unholy (joshler)

chapter twenty

(still tys pov)

Josh doesn't wake up again until the next day around 10 pm. Cindy has tried to come into his room but his pale face and random screaming fits aren't something Tyler wants her to see.

When he misses today at school she insists on checking up on her "sick" grandson.

"Are you sure he's fine?" She says, feeling his forehead. Tyler watches nervously.

"Yes. It's absolutely normal. But he should rest, come on." He steers her out of the room before closing the door with a sigh.

When he turns back around he finds Josh sitting straight up. He's starring at the wall in front of him and as Tyler takes a seat in his line of view his eyes go right through him.

"Josh?" He questions gently, ready for another fit of screams. "Josh are you okay baby?"

The boys eyes take a moment to focus but when they do they look the same, no comfort or love fills them. He's blank, easy to read, and then suddenly he isn't.

Pain, anger and lose flash through them, settling on cold fear in the end.

"Please, never send me back there. It was....It was so...Unholy."

His voice is like broken glass, crooked steps and everything wrong with the world.

It pulls at Tyler's body, makes him sick.

"Okay," He whispers brokenly. "Never again. You're safe. You're mine."

He pulls Josh into a tight hug. His body is freezing, damp and almost raw. His fingertips begin to claw at Tyler's back, where he wings come out.

Tyler wants to slap himself he's so stupid, his wings would light up the room, they'd give off that warm safe feeling Josh loves so much. Of course he's craving it now.

He releases his wings, Josh shuddering and placing both hands on them while his face stays squished against Tyler's shoulder.

"I love you." Tyler whispers against his ear, and he says it again and again until his body stops shaking and he's able too breath normally.

"Tyler I can't-"

"You don't have to. Not until you're ready." He sighs in relief.

"Thank you."

"Thank you." Josh falls asleep again and Tyler begins to cry.

Why did he let Josh do this? Now he's traumatized and sick. What would Cindy say if she found out? What if that was never apart of Gods plan?

How are they supposed to get information from him, the soul purpose of the trip in the first place, if he's unable to tell it?

Tyler's phone starts to ring then, Dallon's voice coming through the speaker when he answers.

"He awake?"

"Yeah."

"What is he saying?"

"Nothing yet. He's pretty messed up." The other end of the line is silent for a moment and Tyler can tell Dallon is struggling with what he want's to say.

"I mean...We need him to start talking. And soon. I haven't slept right in days and I would prefer to have this over with before Basketball season." Tyler want's to laugh, really. Dallon can be so insensitive sometimes.

"You're talking about this like it's some mediocre drama. This is serious, Dallon. Josh basically went to hell."

"So did I." He interjects, making Tyler groan.