Secrets Always Comes To Light chap Two

Chapter Two

Dylan looked away from Helen, holding the handle and lock while she shouted through the window: "come on Dylan, it'll be fine."

Helen explained as they walked into school, "I know what happened at your last few schools, but it won't happen here. If it does, you can tell me or a teacher."

The two of them entered the reception area and waited for the secretary. Dylan looked around, staring at all the posters on the walls, he looked at a framed picture over the empty chairs, it was the old school 50 years ago, the old headmaster and students from the school.

It was a mystery to Dylan where all of them were now, whether they were dead or alive, and if they still lived in the area. He was intrigued when he saw the headmaster enter through the double doors.

He shook Dylan's hand as he said, "I'm Mr. Flint, the headmaster," and said, "it's nice to see you again, Helen." Mr. Flint smiled warmly.

Through the double doors, Mr. Flint, Helen, and Dylan entered his office, Dylan sat on the chair furthest away from Mr. Flint's desk. "So, let's do some paperwork before we take a tour." Mr. Flint noted.

Dylan zoned out while Helen and Mr. Flint spoke about the paperwork and signed it. He thought about the night before and how powerful he felt when the man finally died. He always felt powerful when he killed a dirty nonce.

Helen waved her hand in front of Dylan's face as he blinked, returning to reality. "You need to sign the code of conduct. Are you ok?" Asked Helen. "Yeah, I'm fine," Dylan replied as he signed his name.

Dylan put his hood up as they walked around. He wasn't paying attention to Mr. Flint, who was talking about different classes. Dylan thought that listening would be pointless because he would be bunking off.

Dylan noticed two girls pointing and whispering towards him in a classroom where a class was taking place. Dylan ducked his head in worry that they were insulting him.

After leaving the classroom, Dylan waited for Helen and Mr. Flint. After completing the tour, they shook hands again with Mr. Flint and walked back to the car. As Dylan got into the car, his phone started exploding with group chat messages.

Someone spammed the group chat, "check the news right now! You need to check it out!", "We have to get home right now" Dylan demanded. Helen replied, "ok, a please wouldnt go amiss, why the hurry?"

Helen started the engine and began to pull out of the school's car park. As they were driving home, Dylan's phone was filled with messages. Helen smiled, "someone's very popular today."

***

The pair had finally reached home after five minutes of driving. Dylan swung the car door open and sprinted to the front door. He went inside and turned on the television. He saw police tape and a white tent at Oaksbridge Forest, where he was just seven hours earlier.

Helen followed behind Dylan, "what is so important to you that you forgot to close the car door?" Helen muttered as she sat next to Dylan who was looking concerned.

"Police located several bodies at Oaksbridge Forest at 8 am this morning. The crime scene is being investigated as a mass killing. More details will be revealed as the case develops." The TV bellowed.

Helen looked at Dylan, who was staring at the TV very intently. Dylan turned off the TV and went to his room, deciding that he needed to go into town and get a padlock for his bag.

Dylan walked back into the living room, "I have to buy a few things for school in town," he lied. "Do you need a lift?" He shook his his head and walked out the door. He put his headphones on and began walking.

Upon ariving in town, Dylan stepped into the DIY store. He found the padlocks and chose the most durable of them all. While walking to the checkout, he heard two men discussing Oaksbridge and the crime scene.

"Did you see all the police this morning?" One man said. Dylan stared fearfully at them. One of them looked at Dylan, "Did you see them?" He asked, "Yeah man! It was crazy!" Dylan replied exaggeratedly, his face white as a sheet.

When Dylan got to the self-checkout, he scanned his item as fast as he could and paid. On his way out of the store, he wondered if he left any DNA behind. He started walking home, completely forgetting about the school supplies he said he would buy.

He ran to his room after returning home. At this point, Helen had grown concerned. She knocked on Dylan's door, but got no response. She knocked again, Dylan opened the door.

