Welcome To Trench

Chapter Twenty Seven | Rescuer

I hope everyone is having a good summer so far <3 remember to drink lots of water, get plenty of rest, and remember that everything will be okay. ily.

//Also there's a very minor reference to self-harm at some point in this chapter, but i'll make sure to leave a warning beforehand so if anyone wants to skip it, they can.

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"You all may be wondering why you are gathered here today this evening." Nicolas spoke aloud, his gravely voice booming throughout the confinement of the walls that belonged to the tall church. Rows of pews filled most of the empty space apart from the front stage where the bishops stood, all lined up together side by side. Except for Nico of course, who continued to address the people who took up space in the pews. Each and every citizen who lived in DEMA sat in that very room, their faces empty of emotion. Not even confusion or a look of interest, or even boredom could be found.

"I notice your curiosity, and I take that into consideration." Nicolas continued, his hands clasped neatly together until he slowly gestured to his left. There, in a wooden chair, sat Tyler. Hunched over with his hands in his lap and his head hung low. The brunet's face could barely even be seen as his hair was a mess and his features were so tortured to begin with. He didn't budge at all.

With his stone gaze never leaving the audience, Nicolas went on. "As you can see, a familiar face has decided to pay us all a friendly visit." Despite his professional demeanor, there was an unsettling undertone to the man's voice. It would have left a sickly feeling in the pit of Tyler's stomach, though he was already aware of what this was leading up to. He knew why he was there, presented up on stage for all to watch.

The man finally glanced in Tyler's direction, his expression cold and bland, yet daggers glinted in his gaze. "Use your manners, child. Look to your people instead of disrespecting them." He muttered. Rather than choosing to be difficult, the male lifted his head just as he was told, deciding to be obedient for the time being. Though, it wouldn't matter whether or not he followed Nico's orders. Tyler knew he'd meet the same fate either way.

"Tyler Joseph here will be helping to demonstrate to you all a very important lesson." The hooded man added before explaining furthermore, "I would hope the name rings a bell for most of you. Some may even recall how nine years ago on the twenty first of June, this boy acted on the foolish idea of escaping the very walls you all live in." Nicolas peeled his eyes off of the crowd, briefly facing Tyler as he spoke his next words. "And look where he ended up."

Tyler used whatever anger he had left boiling up inside of him to knit his brows together and glare in Nico's direction. As expected, it wouldn't do much other than amuse the hooded figure who stood just a few feet away from the male. Tyler was vulnerable and he had given up long ago.

"Just by observing him, I am sure all of you can understand why to never follow in this boy's footsteps. These walls keep us together and protect us from the dangers that are the outside world. Here, you will be safe for all eternity. One step beyond our borders, and you've already dug yourself an early grave just like Tyler has done for himself." Not one word, not even a single syllable in Nicolas' voice held any remorse or sympathy. The man didn't care for these people. His only goal was to brainwash them into the belief that reality was a predator, and the human race was its prey. Depression. Existentialism. Materialism. Anxiety. All the things that prevented the people from properly experiencing the world. "He has betrayed us all. Tyler is nothing more than a poor excuse of a worthy human. And now you all shall witness what happens to those who choose to step away from our society."

Nicolas held out a hand, palm facing upwards, and as if on cue one of the nine bishops stepped out from the line that was formed at the back of the stage. Inside of Nico's hand, they place a blade, its medal seemingly freshly sharpened as it glistened so blindingly from under the neon lights.

(tw)
Nicolas fully turned his body towards the disheveled brunet, "You know what to do, child." He murmured as Tyler was then given the blade. He shifted it around in his hands before gripping it at its handle, eyes shifting between the object's sharp edge and the bare wrist that belonged to his other hand. As he shut his eyes and prepared to wince, Tyler knew what to do.

*****

(ok it's safe now lovelies <3)
Time passed, though there was no way to keep track of how many minutes or hours had went by with Tyler still gone. It was worrying to think about what may be going on outside, or to imagine what might be happening to the male at that precise moment. So everyone mutually decided it would be best to try not to think at all.

Josh was still fast asleep in your lap while everyone else remained silent within their cells. Sal and Ben never even bickered once, which wasn't too surprising considering the current circumstances. However, everyone's heads rose and their attention flickered to what sounded like a herd of quick, approaching footsteps. You stirred Josh awake by shaking him at his shoulders a bit, afraid that the bishops or someone may be coming to take the rest of you away as well. Though, what the six of you never expected to see were the familiar faces of some of the people who you resided with back in trench. Why are they here?

"Oh my god, Sal!" The voice of Arya sounded over all their footsteps, and the tall, raven haired girl hurried over to the bars that her dearly missed girlfriend was held captive behind.

While a few others moved to the front of the group, the metal of keys sounding in their hands, Jason spoke up. "What the hell are you guys doing here?" The blonde said, asking the question everyone was currently wondering at that moment.

"Saving your guys' asses, duh." One of the taller girls replied with a grin. She had long, brown curls and fairly pale skin. You recalled maybe seeing her around the camp a few times during the short amount of time you spent in trench.

"But how did you even know we needed help?" Jason continued to question the freckled girl. You too felt very confused, and you were sure the others likely felt the same. Nonetheless, you were relieved. 

"While we would love to answer all of your wonderful questions," a boy piped in as he unlocked the cell you and Josh belonged to, "it would be best for us all to catch up with the others."

"The others?" You hummed, rising to your feet.

Jenna and Jason had already been freed by now, along with Sal and Ben. Keeping Josh by your side, the two of you walked out from the small space you had been trapped in for what felt like centuries. "How many people did you bring?" Ben furrowed his brows curiously.

"Everyone."

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this one got really sucky towards the end, but it's nearly 2 am and im tired so :///