Chapter Text
Tyler could feel it again, much clearer now, there was no denying it, the lights in his room began to flicker rapidly as though building up to blow or even shatter, all the while a familiar sensation was tugging at his heart and brain. It felt almost painful.
He knew that this had to mean that someone was in danger, likely being forced to face those… things…. People? No definitely not people… phantoms? Sure whatever, good enough for now, thinking about it too deeply only ever seemed to make their situation more frustrating than it already was. He began to concentrate more closely on the feeling, something felt off. When it had started he had obviously felt concerned but he knows his friends, none of them are helpless, even if he had thought Logan was at first and he still sees Taylor as someone who needs protection he knows deep down that they are so much stronger than that, hell all of them are, all of them had been able to hold their own against multiple phantoms, so what was one more?
But this was different.
This felt different.
almost like a part of him was…
Taylor? It had to be right? He remembers her telling him in the hospital how she was so sure he was gone, how she had felt this pain, almost as if a part of her had been ripped away when he disappeared off of that cliff. The thought made his hands tremble as he ran one of them through his hair, trying to keep his composure. Was this what she had meant? Pain shot through him leaving a hollow stiff feeling in his chest, that’s when he heard the scream. It was definitely Taylor. Her voice sounded raw and shrill, it echoed through the halls of the facility and in Tyler’s head causing him to immediately shoot up from his position on the bed and make a start for the door, ignoring the burning in his stomach, which he was still trying to get used to. Only when he was holding the handle was he able to stop himself, remembering their situation, another scream. This one was louder. Much Louder. He began desperately slamming his fists into the door repeatedly in a futile attempt to make it open. He can’t wait, Taylor can’t afford to wait.
After a several failed attempts of trying to force the door open Tyler tries to collect himself, he needs to think of a plan, they wouldn’t let him see Ashlyn when she was hurt so he doubts that he will be allowed to see his sister and there was no way he was waiting until 12:00 to make sure she was ok, especially when he could feel this sickly empty hole forming in his chest. Letting out a deep breath Tyler wasn’t even aware he was holding he looks at the security camera in the corner of his room, it was hanging lifelessly, not looking at anything anymore, his light has also finally stopped flickering and has gone out completely. Good. It’s just like last time. He hopes that means he is about to hugely overreact. Someone will definitely be coming to check on him in a minute, most likely Alex. And when they do they will likely still be holding their card when they step in so if he can just take them by surprise he should be able to grab the card and make a break for Taylor.
Taylor. Right. Tyler just realised he’s not entirely sure where she is, Ashlyn said that they cleaned her up after she fought with the phantom and was taken straight back to her room but… if Taylor is hurt as badly as he feels she might be, how long will that take… what if it’s beyond repair… oh god what if she’s- tears begin to prick up in his eyes Tyler shakes his head to stop even thinking about it, but that scream keeps replaying and clawing at his mind. She sounded terrified… No she’s fine, she’ll be in her room. Tyler tried to suppress the thoughts and instead take action, he was used to it, coping with things had always been easier when he could keep himself busy, whether it was housework or baseball he always had a distraction, and now he just needs to focus on how to make sure his sister was safe.
Tyler shifts his position to the side of the door so that he will be out of view when it opens, he stares closely at it, watching for any sign of it opening…
Each second that ticks by feels like agony, Tyler can feel the empty void in his chest growing like some kind of infestation, he has always hated being apart from Taylor for too long, the idea of something happening to her while he was none the wiser terrifies him, but at least before he had always in some way been able to feel her presence, that even when she wasn’t there physically he still had this feeling that she was ok, that she was still somewhat nearby and he could always know where to find her and she knew where to find him. But now… any connection felt distant and fuzzy, as though someone had cut a string that had tied them together their whole lives and suddenly… he was only half the person he once was.
*click*
snapping out of thought Tyler saw the door begin to open, he could feel his body preparing to take action as soon as he caught view of them.
It was in fact Alex, before Tyler may have felt sympathy for him but after what this place had done to Ashlyn and now his sister… he felt less inclined to give any kindness towards the guy.
Suddenly Tyler rams into Alex’s side, thankfully taking the man by surprise, as they both tumble to the ground landing in a heap, Tyler doesn’t let this phase him as he quickly pries the card from Alex’s closed fist before pushing him away and rushing back to the door.
“Tyler wait! It’s your sister she-” Alex begins only now realising what the boy took.
“shut up!” Tyler doesn’t let him finish as he slams the door,
he doesn’t want to hear what he has to say,
he doesn’t trust a word of it.
He’s going to find his sister.