It's Ty not Tay

It was a Thursday. With Friday being the last day before the weekend the plan had to happen tomorrow. Joseph had brought Tyler around everywhere Taylor might have gone. The only place left was the school. This was also the riskiest. It was easy to lose sight of someone in the crowd. It was the last place he wanted to try but it was the only option left.

Tyler and Joseph were out by a park eating lunch. They had been working all week and just finished an early to late morning job. Tyler was sitting on a bench waving around a stick. He was playing with a small white dog that seemed to join them at some point. Stumbling upon it a few days ago he gave it something to eat. Since then it would find them around town and follow them on breaks.

Barely eating and not saying anything Joseph was sitting there in a daze. Tyler found that he had been getting more and more distracted lately. He was getting quieter and became even more difficult to talk to than before. Finally speaking up Joseph suggested that they check out the school since he hasn't gone in a week. Tyler doubted that missing a week was enough to make Joseph check in. There must be some other reason.

Tyler easily noticed that it had been getting harder for Joseph to keep his emotions in check. He figured that whatever it was that Joseph was working on was coming to an end and was probably stressing him out. Joseph was worried and reluctant to follow through but he wouldn't budge on his resolve. Even if he didn't want to, he had to do it. He was easy to read but Tyler played ignorant anyway.

Tyler agreed with his suggestion: We can. But first I want to go shopping. I finally have enough for clothes and a new cane. Can you take me to some shops?

Joseph was quiet for a moment then agreed. A few dreadful thoughts crossed his mind. He wondered if this would be their last peaceful outing. He knew that even if all goes well and he finds Taylor and Tyler remains safe knowing that he used him in such a way Tyler would probably despise him. With this thought the two finished eating and got up to leave.

The two went to the shopping district and went to a few different clothing stores. Joseph also had some money saved so the money earned this week was pooled together with Tyler's. Even still Joseph continued to use some of his personal earnings to help buy the things Tyler seemed to like. Tyler couldn't stop him and guessed that it was probably his guilty conscience. After that he was worried that Joseph would spend all his money so he was more careful about eyeing too many items.

They stopped by the uniform store connected with the school. Joseph said that he could simply use his friend's uniform but Tyler immediately refused. He had his own style. His own likes and interests. Outwardly he told Joseph that he wanted to match his purchases with his own custom uniform and get a matching bag to replace his old one. But inwardly he thought it would be better to distance himself from the mystery friend as much as possible in Joseph's mind. After checking out a few more shops Tyler finally had his own shoes and clothes. For the first time since he got here his personal preferences were finally shown with his choices.

They picked out a cane design at noon and picked up the finished product that evening. They ate dinner in town and then Joseph carried Tyler home. Tyler found that Joseph's mood was a little better after distracting him with their day out. He was walking slowly and they talked as they went.

Tyler: You know I have a cane now, you don't actually have to carry me.

Joseph: Cane or not it's already getting dark it's faster to just carry.

Tyler agreed with his response but still felt like messing with him sighing: But you move so slowly. Even without a cane I could probably keep up.

Joseph could hear the mischievous smile in his voice. He rolled his eyes but a faint smile crept on his face as he spoke: Yeah yeah. Whatever.

It was quiet. They were on a straight path through the field with the forest on every side in the distance. The sun had already set and only the crickets could be heard. The path was dimly lit with lights along the fence beside them.

After a while Joseph spoke hesitating slightly: Tomorrow when we go to the school don't go getting lost or something okay?

Tyler gave a small hum in response.

Joseph: I'm serious. Don't go wandering off and if someone wants to talk to you let me know first. Stranger danger and all that.

Tyler responded the same. It was late spring and the days were getting warmer. After a warm day out the cool night breeze was very relaxing. Joseph tends to walk a very steady pace without huffing and puffing from the extra weight. With stable and consistent breathing and steps Tyler felt like he could fall asleep right here if he wanted to. It was dark out but the moonlight lit the path just enough for a walk.

He loved this. Everything right now was good. To forget about everything else and let now go on forever. That's what he wanted even just for a moment. Before he just accepted things as they were. Joseph and him met and lived in peace but eventually they would part ways. He knew that nothing lasts forever and this couldn't last either. But now at this moment he really didn't want to let go.

All the information he had been collecting over the last week. Every clue he found and whispers he heard. The looks people gave him and Joseph's interactions with both those around them and himself. He had purposely forgotten and ignored it all but now he brought it all back. He remembered everything from the moment he met Joseph. He pieced together everything he could. His brain was in overdrive but he had already made his decision. I can't let it end tomorrow. He was going to find the answer Joseph was looking for. It was the only chance he had to let this peaceful life continue. If he can solve the problem in Joseph's heart then maybe nothing has to end.

Noticing that Tyler's grip tightened slightly Joseph asked: What's wrong?