Dylan dared not say anything, texting on his phone instead. "What's wrong? You've been jittery ever since that news segment." Helen interjected. Dylan looked around the room, attempting to think of an excuse. "It's just Oaksbridge is where my family use to go. We were happier back then." Dylan lied.

As Helen sat next to Dylan, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Dylan immediately locked his phone. Helen comforted him and Dylan smiled a half smile.

Dylan's phone popped up with a message from Elijah, 'Don't worry everyone. Most of the bodies have been removed. Except three of them. We will keep you informed.' Dylan sighed with relief. Helen returned with Dylan's new school uniform and hung it on the wardrobe.

***

Emily, who came home from school a few hours later, burst into Dylan's room. Dylan jumped up and stared at her. "So, how was school?" She asked. "I've been telling everyone about my new big brother!" She exclaimed excitedly.

He looked up at Emily in shock, "You did what? What did you tell them?" Dylan yelled. Emily backed away fearing his anger.

While Dylan clenched his fists, Emily ran into her room and slammed the door. Dylan slammed the door and punched it, cutting his knuckles upon impact. Dylan ripped his school uniform from the hanger and threw it in the bin.

Helen ran upstairs. Upon entering Dylan's room, Helen spotted his uniform in the bin, "what's going on? Why is Emily upset?" Helen asked. Dylan shrugged, "maybe she should shut her fat gob, then she wouldn't get upstairs." "Please don't say that about her." Helen begged as she pulled the uniform from the bin.

"I'm going out. I need some fresh air." Dylan announced as he grabbed his backpack and slammed the door. Helen signed and sat on Dylan's bed.

Dylan walked to the park and sat on a bench. He pulled out a grinder, a rizla, a roach, and a small baggy of weed from his bag. He rolled a joint, checking to see if anyone was nearby.

While he smoked, his phone started ringing. It was Helen, he ignored it. As he felt the effects of being high, his mind became calmer.

***

Dylan entered the house after returning home. Helen walked up to Dylan and asked "where have you been? I have been so worried."

Dylan began laughing as he looked around, "No problem. Just needed to blow off steam." Dylan snorted as he began walking to his room. Helen stopped him, "have you been smoking?" She accused as she pulled Dylan back. "Noooo." Dylan laughed. "Go to your room now. I will come see you in a minute!" Helen fumed not knowing what to do in this situation. Emily stared in disbelief as she watched Helen walk up the stairs.

Dylan fell onto his bed and took out his phone. He didnt have a care in the world. Helen stormed into his room and shut his door. As Dylan started texting, Helen snatched his phone out of his hands, "Hey! Give that back!" Dylan screamed.

"What on earth do you think you're doing?" Helen challenged. Dylan stared at her, getting more angry as the seconds ticked by. "I won't allow drugs in my house. You're grounded and I'm taking your phone. You can stay in here the rest of the evening." Helen scolded. Dylan lunged at Helen, trying to grab his phone, "why don't you just kick me out of this fucking house?" Dylan spat. Helen, who was shocked, left his room, hoping that she done the right thing.

Dylan stood in the middle of his room. He started to panic, if she looked through it, his secret would be exposed and it would game over. In a fit of rage. Dylan grabbed his deak and flipped it over making a loud crash. He began kicking it until the wood began splitting and coming away.

Helen, who was listening behind the door, decided to ring Allison. She went to her room and dialled her number. After a few seconds of ringing, Allison's voicemail came through the speaker, 'Hey this is Allison, I can't get to the phone right now. Please leave a message and I will get back to you soon.'

Helen waited for the beep, "Hi Allison, it's Helen. Something has happened with Dylan. He's destroying his room after I confiscated his phone because he came back home high, and swore at me. I don't know why he is being like this, I'll explain more when you call. Thanks bye." Helen hung up.

