Tyler crept into the house, closing the front door quietly. He tip-toed up the stair, his backpack slung over one shoulder. He could hear his parents distantly yelling. He didn't know what it was about, but he didn't want to know.

Tyler winced when the wood creaked beneath his feet. He paused, cursing under his breath when he realised the arguing had stopped. He turned around and waited until his mother, Kelly, trudged into sight, her face slightly red. She took a deep breath and forced out a smile.

"Tyler, honey," she greeted. "How was school?"

Tyler shrugged, maintaining his spot at the top of the stairs. He awkwardly held eye contact with his mother, neither of them sure of what to say. Soon enough, Tyler's father, Chris, appeared next to Kelly. His expression was solemn. Tyler knew something was wrong.

"Come downstairs, son," Chris said, his voice often than usual.

Tyler furrowed his eyebrows and cautiously walked towards his parents. They led him to the dining room, where they motioned for him to sit down and then sat down across from him. Kelly folded her arms on the table and gave her on a tight lipped smile.

"What's going on?" Tyler asked, anxiety settling in his stomach.

Chris sighed. "There's no easy way to say this, son." He paused and shot a glance towards Kelly. "You have to get married."

"Yeah," Tyler laughed, astounded by what his parents were saying. "sure."

"We're serious, honey," Kelly said. "We... we got involved with some very bad people, and their son is in danger. He needs to escape the country. The only way they can legally keep him in the U.S is to get him married."

Tyler shook his head. "No way. No fucking way. And- and why do I have to do it? I'm only sixteen, and you don't even know if I'm into guys! This is bullshit!"

"You're the only one that's legally of age," Chris explained. "And we know you're 'into guys', Tyler. You've accidentally connected to the TV while watching gay porn way too many times to be straight."

Tyler scoffed and crossed his arms. "You guys have to be kidding."

Kelly took his hand. "It's true, honey. There have been many times when we've been watching our shows and we suddenly see some poor boy being penetrated by-"

Tyler jolted his hand away with a disgusted look on his face. "No, Mom! I meant about me getting married!"

Kelly smiles sadly. "I'm so sorry, honey. This is the only option."

"He'll be flying in in a couple of days. His father has generously payed for a great apartment for you two," Chris said.

"You guys are crazy," Tyler sneered. "And what do you expect me to do? Drop out of school and move in with this guy?"

"Of course not," Kelly answered. "You'll continue to go to school. You don't have to tell anyone. There won't be a wedding or rings or anything. You just have to sign a piece of paper, really. We'll organise everything else."

Tyler could feel a lump growing in his throat. "Why do I have to move in with him?" he asked, his voice weak.

Tears began to brim Kelly's eyes. "It's the only way you can always be protected from-from-" she cut herself off with her own sobbing.

"From who, Mom?" Tyler practically whispered.

"The Russian Mafia," Chris answered, his voice cold.

Tyler's chest began to close in. "Why are you doing this?"

"To protect you, Tyler. You and your siblings. This is the only way," Kelly sobbed.

Tyler stood up, his breathing uneven. He stumbled upstairs, ignoring the concerned voices that followed him. He reached his room and locked the door, collapsing against the wall. There, he began to cry.

Tyler tugged at his hair and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down. He scratched at his skin, willing himself to breath. His hands were shaking uncontrollably, but he barely noticed. He was too focused on the way his lungs had stopped working. He was desperately gasping for air, his throat burning. He didn't understand what was happening.

Tyler let out a pained sob, his vision blurring. He was having a panic attack, he realised. He had read about those. He raised his arms above his head and tried holding his breath. When that didn't realise, he started naming things he could see. He went through all of his senses, naming everything he could see, hear, feel, smell and taste. Eventually, he could breathe normally, only hiccuping every now and then.

Tyler looked around his room and spotted his basketball bag. He stood up, staring at it, before he began emptying it out.

He had to run away.