Screen (Joshler) (second version)

Chapter 18

The bell rang and Mr. Joseph got up from the couch. He opened the door and his eyes widened at what he saw. Tyler's friend Josh was stood on his doorstep, leaning against the wall to keep himself up. "Mr... Joseph.." He whispered. His voice was weak and he was crying. His shirt was ripped and blood was coming through. "Please..I need.. Help me.." Mr. Joseph helped the crying boy inside and pulled him into a careful hug. He made sure he didn't get hurt. They didn't say anything. Josh just cried quietly and Tyler's dad held him. He knew Josh needed some time. He didn't know what had happened but he waited patiently until Josh had calmed down a bit more before he let go of him. He made him sit down on a chair and gave him a glass of water. He looked injured. A lot. But Mr. Joseph knew that he had to get Josh to talk first before he could get him to a hospital. He let Josh drink some water and take some deep breaths before he asked what had happened. Josh was hesitant at first, but after a while everything just came out. What had happened at the hospital, his feelings for Tyler, what he came home to, what his dad had done to him... Mr. Joseph listened to what the boy had to say and didn't say anything. When he was done, he simply nodded. "I just want you to know that I completely support you." He told Josh. Josh nodded and wiped some blood off of his face. "I think I might have some broken ribs.." He whispered. Mr. Joseph helped Josh outside, to his car. They drove to the hospital in silence. Josh was glad that at least one person supported him. Tyler's dad nonetheless.

"Didn't I tell you to-" The receptionist began, but Mr. Joseph cut her off. "This boy is hurt and needs treatment. He's not here to see Tyler." She nodded, ashamed of her assumptions and called some doctors over to help him. He was brought to a small white room where they were going to take pictures and patch him up. "I'll wait for you in the waiting room." Mr. Joseph said. Josh nodded softly and one of the doctors closed the door. Mr. Joseph walked past the waiting room. A small, necessary lie was allowed now and then, right?

All Tyler saw was a blur. He didn't know where he was, he just knew Josh must be somewhere too. He always was. The sheet got pulled away. He was right. Josh was there too. He was playing the drums. There were people all around him. They were dancing and making crazy movements. Tyler closed his eyes for a few seconds. He was ready to go again. As soon as he opened his eyes, he started singing. It was a song he wrote years ago but apparently still knew by heart. He looked around some more. He didn't join the dancers. He just stood in the middle of the room and sang. He occasionally looked over at Josh who was just drumming. He was amazing. Each time Tyler started singing, Josh started drumming perfectly fine. His songs were written without chords but Josh managed to play the ones that fit in perfectly. People with skeleton faces came closer to him and started touching him. Tyler pretended he didn't care, but his hands were shaking. He was making movements with his hands and hid his face behind them. They were touching his face now and he wanted to scream for them to let him go, but once he looked at Josh, who was just calmly drumming, his worries faded away and he calmed down too. He yelled the lyrics a bit louder this time and finished the first verse. He lay down on the floor, he didn't know why. As soon as he said 'Tie a noose around your mind' one came out of nowhere and wrapped itself around Tyler's throat. He looked at Josh to stay calm. This wasn't real, he couldn't die anyway. They were pulling on the rope and it was getting harder to breath but he kept singing. He managed to get up and started pulling too. There were so many people pulling on the other end of the rope, but Tyler was stronger. The people were falling and the rope broke. Tyler was free, but was he really A girl in a pretty dress appeared and started dancing gracefully. He sat down behind a piano and played the soft part. But soon enough the people were touching him again and he was shaking. He couldn't see Josh. He panicked. Where was Josh? He stopped singing. He couldn't find Josh...

Tyler's father sat down in a chair next to his bed. "Tyler.." He whispered. His eyes were filled with tears. His son, the only family he had left, wasn't waking up. He wanted to hug Tyler, tell him everything would be alright. He wanted to spend time together to make up for everything they hadn't done in years. He wanted to take him to a baseball game, he wanted to have guys night and he wanted to go bowling together. He just wanted his son to get better. He took his hand and squeezed it. He started talking to Tyler, even though he doubted Tyler would hear it. "Josh is in the hospital too. He's getting treated right now.. He really wanted to be here with you but he caused a scene last time so he's not allowed to come here anymore... He really likes you, Tyler. And I know you like him too. I don't only want you to wake up for me. But also for him. He needs you, Tyler. And I'm glad to say that. Because I know you've felt awful and useless... But if you wake up... You can see how much he cares about you and needs you." He got up and sighed softly and said his goodbyes before he went to the waiting room. Tyler just had to wake up. Mr. Joseph didn't know what he'd do if his son didn't wake up.. And what would Josh do? He was scared of that too...