Hounded

24. Admiration

(Yall are so innocent and happy rn with this story lmao)

Josh had gotten Tyler a cellphone so Tyler can get a hold of him when he needs him when josh is at work. In Tyler's contacts he had Josh, momma Dun, the rest of the family and jenna. He doesnt know anyone else besides his speech teacher but Josh handles arranging appointments and stuff so Tyler doesnt talk to her unless hes actually with her.

Today was starting out to be a particularly bad day. Tyler spent the night having nightmares and when he woke up it was one flashback after another. He didnt want Josh to go to work but Josh had to. Before he left he reminded Tyler that he was safe now, that no one was mad at him and that he was only a text away.

When Tyler calmed down a bit Josh left. Tyler was okay for about an hour before freaking out again. He spent a good twenty minutes curled up on the couch with his hands over his ears and his eyes squeezed shut. Tears were rolling down his cheeks and he felt like he couldnt breathe.

His heart was thudding in his ears he hated it. Hated how he could hear all the screaming and gunfire, the explosions and the sound of other soilders choking on their own blood. He hated how he could see all the commotion, all the people running for cover and the bullets and grenades flying through the air.

He could still feel the same panic in his chest as he did when he was standing out in that open field the first day and the same panic he felt in the middle of combat. He felt like throwing up.

He opened his eyes for a second and spotted his phone sitting on the other side of the couch. With a choked sob and crawled over to it and unlocked it with shaking hands. He tried to text Josh but his hands were shaking too badly. He let out another sob, swallowing harshly before pressing the call button instead. He put the phone on speaker and threw it onto the cushion, shutting his eyes tightly and shoving his face agaisnt the back out the couch as another flashback tortured his mind.

"Tyler I'm at work is-" Josh was cut off by Tyler's cries and gasps for air. "Hey Hey Shhh you're okay you're safe. Breathe ty." Josh soothed. It didnt help though, Tyler was still crying. "What can I do to help?... want me to get mom to go over with you?" Josh asked.

Tyler didnt answer right away, sobs racking through his core as he remembered when he tried to help some kids that were hiding but ended up getting them killed when he was about a month into his deployment.

"Want me to get her to stay with you til I get home?" Josh asked. Tyler whined in scared panic a few taking in a shaky breath. "Mhm." He finally responded, nodding his head though Josh couldnt see. "Yeah?" Josh asked. "Uh-huh." Tyler replied through a sob.

"Okay I'll send her a text." Josh said. Tyler only nodded, his arms wrapped around his knees as he sniffled. "I'm gonna hang up now so I can tell her to go over. Try to breathe okay? You're okay." Josh said. Tyler didnt reply. "Okay?" Josh asked. "Mmm-mhmm" Tyler nodded trying to catch his breath but having no luck.

"Okay i love you, I'll be home before you know it." Josh said before finally hanging up to call his mother. Tyler stayed curled up in a small shaky ball on the couch until he heard the front door being unlocked and opened.

He lifted his head and crawled up over the back of the couch. He fell to the floor but pushed himself up and ran out towards the front of his house. Momma Dun stopped walking when she seen him and opened her arms letting him run into them. "Hey shhh you're okay sweetheart." She whispered, kissing the side of his head.