"Where's Josh?" Tyler asked.

Brendon winced and turned, his arm still wrapped around Tyler waist. "He's this way. Come quickly, okay?"

Tyler nodded and followed Brendon up a flight of stairs and out of the hall. His mind was still clouded, but it was clearing quickly. The nausea bubbling in his stomach was gradually disappearing. He looked at his surroundings, his mouth dropping open as he studied the old barn he was in. He had expected a mansion or something. Seeing such a rundown place surprising.

What was even more surprising was to see Josh with his arms wrapped around Mr. Dun. He looked uncomfortable in the embrace, but Mr. Dun looked content- proud, even.

When he noticed Tyler and Brendon, his eyes narrowed and he stepped away, his hand moving to grip Josh's arm. He took a moment to study Tyler, a frown evident on his face.

"You're alive," he said. "Did Brendon help you? I'll have to have a talk with him about that."

Brendon opened his mouth to reply, but Tyler spoke first. "No, I escaped myself. Does that prove my worth? I'm strong. I fought him off."

Mr. Dun hummed and looked to Josh. "My son does seem to like you. He followed me to find you. Of course, it wouldn't have done anything, but you fought, didn't you? The effort is admirable. Maybe I'll reconsider your fate. You could be good for my boy."

Tyler swallowed the lump in his throat. "Of course. I'll do anything for him, sir."

Mr. Dun hummed and tightened his grip on Josh's arm. "Sure."

It was if they were timing it, all for their theatrical needs. The man from before burst through the door, looking as angry as ever. He grabbed Tyler and held his gun to his head, his face so close that his heavy breathing seemed to burn the back of the boy's neck.

"Should I kill him, Boss?" He grumbled.

Mr. Dun sighed and looked at Josh. "I'm sorry, son." With that, he nodded at the man, signalling for him to shoot Tyler.

"Brendon, stop him!" Josh yelled.

Brendon immediately jumped, pushing the gun from Tyler's head. They all fell to the ground, and the gun went off just past Brendon's head, the bullet slicing through his hair in a nearly comical way. Tyler yelped as he hit the ground, his eyes wide as he studied the gun that was still in the man's hand. He quickly sat up and leapt for it, snatching it from the man's hand. He aimed it towards him and stood up. Brendon stood up a moment later and surveyed the scene, raising an eyebrow when he saw Tyler's shaky hands.

"Do you want me to handle the gun?" He asked.

Tyler's eyes flickered to Mr. Dun. "No," he muttered, even though he desperately wanted to say yes.

Brendon gave him a weird look, but he stepped away nonetheless. He looked at Mr. Dun, who seemed surprised but eerily pleased about what had happened. He was still gripping Josh's arm, who looked like he had just recovered from a heart attack. Brendon shot him a look, asking if he was okay, and Josh silently nodded.

"What do you boys want?" Mr. Dun sighed, sounding exasperated despite the smile on his face.

"We want to be left alone," Josh sneered.

Mr. Dun sighed. "Josh, you know that's not how it works. I wish there was another way, but there isn't. Besides, Tyler's family betrayed us. Even if he says he's strong, we can't keep him after something like that."

"Keep him?" Josh scoffed. "He's a human, Father," he put emphasis on the name, letting it sound sour. "And he deserved to live. Just let us go and go home."

Mr. Dun looked genuinely offended. "I raised you to be better, son. But you're weak. A coward." He pushed Josh to the ground, and any remnants of fatherly love left his body.

He kicked Josh's stomach, making the boy curl in on himself and wheeze. Tyler nearly dropped the gun at the sight, and Brendon quickly ran froward to help his friend. He punched Mr. Dun, who barely flinched. The older man grabbed Brendon by the collar and punched him across the cheek, sending him to the ground. He turned to Tyler and pulled out his gun.

"I'll let Brendon and Josh live," he said as he clicked the safety off. "But you? You don't mean anything. You're expendable. I'm sure nobody will miss you."

Tyler reached forward, running purely on instinct. He pulled the man below him up as a human shield just as Mr. Dun pulled the trigger.

The bullet sliced through the man's shoulder sending his weight crumbling to the ground with a groan of pain. Brendon stood up behind Mr. Dun and kneed him in the back before punching him repeatedly, surely knocking him out. Josh coughed and caught his breath before standing up and walking over to Tyler

"Oh my God," he chuckled, staring at the unconscious body on the ground. "Jesus Christ, Tyler! That was awesome!"

When Tyler didn't reply, he looked up, his eyes immediately widening at what he saw. Tyler met his eyes and whimpered, his shaking hand slowly moving up to his shoulder, where blood was soaking through his shirt.