I wasn’t expecting a knock at my door that night.
It was late, the sort of late where silence pressed in from the woods beyond my house, and the only sound was the tick of the old clock on the mantle. I almost didn’t answer who would be calling by at this hour?
But when I opened it, every breath in my chest left me all at once.
“Tyler?”
He looked different and exactly the same. His hair longer, darker under the porch light, his clothes wrinkled and damp from the mist outside. His eyes God, his eyes were the same haunted storm they’d always been. But there was something raw about him now, something fractured.
And I knew, before he even opened his mouth, where he’d come from.
“Please,” he rasped, glancing over his shoulder as though the night itself hunted him. “Don’t slam the door. Just please. Let me in.”
My throat went dry. I should’ve screamed. I should’ve called the sheriff, or anyone really. He was dangerous. He was hunted.
But he was still Tyler Galpin. The boy I’d loved once. The boy who broke me in two when he’d ended things with no explanation. The boy I’d never quite stopped loving, no matter how I tried.
“Y/n,” he said again, his voice cracking on my name. “I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
My hand tightened on the doorframe, but my heart had already betrayed me. I stepped aside. “Get in. Quick.”
He moved past me like a shadow, pulling the hood of his jacket lower. I shut the door, locked it, pressed my back against it as though I could hold back the world outside.
Silence.
For a long, trembling moment, neither of us spoke. Then I managed, “You escaped.”
His jaw clenched. “They call it escaping. I call it surviving.”
I swallowed. “The police...”
“Are hunting me. I know.” His eyes found mine, desperate, pleading. “That’s why I came here. You’re the only one I can trust.”
My laugh came out sharp, brittle. “Trust? Tyler, you lied to me for months. You broke up with me without even telling me why. Then I find out you’re...” My words tangled, the memory burning my throat. “that thing. That Hyde.”
He flinched, but didn’t deny it. “I know what I am. That’s why I ended it with you. I thought I could protect you. Keep you safe. But I see now walking away only hurt you worse.”
The anger I’d buried for years clawed its way back up, mixing with something far more dangerous: longing. “So why are you here now? What do you want from me?”
His answer was immediate, raw. “I want you to be my master.”
The air left the room.
“What?”
He stepped closer, every line of him taut with urgency. “I can’t control it. Not alone. Without a master, the Hyde takes over I become something else, something I can’t stop. But you...” He reached for my hand, hesitant, like he wasn’t sure he had the right. “You could control me. You could keep me from hurting anyone. From hurting you.”
I snatched my hand back, heart slamming. “Tyler, do you hear yourself? You want me to own you like some weapon?”
“Yes.” The word fell from him like a vow. “Because I’d rather be bound to you than lose myself again.”
I stared at him, torn in two. Everything in me screamed to keep the walls up, to stay angry, to stay safe. But underneath that, something older and softer stirred. The memory of stolen kisses in the car park after school. Of coffee runs that turned into hours of laughter. Of the way he’d once looked at me like I was the only light in his whole damn world.
“You can’t just come back here after everything,” I whispered. “You can’t expect me to… to forgive you. To trust you.”
His chest rose and fell, ragged. “I don’t expect you to forgive me. I just need you to see that I never stopped loving you.”
And then he kissed me.
It wasn’t gentle, not like before. It was desperate, fierce, tasting of fear and hope and the years we’d lost. His hands framed my face, trembling like he thought I might vanish if he didn’t hold on tight enough.
I should’ve pushed him away. I should’ve screamed, should’ve resisted. But my body betrayed me I melted into him, clung to him, kissed him back with all the fury of the love I’d buried.
When we broke apart, breathless, my voice was barely a whisper. “Tyler…”
He pressed his forehead to mine, eyes shut tight. “Say yes. Please. Be the one who keeps me human.”
And in that moment, I wasn’t sure which of us was more dangerous his Hyde, or my heart.
His forehead rested against mine, his breath mixing with mine, his hands still trembling against my skin. My heart felt like it was clawing at my ribs, desperate to break free, to scream sense into me. Yet I didn’t move.
“Say yes,” he whispered again, voice breaking. “Say you’ll be my master. Say you’ll keep me safe.”
My lips parted, but no sound came out. How could I? How could he even ask?
“You don’t understand what you’re asking.” My voice came out hoarse.