She could still hear banging from Dylan's room as she went downstairs. Emily was still sitting on the sofa, she was crying, fearing that it was all her fault. Helen noticed her crying. She quickly walked over to her and sat down. "What's wrong, sweetie?" Helen spoke softly. Emily cuddled up to Helen, "Dylan's angry because of me. I shouldn't have said anything at school." Emily tearfully confessed.

Helen wrapped her arms around Emily, she replied, "I don't think it was your fault. Maybe he didn't want anyone to know he was adopted or in care."

After they finished talking, the house grew silent. Dylan had stopped. He sat against the wall, with broken furniture all around him. He stared at his bag that carried his weapons and thought how great it would be to shoot himself right now.

As Dylan was in this train of thought the door opened. He looked away so they didn't see his tears. Helen and Emily walked in and began picking everything up. Dylan sat with his hood up staring out the window zoning in and out as they went around him.

After a while they were done. The room was as clean as it could be. Helen and Emily began to leave, but Helen stayed behind. She walked over to where Dylan was sitting, "I'm not ever going to kick you out." She sighed. She then left and put his phone on the bedside table. Dylan watched as she left and ran to grab his phone. He made sure that she hadn't seen anything. He was still angry and made a plan to let off some more steam.

***

A couple of hours later, it was midnight. Dylan got out of bed and opened his door. He checked that no one was still awake and walked to the kitchen. He grabbed the biggest knife he could find and walked out of the back door.

He walked towards the back fence and looked over. He saw the neighbours dog in his cage in the back garden. Dylan made sure that no one was around and put the knife in his back pocket and he jumped the fence and sneaked his way towards the cage.

The dog, who got excited at Dylan's presence, jumped up in the cage. Dylan opened it up and grabbed him by the collar. Dylan pulled the knife out of his back pocket and began stabbing the dog. The dog whined as each blow of the blade made contact. Blood splattered Dylan's face and clothes. Dylan smiled as the dog began going limp in front of him.

As the dog laid dying, Dylan took off the dogs collar and put it in his hoody pocket as a souvenir. Dylan noticed the neighbours light turn on inside the house and ran and jumped the fence. He went back inside of his house and washed the knife.

While Dylan washed the knife and put it back in the draw, Emily had come down to grab a glass of water. She saw Dylan and his face that had blood over it. "What have you done, Dylan? Why are you covered in blood?" Emily stuttered. Dylan turned around and looked at Emily. "It's none of your business what i've been doing. So, I suggest this time, you shut your mouth and don't say a word to your mum, got it?" Dylan hissed as he grabbed her arm. Emily nodded and ran to her room.

Dylan washed his face and grabbed the dogs collar before he took his hoody off and chucked it into the washing machine. He walked to his room and heard Emily crying. He began to feel bad for threatening her, but he decided to ignore her and go into his room. Dylan opened his bag with the key to the padlock and shoved the dogs collar inside and locked it again. He soon fell asleep with a smile on his face.

***

Helen woke to a continuous knock on the door, "I'm coming, i'm coming" she said as she walked towards the front door. She opened it to find her neighbours in their pyjamas and blood shot eyes, "Hi, we wondered if you saw anything last night? Our dog was stabbed to death last night and his collar is also missing. We just wanted to make sure no one saw anything." They revealed. Helen stood shocked, "No, everyone here was in bed all night. I will ask the kids and see if they were awake and saw anything. I will let you know if I find out anything." She replied. Emily stood at the top of the stairs and looked towards Dylan's room.

Dylan woke an hour later and walked downstairs to see Emily and Helen at the dining room table. He went to sit on the sofa, "Did you two see anything last night? The neighbours dog was killed last night and wanted to know if anyone saw anything." Helen asked while drinking her coffee. Dylan shot a look at Emily, she stared at the floor and shook her head. Helen looked at Dylan, "Did you see anything, Dylan?" She asked. "No, I was in bed, dreaming of a happier life." Dylan smiled. Emily pushed her bowl of cereal away from her and went to her room.

