Free & Flightless (Trench)

Chapter 8-Tyler

Tyler
I stood there in awe. I couldn't believe that the rumors and myths and legends that had been whispered along the people of DEMA all these years was actually true. There were flaming torches and hopeful yellow streaks and a powerful presence you couldn't quite place, one that seemed a hundred times stronger that Nico in many ways. Perhaps it was the power of unity. Josh put a hand on my lower back and lightly pushed me towards the entrance, which said in messy carving NO ENTRANCE. I cocked my head to the side to look inside the camp. There seemed to just be a lot of people, and a lot of fire. Beside me, i heard Josh take in a sharp breath, slowly exhaling it like this world was his drug, before going inside. Many turned immediately, eyes narrowing at the sound of another presence, before they saw it was Josh. I sheepishly hid behind him as other people, Banditos, I assumed, surrounded him, chattering. Josh just smiled, but it seemed strained. His eyes weren't crinkling along the sides like they did around me, and his dimples hadn't really appeared. Fake. Smiling as a mask. I understood that, but Josh..., look at this life he has built for himself. It's spectacular. How could anybody be unhappy with this?
I heard Josh say "this is Tyler" and my head jerked up. Many looked pretty unhappy to see me, and I shifted the weight in my feet nervously, hiding my shaking hands in my pockets. Josh gave me a reassuring smile.
"Who is this limp noodle?" A guy, around 25 or so, barked. Josh glared at him.
"That limp noodle, mind you, survived DEMA." Josh said, tone cold. Just like that, everyone's heads snapped to me and I was greeted by intense staring. I avoided the eye contact the best I could, but they just stared more. Some amazed, some annoyed, some seeming to be emotionless towards my existence.
"What do you mean? Like he was outside the walls and calls it an amazing survival story?" A red haired girl said leisurely. I shook my head, staying silent.
"Like, he's been there almost his whole life." Josh said, puffing out his chest for me protectively. Normally I would mind, but I didn't this time around. I just didn't really care what Josh did when it regarded me.
That could end up being the death of me though.
The Banditos ushered Josh in, and I sheepishly followed, shoulders slumped in humiliation. None of them cared about me. The rumors at dema always said that the Banditos care. So why didn't they care about me? It simply was a lie, maybe. Maybe Banditos only cared about their own kind. I hardly cared about myself, so why should they care about me? I fall into the hole of insecurities that I'm constantly being suffocated by. Will it ever be enough?
Josh practically yanked me out of my dark thoughts by tapping me on the shoulder. He had a tired smile plastered on his face.
Fake.
"I don't really know what you're thinking about, Tyler, but it doesn't look good." Josh's eyes shimmered with concern. I shrugged pathetically, shoulders still slumped. Shadows screaming that I'm alone ( ;) ) and that I'm a worthless piece of shit. Josh must've see this, or something, because he pulled me into a tight and warm hug. How can a human be so warm? Like one of those electric blankets that are perfect for freezing cold nights. Josh is a blanket of warmth, his eyes showing nothing but concern to me. They seemed to say I accept you. A wonderful thing to seem to say. But probably another lie, another mask.
Ever since Clancy, I had no more trust within my weak and frail bones. I can't take it much longer, the weight on me.
"Tyler, are you okay?" Josh's voice was urgent. I felt like I wasn't quite there, beside him now. He sat me down onto a log by the bonfire, rubbing my arms as if trying to emit enough warmth into my apparently freezing body.
"Your lips are blue," Josh noted gently. I looked up, surprised.
"Blue black?" I asked quietly. Josh gave me a confused look.
"What does that mean?" Josh asked. I was surprised he could tell I meant it as a deeper thing.
"It's..like color synthesisa. Feelings associated with colors. I can taste colors, feel colors, just..it's all colors. Except when I'm depressed. So I guess it's black and grey a lot for me." I said simply.
"What's blue black?" Josh asked quietly. He seemed interested.
"Lonely. Empty. Pain. I dunno really, it's just not good." I said with a shrug. Josh nodded.
"Well, then, I get that feeling a lot." Josh said after a moment of silence other than the crackling fire. I looked at Josh, sympathy dripping through each glance the two shared.
And that was okay.

Shorter, I know, I apologize. I'm going to the top concert in 13 days. I'm gonna cry and scream and cry some more. Oh well. XD
Also 965 READS ON TORCH FIC!!!! SCREEE!
And 187 on BURNT ROSES?!? OMG!
And this one has 108? I feel obligated as heck to write top fics on here forever XD
But seriously, thank you all so Much!