Tears began to stream down Josh's face.
"I'm sorry, Tyler. I'm sorry." He whimpered.
Tyler, not wanting to admit how confused he was, held Josh to his chest.
"What's been going on, Joshie?" He asked, smoothing the boy's hair.
"I..I never.. told you...about...about the voice...Tyler...I'm so sorry." Josh's speech is slurred.
"What is 'the voice'?" Tyler asks, still holding onto Josh.
Josh explained everything. The things it says to him, how he responds, what the voice makes him say and do, everything. Tyler fights back tears, but ultimately fails.
"Why didn't you tell me about him sooner?"
"I didn't want you to think I was making everything about me. You were struggling, I didn't want to belittle your feelings. There's nothing you can do anyway. He's here, he wants me dead."
Josh feels the voice nod in his head, just a slight "mhm" escaping from it's evil lips.
"I can try."
"It's hopeless. I'm hopeless, Ty. I think you should just leave me alone."
"Please, Josh. Don't be gone."
Josh stares into Tyler's gorgeous eyes, now red and watery.
"Why...why do you care? Why do you care about me? Why do you continue to hang out with me? You don't need too. Why do you stay here with me? Why--" Tyler cups his hand around Joshie's cheek, immediately cutting his paragraph short.
"Why? Because I love you, Josh."
Josh giggles through his tears.
"I love you too, Tyler."
