heathens

please don't make

there's tapping on the wall. i look ip from the dusty pillow beside me to see josh outside of my cell.

he has his drumsticks and he's tapping out a rhythm on the bars.

"you need to eat," he says. "i know you haven't eaten anything."

"why do you care?" i snap.

"because i'm trying to help you, tyler. you want to get out of here, right?"

i furrow my eyebrows, sitting up on the piece of metal they call a bed. "wh-what are you talking about?"

he grins. "just do what i say and you'll be free soon."

i bite my lip, thinking. "okay," i tell him, quietly.

"just stay put for now. eat, cooperate, everything will be fine."

i want to believe him, but my brain tells me he's lying.

"hey," he says softly, drawing my attention back to him. "trust me, tyler. you're going to be okay." his eyes are soft and friendly and i decide i can trust him.

"okay," i respond. without another word, he leaves.