Twenty-fourth day of May.

Tyler had now learned the truth behind his double. Apparently the young Taylor seemed to be quietly looking into the disappearance behind all the missing kids. Specifically focusing on the latest girl. He only let himself get caught and expected if not sincerely hoped to escape after getting what he needed. The teacher hadn't found out what led up to Taylors sudden investigation and didn't know anything about the girl who made the request.

The teacher mocked Tyler: His actions were much like yours. It's almost funny. Honestly you kids think you're so smart. But one miscalculation and you're dead.

Tyler didn't respond to his annoying remarks. Instead he was thinking about Taylor's story. Taylor should have been smart and accounted for most outcomes. Someone like that would only have allowed himself to get caught if he knew his end goals would be accomplished. Tyler didn't know the exact reason for Taylor's death in the end. The teacher kept it pretty vague besides the fact that Taylor made it to the cabin and didn't make it out. Other than that he mostly went on rambling about his apparent triumph over Taylor. Throwing in insults whenever he could. But Tyler knew that there was no world where Taylor didn't account for that outcome. Otherwise he wouldn't have risked it at all. Not with someone waiting for him.

The teacher was growing restless and no longer had the patience to keep talking to himself. With Tyler's blatant provocation the menacing aura surrounding him grew even more dangerous.

Slowly getting up as he spoke the teacher continued: You know, that face of yours is just way too similar. That Taylor. I never got to see his face in agonising pain. I didn't even hear him beg for his life or cry out with regret. It was truly regretful. But now that you're here I suppose luck really is on my side.

Tyler picked up on his words and knew he was out of time. Quickly scanning the room he retreated behind his chair as the teacher pulled out his knife. The door to the teacher's back was shut but wasn't bolted like the others. It seemed like the original lock was broken. Tyler clocked this but wasn't planning on running. Even if he made it outside he would not be able to run all the way back to town. Also he was here for a reason and he hadn't found what he was looking for quite yet. He could only stall.

The teacher swung the blade at Tyler over and over without relenting. Tyler skillfully used his cane to defend every attack. The mere strength difference should have been enough to knock him back a little but Tyler didn't move an inch. Instead he was constantly searching the room.

Seeing him defending himself perfectly and still looking around only made the teacher more annoyed and aggressive. The attacks grew more fierce and quicker than before. In what seemed to be a moment of carelessness a strike finally landed. Tyler was knocked off balance and was swiftly hit with another strike to the head as he fell. As he tried to steady himself again the teacher kicked him, knocking him even lower to the ground. As he did, another man walked in the room.

Tyler was still down and the two still standing started to talk. Tyler immediately guessed what Taylor couldn't have defended against even if he accounted for the possibility. If this giant caught him after he was already exhausted he would have no chance.

Still down Tyler raised his eyes slightly and saw under the couch next to him. His calm expression made a subtle change for a moment and he stuck his hand under the couch. Hidden behind his hair the pattern on his earring glowed faintly. Just then his ankle was grabbed and he was dragged back towards the table. Tyler, who still had his cane, twisted and swung violently towards the teacher. Hitting him on the head exactly over a small wound about two weeks old.

As the teacher grunted in pain and staggered back Tyler swung again. This time his attack didn't reach as it was caught by the other stranger. Snatching away Tylers only defense, the giant of a person helped the teacher back up to his feet. As he regained his senses the teacher grabbed Tyler who was once again trying to escape their reach. Being pulled back Tyler looked at the two of them and truly felt what Taylor was up against. Even if Taylor considered the possibility of escaping from one monster and running into another. Aside from hoping for the best, there was nothing to do to defend against this. Taylor was small and could only use the stuff around him to out think the teacher. Even if he succeeded and ran into the forest he wouldn't have the means to do the same thing over again and against someone stronger. Taylor didn't miscalculate, he just ran out of luck.

After a few more moments of struggling Tyler could no longer escape their grasp. Back on the floor near the table the teacher had an gloating expression and spoke as he started to carve thin lines starting at Tyler's legs: You know, this is exactly where that kid was when he died. I carved him up just like now.

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Tyler was hurt but he didn't show fear. He gritted his teeth and watched the two of them looking at them as though they were nothing but insects. As the time passed the teacher grew more and more furious as he was reminded of how Taylor also didn't show fear. The slices grew more excessive and grew deeper as he lost his composure. It was excruciating but Tyler refused to back down.

Just as the teacher was about to deal a killing blow in anger the brother stopped him. He pulled him aside and the two said a few words gesturing towards outside. Tyler couldn't hear them as everything now sounded muffled. His body ached and he couldn't move a muscle. He thought that would be it. Now it seems it'll only get worse before it gets better. But he wasn't worried. His plan was going well and he only needed to wait.

