•| Nefarious |•

24

We all made it to Aiden's house, setting up spots in the living room or lounge room for we can relax. We ordered some pizza to eat since we've been so busy trying to get everything through the parents minds.

"Okay...I think everyone has a gist of the situation somewhat."

Ashlyn's mom rubbed the back of her neck, terrified of said situation.

"...this is crazy. I haven't been this stressed since our publisher accidentally printed an extra Ten- Thousand copies."

Aiden's mom tapped her wine glass against her head, her husband agreeing with her.

"So, the Tyler boy...has a tree stuck in him...and isn't dead. At least not here? Is he still...alive in the other...place?"

Aiden's dad held his head that rested in his hands which were on his knees.

"...we don't know."

Ashlyn said, looking towards the ground.

"Maybe we just have dimension clones and if one dies, then another is made?"

Aiden paid little attention to the conversation, his eyes more focused on the screen he held in his hands.

"Or assuming souls are a thing, then we could be separated from our physical bodies? So we don't die from physical injuries there?"

Logan wrapped the white blanket around his body more.

"If that's the case, then why are the phantoms chasing us?"

Taylor's voice muffled from the pillow she spoke into. I laid back onto the floor, blanket covering my legs to keep me warm as my thoughts raced.

"Let's just focus on the hard facts for now. We can figure out the hypotheticals later."

Ashlyn's dad tapped his hand up and down against his thigh, his other hand holding onto a beer bottle.

"If spiky hair has a really big splinter, dad can pull it out. He makes it not hurt! He uses a knife, so it's a little scary, but it's not painful at all."

Lily, who rested on Ben's lap, looked up from her iPad.

"Lily...I said you could only stay in here if you promised to listen to music."

Her mom said looking down at her kids.

"But I want to help! The monsters scared me, but I'm ready now! I'll beat them up 'coz I'm strong like bubba!"

Lily stood up punching the air, but her foot stepped on Ben making him spit out his sandwich and fall over holding the place where the sun doesn't shine.

"You can take her to the play room if you want. We'll catch you up later."

Aiden's mom suggested.

"Yeah, that's probably for the best...thanks, Jess."

Ben's mom and his little sister left the room before Ashlyn's mom spoke up, 

"She was right though. If Tyler is still alive and on that tree, then it will be extremely painful for the kids to get him off. They need something like a sedative, just in case. It's probably the same case for Y/n, some pain meds could help with the crash."