The Second Chance {Tyler Carter}

The Event?

I don't quite know what happened. I don't even remember exactly where he came from. I just wanted my hoodie.

Yet there I was half awake on my own floor.

"Fucking take this as warning," the low, painfully familiar voice spat. The alcohol on his breath told me he wasn't all there mentally. I felt something drip down my face, but it didn't surprise me anymore.

Should it have?

I heard something shatter, but I didn't have time to worry about it.

"Are you even fucking listening?" he spat.

"Why should I?" I retorted despite knowing it wasn't the right time to be sarcastic. I just couldn't resist.

"Fucking smart ass," he said as he picked my phone up. I clearly was defenseless aside from my wit. He chucked my already fucked up phone at a bad place making me wince,"That smart ass is going to get you killed one day, you know it?"

"You don't have the balls to do it."

"Oh I do."

"Then why are you dragging it out?"

"You're not the only one I want to suffer. I want to see the bitch squirm too."

"She doesn't even know."

"Oh no, she will. I let you live just long enough to see the look on her face. Then I'll swoop in and save the day. Just not you."

"You're psychotic."

"Aren't we all a little crazy?"

Maybe it wasn't the booze that made him who he was as he hovered over me. Maybe he was just one of the crazy guys with nothing but grudges to fuel his fire.

"To think she'd ever go for you."

"Oh you'd be surprised."

"Oh yeah?"

"You'd be surprised. People do the strangest things when they're under the gun. You just haven't seen that side of her."

"You don't know her."

"Oh, but I did. I've done the things you've only dreamed of. If anyone has no balls, it's you."

I laughed. If I wasn't going to make it, I might as well piss the guy off. I prayed judgement wouldn't falter in the minds of those that I loved seeing as I was powerless until my seemingly inevitable demise.

"What kind of person holds a grudge this long?" I asked.

"It's not a grudge, it's love. You'd never understand what taking a bullet for someone feels like."

"Well if you had the balls to do something, I'd know by now because I'd rather it be me."

"That'd be too easy for you."

"Yes, because getting killed is obviously so easy for me to accept."

"Smart ass."

"Yeah yeah, it'll get me killed, yada yada yada."

"Shut up."

"Then make me."

"You are so fucking annoying."

"Look, if your master plan works, which I hope it doesn't, just treat them right. Have you thought of that? What's after this?"

"Well I-uh-"

"What happens when the cops find  your prints on my body?"

"Who said they-"

"And how are you going to swoop in without being considered a suspect. Sounds suspicious doesn't it?"

"SHUT UP!" he yelled as he clutched his head as though it were about to explode,"ALL OF YOU!"

"I'm the only one here," I said realizing he must've been hearing things. Voices. I'd seen people with mental problems, but they were all so sweet. Even those who'd heard voices seemed like good people. This had been the first time I'd seen someone like this; most likely my last.

Maybe the last face I'd ever see in general.

"You need help," I said hoping to find a way to talk my way out.

"No I fucking don't!"

"Admitting you have a problem is the first step in solving it."

"But I don't have a fucking problem!"

"I can help. I don't know much, but I could try."

"Shut up!"

"What do you hear?"

"Shut up!"

"I-"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

I sat there smiling though. I was in his head. He wasn't in control anymore. Physically, maybe I had lost. Still, mentally, maybe I could keep myself alive.

Honestly, I was terrified of the man in front of me. If he knew that, he'd be in control though. There were so many things I'd never got to do. Not yet. There was no way I'd give up that easily. I had a family. I had dreams. I had loose ends I'd never tied.

I'd had second chances happen so often as of late, maybe I could get lucky enough to get out of this. I'd walk out hurt, but alive with good people behind me every step of the way. I'd see him in a padded cell knowing he wasn't in any way sane enough to stand trial. I'd see the world with fresh eyes and a new lease on life.

But the odds were slim.

"You're an annoying little shit," he sighed.

"Only to you."

"You know what?"

"Sorry. I may be amazing, but I can't read minds."

"You think you're so clever! This isn't easy on you. You know it! You fucking should at least. So either you're putting up a hell of a front, or your just as crazy as me."

"So you admit you're crazy? Good job!"

"Wha-"

"It's not a front either. I am crazy, but a different type than you. You see, you're batshit crazy. Me on the other hand, I'm just bold, or crazy in a good, less literal way. So I guess you're right. We are all a little crazy. Except some of us will end up institutionalized with a matter of time."

"It won't be me!"

"It's either that or jail. Have you heard of the phrase don't drop the soap?" I smiled smugly earning me another blow. Still, I smiled weakly.

"I swear I'll-"

"You'll what? Kill me? Rob me of what I love and keep it for yourself? You know what? Do it! Fucking kill me!"

"I'm waiting for-"

"Kill me," I smiled.

"Would you-"

"Kill me," I hummed.

"I said-"

"Grow a pair, and kill me."

And with that, everything went black.

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Confusing, seemingly unrelated chapter, I know, but it'll make sense soon. Stick with me on this! :)