"Tyler, this is your aunt, Patricia."

A tall, slim woman held out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Tyler. We've heard lots about you. Albert, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Tyler shook her hand and Albert nodded. Patricia lead Albert to around the corner, where Tyler could just make out her wild gestures. She obviously wasn't happy with Tyler being there, and rightfully so. It was suspicious, wasn't it? Suddenly showing up like that, knowing that they're dangerous? She was catching onto him.

Tyler craned his neck, trying to make out what she was saying. She looked like she was experiencing a mixture of anger and fear. Was she afraid of what would happen to Tyler?

A few moments later, she walked upstairs with Albert trailing behind her. Tyler stayed where he was, unsure of what to do. A few moments later, the pair appeared in his line of sight with John entail. Tyler clasped his shaky hands together, his chest growing tight as the three walked towards him.

"We've made a decision," John announced. "Tyler, you're family, and that means everything to me, but I'm not sure that we can trust you. You need to do something to prove yourself."

"Prove myself?" Tyler repeated, his voice weak. "How?"

John motioned for him to follow him and started walking down the hall. "You mentioned that you know what we do. But that's just rumours, isn't it? Now, you'll get a firsthand taste. It just so happens that we have a special someone with us here."

Tyler's eyes widened when John unlocked the basement door. He opened it, and Tyler saw that it led to a large, concrete hallway. Muffled shouts could be heard, and Tyler's heart practically stopped when they began walking towards him. Could they be bringing him to Josh?

Sure enough, when John unlocked one of the many doors, it revealed a beaten and bloody Josh. Tyler froze, taking in the sight of the broken boy. He was tied to a chair, his head titled forwards and his shirt being gripped by the tall man that Tyler saw before. The man's fist was raised, but he froze when John and Tyler walked in.

Tyler couldn't believe that he was there. Brendon had that he had probably been taken by the Persico family, but it was a first guess.

"He's isn't talkin'," the man grumbled before letting go of Josh's shirt and walking over to John.

John hummed. "We'll get him to. Anyway, I have some news. One of my sister's children have arrived, and he wants to prove his loyalty. Tyler, this is Mr. Heaton."

Josh's head shot up at Tyler's name. He stared at the boy incredulously, as if he couldn't believe that he was there. Tyler stared back at him, his wide eyes barely taking in the damage done to Josh's body.

Mr. Heaton looked Tyler up and down. "You sure about this, sir? This kid doesn't look like he could even form a fist."

Tyler was too distracted by the blood running down Josh's to be hurt by the words. John and Mr. Heaton continued talking, but Tyler zoned out, only focused on the way Josh's chest was slowly rising and falling. His ragged breaths could be heard from across the room.

John's patted Tyler on the back. "Come on, now. Mr. Heaton will tell you what to do."

Mr. Heaton shrugged, looking bored. "Punch him, kick him. Whatever. Think of any angsty teen bullshit you have bottled up and let it out, I guess. Have fun."

There was a pause, and Mr. Heaton lowered his voice. "This doesn't prove anything, sir. The kid could just be a psycho."

"No, I don't think so," John said. "Trust me on this, Brad."

Tyler walked up to Josh, resisting the urge to hug him or untie him. Josh looked up, a twinkle in his eye, and slowly nodded. He was telling Tyler do to it. He was telling him to hurt him.

Tyler bit his lip, holding back a sob. His clenched his fist, and Josh raised his eyebrows, as if telling him to hurry up. Tyler gritted his teeth and raised his arm, bringing his fist down on where he thought it would hurt the least. Josh let out a cry, but he was obviously acting more hurt than he actually was. Tyler did it again, this time softer, and Josh gave him the smallest smile.

Tyler turned to John and Mr. Heaton. "Can I do this by myself?"

"I don't see why not," John said. "We'll be right outside."

Mr. Heaton looked like he didn't want to leave, but he still begrudgingly followed John. Tyler flinched when the door slammed before immediately engulfing Josh in a hug.

"I'm gonna get you out of here," he whispered, and he was sure that he would.