"What's up with her?" Helen asked. Dylan shrugged and turned the TV on. Helen took the bowl and her mug to the kitchen and scraped the contents left in the bowl in the bin, then placed them both in the sink. There was another knock at the door. Helen opened the door and Allison walked in. Dylan looked away from the TV and smirked. He looked back at the TV while Allison walked over and sat next to him. Helen grabbed the remote and turned the television off.

Dylan crossed his arms and didn't look at either of them. "We've spoken about your temper before and the small matter of you smoking." Allison spoke. "It was something to do with that news segment yesterday. He only started becoming angry after that." Helen suggested. Dylan shook his head. "What news segment?" Allison wondered. Helen grabbed her phone and pulled up the article and showed Allison, "why did this bother you?" Allison asked Dylan. "He told me that's where his family went when he was younger." Helen repeated.

Dylan looked at Allison and smirked, "I assume you haven't had a chance to read Dylan's file yet?" Allison asked. Helen looked confused, "no, not yet." She spoke. "Then you'd know that Dylan never knew his parents and has never been to Oaksbridge when he was younger." Allison stated. Dylan smirked again and walked away from both of them.

Helen sat down on the armchair and placed her head in her hands, "I don't think I'm able to do this." Helen sighed. Dylan sat on the top of the stairs and listened to what was being said. "Unfortunately, most care kids have so many issues. Dylan just struggles with his anger and whatever the issue is with this forest, I'm sure he will open up about it at some point, it just takes time." Allison explained. "You're doing better than the last foster parents did with him. Just give it time, he'll settle down soon." She added.

Helen smiled. Dylan got up and went to his room. He sat on his bed and thought about everything that was said and how everything looked suspicious. Dylan knocked on Emily's door and walked in, "I know you think I killed that dog, but I didn't." He lied. Emily looked up at him, "where did the blood come from?" Emily questioned. Dylan bit his fingernails and sighed. He pulled his sleeve up and showed the deep cuts on his wrist.

Emily's mouth fell open, "you need to tell mum about that. She's a counsellor, she'll know what to." Emily suggested. Dylan shook his head.

As Dylan was about to say. Another word, his phone went off. It was from Elijah, 'exclusive member meet-up in a week, not @ Oaksbridge as its still overrun with police. Will be in contact soon to say location.' Dylan smiled, "look I'm sorry for scaring you. I shouldn't have been like that." Dylan apologised, Emily smiled.

He left the room and went back downstairs. Both Helen and Allison looked at him. "Um, I'm sorry for lying to you and being violent." Dylan spoke as he looked at his feet. Helen smiled, "it's ok. Just please respect my rules." She responded. Dylan nodded and went back to his room.

"Is there anything else you'd like to speak about?" Allison asked. Helen thought for a bit and decided it was best to get it out. "The neighbour came round this morning, their dog had been killed. And I was worried that Dylan had something to do with it. I'm sure he didn't but it was just a thought that I couldn't shake." Helen nervously stated.

"I'll have a word with him before I leave. He's never done that before, so I doubt he did do it. He likes scaring people." Allison explained. "You need to read his file, then you'll know how and what he's like." She added. Helen nodded.

Allison went to Dylan's room, she knocked and walked in. "Have you got something to tell me?" Allison quizzed as she shut the door. Dylan looked at her with a confused look on his face. "Something about a neighbours dog." She continued, "I didn't do it." Dylan yelled quietly, "I was asleep when it happened." He added. "How do you know when it happened?" Allison asked. "Helen said it happened last night. And last night I was asleep, right here." Dylan defended. "I know you, I know your past." Allison responded.

"You're just like everyone else. Always see the bad in me. I didn't do it, you understand?" Dylan shouted as he stood up and went to the window. Allison sighed and stood up to leave, "you're not a bad person, Dylan. You just make bad decisions." She said as she left his room. Dylan looked at the door as it closed.

