Threat

“I can’t believe that you have to leave again…”
“I’ll come back in three weeks for Christmas, Mom. I promise.”

I gave her a reassuring smile before pulling her into a hug.

“Micah! Will you give this to Tyler?”

Sarah held up a small stuffed bunny for me to take.

“Sure, I’ll tell him you gave it to him.”
She shook her head.

“It’s for you to give to him.”
“…Me?”

She nodded with a wide smile.
Both Mom and Ms. Carter gave me knowing smirks, causing my cheeks to grow hot.

I took the animal from Sarah before hugging her and ruffling her hair.
We all said our last goodbyes before I took my leave.

I’m on my way back home, Tyler.
Just hang in there.

| x | x | x |

“So you’re coming back home, today?”
“Yeah, but it’s still going to be a five-hour flight. There was a two-hour delay earlier, so we just left the airport.”

Granted, that wait almost drove me insane.
But just hearing Tyler’s voice over the phone was enough to reassure me that he was still alive.

I glanced at the small stuffed bunny sticking out of my backpack, and once again my cheeks grew hot.

“How was your Thanksgiving?”
“It was okay. Food. Family. The usual. Your mom spent it with us, actually.”

“Really? I’m glad to hear that. I was really worried about her…”
“How was yours?”

He was silent.

“Tyler?”
“I-It was great…! It was nice to spend a little holiday time with Marcia.”

“Nothing bad happened?”

“…Nothing…”
“Tyler—”

“Nothing happened, Michael!”

An outburst followed by a frustrated sigh.
He doesn’t raise his voice towards me much, but when he does, it hurts.

And he knows it immediately after it’s too late.

“Michael…? I’m sorry…I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to…!”
He didn’t finish his sentence – the sound of a door slamming shut in the background.

“Baby boy…I’m home.”
The familiar, sickly-sweet voice that makes my blood boil.

“I have to go…Don’t call me tonight…okay?”
“Tyler, don’t hang up! Please don’t—”

But I couldn’t convince him as the dial tone sounded.

I shoved my phone into my pocket and gripped at my hair as I let out a frustrated groan.

I’m still so far away from home.
Marcia is insane; she’s dangerous!

And Tyler…

I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

I opened my backpack, reaching inside to pull out my notebook and a Christmas card.
I wiped the tears from my eyes before grabbing the pen and opening the notebook to a new page.

“Dear Tyler…”

No.

“Dear Tyler…

What I am writing now has been on my mind and in my heart for as long as I’ve known you.

Granted, I am aware of the consequences these words will have.
But it is important that you read this regardless. It is important that you know what I feel – what I’ve always felt.”

I sighed before placing the pen down and wiped another tear away.

What’s the point?

He loves her too much.
He’s afraid to leave her because of her constant threats of murder or suicide.

He’s willing to walk a path of oblivion just so he can “keep Marcia alive”.

I gripped at my hair again.

And it pisses me off to no fucking end!

My phone vibrated; I didn’t hesitate to pull it out.
A new message…from an unknown number.

6785679559: “Stop calling Tyler and stay the fuck away from him. He’s mine! Do you understand?! Just fuck off!”

I bit down on my lip, glaring at the words in front of me.

This is the point.
This is why I have to finish the letter.

This is why I have to let Tyler know what I feel.

Because I know that these words will give me a chance to save him.

I typed on the keyboard and sent the message.

Me: “Fuck you, you abusive, psychotic bitch.”

And the phone was quickly put back into my pocket.