Øverturning the lies (a twenty one pilots fanfiction)

~Jøsh~

Josh paces back and forth in the tent. He's in the middle of an argument. 

"I have to go back for him! I can't..." he feels rush of sadness, of hopelessness, and he can't stop it. In fact, he can barely even blink back tears. 

"I can't just leave him there!" he cries.

"Josh..." the woman says carefully. "Its dangerous to stay here for much longer. You know that." 

"I know," he says, letting out a frusturated sigh. "I know." 

"And..." she chooses her words carefully. "You're our leader. You have to act based on what's best for everyone. Is it fair to them if they're at risk because-" 

"Because of what?" Josh asks. "My own selfish reasons? Wanting to make sure my best fren is actually safe instead of fearing for his life? And what about the others in Dema?"

"You can't save everyone," the woman says, not unkindly. "Not all at once." 

Josh sighs, and the woman places her hand on his shoulder. 

"Being a leader...it's full of difficult decisions," she says. "And I'm not going to pretend that this one is any exception. But the banditøs, they're counting on you. They need you to be strong. They need you." 

So does Tyler, he thinks. 

But the woman...she's right. 

He can't just abandon the banditøs. He's led them this far. 

Josh turns to the woman. "Tell everyone to gather..." 

He pauses, thinking. Trying to recall the layout of this campsite. There's been so many. It's hard to keep track sometimes. 

The woman is staring at him. Waiting for his answer. 

He tries to ignore how uncomfortable that makes him feel and is relieved when he can finally think of a way to finish his sentence. 

"Tell everyone to gather where we had last night's campfire," he says at last, trying to sound confident. Trying not to replay the words in his head after he says them and wonder if he said them wrong, somehow, or if he even made sense. 

So he feels relieved when the woman nods and ducks out of the tent. 

But he can't help but wonder if he's making the right choice. Every step he takes, leading this ragtag group of rebels forward, he's leaving Dema and the memories of everything bad that took place within its walls behind. At the same time, though, he's growing farther and farther away from all those others who might need his help. From every one of those lost, brainwashed souls were caught in the bishops' web, through no fault of their own. 

Tyler is one of those right now.

That's what hurts the most. 

Hold on, he begs his fren, even though Josh knows he can't hear him. 

I'll come back. No matter what it takes. 

It's the thought of his fren that gives Josh the motivation he needs to leave the tent.

Strong, he thinks. I have to stay strong. 

How do you think that'll work for him? Hopefully well. Hopefully.