“I do,” Tyler shot back, pulling away just enough to look into my eyes. “I’ve lived with this thing inside me for years. I know what it does. I know what it wants. But when I’m with you, Y/n… it’s quiet. It’s like you’re the only thing that can drown it out.”
I shook my head, retreating a step. “That’s not fair. You can’t put that on me. I’m not your saviour, Tyler. I’m just...”
“The girl I love.” His words hit like a bullet.
I froze.
He kept going, the dam in him breaking open. “I loved you then, before everything. I loved you when I pushed you away, even when it killed me. And I love you now, standing here, begging you to take me back in any way you’ll have me.”
Tears stung my eyes. I hated him for it. I hated that even now, after everything, a part of me wanted to throw myself into his arms and never let go.
“I don’t know if I can trust you,” I admitted, voice shaking. “You hurt me, Tyler. You shattered me. And I don’t know if I can go through that again.”
He swallowed hard, eyes shining with something raw. “Then let me prove it. Let me show you I’ll never hurt you again."
His hand reached for mine again, and this time I didn’t pull away. His fingers threaded through mine, warm and desperate, grounding me in a way I didn’t want to admit I needed.
“You don’t get it,” I whispered, blinking back tears. “I never stopped loving you either. That’s what scares me.”
His breath hitched. “Then don’t be scared. Please. We’ll figure this out together.”
The silence between us grew heavy, charged, until it felt like the air itself was trembling. His thumb brushed over the back of my hand, slow, tender, and before I realised what I was doing, I was leaning in again.
This kiss was different. Softer. A question instead of a demand. I let myself sink into it, let myself remember the boy I’d once known, the boy who’d stolen my heart long before monsters and masters and blood.
When we broke apart, his forehead dropped to my shoulder, and I could feel him shudder. “I can’t lose you again,” he murmured against my skin. “I’d rather be chained to you forever than live one more day without you.”
My heart twisted painfully. “You’re asking me to hold the key to your life. To decide who you are.”
“I’m asking you to keep me human,” he whispered.
I closed my eyes, my mind racing. Could I? Should I? The logical part of me screamed no. This was madness. Dangerous. I’d be binding myself to something I didn’t even understand.
But the other part of me the part that still remembered our first kiss behind the school bleachers, the way he used to doodle stupid sketches on my notes, the way he once held me like I was the centre of his universe wanted to say yes.
And that part was louder.
We ended up on the sofa, side by side, not quite touching. His presence filled the space between us, humming with unspoken words. I found myself stealing glances at him, at the curve of his jaw, the faint scar near his temple I’d never noticed before.
“Do you regret it?” I asked quietly.
His brow furrowed. “Regret what?”
“Us. Breaking up. Walking away.”
His answer was immediate. “Every single day.” He looked at me then, and the sheer honesty in his gaze nearly undid me. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I thought… I thought if I stayed, I’d destroy you.”
“You did anyway,” I said, the bitterness slipping out before I could stop it.
He winced. “I know. And I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it right if you’ll let me.”
The silence stretched, thick with everything unsaid. Then, almost without thinking, I reached out and touched his hand where it rested on his knee. He went still, then slowly turned his palm up, letting my fingers slide into his.
The heat of his skin was electric.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” I whispered.
“Then let me help you decide.” His voice dropped lower, rougher. He leaned in, his breath brushing my cheek. “Let me remind you how much we belong together.”
Before I could answer, his lips found mine again. This kiss burned. It was electric with tongue and years of pent-up longing unleashed. His hands framed my face, slid down my neck, lingered at my waist. I gasped against him, clutching his shirt, and the sound he made in response sent heat flooding through me.
We broke apart only to breathe, foreheads pressed together, chests heaving.
“Tell me you don’t feel it,” he murmured. “Tell me this doesn’t mean anything.”
I couldn’t. God help me, I couldn’t.
Instead, I pulled him back to me, kissing him until the world outside ceased to exist. Until it was just him and me, the way it had always been meant to be.
Later, when the fire had burned low and the house was quiet again, we sat in the half-dark, tangled up in each other. His head rested against mine, his arm draped over my shoulders like he never wanted to let go.
“Say it,” he whispered into my hair. “Say you’ll be my master.”
