choke ↣ joshler ✓

11. News

Tyler felt sick to his stomach.

It was currently Saturday morning at 7:30 and the 15 year old was sitting on the couch, watching the news. There was currently a report about two missing adults in Scarlettesville, one that was a college aged woman named Annalise Snow and the other was a man that was his dad's age named Bill Dun.

The news anchor began explaining the situation. "They had been reported missing by Snow's mother two days ago when she went over to check on her daughter and saw the house completely deserted, everything still in tact. The two are rumored to be a couple. Police suspect either the couple ran away together or there was foul play involved. If you hear or see any information about their whereabouts please contact the Scarlettesville Police Department or the news station at—"

Tyler hit the mute button on the remote when he saw his father walking down the hall, an exhausted look on his face. "Morning, Dad."

"Mornin', bud," he sighed out, taking a seat next to Tyler on the couch.

"I didn't know you were home."

"Stayed at the station until two, they sent me home 'nd said if I came back in today they'd fire me," Chris informed, giving his son a weak smile. "I saw ya watchin' the news."

"Sorry," Tyler replied. "I was flipping through channels and stopped when I saw them mention Scarlettesville," he paused. "You weren't kidding when you said this town needed you. This is the second— technically third —missing persons case in a week."

"Most of the cops down at the station are dumber than a box of rocks 'nd haven' gotten any leads on anythin'," he replied. "I've been piecin' things together the past few days from the previous murder 'nd missin' persons cases but I haven' really looked at the last two. We were told the one girl went missin' a lot so she probably jus' up 'nd left. The one of the couple seems like the first— they probably just up 'nd left. I don' think these are connected to the past cases but there's also no pattern between each one," he explained.

Tyler's heart went out for his dad. He would bust his ass every day at work in every town they lived in up until they moved and the cycle repeated. This time however, was much different. This was the first time there's been a large number of murders and missing persons. "How many?" Tyler forced himself to ask in a voice barely above a whisper. "How many previous cases are there?"

"Ty—"

"Please."

"Of missin' and confirmed kills?" He stopped, thinking for a moment. "42 in the past two years. No one's been found 'cept a few teens here 'nd there who have jus' ran away."

Tyler felt his heart stop. That was a lot. And it kept happening. And it was happening in the town he lived in. He started to get an overwhelming feeling of anxiety. "Dad—"

"Hey, it's goin' be alright," Chris assured, knowing what Tyler was feeling. "'M inspectin' the case 'nd I'll have answers soon. If it ever gets ta a point where I think you're unsafe we're leavin'. You're my top priority."

"Okay," Tyler slowly nodded. He trusted his dad. He's never put him in an unsafe situation before and every time something has gone wrong his dad has stepped in.

"Changin' the subject," Chris spoke. "I found us a church we're goin' go check out tomorrow mornin'."

"You did?" Tyler asked, surprised. They had only been there about two weeks and it was already a hassle trying to find a church every time they moved. Once they had been in a town for so little time they hadn't even gotten the chance to start attending church. Not only were the two Josephs practicing Christians but Chris said it helped him learn more about the community by attending a new church every time they moved. He had been waiting for his dad to bring it up and now he had. "Already?"

"Yeah," Chris nodded. "This woman I work with attends the Fellowship Church 'nd she told me she loves it. She 'nd her husband have a daughter your age. Y'all might get along."

Tyler almost frowned at that. He didn't want to be forced into making friends. He had already made friends. Three of them. And they actually liked him and didn't find him weird or wimpy and if they ever did find out his... issue... he wouldn't get made fun of for it by them either. He didn't know this girl his dad was talking about and didn't want to act like he did if she turned out to be a giant bitch.

Despite his thoughts on the matter, he forced a smile on his face and looked at his dad. "Tomorrow?"

"Yes, son," Chris smiled. "Seven in the mornin'. I made sure ta take Sunday mornin's off in case we do end up likin' this church. I know we don' spend a lot of time together but I love ya, Tyler. I really do. I know things have been rocky since your mother 'nd I split all those years ago 'nd you decided to come with me but you mean the world ta me, bud. I'm so so proud of ya. You're becomin' such a smart young man."

Tyler's fake smile turned into a genuine one. "Thanks, Dad," his heart filled with happiness. "I appreciate that. I love you too."

"Y'know sometimes I question," Chris began. "Sometimes I question if lettin' ya come with me when ya were seven was the right thing ta do. Every little boy needs their mom. But then I realized jus' how lucky I am to be your dad and to be here to see ya grow into the amazin' man you're becomin'. 'M so god damn lucky."

Tyler smiled and leaned in to hug his dad. Chris didn't tell Tyler he was proud of him often (mostly because he wasn't around most of the time) but when he did, he meant it. "Thanks again, Dad. I love you so much. I think going with you instead of staying with Mom was the best decision I've ever made. I'm lucky to call you my dad."

Chris pressed a kiss to his son's forehead and rubbed his back. "C'mon bud, 'm actually home for once. Let's go make some breakfast."