kyle, tired of everything that has been going on and now that he's finally in front of Cartman and he's ignoring him. Kyle Jumps in bed with Cartman taking the blanket off of him.
“What the fuck khal!” complained Cartman sittings up and looking at Kyle with an annoyed expression
“Didn't you hear me! I said that I know what happened, Stan told me everything!” Said Kyle not even flinching at Cartman's tone.
“And I said get out!” Said Cartman trying to take the blanket from Kyle's hand's
“Why don't you want to talk!? I know what happened to you, just talk to me!” spoke Kyle holding onto the blanket with all his strength, if he didn't know what he knew, he would think Cartman suddenly gained some strength. -and in a way he did-
“What is there to talk about! didn't stan already told you everything!” screamed Cartman, they both didn't seem to notice but the end of the blanket that Cartman was holding it was starting to tear with the strength he was pulling at it with. “Why don't you just go back to being his friend! Stan probably offered you a spot in Bebe’s pack!”
“He did but-” Kyle tried to speak but was interrupted by Cartman
“Ah! See! You can go with them, things will be easier that way!”
It was as if they didn't notice the blanket tearing with every pull.
“But I don't want that! I want to stay here, with you!” try to reason Kyle
“Why would you do that? Didn't you hear! I'm a monster that not even the monsters want!” Screamed Cartman louder.
Something about that made Kyle snap
Kyle lets go of the blanket, making Cartman fall back in bed. Taking advantage of situation Kyle climbs on Cartman's lap, holding him down with his weight -Legs spreading over cartman with how big he is- Hands going to Cartman's Face holding him in place before screaming
“BUT I WANT YOU!” Screamed Kyle over Cartman's face, noses almost touching.
“What?” Asked Cartman, eyes widened
“Listen here you fat piece of shit I don't want Stan or Kenny or anyone else YOU are my friend!. I don't need anyone else and if no one wants you I need you to get it through that fat skull of yours that I do!” Screamed Kyle, face red with anger and for trying to take the blanket from Cartman's grip. He was panting on Cartman's Face
Cartman suddenly sat up with Kyle still in his lap, arms going around Kyle's waist and face burying in Kyle's shoulder.
Kyle was frozen for a second before bringing his arms up and hugging Cartman back.
They were like that for a new minutes when Kyle notice something
“Are you… are you smelling me?”
“No” said Cartman with his face still on Kyle's shoulder and inhaling deeply again.
Kyle just lets him be and brings one hand to Cartman's hair.
-
They were hugging for what felt like hours and now were just laying in bed and holding hands -Kyle didn't comment on Cartman taking his hand and not letting it go- and Kyle didn't say anything about Cartman's red eyes and the damp spot on Kyle's shoulder.
It felt like being back to normal.
Almost
“Are you done acting like a girl?” asked Kyle, they were just looking at the ceiling -or at least Kyle was, Cartman was just looking at Kyle-
Cartman just grunted holding Kyle's hand tighter.
“Do you want to talk about it?” asked Kyle turning his head towards Cartman
They just lock eyes for a second, their eyes saying something so different yet the same. Cartman closed his letting out a sigh. Turning his face towards the ceiling he spoke “you should leave”
Kyle sat up -still in bed and still holding Cartman hands, Cartman didn't let his go and Kyle didn't try to get his hand back- their peaceful moment ruined
“This again? I told you I'm not leaving”
Cartman also sits up -still holding Kyle's hand-
“and I told you to leave, I'm not Joking Kyle, I don't know how much Stan told you but I'm dangerous”
Kyle gets closer to Cartma, crossing his legs in front of him -he looks down at their interlocked hands-
“Can you tell me what happened, Stan told me you were attacked by Kenny and something about you not smelling right” he gives Cartman's hand a squeeze and looks up into Cartman's eyes “but i need to hear your side of the story”
Cartman let out a sign, acting almost as if this was something annoying. But Kyle could see it, in the way his eyes looked for Kyle's, in the way his shoulders relax, in the way he leans closer to Kyle a little.
Cartman is feeling relieved to finally have someone to talk about what happened to him.
“Well…” starts Cartman
-
What is he doing
thought Cartman walking towards Kenny's house.
It was late at night, he just left Kyle's house from a night of playing video games and was now walking to Kenny's.
Kenny who just left them out of nowhere.
Just like Stan.
But unlike Stan who Cartman knew would do it sooner or later Cartman didn't expect it from Kenny.
Like Kyle and Stan. Kenny was Cartman's best friend.
And unlike Kyle and Stan, Cartman will get his answer on why the sudden change. -And maybe he's also doing it for Kyle, seeing Kyle being so down after losing another friend was not as funny as he thought seeing Kyle's sad face would be-. Cartman's not thoughts about Kyle were interrupted when he saw a figure coming out from one of the windows in Kenny's house.
It was the window of Kenny's room.
And coming out of It was Kenny.
Cartman sees Kenny walk towards the forest and he follows him, no sure what Kenny was doing but it was a good chance to talk in private.
-
Cartman follows Kenny, but Kenny keeps walking faster and faster and making it hard for Cartman to follow. And he tried shouting for him to stop walking but it almost seemed as if he couldn't hear him.
‘how can he walk so fast and not fall!?’ Thought Cartman after almost falling for the third time.
It was getting darker and darker and the only source of light was the half moon in the sky.
