The Rose Effect

Chapter 31 It's too much

While the small toon slept he had another strange dream however this dream was different. Cuphead awoke on a soft bed, it was dark but soft candlelight light the room just a bit. Cuphead looked around slightly confused and sleepy, where was he? It was too dark. Cuphead couldn't help but whimper, sure the room was light by candles but the whole room was swallowed by darkness. A shadow passed by across the wall and now the young cup was frightened.

"Ah your awake." A voice soft as silk and as calm and alluring as night rain said to him.

Was this person friendly? Who are they? Cuphead slowly began getting up and realized that instead of wearing the hospital gown he was wearing a nightgown. Soft and silky yet plain and simple. The gown was white with buttons on the front it was loose but comfortable and smelled like vanilla and at the end of the gown was ruffles.

Who changed him?

Cuphead flushed a light red but he turned his head as he spotted a pair of green eyes. They were vibrant and yet so alluring. Cuphead couldn't see they're face do to the fact that it was so dark even with the candles lighting the room.

Who were they?

Cuphead couldn't say anything whatever it was his nyctophobia was beginning to kick in. Cuphead jolted when he heard the mysterious voice speak again.

"I'm so happy that you're alright, you had me worried for a moment." The voice said.

Cuphead didn't say anything he just simply stared at the green eyed stranger mesmerized by the emerald eyes. Finally Cuphead sputtered out.

"Wh-who are you?"

"How indecent of me my name is-;"

Cuphead shot up from bed and looked around, someone had touched his shoulder but fear quickly dissipated as it was only Mugman. Cuphead smiled relieved that made Mugman smile.

"Morning Cuppy." Mugman chimed.

"G-good morning Mugs." Cuphead yawned.

"W-where's C-Cala and L-Lucy?" Cuphead asked.

"Cala Maria had practice until one and Lucy hasn't responded to my text yet." Mugman said.

"Oh." said Cuphead.

"Well since we're here together we need to go and see the police to identify the person who....well you know." Mugman said.

Cuphead looked down the very last thing he wanted to do was to go and explain some things to the police . He didn't want to remember that horrible night. It was too much for him to handle, so he had assumed. Mugman gathered some clothes for Cuphead and waited while Cuphead changed in the bathroom. He came out wearing a red and white striped shirt with long sleeves and blue jeans. It felt a bit odd wearing such bright colors but it did cover up his cuts so that was good. After changing he stepped out of the hospital room and Mugman lead him out of the hospital and to the police station. Cuphead couldn't help but feel his stomach churn and felt his anxiety hit him in waves. Soon Mugman had taken notice of Cuphead.

"Are you okay?" asked the older brother.

Cuphead nodded.

"Are you sure?" Mugman asked.

"Y-yeah I'm o-okay." Cuphead stuttered.

There was silence for a moment as the two stopped inside and walked down the hall where a female police officer welcomed them and asked the two to follow her. The cup brothers did what was asked and followed her to a separate room.

"You two can sit right here someone will be here to see you soon." The female police officer said.

There was yet another moment of silence as the two sat down and waited. Finally someone had arrived, they were wearing a dark suit and tie. The man must be an investigator or detective.

"Hello." The man said smiling.

"Hello." Mugman said.

Cuphead stayed quiet.

There was an away are silence between the three of them and the man cleared his throat and began speaking.

"Yes, well, we're here to discuss about the attempted rape of your brother Cuphead. " the man said.

Cuphead cringed at the 'r' word and looked away.

"Well we have some people here that we think have been involved in the crime." said the man.

"What we would like you brother to do is clarify some of the suspects that we have brought. "

"Okay." Mugman said.

The man nodded and lead the two out of the room and down a hall. Cuphead felt his stomach doing flips and finally there was another room with see through glass and three men stood there looking back at him.

"Now I want you to tell me, did anyone of these men were they the same men who had done the crime? " the man said.

Cuphead looked up and felt his anxiety rile up and his stomach was tied in knots. They were all there all three boys who were there on that terrible night. They were all there lined up and looking at him. Flashes of the night where he was at the mercy of those boys flooded his vision so much that he could hear the sounds of him screaming, the thunder, the glass shattering, pain, but worst of all the horrible, disgusting, sickening, shameful, fire and ice sensation that wracked his body lingered on his skin.

It was too much for him. All of this. It was just too much for the small toon to handle, everything now was just too much. Without warning Cuphead threw up, the man jerked away , probably caught off guard. Mugman immediately came to his aid and helped him up, he should have known he must've pushed his brother too hard.

"Cuphead!" Mugman cried.

There was no response except a soft mumble.

"I'm sorry Cuphead, what?"

"Th-that's th-them!" Cuphead cried.

Mugman began putting two and two together.

"You mean the guys who hurt you." The mug said bitterly.

Cuphead nodded.

"A-all of th-them.....th-that's all o-of them." Cuphead croaked out.

Mugman looked at the man and nodded.

"That's all of them." Mugman said.

"Except." Cuphead interrupted.

"Huh?"

"E-Except for J-Jason." Cuphead stuttered.

"Is this boy, Jason? Was he too apart of harming you as well? " the man asked.

Cuphead didn't turn to the man but nodded.

"We didn't have any evidence of Jason committing this act yet but we will talk to him when we see him. " the man said,

"Thank you." Mugman said, he sounded so angry.

Cuphead looked down he was covered in vomit and smelled awful and saw that his brother's shirt was dirtied as well from his vomit. Cuphead felt horrible, actually everything felt horrible.

"He's angry cause you threw up all over yourself like a big baby." His mind screamed.

"Cuphead." Mugman said.

"I-I'm sorry!" Cuphead blurted out.

Mugman seemed confused.

"Huh? About what?" He asked.

"I-I um...." Cuphead paused and made a small gesture to the vomit.

"It's fine Cuppy, c'mon lets get cleaned up " Mugman smiled reassuring his young brother.