Allison walked downstairs, "I don't think he did it, it's just another thing to scare people." She lied, she knew what Dylan had done in the past and had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Helen smiled and sighed with relief.

***

A few hours later, Helen called Emily and Dylan downstairs for supper. Dylan sat down with Emily. He stayed quiet thinking about what Allison had said to him before she left. Helen watched as Dylan stared at his plate, only taking small bites and pushing the food around his plate. She noticed that he didn't eat ever eat a lot, but was worried about becoming his counsellor instead of his parent.

Once everyone had finished, Helen put the dishes into the sink. Dylan rushed to his room. As he shut the door, he thought about hiding the dogs collar by burying it. He didn't want anyone to find it. He waited till everyone had gone to their rooms, before sneaking downstairs. He opened the back door and went to find a shovel.

Meanwhile, Helen had took out Dylan's file from her filing cabinet and sat at her desk to read it:

'Dylan was found in an alleyway behind a shopping centre. He was wrapped in a blanket, but was only dressed in a soiled nappy.

Efforts to locate the mother were unsuccessful.

As a toddler, Dylan was violent towards other children. He would pull their hair, bite, push them over and smack the other children in the care home and foster families that he was placed with.

Dylan would steal food from shops and the kitchens and would stash them in his room to avoid eating with others.'

'Maybe that is why he doesn't eat a lot. But he's ate the last few times with us.' Helen thought as she turned the page.

'Dylan dissociates himself, but can be very hostile and angry at times.

Throughout the years, he has had multiple counselling sessions and anger management therapy among other types of therapy, but none have so far worked for Dylan.

He has been bullied most of his school life, which has caused a fear and/or phobia about school and will lash out if he doesn't want to go.'

Helen put her hand to her face, thinking she'd gone about it all wrong from the start. 'He hadn't been here 5 minutes and I registered him at school. But why did he not lash out?' She thought. She decided to give him a week at school to see how Dylan got on.

While Helen was making plans about Dylan, he had found a shovel and began digging a hole at the end of the garden. He dug it deep enough and placed the dogs collar down the hole and began shovelling the mud back over it. As he went back into the house, he heard the neighbours talking in their garden, "Didn't she just have a care kid move in with her? I bet it was him, they're all wronguns, even their parents didn't want them." The female neighbour said to her husband. Dylan clenched his fists as he walked back inside, 'they'll gets what's coming for them soon.' He thought.

Helen caught him on the stairs as she went to get a drink and saw he was angry, "hey, what's wrong?" She asked. Dylan unclenched his fists and looked at her, "those neighbours are going to pay soon." He snapped. Helen didn't understand what had happened and took Dylan back downstairs so he could explain.

"What do you mean they're going to pay? What has happened?" She calmly asked. "Accused me of killing their dog and then said care kids were wronguns. Someone should kill them too, they can go be with their beloved dead mutt then." Dylan whisper yelled. Helen didn't even realise that he had gone outside and wanted to know what he was doing out there, but held back on those questions in fear of him lashing out again.

"Well, I wouldn't listen to them. They wouldn't know what care kids are like because care kids don't want them as parents." Helen smiled, not sure if it was the right thing to say or not. Dylan smiled back, and she noticed it was the first time she had ever seen him smile since she first met him last year. "Now, you get off to bed, you've got an early start tomorrow with school." Helen stated. Dylan nodded and went up to his room.

As he walked in, he noticed a warm feeling inside of him, but was unsure of what it was. He had never felt his before. It felt unusual to him and made him nervous. He had only felt anger and hatred for years, so this new feeling was very new and very strange for him.

He took off his shoes and muddy clothes and chucked them into the laundry hamper and got into bed. He stayed awake for another hour, worrying about school and bullies before he eventually fell asleep. Helen came to check on him when she came back up to bed and watched him through the door for a few seconds, 'finally, he might just be settling down now.' She closed his door quietly and went to sleep herself after checking on Emily.