CHAPTER ELEVEN

They say, there's a dark side to everything, a little bad amidst all that good. But, I fear there's no dark side to me, for there has never been a good side. I'm dark, as dark as the starless sky, as dark as the forest in the dead of the night. Dark as the darkness just before the dawn. I'm dark, dark is me.

Victor Mairo

Tyler's POV

Was this supposed to be my lot in life? Denied love, pain at every turn. Who exactly am I? The one person I craved, more than I ever craved anything else, I have to break, to pieces. I had no say in it, because he would be broken another way. I hate myself, but it doesn't matter anymore. I had to. 

"Earth to Tyler, Earth to Tyler," Brianna waved her hands over my face, and as much I wanted to tell her to get lost, I knew I had to be cool about this. 

"Hey, so sorry, my mind wandered. Hard to believe I could do this to Dean, but if it'll save him, no worries." I stopped dramatically, wondering if one day I'd have a way to explain myself. Wondering if he'd forgive me. 

"I know what you're thinking, but don't worry, he'd be fine. He's a strong kid. Trust me." Brianna said trying to reassure me. I wasn't sure of anything, but the one thing I was sure of was.. I'd hate Brianna for a very long time. No need crying over spilled milk. In the end, she was right, I was wrong. Dean was way over my league. 

"Okay, he should be heading back now," Brianna said motioning for Brian and I to come closer. We did. "When he comes, the first thing he'll see, is you and Brian kissing. It would have to be timed right, no sloppiness. Remember, the fate of the world is hinged on this. Drop your sentiments. It's for the greater good, always remember." She finished with a huff. She was obviously pissed off. On what grounds, I had no idea. 

Then, it hit me. Brian, how is he taking this? I've been self absorbed, I never thought to ask if he was straight or bi. Maybe even gay. It didn't even cross my mind how he'd be feeling. I was a jerk. Brianna was the biggest jerk of all, agreed. 

  "Brian?" I started tenaciously. I knew I was hot for a guy, seeing as I spent virtually all my time trying to have that dashing look. Brian didn't even need to try. He was a specimen of male perfection. If I wasn't being forced to do this, I might actually enjoy it. 

  "Yeah Tyler?" he responded, in the same way. I'd only just noticed how self conscious he was. He wasn't the talkative type. More of the brooding type. 

  "You know, I'd never thought to ask how you take this, without a question. I never asked if you were straight, or bi. I was so self obsessed and, I literally sidelined you. So, don't hold back. Tell me. Why exactly aren't you opposed to this? I ask, waiting for his reply. Brianna had already walked away, a little bit afar off, drawing what seemed like circles on the ground. Weird. 

  "Well, I trust Brianna." Brian replied and left it at that. 

  His loyalty to his sister was astounding. I wonder, if I ever trusted anyone so blindly. I still hated Brianna, though I was a little impressed. Dean was enamored with her, Brian followed her without any doubt, or complaints. I wish I could trust somebody that blindly. I wish I could let go, let the world see my pain. But, trust was an issue for me. A big one.

  "Just like that? No reason? Just.. You trust her? What.. What.. Wait.. Why? 

  

"Because, she knows best. She has done too much for me to question her now. And, in case you're wondering, I'm gay. No bi or anything. And, it's the obvious choice. I am. Now stop sulking. We don't have all day. He should be almost here." Brian said mechanically. He was just doing this because he was forced to. It wasn't fair. To him, to me, to anyone. I was trying so hard not to hate Brianna more than I already did, but I really did hate her. 

" One day, you'd understand. You'd forgive her for this," Brian said as though reading my thoughts. "Now, do it!" he said with as much force as he could muster. Which, in this case, was a whole lot. 

  I didn't think, I literally threw myself at him. The pain, frustration, anger, all my conflicted feelings rose to the surface and I kissed him with everything in me. It was the most passionate kiss I'd ever had. But then, I looked behind me, with the corner of my eyes and what I saw broke me to smithereens. "His eyes, his eyes. Oh God. What have I done?" I asked myself and quickly pulled off from the kiss. But, he hid already. Appeared immediately and pretended to be fine. I don't think I can ever forget the pain in those eyes. I don't think I'd be able to. 

  For the first time ever, I felt completely, utterly alone. For the first time, Dean wasn't with me, on my side. That hurts more a thousand neddles dipped in fire. Dean came, trying to be carefree, but he couldn't look at me in the eyes. I did it this time, I literally killed him. I watched him undergo a transformation in my very eyes. There and then, Dean, the best friend I ever had, steeled himself and became a man with heart of ice. I knew Dean, more than anyone else, and I broke. Because I knew, I broke him. I broke my Dean... 

  "... Tyler, Brian, come here. It's time." Brianna shouted just a few feet ahead of us. I stopped my pity party, seeing as Brian was watching me with pity in his eyes. I didn't want to be pitied. I'm not sure I could stand it. On top of losing my best friend, I lost the only person I knew to the bone. I lost the one person who loved me for me. I lost the one person, the one person I fell in love with. Now, I fear, I'd fade. Or break. 

  I steeled my resolve, and walked to where Brianna stood. She drew a circle, and a lot of symbols in it, symbols I had no idea about. 

  "Hold hands, Now! " Brianna screamed at no one in particular. There was something in her voice, in her words, I sensed fear. 

  "Why?" Dean asked incredulously. 

  "Look" she pointed at a vague shape, spiraling towards us. It was the wind on legs. It was eerie, it was beautiful. I didn't waste time, I grabbed Bryan, and though my heart was racing, all I thought was how cool is this? I'm a child most times. 

  As soon as we held hands, the circle glowed blue, and the inscriptions were glaring. I was shocked, enamored, slightly scared, but deep down, excited. I wasn't cut out for normalcy anyway. Before I could say a word, the circle turned into a spiral, that formed a portal into another dimension. Something I'd only heard or seen in movies and various books. 

  "No time for dawdling, Brian, jump in!" Brianna screamed again. I looked behind me, the wind thing was quickly gaining. It was even more beautiful than I thought. A jumble of faces I recognize, changing, in a state of constant flux. I looked and, Brian was nowhere to be found. He just jumped in. 

"Tyler, you go next. Don't ask any question, just jump!" Brianna shouted to be heard over the wind. I prayed to a God I didn't know I believed in, and jumped, wondering where I'd find myself. 

  When I landed, I landed on something hard, and I spilled a lot of curses my parents would wash my mouth for, if they ever heard. Thank goodness they weren't here. 

  "Owww, that hurts." Brian said from under me. I landed on Brian, figures. Clumsy me. It was then I noticed my surroundings. It was by far the most beautiful place I had ever seen or read about. Words cannot describe the timeless beauty I saw. Beyond words, it was paradise. 

  "What exactly is this place? I asked in awe. Brian just smiled and said," Home. This is home. Welcome Tyler. To your new home. Welcome to my world." He said with such tenderness, my heart melted. I took his hand, and we walked. Fingers enclasped. I felt peace.