They drove for hours and hours on end. It was nearing the end of purge night, only two more hours were left. They took several pitstops along the way, bathroom stops, snack stops, sex stops... The usual.

They were only in Illinois, but that was one step closer to California. Tyler sat in the passenger seat, feet up on the dash as they rode in silence. The air between them was tense. Both were extremely exhausted and and slightly aggravated. Tyler kept picking little arguments with Josh that would turn into full out fights.

"A mall!" Tyler gasped, dropping his feet as he sat up straight. "Can we stop, Josh? You promised we could steal some stuff."

"Why?" Josh muttered, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. He didn't want to talk to anybody right now. He just wanted to get to fucking California already. "It's not like you need anything."

"You said we could!" Tyler argued, slamming his palm against the center console. "God dammit Josh, pull over!"

"No!" Josh rolled his eyes. "We don't have time to go to a stupid fucking mall."

"Fuck you!" Tyler groaned, unlocking his door and pushing it open.

"What the hell are you doing!?" Josh screeched, slamming on the breaks. Tyler nearly smacked his head off of the dashboard, but caught himself. He turned and smirked at Josh.

"Getting you to pull over."

"Screw you," Josh mumbled, furiously rubbing his tired eyes. "Go, then. I'm not coming."

"You're not?" Tyler's face drained of all color. He bit his lip, anxiously chewing on the plump skin. "But-"

"But what?!" Josh interrupted. "I'm tired, my fucking shoulder hurts because I had to save your stupid ass, and I'm sick of you! Just go! I'll be here taking a fucking nap."

"Good," Tyler shot back. "Because you fucking need one you stupid ass bitch."

"Get the fuck out," Josh pointed, jaw clenched tight. "Before I make you."

"Oh, I'm so scared!" Tyler muttered sarcastically. "You won't do shit to me."

"Want to fucking bet?" Josh snarled, eyes narrowing at the younger. Tyler flinched, startled by the sudden venom spewing out of Josh. He looked away, heart beating nearly out of his chest from just the way Josh looked at him. He looked like he was ready to strike.

"No," Tyler mumbled, blinking fast to get rid of the tears forming. "I don't want to fucking bet because I know you want to kill me right now."

Josh's face softened only slightly, noticing the boy's wet eyes. "Just stay away from me for a few minutes, okay? Now go."

Tyler sighed, chest heavy as he got out and slammed the door shut as hard as he possibly could. He stormed inside the building, not bothering to take a gun with him because he didn't give a shit. Josh wanted to kill him, to actually kill him, and he would've if not for Tyler giving him some space.

Josh sat in silence for a moment before slapping his palms against the steering wheel. "Fuck!" He screamed. "Fuck, fuck, fuck! God dammit!"

How could he be so fucking cruel to Tyler like that? He put the poor boy on the verge of tears just because he was pissed off and didn't want to stop at the mall. He's such a selfish, stupid prick.

Maybe he's just tired. He's really tired and needs to get some sleep. He wouldn't be having such horrid impulses if Tyler could just drive so he could get some sleep. But no, Tyler would end up killing them if he was the one driving. Josh groaned, slapping his palm against his forehead. Would he ever get some sleep?

He was about to close his eyes when he spotted something. A car parked at the very other end of the parking lot, looking completed deserted. Josh got a bad feeling, also noticing Tyler left his fucking gun in the van like an idiot.

"Shit," he muttered, taking two weapons with him as he broke into another end of the mall.

The entire building was pitch black. Josh had to give his eyes a minute to adjust before he started into the darkness. It was eerily quiet, so quiet Josh's ears were ringing. His gut feeling was screaming danger. Tyler was in danger. He needed to find Tyler.

How the hell would he possibly find Tyler in the gigantic mall? He couldn't just call out "hello?" like the morons in horror movies do. He'd probably get himself, or Tyler, killed. So he walked slowly, cautious of the shadows surrounding him. Anyone could jump out at him and he would never see it coming.

God dammit, it's all Tyler's fault again. He just had to stop at this stupid place and now they were in danger again. Josh was always right, didn't Tyler know that by now?

