It All Started At Midnight

//Eighteen//

;Shadow;

Strap yourselves in guys, the story is starting to spice up. Sorry for having a shit nonexistent updating schedule btw. Hopefully this chapter makes up for it

Before finding the angel, Josh was originally asleep, that was until he had a nightmare.

Josh was sat at the bench the night the incident happened. But this time, he wasn't crying, this time he was laughing. Sat next to him was Tyler, and he quietly let out giggles, smiling at the boy in next to him. Looking at how happy Tyler was, set off fireworks in Josh, he wanted to see this forever. The two appeared to be hanging out, and the sun was going down. The brunette rested his hand on Josh's, making his cheeks match the color on his hair.

"I'm sorry I was such a dick at first, flower boy.." the angel started, looking at the smaller boy.

"I just, was trying to keep up my wall. But you just tear it down, especially with that smile of yours. You're doing things to me, bub." He laughed lightly afterwards.

Josh couldn't help but look at his lips as he spoke, the urge to kiss him clouding his mind, wanting to spring into action.

"I really wanna kiss you right now.." was all Josh could reply, and soon found himself leaning in, Tyler doing the same. It was a scene that could be painted into a movie.

But as Josh got closer, a tight grip could be felt around his neck. Confused, he opened his eyes and saw someone else instead of Tyler. It was the icy-blue eyes of the girl he saw with his neighbor, with his Tyler. She glared at him, the grip on his neck tightening. He glanced down as best as he could and saw it wasn't her grabbing him, but rather a shadow of a hand. Behind her was the shadow figure that the hand belonged to, he was terrified.

Upon looking at his state of fear, Jenna smirked, looking at the shadow behind her, motioning for it to hold tighter. She looked back at Josh, happy with the pain he was in.

"Leave Tyler alone..." Was all she said. He was losing the ability to breathe, his neck hurting in a way he never felt.

Soon, Josh saw black, but before waking up, he heard a whisper of another female voice, a more comforting one.

"Be careful, Joshua, they seek for your open wounds. Keep the angel close, he shall protect you. Heal your heart, don't let what he did stop you from loving others."

He woke up right after, hand instantly reaching for his neck. He was confused, it felt so real. While the dream was fresh on his mind, he wrote it all down, something in him telling him that it could be important. Ever since he was little, he wrote down his dreams. He didn't plan on sleeping the rest of the night, so he took time in writing in his journal. That was when he heard noises from next door, his window open to let in a breeze. He saw Tyler jump out and heard running footsteps following afterwards. Curiosity got the best of him, so he followed behind.

—————-

Tyler was knocked out cold, and Josh had no idea what to do. He couldn't bring him to his own home, he'd wake everyone up. He couldn't take him to Tyler's home, the front door is probably locked. The angel was growing heavy on his arms, he had to figure something out.

"Shit! What do I do?" He whispered harshly to himself.

"Tyler....?" He heard someone call out. Kelly!

"Out here!" Josh called out, rushing footsteps running to his direction. He saw Tyler's mom in her pjs, her tired eyes widening with realization when seeing the collapsed boy.

"Dammit Tyler not again!" She exclaimed, picking up the angel with ease. Her eyes met Josh, unsure what to tell him. She could sense his fear, he wanted answers.

She sighed.

"Get in, I'll explain everything later." She motioned her head, and Josh follow her inside their home. They walked upstairs to his room, Kelly laying Tyler down back onto his bed. She moved all his school supplies and walked to the bathroom.

"Will he be okay...?" Josh asked quietly, staring at the closed-eyed angel.

"Yeah, he'll be fine. His body is just exhausted." She explained.

"From running?" He raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"No hun, the jewelry he wore needs his own energy to work. He can't open his wings on his own or be caught flying so he wore them to help with both. Two pieces of jewelry drains someone even faster.." she sighed again near the end.

"U-uh what is he exactly?" He asked hesitantly.

"Well, we're angels actually." She clarified for herself as well.

"Angels?"

"Yes hun, angels."

Josh took a moment to think, and was he still dreaming? He has lived by this boy for four years and never once would he have suspected anything like this. He was the boy everyone was afraid of, he snapped at teachers and always held a mean look. But then his mind went back a little. This is the same boy who helped him in the park, he cleaned him up and gave him company, who made him laugh and feel safe. He barely knew Tyler before then and now, he's wondering if he acted that way to hide himself.
His emotions towards him haven't changed, he looks down at the sleeping boy and still feels...something. His worry and concern are what he's feeling strongest right now, will he be okay?

"Josh honey, he'll be fine. This isn't the first time." She spoke quietly, reading his strong aura of emotions.

"When he first moved, this was a weekly problem, he hated Earth and would do anything to feel free." She continued, puzzling the boy even more.

"Earth...?" He asked.

"Angels live on a different plane, and well, he was punished by being force to live here." She answered.

"Why is earth a punishment?"

"It wasn't always like that, it's a long story really." Her hand glowed, and scanned the boy from head to toe.

"This should restore his energy quickly, but he still needs rest." Josh felt relieved, still staring at Tyler, he looked so peaceful.

"Thank you Josh." She smiled.

"For what?" He looked up for the first time.

"For giving him a chance, for a while he was lonely and had no one besides Jenna to look forward to. He's been so much happier." His heart fluttered, Kelly smiling wider, knowing what the boy was feeling.

From outside Tyler's room was an angry Jenna, not liking who this Josh person was at all. However, her mind was brewing with a plan since she could see how damaged the human was emotionally, all she had to do was strengthen the shadow that followed him.