As the two finished their discussion Tyler was carried outside. It was evening now and the sun would start to set within the next few hours. But the trees in the forest block both sunlight and sound. It was dark and gloomy and all round just a spooky place to be.

The teacher had grabbed a long rope for the partner to tie Tyler up leaving him to hang from the tree. Tylers wrists were red from how tightly they were tied. The brothers pulled out a pack of throwing knives. It was easy to see what their gruesome plan was. Tyler closed his eyes and took a breath. When he opened his eyes again he looked directly into the others eyes. It was as if he were provoking them to do their worst.

The brothers were determined to not make the same mistake twice. No matter what this one had to go out suffering. Tyler let them do what they wanted. He already got what he was looking for.

From where he was Tyler could just barely see the path in front of the cabin. He stared in that direction and waited.

Joseph had run straight to the police office. He asked for someone who can help investigate the names on his list. Refusing to leave, he continued to say that someone was in immediate trouble. He was eventually brought to the side where a few officers tried to calm him down. They wanted to help look but to randomly investigate the names on the list without reason wasn't something they could do.

Joseph knew that just looking around wouldn't be enough. Launching some new investigation wouldn't be the right move here. They didn't have time to start at square one. The person had to be someone on the list. And they had Tyler right now. But he didn't have enough to prove it. Only that his friend was with him then got separated.

Since they were at least listening to him Joseph tried his best to explain what he knew. Someone looking similar to Taylor had been taken. He rambled on about how it was important Tyler doesn't meet the same fate. He explained where he disappeared and the places he already searched. Saying that Tyler had a bad leg so he couldn't have disappeared so suddenly unless someone took him. The more he tried to explain the more jumbled his words got.

The officers looked at eachother helplessly. They honestly weren't used to this kind of situation. It wasn't a small town but most of the people acted like it was behaving like nothing tragic could ever happen here. But this kid was stating otherwise. If there really have been two kidnappings and a kid could still be saved shouldn't they try to do something?

They sent someone to find a higher up who could authorize a search party. Joseph could see that they were willing to search but if they found him a step too late then what would have been the point? He continued to try to get them to focus on the list.

At the front door of the station a girl rushed in. She immediately went to the front desk saying that she needed to talk to someone important.

Girl: I have some information about a boy who might have disappeared over two weeks ago.

The front desk and side room weren't far from each other. Both the girl and Joseph could faintly hear the others' words. They both paused and looked over at each other. Mia looked at the boy and couldn't help but remember how Taylor had described Joseph. Joseph had been on his knees begging the officers to focus on the people on the list. His eyes were close to tears and there was a helpless tone in his voice. When Mia met his eyes she immediately felt a sense of familiarity. She had seen that pain every time she looked in the mirror for over a month. Ever since her friend disappeared without a trace.

She couldn't help but stutter slightly: Are you.. Joseph?

Joseph had never met this girl and could only assume that she had talked to Taylor before he vanished. A slight trace of hope flashed through his mind.

Did she know something?

Could she help?

As they both opened their mouths to talk, a short ring came from Mia's pocket. She flinched and quickly found her phone and opened it. There were new messages with a video recording attached. As she read the message a glimpse of joy appeared on her face. She then clicked on the video and it immediately disappeared and was replaced by horror and extreme grief.

She fell to the floor staring at her phone. Tears started to form in her eyes but they never fell. She had already cried too much. Mia looked up at the boy and her face said it all.

I see. Joseph thought: Taylor really is dead.

A higher ranked officer saw this exchange as he walked in. He already heard the gist of the situation and walked straight towards the both of them taking the paper then the cell phone. He read the messages and compared them to the names on the list. One match. As he watched the video his eyebrows became more and more furrowed.

He turned to the other officers and spoke clearly: Get every active officer on this. Get me every possible piece of information on this man. I want to know exactly where this kid is within the hour!

There was anger in his voice with a hint of regret. Everyone in the room could tell that this was really important and that they screwed up. They now had real time evidence and more appeared as they researched. The more they investigated the more disgusted they were. They had to find this guy. Not just one kid but countless others had fallen prey to this monster. Just how long would they let this guy roam free? This was the biggest mistake in every one of their careers.

After finally pinpointing Tyler's location a large group of officers set off. On the way each and every one of them made a silent vow to never ignore someone's voice again. This regret would eat away at them for the rest of their lives. They refused to never be in such a situation again.

The chief was going to suggest that the two kids stay behind but after seeing the look in their eyes he swallowed his words. After everything they've gone through us cops have no right to keep them from seeing this through. On the way they rode in the chief's car and each gave their point of view on the events up until now. He never spoke up and let them speak without judgement. He had no right to scold these kids when it was the adults around them and the cops that drove them to the edge. The chief listened intently, not daring to miss a single detail.