By Your Side (Twenty One Pilots)

Dream Away, Babydoll

Tyler had a dream that night. Except it wasn't any ordinary dream.

His parents were there. They were crying. Tears were running down their face and falling onto the ground, mixing with the dirt. They were unnaturally thin and looked to be in immense pain. Tyler tried to move towards them, to help them, but he couldn't move. His feet were trapped under the ground and his hands were tied behind his back. His muscles were aching, screaming out to run towards his parents.

"We're so happy for you, Tyler," his mother cried. A broken smile flashed upon her face.

"So, so happy," his father repeated.

"We're so proud of you. You're all grown up now."

"You don't need us anymore."

"What do you mean?" Tyler called out. He was crying now. His eyes stung from the tears. He still couldn't move.

"It's just like all those years ago. Remember when you ran away?" his mother prompted.

"This time we know it's for real. It's okay. You don't need to come back. We'll be okay."

A fire started behind his parents. It was hot, Tyler could tell. Hotter than any other ordinary fire.

"Goodbye, Tyler. My baby boy," his mother cooed.

"Mom!" Tyler screamed. He strained against the ground and the rope around his wrists. "Mom!"

"We've always loved you, Tyler," his father whispered. He smiled over at Tyler. the wall of flames grew and Tyler fought as hard as he could, but he wasn't going anywhere.

The fire began to envelope them. Tyler screamed so loud it felt like his throat was being ripped out with a monster's claws. suddenly his restraints broke loose and Tyler fell to the floor. He ran towards the flame where his parents previously stood. But he was too late. They were gone. Eventually the flames died down and all that was left was a pile of ash. He couldn't do a thing.

"I'm so sorry," Tyler choked out. "Please, forgive me."

"I forgive you, Tyler, but what did you do?"

Suddenly Tyler was awake, sitting straight up in bed. He looked over to his right to see Josh standing in the doorway with a cup of coffee held to his lips.
"Oh," Tyler said. "It's nothing. Weird dream."

Josh gave him a concerned look and took a sip of his drink.

"You sure that was all?" Tyler nodded in response. Josh sighed. "Alright then. I'm here if you need me."

"Thanks," Tyler smiled.

Josh left the room and suddenly the smell of bacon filled Tyler's nose. He rolled out of bed and pulled on a clean pair of clothes, consisting of sweat pants and socks, a shirt, and a thin jacket. It was cold enough outside for skiing clothes, but he was just going to stay inside today.

When he walked into the kitchen he saw his uncle flipping pancakes and Josh munching away happily at the kitchen table.

"This guy," Josh mumbled through a mouthful of food, "can really cook."

Henry smiled and looked over at Tyler. "Hope you're hungry. Made lots of pancakes. Breakfast is my specialty."

Tyler thanked him and grabbed a plate.

"Why are they pink?" he asked.

"Strawberries."

Tyler smiled. He loved strawberries.

When all the food was gone, the three sat at the table and talked about Tyler and Josh's road trip and the reason behind it. Henry gave them advice and tried to give them some money as well, but they wouldn't accept They wanted to do this all by themselves.