Mafia Madness

Sounds of birds chirping, leaves rustling in the wind and distant water rushing surrounded Tyler as he walked his daily route to his favorite place: The bridge. He always went there with his dad when he was a kid, he found it peaceful and calming there. The smell of fresh, crisp air and the color green enclosed him happily inside the earthy woodland. As Tyler got closer to the bridge, down below another story was playing out: Josh and his men were making a deal with another gang.

"You got the money?" Tyler heard someone say, he bent down to observe who was interrupting his alone time. Tyler watched as the two head bosses exchanged money for some drugs in a small baggie. He watched as Josh stuffed the money into his pocket, Josh's suit shifted showing his gun in his waistband. Guns scared Tyler badly. As Tyler stood up to leave, his foot slipped, resulting in kicking a small pebble off the bridge.

The pebble unfortunately hit Josh's shoulder, Josh immediately shushed everyone as he grabbed his gun and slowly climbed up to see Tyler sprinting across the bridge and down the rest of the path.

Josh yelled and ran after him, "Hey! If you want to live, you better stop right there kid!"

Tyler was not planning on stopping anytime soon, he cut into the woods to try and lose Josh in the trees. Tyler jumped behind a huge tree, hiding silently. Josh not too far behind, looking around with his gun drawn. Josh mentally cursed at himself for having to chase this kid down. After a few minutes passed, no sign of Josh around him, Tyler slowly walked out from behind the tree. Almost instantly, he heard the clock of a gun and something hard was pressed into his back.

"Stop." Was all Josh could say, a hard glare plastered on his face.

"I-I didn't see anything! P-Please let me go!" Tyler stuttered nervously, frozen in his spot.

Josh raised a brow and replied, "If you didn't see anything, you wouldn't have ran."

Tyler sighed softly, "Okay look, I ran because guns scare me, alright?"

Josh squinted at the boy. "Turn around." Josh demanded, his tone sharp and cold.

Tyler obeyed and slowly turned around, immediate hatred filled his eyes. This was the man who shot and killed his father when he was only nine years old.

Josh smirked and said in a smug tone, "Ahh lil Joseph..what was your name again? Oh yes.. Tyler."

Tyler growled softly, "H-How dare you act so smug? You killed my father!"

Josh shrugged, still smirking and said carelessly, "It was business."

Irritation and tears filled Tyler's eyes. "The only reason he didn't cough up the money was because we had to pay for my mom to get treatment! He told you that after it was paid off, you'd get your godforsaken money." Tyler spat, tears now threatening to spill.

Josh's hard glare and cold tone unchanging, "He knew the risk, he didn't pay up, he suffered the consequences."

Tyler had had enough, "God you really are a heartless bastard, aren't you?" He snapped.

As soon as Tyler said the word 'heartless', Josh growled loudly and pointed the gun at Tyler's face. "I'll give you two options." He snarled.

Tyler glared at Josh, crossing his arms. "I'm listening." Tyler said with a slight tone.

"You either come with me, or you're dying here." Josh simply said.

"Yeah right, you'll probably kill me even if I go with you." Tyler scoffed.

Josh shrugged, "Probably not, but it's up to you. Pick, now."

"If I go with you and cooperate, will I get a chance to see my mom again?" He asked.

Josh started thinking. "Maybe. Now are you coming or not?" He asked.

Tyler sighed and nodded. Josh put his gun away and they made their way back out to Josh's car.

Tyler was placed in the passenger's side as Josh got in the driver's seat and began to drive off to his house, his men followed in a car behind them. Tyler looked out of the window as he leaned on the car door, thoughts taking over him as he zoned out. Josh looked over at the poor kid and sighed softly. After a while of driving, they pulled into Josh's driveway. Josh helped Tyler get out and they walked inside the house, Josh's men drove off as soon as the door closed.

Josh's posture relaxed and his tone became slightly less aggressive, "You're sleeping with me."

Tyler instantly froze up, "E-Excuse me?"

Josh's eyebrow raised, "Did I stutter?"

Tyler froze up again. "Define sleeping."

Josh rolled his eyes, "Sleeping. Like a long eight to nine hour nap."

Tyler sighed slightly relieved, then stopped. "Why?" He questioned.

"Because I said so." Josh retorted.

Tyler sighed and looked away, his attitude slowly returning, "Then can you show me where I'm going, since I'm going to be there for awhile?"

Josh nodded and showed Tyler around the house, ending with his bedroom. Tyler walked in and laid on the bed facing the wall so he didn't have to look at Josh. Josh sighed sadly and grabbed a change of clothes before walking to the bathroom. Tyler began to silently cry into the pillow, thoughts and feelings overpowering him. Every minute Josh was in the bathroom, Tyler's cries only got louder as he began to sob. Josh started frowning as he heard a small sob escape his bedroom.

Josh quickly got dressed and slowly walked into his bedroom. He looked at Tyler as he neared the bed. Tyler sobbed harshly into the pillow as he kept his back facing Josh. Josh swiftly flipped Tyler around so he was facing him and held the smaller boy tightly to his chest. Tyler began to squirm and sob louder, frustrated with Josh hugging him. Josh kept his grip on the boy's small and fragile frame and started rubbing his back. Tyler gave up and wept into the bigger man's chest, his body trembled and shook with every sob. Josh continued to rub the boy's back, holding him tightly.

After an hour, Tyler's cries died down and the room was replaced with occasional sniffles. Tyler pushed Josh off of him gently, not wanting physical contact with him. Josh sighed again and got up.

As Josh walked to the door, he quietly said, "I'm not a bad guy..."

That suddenly angered Tyler. Tyler got up and walked to Josh so they were face-to-face, his eyes piercing Josh's as he glared. "Not a bad guy? You killed my father!" Tyler said, raising his voice.

Josh simply responded, "It was business."

Tyler glared harder, locking his jaw before growling, "I don't give a FUCK about your business. You killed my FATHER! Fuck you, Josh."

Josh slightly flinched at Tyler's sudden outburst and looked down. He shook his head while saying, "You'll never understand."

Tyler was furious at this point and shoved past Josh and went downstairs. Josh sighed heavily and rubbed his face with exasperation before following Tyler downstairs. He found the boy looking in the fridge before he took out a can of red bull. Josh stayed silent and sat at the table to keep his distance. Tyler rolled his eyes and cracked open the can, taking two gulps before leaning against the counter. An awkward silence filled the room as tension between the two men could have been felt by miles away.

Josh slowly stood up not being able to take the awkwardness any longer. "I'm going to bed." He stated numbly.

Tyler glanced at him for a second acknowledging him, then looked down at his drink. Tyler watched as the man walked up to his room without another word. The smaller boy exhaled gently and finished off his red bull. He stood there dreading going to bed. After convincing himself he needed the sleep, he trudged quietly up to Josh's room and slipped into the bed, staying as close to the edge as he could. Josh faced the opposite way as Tyler closed his eyes with a soft exhale. Soon, both men were out and peacefully sleeping.