i hired a hitman on myself // joshler [✓]

XLIV

[i already came up with the cast for the sequel. :) -frisk]

i was nearly deafened by the sound of my ears ringing, the gunshots were way too close, and yet somehow they weren't aimed at me. i felt the grip of the guys loosen and i crash to the ground on impact.

after a few seconds of me waiting to get my hearing back, i noticed i was now laying on two dead men while doing so. though my hearing still wasn't fully repaired, i quickly sprung up onto my feet and realized the situation.

no one was actually talking.

brendon and jenna stared at tyler, who was now sitting upright from where he was laying on the ground, brendon's gun in hand. i couldn't entirely process the situation, but all i could understand was how someone could mix anger and fear so well into their emotions, as that's all i could read off of tylers face.

he just saved my life again.

i ran over to the three fell to my knees to hug tyler,
something i should have done before. despite everything going wrong, he somehow never failed to keep me alive. i felt his arms wrap tightly around me as i melted into them. i was hoping this wouldn't be the last time i would get to hug him.

i was hoping this wasn't our last time together at all.

after the long overdue embrace that tyler didn't seem to want to let go of, brendon and jenna quickly rushed over to the metal door sealing us in, while brendon carried ashley bridal style to save time.

they tried desperately to get the door open while i helped tyler up, in confusion as to why they were such a rush without raz even saying anything. tyler looked worried too, and he began to panic while trying to get his words out.

"josh-- whatever raz s-say-- just remember it's n-not what you think--"

and just like that, raz interrupted tylers hurried and failed explanation by speaking up. his voice wasn't as cheery or enthusiastic, it was more monotone, more serious.

more terrifying.

"tyler...tyler...tyler," raz sighed, "you didn't actually think i believed you were dead, right?" tyler didn't respond, but i could feel him shaking as i was still holding on to him, helping him stand up better. somehow this moment seemed scary to him over when he got the knife in his leg. this was all to strange to comprehend.

raz continued, regardless, "it's a real shame you didn't actually die. you've killed so many people, not just my own, but so many innocent ones. and yet, you still get to live... it's quite sad isn't it?"

i looked over to tyler when i heard him breathing heavy and shaky breaths, his eyes getting red and glassy from him being on the brink of crying. i them switched my view over to jenna who was already crying, brendon looked nervous, while ashley looked just as confused as i was.

"so, tyler, are you going to tell josh your little plan or should i--?"

"plans change--"

"bullshit," raz interrupted tylers rebuttal, "so i guess i should be the one to tell him, shouldn't i? ty, i don't wanna tell him." the silence after he finished was violently tense, something was definitely off.

everyone remains silent until raz said one final thing, "i'll get out of you one way or another, tyler joseph." the lights abruptly went out and i was immediately separated from tyler somehow.

while trying to figure out what was happening in the dark, all of sudden i felt a sharp pain in my head from being hit with something hard. i fell to the ground, hearing the sound of everyone else struggle around me.

this went on for a few more seconds, until i felt a fresh spike of pain again right after the first. the agony was unbearable for that split second i could feel it.

until i felt nothing at all.