Welcome To Trench

Chapter Twenty Three | Doubt

Woah how are we already almost at 2000 reads?? I'm actually in shock wtf

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|Tyler's POV|

Pitch black.

Darkness polluted the entire scene, and shadows filled the man's vision. Tyler was afraid that if he stepped forward, he might bump into something or someone. The absence of light made his breathing heavy and quickened. Anxiety accompanied him in this eery void.

No matter how many times he blinked, hoping that when his eyelids lifted the blackness would vanish, Tyler found that he felt safer with his eyes closed. Go to sleep, he begged to himself, when you wake up it will all be over.

But the hyperventilating didn't stop. With legs now tucked in and knees pulled securely to his chest, Tyler cried against the rough material of his pants. Everything was quiet except for the shaky heaves that passed from between his lips. Tyler didn't like the silence. It was slowly driving him insane.

Light footsteps inched closer to the broken man. The sound of solid heels hitting the hard floor increased the panic that buzzed inside of Tyler's chest. It was all becoming too much. A migraine started to form in his head, irritating the space deeply beneath his temples. Stop, stop, stop-

The steps came to an abrupt end. Fearfully hesitant, Tyler lifted his head off his knees and gazed upon the figure that loomed over his own submissive body. He felt weak under those yellow eyes that almost shone red. For once, the color yellow didn't seem very comforting.

"Tyler.." a gruff voice filled the empty space, making him feel incredibly claustrophobic. A hand reached down and cupped the man's face, swiping away the tears that trickled from his eyes. Black residue painted the area's where a thumb brushed along Tyler's pale skin.

He could have fought back. He could have swatted away the figure's hand and ran away, but he didn't. Tyler didn't care anymore. He was used to these reoccurring nightmares. He had given up a long time ago.

"Tyler," The voice repeated, reminding Tyler of chalk on a chalkboard. He hated that sound. His headache was getting worse, a pounding pulse that throbbed inside the perimeter of his mind. "Stop crying. It's pathetic."

Tyler held back another sob that threatened to jump from the back of his throat.

"You're running out of time." The hooded figure warned. His tone was cold as concrete on an autumn morning. It sent unwanted chills down Tyler's spine, causing him to shudder in his spot. "You and your foolish friends might as well give up."

No, no. Tyler shook his head and buried his face back into his knees. He continued to shake, yet never spoke a word. He wouldn't waste his voice on this being who only wanted to terrorize him in his dreams.

"They aren't your friends, Tyler. Don't be stupid." A fog of worry clouded his chest. He felt congested. Like his ribs were caving in and he was ever so slowly suffocating. Maybe it would be best if he stopped breathing altogether. "Don't waste your time on them. They don't need you."

Tyler was beginning to think the figure might be right. If he wasn't around, him and everyone else wouldn't even be in this predicament. It was all his fault. He was to blame. What if everyone secretly hated him? Did they talk badly about him behind his back?

Tyler was better off dead.

"You deserve to be alone." Chalk on a chalkboard shrieked in his ears again. Now he was screaming inside of his own head. Ears blown and ringing nonstop. He couldn't take it anymore. He had to do something now before it was too late.

Tyler woke up. Limbs trembling and lips quivering as throaty cries fell from his mouth. The anxiety from his nightmare seeped into reality, causing him to choke on air.

A small, tired groan could be heard beside him. "Mm, Tyler..?" Josh said his name questioningly. Concern edged his tone. He twisted around in Tyler's arms, pulling away from the man's grasp and sitting up to look at his sobbing friend. Tyler didn't hear him, or if he did, he didn't respond. "Ty, dude," He touched his arm gingerly, "What's wrong?"

Tyler was still quiet and unable to speak. It was like he was paralyzed. Josh didn't want to push his friend any further, and decided to comfort him the only way he knew how. Josh laid on his side, wrapping his gentle arms around Tyler's waist and pulling the man closer to his clothed chest. The other's forehead rested against Josh's torso as his crying continued. Josh's cotton fingers combed Tyler's messy bed-head, twirling around locks of brown with his index finger and carefully pulling at knotted strands. "Shh, Ty, shh." His voice was soft and like the calm waves of the ocean. Josh's warm breath blew against Tyler's neck like blue water caressing pale sand.

Eventually, formerly wet tears dried upon Tyler's cold cheekbones. Josh fell back asleep minutes prior, and Tyler pretended to do the same until he was sure the other was completely unconscious. When Josh's chest rose and fell peacefully, Tyler slipped out of his comforting arms. He missed the physical contact, skin suddenly feeling lonesome. He swung his legs over the bedside and stood up. Thankfully, the floor was made of cement, and didn't creak under Tyler's weight.

Tyler snuck out of the room that night. He didn't dare to look back at Josh or peek into the room Y/N resided. Doing such a thing would make him second guess his decision, whether it was idiotic or not. As Tyler stepped out from the building's front door he only had one thing on his mind.

Don't forget about me.

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smh Tyler

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