unholy (joshler)

chapter sixteen

PART THREE
the next day

"We need to meet up." Josh demands into the phone, hearing Tyler's sigh.

"I think we could all use some space-"

"If you're trying to break up with me Tyler Joseph, then fine. But grow a pair and suck it up. I've got news. Meet me at Dallon's in ten."

As soon as he hangs up Josh starts to cry. Not only was he almost abducted, but now his boyfriend might be dumping him.

Making his way to Dallon's he feels nauseous. Why is Tyler breaking up with him? What did he do? Why now in the mix of everything?

Josh feels like all his life is right now is a bunch of unanswered questions and fears. He hates it.

"Hey, what are you doing here so early?" Chris asks when he answers the door. Josh sighs.

"I have news. let's go to Dallon's room." Chris nods and follows him up the stairs.

"Where's Tyler?" Josh shrugs and finds Dallon asleep. "He just went to bed. Refused to sleep until the sun came up." Josh sighs sadly.

"Maybe this is too much for him." He mutters and the boy stirs awake.

"Oh, hey Josh." He mutters with a groggy smile. He leans up.

"Hey Bud. How are you?" He shrugs.

"So what's the news?" Josh clears his throat. He was expecting Tyler to be here by now, but he should've known the boy wouldn't show. Suddenly Josh feels like crying again.

"So, last night, I was half asleep and one of them visited me." Both boys' eyes widen in fear. "But before it could touch me, I yelled Tyler's name and it disappeared."

Dallon blows out of his mouth as Chris just blinks.

"Damn."

"Wait," Dallon interrupts. "If you're eighteen then how did it visit you?" His eyes are curious and innocent and Josh prepares himself to see the anger that'll replace it.

"I uh, I'm actually not eighteen for another month." And he's right, the angry flashes quickly as he stands up and clenches his fist.

"You what? Are you telling me I could of not been taken? That you lied?" He takes a step forward with an accusing finger pointed towards Josh, Chris standing in between the two.

"I mean, I'm sure everyone's taken at some point." Josh mumbles and Dallon narrows his eyes.

"You bastard." He lungs forward, caught in the grip of Chris as he tries to swing.

"What the fuck is going on here?" A voice demands from behind Josh who spins around. There stands Tyler with a look of surprise and slight anger.

"Pretty boy here has been lying to us!" Dallon says, still trying to get out of Chris's grasp.

"Don't talk to him that way." Tyler shoots back. Josh rolls his eyes.

"Oh can it, Joseph. I don't need you to protect me." Tyler's eyes widen.

"Everyone needs to chill out." Chris says calmly. Josh is surprised that he's the one whose level headed here, but he guesses he should be thanking him. Dallon backs down, his face worn out.

"Alright, I'm sorry." He says. "I've barely slept three hours and Im still in shock or something." Josh sighs and sits down on the edge of his bed.

"I'm sorry too. I should have hold you guys but I was...I was just scared."

"I would've done the same."

"Wait, what's going on?" Tyler questions and Josh stares at his shoes. He's too tired to be angry, all of his resentment dispersed.

"One of them tried to get me last night. It disappeared when I said your name."

"But aren't you-"

"No, I'm seventeen." The room is silent and Josh is too scared to look up. To face the people who probably hate him.

A single tear drops down his cheek at the thought, hitting the top of his shoe.

Did he think no one would find out? Who was he trying to kid, he's a fraud and a liar. There's no way he's getting into Heaven now, he's lied to a literal angel. Why is he such a loser? Why-

Tyler's warm hands grasp both sides of Josh's face, making him look up.

"Stop," He mutters with a deep frown. "Stop crying." Josh sniffles and tries his best to obey but they won't stop falling and he's so so tired.

"I'm sorry," He pleads, his eyes desperately begging Tyler to forgive him. "Please don't be angry, I-I was just scared. God I'm so stupid! Please don't leave me. I'm sorry I'm not good enough for you I-I just- You're so amazing I think I love you but you want to break up and I'm a liar and Dallon hates me- Oh God everything's falling to pieces why-"

"Josh shut the fuck up." Tyler demands to which he complies, taking one of his quivering lips between his teeth on the off chance he starts sobbing again.

"I'm not breaking up with you, I just needed some time to face reality. No ones mad, right guys? You were scared and that's understandable." Josh wants to cry some more, this time in relief and embarrassment. He just broke down in front of his friends like a little kid.

"I'm sorry." He says, wiping his nose now that Tyler pulls his hands away.

"Don't be. Now, we have a lot of shit to sort out." Chris and Dallon simultaneously clear their throats before all four of them sit in the floor.

Chris grabs Dallon's laptop and places it in his lap, just in case they need it.

"First off, why did the thing die at Tyler's name?" Dallon prompts to which everyone looks to Josh. His eyes widen.

"Why are you guys looking at me?" Chris shrugs.

"Well, you know the most."

"Right," He says uncertainly. "Maybe because he's an angel?"

"So it's like his purpose? To stop these guys?" All eyes are on Tyler now, whose practically glowing.

No, he's literally glowing. The purple is radiating off of him in waves, clinging tightly onto Josh who gasps. It coats his entire body, swimming around him and making his hair float a bit.

Tyler looks to him and smiles.

"That's fucking weird." Dallon comments to which they all laugh.

"I take it you don't mind having a purpose?" Chris asks Tyler, knowing that the glow usually means he's happy.

"Very. I've been asking myself why I exist for years and this could finally be it. The reason I'm alive. The reason I'm an angel." Josh holds his hands.

"So what do we do? Is Tyler the knight here? Is he going to save us all?"

Tyler's glow fades then and Josh looks at him in confusion. He follows his gaze to see Dallon whose staring at Josh expectantly.

"What?" He asks nervously and Dallon throws his hands up.

"Don't you see what we need to do?"

No body seems to realize whatever it is Dallon has, all eyes anxiously directed at him. He looks devious, a hint of revenge resting on the curve of his lips.

"We need to send Josh to the Underworld.

Awake."