A scream pierced through the silence, rippling through the air like a bullet and hitting Josh hard. Was that Tyler? He couldn't tell, but he took off running in the direction it came from. Gunshots started, helping Josh locate exactly where the noise was coming from.

As he turned a corridor, his body collided with somebody else's. He pulled his gun on whoever it was immediately, but gasped upon hearing his boyfriend's little whimpers. Josh kneeled down, whispering as the shooting had ceased.

"Baby? Are you okay?" He asked quietly, hands roaming Tyler's body to check for any missing pieces.

"I'm fine," Tyler spat, pushing Josh away. He stood up on his own, dusting himself off. "But we have to go."

As if on cue, the gunshots started again. Tyler squeaked, his first instinct being to hide behind Josh. The man handed him his extra gun, knowing he was without one.

"How many?" Josh asked, both of them hiding around the corner as the shots got closer.

"Two girls," Tyler replied, clicking the safety on the gun off. "I already took care of one."

Josh nodded and peeked around the corner, watching two figures walk towards them as sparks erupted from their guns. They drew closer and closer until they were just about to turn the corner when Tyler and Josh jumped out at them, tackling both girls to the ground.

Josh smacked the girl with his gun, peeling hers from her grip. He held both against either side of her head, finger on the trigger. Looking over, he saw Tyler with his hand around his girl's throat and a barrel between her eyes.

Josh recognized them as Alyssa and Issy. Alyssa, the girl that had flirted with Tyler and even have him her number. Issy, the person Josh lied about calling him "dumb." God, just seeing Alyssa made Josh's blood boil.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" He seethed, knees pinning Alyssa down by her shoulders.

"I could ask you the same thing," she responded, eyes traveling to Tyler. She winked, clearly not giving a shit about her life. Josh was mad, so mad. Tyler was his, not hers, and he would always be his.

"You're a stupid fucking slut," he spat. "I hope you burn in hell."

He pulled both triggers simultaneously, sending two bullets through either side of her brain. Blood splattered everywhere, along with little bids of the inside of her head. The one beneath Tyler screamed, writhing to try and break free.

"Fucking kill her, baby. I can't stand to look at such filth," Josh muttered, flicking a piece of Alyssa's brain off of his chest as he stood.

Tyler nodded, pulling the trigger without a second thought. Issy's head exploded as well, more organs and blood decorating the walls and the boys. Tyler blew air through his nose as he smiled.

"Who was the third?" Josh asked, looking down the hallway. He could see a body laying on the floor and a pool of blood surrounding her, but couldn't make out her face.

"Courtney. You know, the one girl who couldn't wait five fucking seconds to get to her locker. I slit her goddamn throat," Tyler mumbled, turning his back to Josh as they began leaving.

"What's wrong?" Josh sighed, although he knew the answer. He was an asshole, sure. But he was still right.

"Nothing."

"I was right, wasn't I? We shouldn't have stopped here. You could've gotten yourself killed like a-"

"Not that," Tyler interrupted. "I don't give a shit that you were right. You wanted to kill me, Josh."

He stops, turning to look the older dead in the eyes. "You were going to fucking kill me and I saw it in your eyes."

"I wasn't-"

"Don't fucking lie to me!" Tyler yelled suddenly, pointing a finger in accusation. "You're the love of my life, Joshua. I gave up everything for you! And now I don't even know if I can trust you!"

"You can trust me Tyler, god damn! I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not going to let myself fucking hurt you. I love you, I love you so much. I do, I don't want to kill you. Why would I want you dead? I need you," Josh rambled, trying to gain back some of the boy's trust. "I'm being honest, baby. I wouldn't have done it. I just really need to sleep."

Tyler sighed, reaching to intertwine their fingers as they began walking again. "You can sleep. I'll stay up and keep guard."

"No fucking way," Josh chuckled. "You're terrible at keeping watch. You'll get bored and fall asleep. I'll be fine for a few more hours. We can stop once we reach Iowa."

"Fine," Tyler mumbled. "And I'm sorry I almost got myself killed. Again."

"I'm sorry for being a douchebag. I love you, baby. You're my world. I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to you."