I hesitated, staring into the dying embers. My life had been ordinary once. Safe. But I’d loved Tyler even then. And now here he was, broken and dangerous and still mine, asking me to take on the risk of a lifetime.
My pulse raced, but my voice came steady. “Yes.”
He stiffened, then pulled back just enough to search my face. “Yes?”
I nodded, swallowing the fear that came with the word. “Yes. I’ll do it. I’ll be your master. I’ll keep you safe.”
Relief crashed over his features, raw and overwhelming. He cupped my face, kissed me with a fervour that stole my breath. “You won’t regret this,” he whispered between kisses. “I swear to you, Y/n, you won’t.”
But as I clung to him, heart pounding, a chill curled through me. Because deep down, I knew one thing with terrifying certainty.
A/N: Before I start quick trigger warning: the story involves kidnapping, needles and violence. Not in a super serious way, just in the same tone it appears in the actually show.
Guys just…don't question the lore I set up in this. Does it makes sense - no not really - but I needed something for the reader to be relevant. This is romantic intended but like...not realllllyyyyy so far(?) Give it a chance please, trust me.
Let me know if you guys want a part two to this, I know this is already one of my longer fics but I think there's an opening for a part 2.
Credits for borders
You loved the Addams Family, you really did.
Ever since you befriended Wednesday (well, to the extent that anyone could befriend the girl) they had all welcomed you with open arms. Despite your love for them, you were starting to really question your connection with them.
It seems they were the reason you always got into life threatening situations.
First, it was you helping Wednesday investigate the hyde, which put your life in danger multiple times. This time around, you just wanted to help the youngest Addams take care of his new zombie pet. Unfortunately that kindness had cause you to be knocked out by the same pet and dragged to an unknown locatin.
“Wakey wakey”
You’re eyes gorgily opened as you were met with a face close to yours.
“There she is.”
You blinked your eyes wide as you registered the pale face and brown curly locks in front of you. You had never seen this man before, though there was something so familiar about the little markings on his face.
“Slurp?”
Isaac let out a forced laugh as he shook his head. “No..no.. You guys REALLY loved to call me that,” He laughed in a way that seemed he was one step away from a break down. “No, my name is Isaac.”
The man held out his hand for you to shake, which, on instinct, you went to return.
As you did, you became aware of the heaviness of the movement. Looking down you notice that you had been chained up, with big buckles on your wrists and ankles.
“Don’t worry, you can still move,” Isaac spoke with a sweet smile. “They're just there for safety reasons.”
You slowly looked around the room, which seemed to be a bunker styled after a 60s home. You would have almost been impressed if not for the fact that your life was in danger. You noticed that you and Isaac weren't alone in the room.
On a kitchen table that was stacked with pnackes sat a woman you also didn't recognise, and a boy, that unfortunately you were all too familiar with.
“I see you know Tyler,” Isaac spoke almost excitedly as he moved over to the two. “And this is my sister -”
“Francoise,” The woman spoke kindly to you as Isaac placed a hand on her shoulder. If it wasn't for Tyler’s gloomy face, they would have looked like a picture of a nuclear, straight from the 60s.
You blink a few times, still trying to process the situation you were in. “Wha-I-” You tried to speak, but your mouth was too dry.
“Oh, Tyler, get her something to drink,” Francoise spoke, and the teenage Hyded grumbled, getting up to grab you a glass. You watched as he did so, clearly picking up on the fact that he was avoiding any eye contact with you.
It felt so weird to see him again, especially in an environment he wasn't in his monster form. It strangely felt like before you found out how he really was… well, except for the fact you were chained up and scared.
“Now I know you know about my Tyler’s condition,” Francoise spoke up, and you turned your attention to her. “It’s just awful, isn't it?”
You nodded slowly. “Yeah,” You agreed with your scratchy voice: it was awful. But you assumed you had different reasons than Francoise to agree. You were more worried about the people who got hurt in the Hyde's rampage.
“Well, my brother here…he’s a genius.” She pinched Isaac's cheeks. “And he has come up with a way to fix him… to fix me.” She coughed lightly in a red-stained cloth. Isaac looked at his sister with a worried face, though Francoise continued to smile at you as she spoke softly. “It would save our lives.”
