control ↣ joshler ✓

17. PRËŠŚ ŪRĖ

Josh pulled into Tyler's driveway the next day after school. Tyler hadn't talked to him since the night before and refused to leave the house when Josh tried to pick him up that morning but he didn't take it personally.

It didn't take any of it personally anymore now that he knew.

He just wanted to save his boyfriend.

He didn't know how Tyler had gotten home but Lina was in the passenger seat and the two were waiting for Maddy who had just gotten off the bus.

Finally, they saw the thirteen year start walking towards the car. She got in the back before throwing her bag in the spot next to her. She let out a sigh and rubbed her face. "Okay. Where are we going?" She asked, looking at Josh and Lina expectantly.

The two older kids shared a look before Josh backed out and spoke up. "Lina's grandma's."

"Why are we going there?"

It was silent for a moment before Lina filled her in. "Tyler's possessed."

It was also silent for a moment before Maddy busted out laughing. Josh swallowed roughly and he saw Lina glance at him as Maddy cackled.

The laughter died down after a few seconds and she let out a breath. "That's funny. Really though. What's wrong with him?"

Josh sighed. "She's not kidding."

"Wait, really?" Maddy asked softly, Josh seeing her smile drop from the rear view window. "That stuff doesn't happen."

"Damn, what is it with white people and not believing in this shit?" Lina clicked her tongue. "Yet the first person to die in a horror movie is always a colored person."

Normally, Josh would've laughed at that comment. But this time? His knuckles just tightened around his steering wheel. "It does happen apparently and something is inside of Tyler and we don't know how to get it out. That's why we're going to see Lina's grandma. She knows about supernatural stuff so we're hoping we can help him."

"Is that—" Maddy paused and Josh knew she was trying to believe this. "—is that why he's been so mean lately?"

"Yeah," Lina replied. "Trust me, I've cried over it too. I lost my best friend. I just hope he isn't completely lost."

Josh swallowed again. "What do you think your grandma's gonna say?" He glanced at Lina. "Do you think we can save him?"

Lina glanced back at him. "I don't know," she replied honestly.

That seemed to make everyone's moods worse so the three remained quiet for the rest of the car ride. The only noise heard was Josh's phone telling him when to turn since he had (unsurprisingly) never been to Lina's grandmother's house before.

Eventually they arrived and Josh parked in the street in front of her house. Lina's grandpa had died when she was younger so her grandma lived alone but that's all Josh knew about the situation.

No one dared to get out. Not until Josh spoke up again. "Does she know we're coming?"

Lina nodded. "I told her it was an emergency but I didn't tell her what."

Josh was the first to get out followed by Lina and then Maddy. Maddy seemed scared out of her mind so Josh grabbed her hand tightly in a big brother way. She obviously needs it with how the past few weeks have been going.

The reached the front door and Lina rang the doorbell. A moment later a short but wider old woman opened the door and grinned. "Lina, nieta!" She pulled Lina (who was easily half a foot taller than her) into a bone crushing hug. Lina hugged back.