choke ↣ joshler ✓

31. Dead

Warning for a super small panic attack and mention of vomit

Tyler woke up for school and sighed in annoyance when he remembered he had to ride the bus. He figured his dad would come in to yell at him so he got out of bed and started getting dressed.

He was standing in his shirt and boxers when he heard his door open. "I'm up!" He snapped before turning around. However, when he saw his dad crying his mood instantly changed. He saw his dad holding his phone and laptop. "Dad? What's wrong?"

Chris set his things on his bed and walked over, pulling Tyler in for a hug. Tyler hugged back even though he didn't know what was wrong. Neither of them said anything as they just stood there, embracing.

Finally, Tyler pulled away and looked up at his dad. "What's wrong?" He repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Jenna's dead," Chris replied, his voice hoarse. "Debbie woke up this mornin' and checked on her to find her dead in her bed. She was killed."

Tyler heard those words and his world stopped. All the resentment he had towards the girl disappeared and his heart ached. "No," tears filled his eyes and he shook his head. "No. You're kidding."

"Dammit, Tyler, would I be kiddin' 'bout this?" Chris sniffled and despite his harsh words his tone was gentle and Tyler didn't take it personal.

"She was just killed? In her house?"

"Yeah," his dad nodded. "In her sleep. I spoke ta Greg on the phone since Debbie was too hysterical ta say anything. He said she was all shredded up," he took a shaky breath. "Anyway it had me thinkin' 'nd you're ungrounded. I jus'... don' want anythin' happenin' ta ya 'nd ya not havin' anyway ta get ahold of me. You're stayin' home from school today 'nd I figured I'd let ya have your laptop back too so you're not bored. I gotta go ta their house so you'll be alone," he paused. "Ya can invite Josh over too after school or somethin'. 'M sorry."

Guilt instantly flooded Tyler. It had just hit him that the last thing he had said to Jenna was calling her a bitch. Plus he had been so angry with her for something that wasn't even her fault. She was just looking out for him.

He sat down on his bed and held the palms of his hands to his forehead. "So I'm staying home alone?"

"'M sorry, bud," Chris sat down next to him. "I have ta go. I don' wanna but it's my job. Trust me, I really don' wanna. Ya can go ta school if ya want..."

Tyler shook his head. There's no way he could sit in school for seven hours without going crazy. He felt sick and that's the last thing he needed. "No, I'll just stay here," he whispered, a tear rolling down his face.

His dad rubbed his back lightly before standing up. "'M leavin' now. I'll be back ta check on ya around the time ya'd get home from school. I love ya."

Tyler's lip wobbled. "I love you too."

Chris walked out and the sound of the door closing was heard and that's when Tyler began sobbing. He couldn't even apologize to Jenna. She was dead. Murdered.

His dad had said Greg told him she was shredded. His stomach churned at the thought and he found himself getting up and running to the bathroom, throwing up into the toilet.

Once he was done, he brushed his teeth and stumbled back to his room. His eyes caught his phone and he grabbed it before calling Josh. He couldn't be alone.

It only took a few rings for him to answer and Tyler's nerves soothed at his voice. "Ty? When'dya get your phone back?"

"Today. I got ungrounded," he replied, his voice raspy and rough from crying. "I'm not coming to school. My dad called me in. Can you come over?" He bit his lip when it began quivering again. "Please?"