They all seemed to be looking at you expectedly, as if you were meant to have a response to this information. Tyler approached you, handing you the glass of water, still not looking you in the eyes.
You took it, not being able to control yourself as you downed the entire thing. It didn't do much, but your throat definitely felt clearer. When you placed the glass down, they were still looking to you, waiting for a response.
“Um…that’s- that’s good. I’m happy for you,” You responded, not to sure why you needed to know all of this information. It wasn't even like you had stumbled upon Isaac and seen his secret plans. You had been taking a walk in the middle of the day when the ex-zombie decided to kidnap you.
Francoise clapped her hands together, seemingly delighted by your response. “Well, I’m glad you think that. That’s so - well-” She nudged Isaac, wanting him to take over for the rest of the speech.
Isaac nodded, moving back towards you. “Well, you see, for this to work, we’re going to need pixie blood.”
You felt your heart drop in that moment.
Ever since you were a child, you were told all about the powers of your species' blood, the unknown healing properties, and the rumours of it being used to cure anyone of anything. You're family had no way of knowing how much of that was true, but every pixie could feel it in their body - there was something special about your blood.
That's why there were so few of you.
Your parents taught the dangers of people wanting rare pixie blood, but you assume it was one of those things your parents made up to keep you from talking to strangers.
“You know, I thought that finding pixie blood would be the hardest part of all of this, but when that Addams boy brought you to see me in my zombie form, I knew I would be able to actually do this.” You silently cursed Pugsly and his puppy dog eyes that you couldn't say no to.
Isaac seemed to take notice of your scared face. “Oh, don't worry, we won't need to take that much. We're not planning on anything happening to you.”
“You’re barely noticing it’s gone,” Francoise spoke up, as she wrapped an arm around Isaac. “And it’s for such a good cause.”
You’re eyes darted between all of them. You had no reason to trust a single word they said, especially with tyler there. Your eyes landed back down on the chains that were keeping you tied to the location.
“I’m sure you can understand our precautions, but you're not a prisoner here,” Isaac spoke, as his hands dragged along the chains you were attached to. “Compared to those two boys, you treated me liike an actual person, not just some dog. Of course I want to treat you with the same respect” Isaac spoke, and Francoise nodded.
“Yes boys can be so rowdy, I’m sick of them,” Francoise joked, her tone teasing and not at all fitting for the fear you actually felt. “It’ll be nice to have another girl around… assuming that you’ll help us.”
They looked to you, this time, even Tyler fixing his gaze onto you expectantly. You couldn;t bring yourseflt to say anything. You didn;t know how to respond.
“Oh look at us, bombarding you with information while you just woke up.” Francoise shook her head, speaking as if you had woken up from a nap, not from being kidnapped. “How about Isaac and I go run some errands, and you and Tyler can catch up?”
She kissed Tyler on the cheek and led a clearly frustrated Isaac out of the bunker. “We’ll be back in an hour,” she said, sending Tyler a wink. It made you feel sick that the boy you hated was being treated like your high school friend - not like one of your captors.
You looked to Tyler, not knowing what to expect from the boy. He kept eye contact with you for a second, before scoffing and going to do his own thing around the bunker.
You stayed still in your spot, not moving from the cot they had placed you in. Neither of you spoke, letting the silence linger in the air for what felt like hours. There was a bang above you, and you let out a squeak as you jumped.
Tyler shook his head. “You don’t need to be so paranoid.” He finally spoke, “They were being honest, they don't plan on killing you.”
You scoffed, “Yeah, thanks. I now feel so safe locked up in a bunker.” You jangled your chains unenthusiastically.
“They're not because you're a prisoner.”I only just got out of wearing chains; it’s not an odd occurrence around here." He revealed, and you rolled your eyes. “Wow, such a loving family dynamic you got going."
“Well, it’s better than Willow Hill,” He snapped back, “The place you helped get me locked up in.”
“That was all your own fault, you know that,” You snapped, finally looking back up at him. "Don't shift the blame on me."
“Really? Cause I seem to remember YOU being the one who called the police after you and your freak friends attacked me. My going to the hell hole is very connected to your actions.”
You blinked. “Well, here's a crazy thought, maybe my 'freak friends' and I wouldn't be attacking you if you weren't a monster who was trying to kill everyone.”
