CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Congratulations! You are going to die.

Victor Mairo

Tyler's POV

   So, I don't know what this is. This place, that looks like a replica of the paradise I had in my head. It's calming, peaceful, but not for me. I knew that the way I knew that being intimate with Brian would destroy my life. I ploughed on anyway. I already lost Dean. What more is there to lose? My dignity, my sanity? Nah. I lost those years ago.

  Unconsciously, I let go of Brian's fingers, too preoccupied to see the look that flashed on his face. Even if I did, I wouldn't think much of it, because Brian wasn't for me. He was off limits, and I'm way over the top of my head. I needed a huge dose of reality fast, and the whole place wasn't helping. It was like being in a storybook. It was too perfect to be real.

  "Not to pry or anything but, this place shouldn't exist. I just saw a freaking dinosaur, over there," I said pointed at where the trees were, which in this case, was all around us. Figures.

  Brain looked at me quizzically, and then gave a startling booming laugh that reverberated all around us. I was weirded out at first, but it was a nice change seeing him laugh.

  "You shouldn't be seeing him laugh at all," I mentally chided myself. I shouldn't be thinking about the specimen of male perfection that is Brian Evans. I shouldn't. It's wrong. On all counts. 

"Breathe, breathe." I said underneath my breath. But, Brian promptly turned around, and chuckled. He heard me. "Oh God can I die now?" I groaned in response. 

  All of a sudden, the humor left Brian's eyes. He was stoic, his face expressionless. I had no idea what was going on in his mind, but I could at least guess. He looked at me, motioned for me to keep shut and, with more speed than I've ever seen, he appeared in front of me, like a human shield, poised for a fight. It was graceful, eerie and I was a little bit smitten. Now though, I wasn't even sure if he was human, he didn't act it.

  "All clear. Sorry about that. One can never be too sure of these things." He said as soon as he relaxed his stance and continued walking. I wasn't fooled though, not in the least. I knew that if the need arose, it was hot in a macho way.

  "Oh God Tyler, stop objectifying this boy." I mentally chided myself again. But then, he looked at me, a small smile playing around his lips. I didn't have to be psychic to know that he either could read my thoughts, or my emotions. Oh damn. I was thinking it was the latter. I was overwhelmed. My thoughts were not so private anymore.

  "I'm sorry about that, but I could shut it off if you want." Brian said, sensitively. I'd always known he could read minds, so I wasn't fazed. I just gave him a small smile, trying not to focus on one thing. 

  All of a sudden, I heard a sound, unlike any other thing I've ever heard. It was between a cry and a laugh. If was between music and screeching. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard, yet the cringiest. It was a beautiful Paradox. Brian looked at me in a fond way, quickly looking away.

  "By the way, the name of that animal is a Paradox. That's where the figure of speech emerged. It's a living contradiction. Beautiful yet ugly, scary yet sweet. I guess, it's just one of the wonders of the world." Brian said as we walked deeper. I was lost in thoughts. These animals, would have been hunted by humans, hunted till they were extinct. Now I wonder.. Why do we destroy everything we claim to love? Why do we get obsessed, and confuse it with love? I looked at Brian, and all I saw that Dean. I couldn't fathom how hurt he would be, but I know that, there might not be a friendship to hold on to anymore. I miss Dean, I miss the friend that jumps on my bed with careless abandon. I miss the kid we were, before all of this emerged. I miss everything and no boy, no matter how good looking, can change that.

   Brian stopped suddenly, he looked pained. He opened his mouth and what came out wasn't what I was expecting. "Go to him. Not every love should be based on romance. Sometimes, be content with the friendship that goes beyond. I won't lie, I don't associate with friends. I don't let people come to close," he looked like this was breaking him, "But, I let you in. Without any thought, of the friendship I'd put in jeopardy." He held up a hand, interrupting the sentence I was about to say, and continued as though nothing happened. "I was the selfish one. I knew how much you loved Dean, I knew everything. In fact, I suggested the kiss to Brianna." He stopped and exhaled, I was dumbfounded. I couldn't say a word. What exactly did he mean? He took a second or two, and continued in a flat emotionless voice." I've always noticed the way you look at Dean, like a diamond you don't ever wish to let go of. Like a part of you that you couldn't believe was real. I could see it, Dean couldn't. He was literally blind to you, and obsessed with my sister. He kept fawning over her, and she kept him by her side like a loyal dog. It was all so sickening. I looked at you, and I didn't see a confident young man, I saw a lost kid. I just had to do something, and I'm sorry, but I was attracted to you. From the very first. There, that's it. So, yell, scream, about how pathetic I am, I don't care. I just think you deny your nature, because of a boy that would never see you as more than a friend. You are killing yourself. You are doing it and you don't realize. So, I'm not sorry. I really am not." Brian finished in that same flat voice. All was still. No sound could be heard.

  I was overwhelmed, by all I just heard. I felt protective of Dean, yet I could see his point. I watch the way he is around Brianna. How could I compete with that? I knew I was going to regret the next decision I was about to make, so I stopped thinking, and I pulled Brian closer to me, and ravaged his lips. In that kiss was my frustration, my pain, at being second choice. My losing of my best friend, my dark side I try to hide. Brian kissed me back as though his life depended on it. He deepened the kiss, and as much as I wanted to gasp for breath, it was the best kiss I had ever had. It was there and then, I made my final choice. Brian over Dean. I don't care what happens next, I don't care if I'm hated for my choice, I am content with it. That's what matters.

  After a short while, we pulled away simultaneously. As though being pulled apart by an external force. It was as though a whirlwind emerged from nowhere and was trying to suck us in. Paradise became hell as we clung to each other, like a lifeline. We were pulled in different directions, literally floating on air. I held Brian's fingertips and he grabbed mine. This wasn't just a whirlwind, it was a malicious one. As though intent on destroying us.

  "What the hell is happening?" I screamed trying to be heard over the wind. Brian replied, screaming too but I heard nothing. Then, he muttered under his breath and all of a sudden, the wind ceased. We fell like logs of wood on the ground, and spent the next thirty seconds catching our breath. We wer winded. Literally.

  "What exactly was that?" I asked Brian, after a few seconds of silence. We lay side by side, trying to get ourselves. Not my idea of a first time with him, but I'd take what I get.

   "That was, the destroyer. He comes as a whirlwind, destroying everything in his path. He's known to be merciless. At least we survived." Brian said lost in thoughts.

  "Wait, I don't understand. The destroyer? Also, what was that you muttered under your breath? That stopped the wind?" I asked, curiosity written all over me.

  "Oh that, it was nothing," Brian replied evasively. "By the way, it's time to meet the guardians." He said as soon as he stood up, and helped me up.

  "The guardians? Who are they?" I asked quizzically.

  "They're everything. It's time." Brian said mysteriously.

  "Time for?" I ask walking in step with him.

  "Time for the end of the world. Time for the greatest war humanity has ever known. Time for Armageddon."