Child • Jøshler

chapter eighteen

"Aye kid, care to help a mate out?"

Josh frowned as he spun on his heel, alerted by the British accent of an older man behind him. He had never actually met anyone from England, nor was he aware of anyone British living in this town.

"Why don't you go search for help on the other side of the pond, mate?" Josh replied, rising an eyebrow and emphasizing the word 'mate'.

The older man laughed quietly.

The man didn't look like he needed any help. He looked like he was in his late forties, but exhausted of work which made him look older than he is. He wore a classy black tuxedo and had a beard taken care of better than his hair.

Josh had no idea who this man was, but he had a slight fear "Are you with the social services?"

Josh really liked the family he was in, they treated him nicely; they didn't invade his space, but they were warm and welcoming. He didn't cause them trouble and all he got from them were minor punishments such as "no phone for a week" or "no going out for a week". But Josh very much appreciated punishments; they proved to him he wasn't getting spoiled because someone pitied the fact he's an orphan.

The man eyed Josh seriously, which intimidated Josh. He blinked twice before saying a monotone sentence which surely was not an answer to Josh's question "Are you friends with Tyler Joseph?"

Josh was many things, but he was not a person that would bring a fren into trouble. Surely, he could just tell the truth, it wouldn't hurt. But if that meant Tyler could get into trouble, Josh will go denial all the way. He can lie, he's not that religious after all.

He'll play it safe "Who wants to know?"

"I don't see how that's any of your business, boy"

"Sorry then" Josh let out a fake laugh, biting the inside of his cheek for no particular reason "Can't help ya"

"Oh, but I'm sure you can" the man pushed, making Josh cross his arms on his chest in discomfort "Just answer the question"

"Problem?" Brendon suddenly found himself leaning on Josh's right shoulder, smiling from ear to ear until he turned his head to eye the man.

Brendon's eyes shone yellow for a moment, making a natural threat to the unknown. It was something he often could not control, but many people didn't even notice the yellow so it didn't worry him.

The man noticed the yellow though. His eyes widened in shock at the sight and he started to mumble unintelligible sentences. He was soon speed walking off away from the boys.

"Weird" Brendon commented with a snort, taking a step to stand in front of Josh who shrugged.

"Thanks for saving me" Josh laughed airy, moving his hands to hold the straps of his backpack.

Brendon waved him off "What did the dude want anyway?"

"I don't know" Josh shrugged again, looking over Brendon's shoulder but mot getting any sight of the mysterious man "He was talking in British"

Brendon snorted at a thought he decided to say out loud "Dal says British is just English with an accent"

Josh now snorted too "Dal is silly"

Brendon nodded in agreement, looking down at Josh's cool new sneakers.

"What the hell is that?" Josh started to laugh, touching the clothing item that was around Brendon's neck.

Brendon looked down, spreading his arms out "What? It's a scarf?"

"I mean-" Josh sighed, looking at Brendon's face and then back at the scarf "Look at it" Josh paused, gesturing at the scarf with his hand "It's ridiculous"

"It was Ryan's scarf" Brendon said quietly, his fingers slowly finding their way to hold the end of the scarf and starting to play with it. He now looked at the old fabric sadly, not caring to rise up his head.

Josh's smile dropped "Brendon, why do you still have Ryan's stuff?"

"It reminds me of him" his head stayed down, still overly intrigued by the scarf.

"Brendon, you need to move on. I bet there's a dozen boys and girls willing to cut their boobs and balls off to date you"

Brendon snorted "Yeah, right"

"Ryan would want you to date other people"

Brendon chuckled at that. He knew that was certainly not true. Ryan was the jealous, the possessive type. Even with Brendon's eyes constantly glued to him, he'd still be very jealous and showing it; for some reason. Brendon would never question or judge Ryan though, he found Ryan's jealousy rather adorable.

The smile that chuckled brought was soon off Brendon's face and Josh knew why. Whenever Ryan would be brought up in a conversation, Brendon would insist in visiting Ryan's grave. Josh lied his left arm on Brendon's shoulders and the two began their walk to the cemetery.

...

"There's more of them!"

"What? More of who?"

"The children!"

"What are you talking about? Don't waste my time"

"One of the boys the child talks to! He's supernatural too!"

"We did lose track on a child a few years ago though..."

"This one had yellow twirling in his eyes!"

"Yellow? Then it's not the child I was thinking of... Children's eyes are red, you fool! You must've seen something wrong!"

"I swear on my mother's name, boss!"

"Ah, alright... You'll point me at him and we'll keep an eye on what he possibly might be"