You were yelling now, and Tyler growled, standing up and walking toward you. “Be careful what you say-”
"Or what, you’re gonna kill me? You need me to save you from this sick psycho disease you have that-”
“How dare you!”
The tension was cut between you and Tyler as both your heads whipped around to see Isaac and Francoise standing at the entrance of the bunker. It seems your hour of 'alone time' was up.
“How dare you speak to my son that way?” The woman stormed up to you, hitting you across the face with such force you fell to the ground.
“Mom!” Tyle yelled, concern in his voice. Yeah maybe he had been fighting with you, but he hadn't expected any actual harm.
“We let her into our house, we treat her with kindness, and this… this is what she does.” You could hear Francoise complain, but your eyes already stung with tears; you couldn't see anything but the blurry ground.
You could hear Isaac muttering something to her and deep breaths being taken.
There was a moment of silence, and you could hear a small “I’m sorry” come from the woman.
You just lay there, hoping somehow, some way, someone would find you and save you.
---
“These are amazing pancakes.”
You rolled your eyes at Francoise's dramatic act as she ate breakfast with her brother and son, “You sure you don’t want any y/n?”
You didn’t respond.
You had been in the bunker for 3 days now and had refused to say anything since the first day. You would eat and drink enough to stay alive, but any additional amenities the family tried to give you, you rejected.
Still, Issac and Francoise seemed determined to try and lure you to the family, promising you that they would barely take any of your blood. That they would let you go after all of this would be over, and you would even be invited to their weekly family dinners.
You would never respond, which would often lead to Francoise freaking out, leading to an outburst. Each time she would apologise to you afterwards, Isaac lingering over her with the same smile you know existed only to cover up his absolute disdain for you.
You knew he hated having to rely on you. Having to suck up to you because you were his only chance of getting pixie blood, and he didn't want to risk you bolting.
“Tyler, why don’t you bring her some?” Francoise told her son, handing him a plate of pancakes she had stacked for you/
They seemed to believe that Tyler and you had some sort of connection, since you had been 'friends' before. They would often spend parts of the day out of the bunker, just to give time for Tyler to build trust with you.
The times they left were just filled with Tyler trying to make conversation while you stayed there silently. You didn’t know why he spoke to you. You crossed out the idea of guilt; if that boy was capable of feeling guilt, he would have a lot more to worry about.
Still, you suspected it wasn't just trying to manipulate you, he very rarely tried to convince you of anything or even expect a response. He would just talk, like you were his own personal journal.
You suspected maybe it was the isolation getting to him, since you doubted Isaac and Francoise really listened to what he had to say. You were just a captive audience.
The only time you felt different was when he'd try to convince you to just go along with his mom's and uncle's attempts. He'd always tell you that it would be safer for you, that you were less likely to get hurt.
He would act as if he actually gave a shit about your life.
Tyler moved towards you with a plate of pancakes, sending you a look with his eyes. It was a warning: don't do anything stupid.
You were too stubborn to listen, and as soon as he came near you, you hit the plate out of his hand, causing it to smash on the floor.
Instantly, Francoise stood up, “What did you just do, you ungrateful-“
“It was me,” Tyler quickly jumped in to take the blame. “I dropped it before I even reached her,” he looked between Francoise and Isaac, anxiously waiting for their reactions.
“Oh, we’ll be more careful, honey.” Francoise’s attitude changed completely. Isaac just stared at his nephew. Clearly, he had seen what went down, and Tyler stared back nervously.
“Well, Francoise, I think it’s time for us to run some errands,” Issac spoke, breaking his gaze with Tyler and redirecting it to you. “We’re almost completely ready,” Francoise nodded, moving to Tyler and giving him a kiss on the forehead, and sending a small apology your way.
As soon as the door closed to the bunker, Tyler sighed, moving to grab a dust pan and broom.
“I don’t get why you have to be so stubborn,” he complained as he swept up the mess.
“I see it less as being stubborn and more like protecting my life,” You snapped back, your voice being a bit more confident with just Tyler. Yeah, maybe the two of you disliked each other, but he seemed to be the only one fully obsessed with hurting you.
Tyler just rolled his eyes, annoyed that it was the first time you decided to respond to him. “Really? You're still on that. I mean, offering you pancakes really doesn't seem like a threat to your life.” Tyler put the broom away. “I know we’re not the most trustworthy people, but we’re not monsters.”
