Welcome To Trench

Chapter Twenty Six | Prisoner

I'm going to quite apologizing about slow updates at this point because it's prolly super annoying but SCHOOL IS FINALLY OUT !!

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A massive headache pounded at your skull as you slowly slipped from your long sleep. You had no clue how long you were out for, but when you awoke on hard cement, you quickly came to the realization that you were trapped in a cold cell. Looking around with squinted eyes as your vision adjusted to the darkness of the room, you noticed Josh fast asleep in the far corner. You assumed he had been awake at some point, but probably became exhausted due to how emotional the man was most likely feeling. For a brief moment you considered waking him, though you figured it might be best to leave Josh alone and give him some space for the time being.

Sitting up now, you noticed how in the cell across from your own sat two familiar figures; Sal and Ben. You were sure those two would have a difficult time getting along with one another in such a tight space. Hopefully you all wouldn't be trapped for so long. But why were you here behind bars to begin with? Beside them, Jenna and Jason shared a small room together as well, leaving out only one other person. Tyler.

Sal seemed to read the look of concern that crossed your face, and the girl nodded her head in the direction of the cell beside the one you and Josh resided in. You guessed that's where Tyler must've been. So you sat up more and shifted closer to the bars, feeling their cold touch as you wrapped your fingers around them and leaned forward.

"Hey, Ty." There wasn't an answer that followed up your greeting, yet you could hear the slight sound of shuffling from next door. He was awake and he was definitely aware of your voice. Quiet, but listening. That's all you needed from him right now. Was it, though?

He ran off without a word, and it wasn't even the first time it had happened. Who knows how many times Tyler had disappeared from everyone before you showed up. You weren't sure if you even wanted to know the number. You didn't want to know how many times the brunet's absence sent Josh through a panic. Glancing over at the taller, broken man, he was still fast asleep in the corner.

You stifled a small sigh. "We need you."

It was quiet for a few seconds before the familiar raspy voice finally answered. "I know." He sounded empty. Perhaps it was just the wall that separated you two that filtered his voice. However, something told you that maybe wasn't the case.

"No. You don't." Maybe, just maybe, if everyone had stuck together, nobody would be where they are now. You were unsure of the exact likelihood of that theory, but you liked to at least hope. After all, it was a bit hard to remain hopeful when locked up in a place you didn't even recognize, scared of what may happen within the next hour or so.

"You can't be the hero who saves everyone, Tyler. This isn't all about you." You spoke up again, "You don't always have to be the one to make sacrifices so that the rest of us are safe. If anything, you put us in more danger by trying to be the good guy." There was a harsh edge to your tone, but it was strong enough to hopefully knock some sense into the brunet's head. "As cheesy as it sounds, we're all in this together." You added, voice a tad sweeter now. Yet you also sounded a bit desperate. Desperate for Tyler to grasp your words and swallow them down like a heavy pill.

"You don't always have to be on your own."

After waiting some time for some kind of response from Tyler, and then receiving nothing, you sighed and pulled away from the bars. You turned so that you sat against the wall, back touching its chilly and uncomfortable stone surface. Closing your eyes, you soon joined Josh in a light rest.

*****

Not much later, your eyes shot open to the sound of yelling and another voice you weren't too happy to hear.

"Please, don't be so difficult, child," The tall hooded man from before murmured out calmly while facing Tyler's cell,  "If you cooperate, we can make this easier for you and your little friends."

However, Tyler continued to stand his ground. "Give Clancy back to his people and then maybe I'll decide to cooperate." The male huffed. At that moment, you didn't really mind his stubborn attitude too much.

You looked over and Josh was awake already, alert and staring through the bars with wide eyes. You moved to kneel beside him, watching as well.

"Oh Tyler.." The man approached Tyler's cell, his voice sounding sickly sympathetic. Fake, almost. He gazed down at him with such a dull expression, though it was hard to see much of his face in the dark atmosphere. "You wouldn't want your friends to go through the same things you did, now would you?"

The brunet seemed to think over his choices for a few moments, face still flushed with fresh bruises and cuts from what happened earlier that day. Seconds passed, and he slowly stood up, head hung low as if it were heavy with shame. You, Josh, along with everyone else watched in disbelief as he then walked out from his cell, earning a pleased look from the hooded man. "That's better," He said in his low, scratchy voice, "you always come to your senses soon enough."

The man and his guards led Tyler out from the room, bringing him up the staircase to who knows where. All you were able to wonder was why?  He might've just given up on everyone and everything that led up to even getting to where you are now, or so that's how it felt.

"He's dead." Josh's voice whispered from beside you. Snapping your head around to look over at him, your brows knitted together in confusion. You could tell immediately he was shaken up and having a hard time processing everything at the moment. "H-He's dead. Oh god, they're going to kill him." Josh stammered out, nearly choking on his words. He held his knees to his chest.

"No, no, shh." Quickly, you shuffled closer and wrapped your arms the best you could around the taller one's shoulders. Holding his head close to your own, you continued to softly hush his cries. "It's okay, Josh. We'll be okay, I promise."

"He's g-going to die, Tyler's going to die." The curly headed man hiccuped, slightly hyperventilating by now. All you could do was hold him close and remind him to breathe. "Th-They're going to kill Tyler."

You tried your best not to believe him. After all, there was no way for Josh to know for sure. He was just worried for his friend, that's all. You couldn't believe him. "He'll be okay Josh, shh. Don't think about it right now." You rubbed slow, soothing circles into his back. You then gently moved around so that Josh comfortably rested his head in your lap. "Just focus on your breathing, okay?" Looking down at him, his eyelashes were wet with tears as you stroked the male's hair, carefully entangling it of any knots as Josh eventually calmed down and fell back asleep. Except this time he rested in your warm, safe arms rather than the cold, dark corner of the cell. Deep down, you had a feeling that for most of you, it would really be okay.

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In conclusion, Josh is (cry)baby