day 7

josh yearned to see anything other than grey.

grey and red.

he ached from the hard floor. his head pounded from the little light. his nostrils burned from the smell.

he thought and thought all night about why he is "special" to tyler. what did he do? was it just attraction? was there more to it? he just didn't know.

the familiar sound of the door opening snapped his attention away from his thoughts.

josh half expected another person to be with him, but no, it was just tyler.

"joshua, how are you doing?" tyler asked in a cheerful tone.

"how do you think?" josh snapped.

"woah did you wake up on the wrong side of the concrete?" tyler laughed, josh just rolling his eyes.

"i am having a wonderful day." tyler nodded. he pulled up a stool and sat down in front of josh, just out of reach of his chain.

"you kill someone else?" josh mumbled.

"ooo no, but that would've made it even better. it's just one of those days where everything feels right ya know?" tyler said. "oh, also, you're famous!"

"what?" josh sat up a little.

"yup, you finally made it to the news." tyler smiled. "your friend.... ryan? he had his very own interview."

"ryan..." josh said, tears forming in his eyes.

"ohh don't be too sad pretty boy, they'll get over you they always do. they think you're dead."

"you're a fucking monster." josh spat.

"jesus you know how many times you have said that? i know, that's kinda the point." tyler chuckled.

"what's it in for you. why do you do this?" josh asked.

"the satisfaction of taking someone's life, it's unmatched. the feeling of their soul entering yours is the most powerful feeling in the world." tyler stated into joshs eyes. "you'll see joshua."

"what do you mean?"

"you'll see. i got plans for you." tyler said.

"why me?" josh asked.

"i see it in your eyes. i see the start of it. the rage." tyler said, voice getting deep and low.

josh couldn't form words. he was terrified at what tyler had just said.

"if you have such plans for me, can i at least get a comfier place?" josh huffed.

"i suppose i could work some things out." tyler thought. josh perked up a bit. it was working.

"i'll be right back." tyler smiled, heading up the stairs. he came back a little while later, with an air mattress. he slid it down the stairs and placed it where josh could reach.

"blanket?" tyler offered, josh nodding. tyler also threw a bottle of water on the bed and a granola bar.

tyler smiled, watching the boy grab the stuff he was just given. he liked making josh feel good.

"you're mine now. better get used to it." tyler said, turning and starting his way up the stairs.

josh sadly knew, that this was his life now. for however long that may be.

"thank you." josh said, defeated.

"you're so welcome."