You raise an eyebrow.
“Don’t”
Tyler quickly spoke before you could open your mouth. “I know I walked right into that one. I just mean… are we that bad?”
You looked at him in disbelief. “I feel insane right now. Are you seriously trying to guilt me?” You asked, and he shrugged
“I mean to some extent, yes,” He shrugged, his voice rising every so slightly with frustration. “I just think this would be a lot easier if you stopped villainising us.” He didn't understand why you couldn't just join in on the family activities.
Maybe they were forced and hollow, but they seemed better than cowering in the corner.
“I have every reason to villainise you, Tyler,” you spat. “I don’t trust you.” You made it clear that you meant him, not just the whole Galpin family.
Tyler rolled his eyes again. “Oh, because of Wednesday? You really think that loyal, you’re willing to make your life harder to stand by her message?”
You groaned at his words, filled with frustration and passion that seemed to disappear during your time at the bunker. “I'm so tired of everyone assuming all my actions are because of Wednesday. I'm my own person with opinions, you get that right?”
“I mean, you’re stuck to her side all the time. Last year, I never saw you without her. So why else would you mistrust me, because you have-“
“Because you betrayed me, too!” You yelled at him, and Tyler went quiet. “I know it’s stupid, even before you betrayed us, you clearly cared more about Wednesday, but you were my friend too,” You admitted, and Tyler’s gaze moved to the floor. "I'm sick of everyone pretending like you weren't a part of our lives, because you were my friend and I cared about you."
It was hard to believe that this time last year the two of you were joking together, as Tyler gave you free coffees and you joined Wednesday in her discussions about the Hyde. Yeah, maybe you and Tyler were never alone, but he cared for you and did what he could to make sure your opinion got heard. On many occasions, he seemed to be willing to put his life on the line to help protect you.
At least he tricked you into thinking that.
“I don’t get close to many people, I don’t have many people that don’t just want to be near me cause I’m rare. I let you into my life, so stop acting like you didn't hurt me too.”
You both went silent for a moment. Only then did you fully process what you had admitted, a small blush forming on your face. You really hadn't expected to ever reveal to Tyler how his leaving really hurt you, especially while being kidnapped by his crazy family that wanted your blood.
You sighed, realizing Tyler wasn't going to say anything in response. “So if I’m going to die either way, I’d rather not spend my last days sucking up to a guy who tried to kill me multiple times.”
“You’re not going to die,” Tyler spoke quickly. You were honestly shocked by the firmness of the statement, like not only did Tyler think that, but he needed it to be true. “Isaac told me we’re only taking a bit of blood, it's not enough to do any real damge to your health”
You raised an eyebrow, shaking your head. “You really believe that?”
Tyler silently nodded, his eyes raking your face as he realized you didn't agree.
“Even if that’s true, do you really think they're just going to let me walk free. After everything I’ve seen, after eveyrthing I know, you guys will just release me into the world to go tell everyone”
Tyler’s eyes darted around the room as his brain sped up to keep up with the information. It was clear he hadn't thought of that.
You scoffed, almost offended by his expression. He seemed to be really wanting you to believe that information stressed him out.
“So I don't care if you guys want to try and get me to join the family fun before I die, but don't demean me by telling me it’s not inevitable." You stared firmly at Tyler as you told your truth
"I'm not walking away from this alive.”
---
Despite despising the boy, you looked to Tyler for some sick form of comfort as you were strapped to the medical table.
“Don’t tell me you're afraid of needles.” Isaac smiled down at you as he prepared for the extraction.
“I’m more afraid of the machine you have me next to,” You admitted, looking straight at the buzzing machinery. You hadn't expected such a dramatic sight, which was definitely amplified by the fact that you were in the basement of he abandoned Psychiatric Hospital.
The day you dreaded the most had finally arrived.
“Tyler, honey, makes sure she’s strapped in properly,” Francoise spoke to her son. “We want to make sure nothing goes wrong.”
Tyler nodded, kneeling beside you as he tightened the straps. You winced as you felt the leather dig into your skin, and your heart beat sped up.
Tyler sighed, taking notice of your clear distress.
“You know I always liked you,” Tyler spoke softly, and you rolled your eyes. “See, you’re coming around to me dying.” You referred to his use of the past tense when referring to you.
