Tyler flinched awake, his eyes quickly adjusting to his surroundings. He was being dragged down a dark hallway, each of his arms in the hands of a stone-faced man. Mr. Dun was walking in front of them, and he clicked his tongue when he noticed that Tyler was awake.

"I was hoping you would be asleep for this," he sighed.

"What're you gonna do t'me?" Tyler slurred, still half asleep.

"We'll shoot you first," Mr. Dun hummed. Then remove your teeth, of course, and anything that identifies you. We'll burn your body, and then find a place to hide it. The ocean, maybe. I think I have a boat nearby."

Tyler whimpered and tugged his arms away from the grip of the people holding him. Everything was fuzzy, though, and he couldn't concentrate on fighting. Even if he was at his greatest strength, he wouldn't be able to overpower those guys.

"Please let me go," Tyler mumbled.

"I'm sorry, but I have no choice," Mr. Dun shrugged. "It's business, Tyler. I'm doing what's best for my son."

Tyler shook his head. "Josh wouldn't want this."

"And how would you know what he wants?" Mr. Dun scoffed.

Tyler spoke without thinking. "Because I love him, and I know him."

Mr. Dun paused. "If you truly loved him, you would have done better."

Tyler closed his eyes, his head swimming. He let himself go limp, the act signifying his lack of hope. He wouldn't escape. He couldn't fight, he couldn't run; he couldn't do anything. He was going to die. He was sixteen, and he was going to die. At least it wouldn't be painful. Mr. Dun had promised that.

They came to a stop, and Tyler was dragged into a room. He opened his eyes, his heart stopping in pure fear as he noticed the blood covering the floor and walls. It looked like it had been scrubbed away, but whoever had cleaned it couldn't get rid of the remnants. The room had an eerily similar structure to the one he had been brought to when he had been kidnapped by Brendon. The sight alone had Tyler struggling not to gag.

He was let go, and he let out a grunt as his body fell to the concrete ground. He looked up the men, watching with wide eyes as they stepped aside. Mr. Dun stood between them, holding a gun and clicking the safety off. He sighed at the sight of Tyler and shook his head almost sympathetically. He brought the gun so it was aimed directly between Tyler's eyes.

Tyler was sure it was the end. But, like a miracle, there was a bang heard from upstairs. Mr. Dun turned and clicked his tongue. He handed the gun to one of the men.

"Shoot him," he ordered, before motioning for the other one to follow him and leaving the room.

Tyler crawled to the corner of the room, desperately trying to back away from the man in front of him. Mr. Dun was gone. Did that mean that Tyler had a chance to escape?

The man rolled his eyes and grabbed a fistful of Tyler's hair. "Quit squirming, kid. It'll be easier to stay still."

Tyler scratched the man's hand. "Let me go. I won't say anything, I swear."

The man scoffed. "You're not getting out of this. Now, stay still."

Tyler kicked his feet, nearly sighing in relief when his foot connected to the man's crotch and he grunted in pain. He stumbled backwards, and Tyler took the opportunity to pulled himself up, gripping the wall for support. He kicked the man again and sprinted from the room. His limbs felt like jelly, but he ignored the urge to collapse and never get back up.

Halfway down the hallway, Tyler realised that he had no idea where to go. He had been unconscious when he was dragged down there, and he had no idea where he was or how he could get out of there. He skidded to a stop at the end of the hall and paused to look at the door in front of him. He took a deep breath and waited a moment, his heart beating unsteadily in his chest. He pushed on the handle and sighed in relief when the door opened.

Tyler gasped when it hit something. He recoiled in fear, quickly turning away to run back through the hallway. He yelped when a hand wrapped around his waist, pulling him back.

"Tyler! Tyler, it's me!"

Tyler turned, his heart practically beating out of his chest, and looked at who had grabbed him. He had never been more glad to see Brendon in his entire life.