#fireandtea

Pip was no stranger to waking up in ditches, his head pounding and the rest of his body aching. It happened way more than Pip would care to admit. Of course, it was usually with an empty bottle of hard liquor and a smell of vomit wafting off his body. Also, Pip could never really remember what had happened the night before. This time was different. Even though Pip's head hurt, it didn't have the hangover-induced pounding. There was no liquor or vomit anywhere near him; the only thing Pip could smell was mud and the faint scent of his favorite cologne. Pip sat up, trying to figure out what had happened. Last night had been a calm night, with the only drink he drank being a post-dinner cocktail that couldn't get a toddler drunk. He climbed out of the ditch and brushed some dirt off the silk pajamas he was wearing. A quick glance around told Pip that he was still in South Park, right outside a construction site that was adjacent to the elementary school. The sky was a pale mix of orange, pink, and blue, and the sun was barely out. "Ugh, I am missing so much beauty sleep," Pip mumbled to himself. Pip began walking around, wanting to find somebody he knew. Something seemed off to him, but he couldn't tell just what it was... After a while, Pip spotted a random South Park resident walking down the sidewalk dressed in casual business clothes and holding a briefcase. This particular South Park resident just so happened to be one of Pip's regular customers. Plastering a smile on his face, Pip walked up to them and waved. "Good day!" Pip chirped cheerfully. The person looked at Pip, obviously confused and somewhat frightened. "Can I help you, kid?" They asked. Pip's grin faded, and he shook his head. "N-no, I was just trying to be friendly," he said quickly. The person sighed and started walking again at a faster pace. Now Pip was sure something was up. He started heading in the direction of his home. Being somewhere familiar would be good... Once he saw his home, Pip felt a wave of relief rush over him. He pranced up to the door and jiggled the knob. It was locked. Even though it was early, Pip knocked on the door. Somebody was bound to be at his house, right?