“No, that’s - you’re not..” He huffed, stumbling on his words. Even in your last moments, you always had the ability to push his buttons. “I mean, when we were… friends. You were the only one that I liked.”
You looked at him, amazed. “But you tried to kill me?”
“Oh yeah, well, I still hated you. A lot,” Tyler revealed, and you snorted. The whole situation was messed up; you couldn't help but find some sick humour in it. “But you were the only one I also genuinely liked… like in those moments, there wasn't hate, I actually liked you instead of feeling indifferent. If that makes sense.”
You shook your head, as well as you could being strapped down, in some strange way, completely understanding what he meant. You hated Tyler so much, yet in that moment, seeing the face of someone you once saw as your friend brought a lot of comfort.
“I never really stopped caring about you," You blurted out suddenly. You decided either way, you were dying, so who cared? “Even after you betrayed us, and you were sent away, I thought about you and if you were alright."
Tyler just nodded, his eyes looking deeply into yours, even if his expression didn't change. He figured anything you two needed to talk about, you would do after the experiment. Of course, after he rubbed it in your face that you were wrong about dying.
Stepping away, Tyler let Isaac step forward and take his place beside you. “It’ll just be a little pinch,” Isaac smiled, clearly getting enjoyment from the fact that he didn't have to suck up to you again.
He had taken back control.
You winced as you felt the needle enter your arm, refusing to look at the blood that was being sucked out of you. Tyler winced as well, not expecting the bag to be so big. Still, he tried his best not to seem too scared, trying to keep you calm.
You felt woozy by the time the bag was full, though you were still conscious.
Tyler smiled at you, and you weakly sent one back.
Then you felt another pinch on your arm, and you watched as Tyler’s face dropped.
“What are you doing?” He asked Isaac, and you turned just in time to see a new empty bag slowly filling up with your blood. You tried to thrash against the straps tied to you, but unfortunately, Tyler had done a good job at tightening them.
You were stuck in place.
“What are you doing?” Tyler repeated, growling slightly under his breath. “I thought you only needed one bag.”
Isaac shook his head, lightly wrapping his arm around Tyler. “That was the required amount, but when you're a scientist as long as I am, you learn to make sure you have extra. In the rare case of any mistakes”
Tyler’s eyes darted back to you as your face slowly lost all of its colour. If the first bag had made you feel a bit dizzy, this bag seemed to be completely draining you.
“Stop it,” Tyler hissed, and Francoise quickly came up to him, rubbing his arm comfortably. “It’s ok, love, she’s completely fine”
Tyler wanted to believe his mother, but the way you whined as you tried to use the little bit of energy you had to pull on the restraints seemed the furthest from fine anyone could be.
“You have enough,” Tyler snapped, gesturing to the bag that was basically full.
“Just a little bit more,” Isaac smirked, and Tyler growled, glaring harshly at his uncle. Isaac chuckled, as if Tyler’s outburst was from a little kid. “Fine, fine, I’ll let her go.”
Tyler didn't miss the fact that Isaac purposely paused before taking out the needle, allowing the bag to fill up completely.
You slumped over, clearly now unconscious, though your body raised and lowered the tiniest bit.
You were still breathing.
“I’m surprised she made it through. She's stronger than she looks,” Isaac spoke, almost impressed, a phrase that filled Tyler with rage.
Isaac hadn't been expecting you to stay alive.
“Well, why don't you take her to one of the cells?” Isaac gestured to Tyler, who was quick to rush over to you and unstrap you. He picked you up bridal style, holding you close to himself as if Isaac or his mother would snatch you from him.
“It’s for the best… she'll be safe in a cell,” Francine spoke, though Tyler suspected that’s not what she really cared about. She just cared about the experiment and making sure you didn't do anything to ruin it.
Tyler was gentle as he placed you into one of the cells, draping his jacket over your body to provide some warmth. He was filled with a lot of emotions, though the biggest one was guilt.
You had told him so many times that it wouldn't be safe for you, but he ignored you. He wanted to believe his mother so much that he ignored all the signs.
And because of that, the one person he really cared about, who genuinely cared for him too, was on the verge of death.
He didn't know what he could do, but from that moment, Tyler had a new goal:
