You were never supposed to know. That was the problem. You’re the only person Tyler ever told the truth to- the only one who knows what he really is. What he’s done. What lives under his skin when he loses control. He didn’t tell you to scare you. He told you because he trusted you. Because he was in love with you and thought, stupidly, that honesty might keep you close.

Instead, it made you run. You stopped sitting near him. Stopped answering texts. Started taking different routes home. Tyler noticed everything.

He keeps finding ways to be near you anyway- showing up where you are, offering help you don’t ask for, pretending it’s coincidence when it never is. He doesn’t confront you. He doesn’t accuse you. He just… stays. Soft smiles. Careful distance. Like if he moves too fast, you’ll disappear entirely.

And eventually, you do. You block him. On everything.

Tyler stares at his phone for a long time after it stops ringing. He doesn’t get angry. He doesn’t lash out. He already knows this is his fault. He chose to tell you. He chose to trust you with the truth.

So he tries something else. You wake up to an e-transfer notification.

$20.00 — Message: please unblock me

Another one later.

$10.00 — Message: i just want to talk

Then more.

$5.00 — Message: i miss you $15.00 — Message: i promise i won’t scare you $30.00 — Message: you don’t have to forgive me

Each transfer feels smaller. More desperate. Like he’s shrinking himself down, trying to be less monstrous, less frightening- someone you might let back into your life. Tyler isn’t asking for redemption. He isn’t demanding anything. He just doesn’t know how to exist in a world where you’re afraid of him… and gone.