Tyler cleared his thoughts and strengthened his resolve speaking somewhat quietly: Listen carefully okay cause I'll only say this once so you have to remember. When everything is over and done with and your heart is finally settled. You can come find me, no matter how far away I seem, and give this to me. That way things can continue.

As Tyler spoke he pulled a dark cylinder the width and length of an umbrella handle. It was black and covered with really faint lines creating a pattern too difficult to make out.

He put it in Joseph's hand saying: Don't lose this. It's as important as my life. Without it I'm as good as dead.

Joseph didn't understand what Tyler was talking about. The joking tone from before was replaced with a serious one. The first words were confusing but made him tense for some reason. When Tyler handed him the item he was even more confused but took it anyway. Hearing that this item was as important as his life he subconsciously tightened his grip. He had seen Tyler with it before but he never asked about it. Yet now he was saying that it's important and gave it to him to take care of. He didn't dare act reckless with it.

After making it back to the room they cleaned up and went to bed. Tyler fell asleep thinking intently about something. After that strange but of seriousness he was back to his usual quirky self poking fun at Joseph's every move. It wasn't until he went to bed that Joseph remembered his strange demeanor from earlier. He pushed his confusion aside and was back to his stressful thoughts from before.

Joseph lay awake for a while thinking about his own plan. Over the week he has been selectively letting everyone talk to or see Tyler at least once as Taylor. He watched each and every one of their reactions. Everyone so far has been checked out. The only few left unchecked were at the school. Tomorrow would be the last day to decide whether Taylors disappearance was truly caused by someone else. If the perpetrator sees Tyler how will they react? Even if they can hide their surprise they won't be able to contain their curiosity. They will be forced to make contact. When they do he would either catch them in the act or confront them himself.

Joseph had decided early on that if he found the person who took Tyler but couldn't prove it to the authorities he would deal with them himself. He didn't care about the consequences; he already lost everything. If there really was such a situation then nothing would bring Taylor back. Even if he died trying he would get revenge on the person. He wouldn't mind joining Tyler afterwards if it meant that he got revenge. He made up his mind and he wasn't changing it for anything. Or anyone.

Twenty-fourth of May.

It was Friday morning. Tyler and Joseph woke up earlier than usual to get to school on time. They ate breakfast and put on their uniforms and headed out. Joseph was extremely serious the whole time and would constantly remind Tyler of the schedule so they wouldn't get separated. The closer they got to the crowds of kids heading into the building the more protective Joseph got. This would all have been pointless if they lost sight of each other. Tyler went in under Taylors name and went to each of their classes.

Joseph did his best to keep a clear distance between them and any of the adults. He had considered earlier on whether Taylor's disappearance could involve a student but he felt that the chances of Taylor getting involved with anyone their age was unlikely. For him to keep it to himself he probably didn't want Joseph involved. If it was a simple dispute between him and another kid their age he could easily handle himself. Taylor only ever played it really safe when something involved the adults as he didn't trust them. And for good reason.

Joseph didn't care for the adults but he didn't have that same level of distrust that Taylor had. After the last few weeks however his distrust was probably even worse than Taylors. Nobody took Taylors disappearance seriously. Whenever he thought of this Joseph's heart ached. He thought how could these people take on the job of teaching and protecting us but care so little. It made him a little sad but mostly angry. It was Taylor who taught him to take care of himself. No need to involve those who didn't care. He used to often say things like: We can't spend all our energy hating them. We can only try to do better.

Nearing the end of the day Joseph started to wonder. He had Tyler be seen by all of their regular teachers. There were only a few left that they almost never ran into. Would Taylor have really talked to an unknown adult alone? What would make him take such a risk without telling him first? Joseph had been spacing out and during the last bell as everyone was either rushing home or starting after school activities he and Tyler were separated. Only when he was clear of the crowd did he notice Tylers disappearance. Joseph immediately started to panic. He quickly found a high place to stand and scoured the crowd. He couldn't see him.

Joseph followed the crowd and looked around everywhere. He still didn't see him. By this point he could no longer control his breathing. Frantically he called out many times yet there was no response. He started to run around all over the school. Going to every classroom and checking every bathroom. He looked in storage rooms and even the teachers lounge. There was nothing. He looked around outside and checked every building nearby. By this point the students had mostly left. More than half of the teachers were already gone as well. He was alone.

Tyler was gone. And so was Taylor. Had he left or was he taken? Was he hurt? If he looked for help right now would anyone do anything? Joseph checked everywhere once again then ran to check the dorm. Maybe Tyler had gone home after being separated? Joseph ran up the stairs and headed straight for the room. He remembered that first time they met. Back then he had forgotten about him and at the time was surprised to find him asleep on a chair by the window. Joseph opened the door hoping to see that same silhouette waiting for him by the window. He looked around checking the corners and bathroom then walked back to the main room. The room was empty. He was gone.