Page 45 of Always You

“Check the roof!” Marcus’s voice crackled over the walkie-talkie, and I changed direction, taking the stairs two at a time up to the rooftop access. The door, which had long been locked and closed off, was hanging from its hinges.

When I stepped onto the roof, the cold hit me like a physical blow, but the sight of Tyler standing dangerously close to the edge made me stop in my tracks. “Tyler!” I shouted, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart.

He didn't turn. “Just stay there, Alex,” his quiet voice carried in the silence. “Let me think.”

“Okay.”

Tyler was bundled in a heavy coat—would someone wanting to end their life wear something designed to keep out the cold?

“It wouldn't be fair to do this,” Tyler said at last, his voice low and emotionless. “It's not far enough…” He peered over the edge. “And Jesus, what if one of the others sees me fall, and they're triggered?” He groaned. “I'm fucking this up.”

A particularly harsh gust of wind shoved at us, and he wobbled. My heart stopped.

“I'm not here to stop you,” I lied, taking slow, measured steps toward him, “I just want to talk. You left us a note, and we're worried.”

Despair seemed to envelop him like a shroud. We were literally and figuratively on the precipice, and every word and movement counted.

“Maybe I should have done something quieter. A pill for every person I hurt?” He huffed a noise of despair and pressed gloved hands to his temples. “Would that be enough to stop this?”

I moved closer… a step at a time.

“I can help,” I murmured, just loud enough for him to hear.

Tyler turned to face me, sure and steady, without stumbling. His bright blue eyes were bloodshot, tears streaming down his face, tracing lines over his scars, his breathing harsh and ragged.

“You can't take away what I did,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

I stopped a few feet away from him, respecting his space while keeping close enough to react if needed. “I know I can't, Tyler,” I responded, my heart heavy with the pain in his words.

He shook his head, his gaze drifting back toward the skyline, seemingly lost in his own turmoil. “I can’t forget their faces. They’re with me all the time.”

His raw confession hung between us. I took a deep breath, searching for the right words. “I can’t pretend to understand what you’ve been through, Tyler. But this—this pain and guilt you’re carrying—it’s a part of you, but it’s notallof you. You’re here with us because you want to find a way to live. And we’re here to help you with that, not judge you or erase your past.”

Tyler’s eyes met mine again, the torment clear. “It would be easier if I just stopped,” he whispered with a desperate edge.

“No,” I said, taking a step closer, my voice soft but insistent. “There’s still hope, Tyler. There's still life to be lived. Your momand dad would be heartbroken, and Jessica…” I assumed this was someone important, a sister, or a girlfriend maybe. I hope I was playing this right.

He stiffened then. “My little sister can't even look at me.” His shoulders slumped, the fight seeming to go out of him, his voice breaking.

“Maybe she doesn't know what to say?—”

“She doesn't! And I don't know what to say to her…”

I paused for a moment. “You’re not alone,” I reassured him, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder. I felt him tense under my touch before relaxing. I couldn't grab him. He was taller than me, weighed more, and was military-trained, but he was just a kid, and I would try if I had to. “Let’s go back inside. We can sit down, talk more, and get you the support you need.”

Tyler didn’t move for a long time, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Then, he nodded, not looking back at me as he spoke. “I'm sorry.”

I tensed. Was he saying sorry to me? Or was it to the ghosts of the people on his conscience, or maybe his family?

Then, he collapsed into my hold, and with relief flooding me, with so much pain in my heart for him, I guided him back to the door. We went inside, where Marcus waited with his medical kit, two steaming hot drinks, and my coat.

“You can't take away what I did,” Tyler blurted at Marcus.

“But we can try to help you live with what you saw,” Marcus whispered.

I released my hold of Tyler, and he immediately leaned against Marcus, who passed me the coffee cups and his bag. He dropped the coat and hugged Tyler close, and we exchanged glances.I got this, Marcus was telegraphing, and from how Tyler gripped hard, it looked like he did.

So, I forced the door shut, shoved a chair under it, and left them hugging. On my way down, I called the security companywho said they’d be with us in ten. We needed an alarm on the door, stat.

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