Øverturning the lies (a twenty one pilots fanfiction)

~Tyler~

Josh is saying something to him, and he knows this is important somehow, knows he need to focus, but his mind is dragging him back...

And then he's gone, into another place he wanted to leave behind. 

His footsteps echo in the empty hallways.

It's insane, honestly and truly, how removing one simple, seemingly integral piece of the city can alter it so. 

No people. 

Just quiet.

Quiet.

It's equal parts soothing and terrifying: on one hand, he's alone, on the other hand, well, he's alone. 

Except...well, not truly. 

The sound of the low murmur of voices directly behind him reminds him of the company he did not wish to have, and yet, did. 

They're following him, it seems. 

Well, partially. It seems as though they are, it does, but technically-technically-they are not. 

Not that it exactly reassures his all-too anxious mind.

But what does, in all fairness? 

Now that, it makes him sigh, just a bit. 

Because he knows how difficult it is, some nights, for him to just let go. 

It doesn't matter, though.

Soon he leaves them all behind, at least for a little while. 

They'll catch up with him soon, but for now, it just feels good for there to be a change in routine. 

Things were starting to make his brain feel awfully confined. 

Of course, what follows is completely mentally exhuasting. 

It's different, but it's exhausting. 

His brain is screaming at him about the differences this place has compared to-

Compared to what? 

Is there a place where he is supposed to be? 

If there is, he's pretty sure this isn't it. 

Yes. 

He knows that with a powerful certainty. 

This is not where he is supposed to be. 

But he grits his teeth and manages, manages, to just hold on and get through it, even as he can feels his hands curling themselves into firsts, futher proof of his unease...even then, he gets through each. And every. Agonizing. Second. 

He doubts the near future will hold much in store for him, but even as that thought crosses his mind...

He finds his mind embracing the idea that, if he can get through this one painful moment, it might, maybe, be worth it. 

Somehow that thought is what keeps him going, even as his mind drifts, forgets its purpose. 

Even as he keeps trying to find the faults in the current state of reality, even as it tries to force him to panic, he holds onto the idea that maybe things aren't truly as bad as they appear to be. 

It is what gets him through these days, sometimes, through confusion and hatred and fear. 

Hope. 

Somehow, it's still there. 

But then he sees. 

"Xavier?" 

He can see the outline of the boy inside the city, trapped somehow. 

Is that how he disappeared? The bishops-

But how-what-

He's breathing heavily. 

"Josh," he says finally, "I tried to write about Dema. And I did. I thought there were some things I understood...I thought I was finally finding some control. Everything's been so crazy. I can barely keeep up with this life that's supposed to be mine. But-even here, now-none of us are really safe." 

"He just disappeared," Josh says. "Mari was-" 

"They had a connection," Tyler says sadly, "But it seems he was drawn back." 

"How?" Josh asks. 

Tyler shakes his head. "I barely knew him. I can't say. I've been trying, but I barely know anyone around here. I've just been keeping to myself." 

"There's nothing wrong with that-"

Tyler sighs. "Maybe not, but there's something wrong with the world. Can't you feel it?" 

"What can we do?" Josh asks.

"Go talk to everyone," Tyler says, "You're the leader, right?"

Honestly there are some days these simple facts, everyone else's roles here, just elude him. 

But he rememembers that much. 

"Yes," Josh says, "Okay. And-" 

"I'll go talk to Mari," Tyler says, eager not to go to a crowded area. 

He's just not ready yet, even after-

However long it's been. 

Josh nods. "We're going to figure this out."

"I hope so," Tyler says. 

I hope so...