Kenny seems to finally come to a stop in a small clearing inside the forest. Cartman was able to finally catch him by the arm.
“What the fuck Kenny! Are you deaf or something? I've been trying to catch you for hours!” -it has been no more than 20 minutes in reality, but cartman was panting as if he walked a marathon-
“Cartman?” Kenny asked, blinking at Cartman's sudden appearance, he seemed to finally notice him.
“Yeah dude! I've been trying to talk to you! What are you doing in the for-”
“You need to leave” said Kenny, interrupting him and walking away.
Cartman didn't give him a chance before running towards him, taking him by the arm once again making Kenny turn towards Cartman
“Just wait a minute! We just need to talk, why the fuck are you ignoring us, ignoring Kyle, out of nowhere”
If Cartman wasn't tired from walking, if maybe it wasn't so dark, maybe he would have noticed Kenny's appearance.
Pupils dilated, sweating, breathing heavily, almost jumping.
He would have noticed something was off about Kenny -or he would have thought Kenny was on crack-
“Dude- Cartman. please, just leave, I'll talk to you later but not now”
Kenny was trying to walk away but Cartman's hand wouldn't let him -Kenny was scared of pushing him away, he doesn't think he can control his strength in this state-
“Kenny I'm serious we need to talk, at least send a text to Kyle, the jew has been down lately and bringing the mood down with him” -Cartman DID NOT worry about Kyle, he just wants his peace back and Kyle being all sad and depressed didn't help-
“Cartman. dude. For real. You need to leav-” Kenny suddenly push cartman away before felling to the ground
“Kenny what the fuck!”
Cartman fell on his ass from the push. But before he could get up hears it.
Kenny was groaning.
No
He was Growling.
Cartman gets up and runs towards him - worrying about Kenny - and that's when he sees it.
Kenny's face, Kenny's body, was reforming, his bones were moving, he could see his arm, his hands becoming… paws? And his fave rearranging into a… dog? No.
A wolf
Cartman was freaking out, he tried to run quickly but before he could even get up, there was a wolf on top of him.
Not a wolf.
Kenny.
“K-kenny?” Tried to reason Cartman but the wolf -Kenny- was baring his teeth.
Before the wolf could bite Cartman's head off he brings arms to his face and the wolf ends up biting his arm instead.
Cartman screams in pain and that seems to bring the wolf- Kenny back to the present.
Eyes widen in shock at seeing Cartman's bloody arm Kenny is frozen.
Cartman takes the opportunity and pushes Kenny off him and starts Running without Turning back.
He ran. and ran. And ran. -falling along the way but getting up immediately- Till he got home, going straight to his room and ignoring his mother, holding his bloody arm while laying on the floor trying to make sense to what he saw.
-
“And well. The next morning the bite was gone, not even a scar. I almost thought i dreamed the whole thing if it wasn't for the blood stains on my arm and hoodie” Cartman was playing with Kyle's hand, He never let Kyle's hand go during the whole story “and that same day i received the visit of bebe. Stan and their friends, they were at my front door, before I could even talk the just told me i smelled different”
He didn't look at Kyle the whole time, just stealing glances here and there “they explained the basics, then told me i wasn't normal, well, normal for werewolf standards. They say that i didn't smell like a wolf… that i was a monster”
He lets go of Kyle's Hand, getting up from the bed and walking towards the window.
“They said if I didn't want to hurt the people I care about I should stay far from them, specially during the full moon”
Kyle got up from the bed and walked towards Cartman. But before he could put a comforting hand on Cartman's shoulder Cartman turns around and points towards the door
“That's why you have to leave” said Cartman with a firm look on Kyle
“I already told you I won't,” said Kyle calmly. He was tired of being angry. After hearing Cartman's story Kyle's realized something
Cartman was afraid.
“Are you deaf? Didn't you hear anything I said?” He was getting agitated “I’m dangerous Khal!. I'm a monster and if you stay with me I could hurt you!”
“But you won't”
That seemed to made Cartman Angry
“How do you know? In any moment I could turn into a monster with no control and attack you!”
Kyle got closer to Cartman, almost face to face, he didn't touch Cartman, knowing it could agitate him even more.
“Because I trust you” said Kyle
Taking a tentative step forward Cartman asked “But why?” Now they were face to face. Just like a few minutes before -noses were almost touching- but now Cartman had to bend his head a little.
Kyle rolled his eyes but also smiling. Acting annoyed at having to repeat everything once again.
“Because you are my friend. My best friend” Kyle frowned, what he say didn't sound right, he thought for a moment before saying what he was thinking “my super duper best friend” he snorted at how ridiculous that sounds but it was the truth ”And i trust you to never hurt me”
After saying that He saw how Cartman's eyes were shining with upcoming tears. But before he could call him a girl for crying for a second time today, Kyle was being engulfed in a second hug.
A crushing bear hug.
He just hugged Cartman back and patted his back
Face on Kyle's shoulder, Cartman was bending down to hug Kyle with his whole body. Arms around his waist.
Kyle's whole body felt warm with Cartman around him. It was nice. He could get used to this.
And then Kyle felt Cartman smelling his neck once again
“Are you smelling me? Again?”
Cartman didn't stop inhaling Kyle's scent as he said “shut up khal, it's a monster thing”
Kyle wanted to tell Cartman that he was not a monster.
But just hugged him tighter instead